Easter 7: We Welcome the Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Elfond

Sunday, May 17, 2026
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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UPC is delighted to welcome the Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Elfond to our pulpit once again! Both a retired Presbyterian Church (USA) minister AND a world traveler, she can be seen in this photo in Antarctica. Cheryl Ann’s particular gifts include preaching, transitional ministry, and ecumenical work in the mainline denominations. She will be warmly welcomed!

You can join us in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street in Endicott, NY. Or, you can join us online by clicking on the livestream, right here, on Sunday morning at 10:30. You are invited, and will ALSO be most warmly welcomed!

Easter 7: ... For the Living of These Days

Sirach 51:13-21; Psalm 27:1-2, 4-5, 7, 10, 13-14
Union Presbyterian Church

May 17, 2026

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Cathie Makowka Preacher: Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Elfond

Welcome

This is the day that the Lord has made!

Let us rejoice and be glad in it! ~Psalm 118:24

Announcements Cathie Makowka

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Just As I Am,” Joel Raney

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 27)

One thing I asked of the Fount of Life, that one thing will I seek:

to live in the house of the Womb of Life all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Wellspring of Life,

and to inquire in her temple.

If I but believe,

I shall see the goodness of She Who is Faithful in the land of the living.

Wait for the Living God; be strong,

And let your heart take courage;

Wait for God Whose Name is Holy! Let us worship this God!

* Hymn # 453

“Open Your Ears, O Faithful People!”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Open your ears, O faithful people;

Open your ears and hear God’s word.

Open your hearts, O royal priesthood;

God has come to you.

God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!

God has spoken words of wisdom, hallelujah!

God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!

God has spoken words of wisdom, hallelujah!

They who have ears to hear the message,

They who have ears, now let them hear;

They who would learn the way of wisdom,

Let them hear God’s word.

God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!

God has spoken words of wisdom, hallelujah!

God has spoken to the people, hallelujah!

God has spoken words of wisdom, hallelujah!

* Call to New Life  

All who hunger and thirst for mercy and goodness, lift up your voice and seek the ONE whose name is love. Let us pray…

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (from Hymn #611, verse 1)

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away; giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day! Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love (from Hymn #435, verses 1 & 2)

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;

there’s a kindness in God’s justice which is more than liberty.

For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind;

and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.

Friends, believe the good news! In Jesus Christ, we are loved and forgiven!

* Sharing of the Peace

The peace of God is available to you right now.

May the peace of our loving God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Sirach 51:13-21

While I was still young, before I wandered,

I sought Wisdom openly in my prayer.
Before the temple I petitioned about her,

and until the end I will search for her.
From the flower to the ripening grape

my heart rejoiced in her;

my foot is set on the right path;

from my youth I pursued her.
I inclined my ear a little and received her,

and I found for myself much instruction.
I made progress in her;

to the One who gives Wisdom I will give glory.
For I had determined to do all according to her,

and I was zealous for good,

and shall never be disappointed.
My soul wrestled with her,

and in my observance of the law I was precise;

I spread out my hands to the heavens,

and lamented ignorance of her.
I directed my soul to her,

and in purification I found her.

I obtained a heart joined with her from the beginning;

therefore I will never be forsaken.
My depths were stirred to seek her;

therefore I have obtained a treasured possession.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Elfond

Music: “Gather Us In” (Hymn #401)

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Anthem Choir

“At the Table, All Are Equal,” David Bjorlin

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

At the table, all are equal,

All approach the feast as guest.

None sit in the seat of honor:

At the table, none are best.

At the table, none go hungry,

None must steal or beg for bread;

All receive from God’s abundance:

At the table, all are fed.

At the table, none go hungry,

At the table, all are fed.

At the table, all are cherished,

All are sought at any cost,

None abandoned or forsaken,

At the table, none are lost.

At the table, none are finished,

None sit selfishly content;

All are called to love in service:

From the table, all are sent.

At the table, all are cherished,

From the table, all are sent.

At the table, all are equal,

At the table, all are fed.

Scripture Psalm 27:1-2, 4-5, 7, 10, 13-14 Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Elfond

The Fire of Sinai is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Ark of Safety is the strength of my life; whom shall I dread?

When evildoers advance against me to devour my flesh,

my adversaries and my foes, they shall stumble and fall.

One thing I asked of the Fount of Life, that one thing will I seek:

to live in the house of the Womb of Life all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Wellspring of Life,

and to inquire in her temple.
She will shield me in her shelter when the day is evil;

she will cover me under the cover of her tent;

she will raise me high on a rock.

Hear my cry, Faithful One, when I cry aloud,

be gracious to me and answer me!

If my mother and father forsake me,

the Compassionate God will gather me in.

If I but believe,

I shall see the goodness of She Who is Faithful in the land of the living.

Wait for the Living God; be strong,

And let your heart take courage;

Wait for God Whose Name is Holy!

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “For the Living of These Days” Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Elfond

* Affirmation of Faith Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things…

and the God of peace will be with you.

* Hymn # 12

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

(Public Domain)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might:
Thy justice, like mountains high soaring above;
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small.
In all life thou livest, the true life of all.
We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
Then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.

Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light.
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight.
All praise we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Prayer Response # 587

“Alleluia!” Fintan O’Carroll, Christopher Walker

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Call for Offering     

* Doxology # 606

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

(Public Domain)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise him, all creatures here below:

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* Dedication of Offering 

* Hymn # 307

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

(Public Domain)

God of grace and God of glory,
On thy people pour thy power;
Crown thine ancient church's story;
Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil round us
Scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

Cure thy children's warring madness;
Bend our pride to thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss thy kingdom's goal,
Lest we miss thy kingdom's goal.

Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore.
Let the gift of thy salvation
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving thee whom we adore,
Serving thee whom we adore.

Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Carillon Toccata,” Douglas E. Wagner

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

Scripture Translations from the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church,” Year A.

Worship With Us

Easter 7: We Welcome the Rev. Dr. Cheryl Ann Elfond