Trinity Sunday: Life, Liberation, and Love

Sunday, May 31, 2026
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

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

Google Calendar ICS

There’s an old joke that goes like this: On Trinity Sunday, the wise senior pastor sends the newly ordained rookie to the pulpit to explain this complex doctrine. Then, the wise pastor takes notes, marking down every instance of the young pastor committing an act of heresy.

It’s hard to get the Trinity “right.” It would be correct to say, It is a mystery. But what can we say about it that will illumine us, open our hearts to the God whom we are trying to describe, and help us to more deeply understand our faith?

You are invited to join us for worship this Sunday in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street in Endicott. Or. if you wish, you can join our livestream from home or travel by clicking on the Youtube video below. You are always welcome!

Trinity Sunday: Life, Liberation, and Love

Psalm 131; Hosea 11:1-4

Union Presbyterian Church

May 31, 2026

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

Liturgist: Peg Williams Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

This is the day that the Lord has made!

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

Announcements Peg Williams

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“O Day of Radiant Gladness,” Lani Smith

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Call to Worship

In the beginning, before time,
before people, before the world began,
God was.

Here and now, among us, beside us,
enlisting the people of earth for the purposes of heaven,
God is.

In the future, when we have turned to dust,
and all we know has found its fulfillment,
God will be.

Not denying the world, but delighting in it,
not condemning the world, but redeeming it,
through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
God was, God is, God will be.

* Hymn # 2

“Come, Thou Almighty King”

(Public Domain)

Come, thou almighty King,
Help us thy name to sing;
Help us to praise:
Father, all glorious,
O'er all victorious,
Come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

Come, thou incarnate Word,
Merciful, mighty Lord,
Our prayer attend.
Come, and thy people bless,
And give thy word success;
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.

Come, holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart,
And ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

To thee, great One in Three,
Eternal praises be,
Hence evermore!
Thy sovereign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.

* Call to New Life  

We come to God needing different things. Some may need to say, “Help me,” and some may need to say, “Save me,” and some may need to say, “Forgive me,” and some may need to say, “Hold me.” Now is the time to come to God with our deepest needs, and our open hearts.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

In you, gracious God, the widowed find a carer, the orphaned find a parent, the fearful find a friend. In you, the wounded find a healer, the penitent find a pardoner, the burdened find a counsellor. In you, the miserly find a beggar, the despondent find a laughter-maker, the legalists find a rule-breaker. In you, Jesus Christ, we meet our Maker and our match. And if some need to say, “Help me,” and if some need to say, “Save me,” and if some need to say, “Hold me,” and if some need to say, “Forgive me,” then let these be said now, in confidence, by us.

~Silent Prayer~

O Christ, whose heart is both welcome and warning, say to us, do to us, reveal within us the things that will make us whole. And we will wait. And we will praise you. Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love

Heaven is here, and earth,

and the God who made them is present.

The Lamb, glorious on the throne, sits beside us.

The Spirit of God, the Dove, makes her resting place among us.

Let the heavens be glad.

Let the whole earth cry, Glory! And thanks be to God.

* Sharing of the Peace

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 Psalm 131

Womb of Life, my heart is not lifted up,

nor my eyes exalted;

I do not keep company with things

great and too wondrous for me.
Rather, I have soothed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with her mother;

my soul is like a weaned child within me.
Israel, hope in the Wellspring of Life

from now until forever.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “The Play of the Godhead” (Hymn #9)

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Choir

“Trinity Song,” Katie Wills

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

O Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit,

O Love Divine, poured out eternally,

Make us your Church, one in love,

In holiness and unity.

Your radiance illuminates creation,

Your splendor shines more brilliant than the sun,

Filling the world with your grace and glory,

Flowing from above.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Holy, Holy, Holy: Heaven resounds,

Your people cry out in praise of you, Lord.

United with the blessed saints and angels,

We gather as one people ‘round your throne.

Heaven and Earth, joined in adoration,

Raise their song of love.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Holy, Holy, Holy: Heaven resounds,

Your people cry out in praise of you, Lord.

All glory be to God, the Holy Father,

All glory be to Jesus Christ, his Son,

Glory and praise to the Holy Spirit:

Perfect Three-in-One.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Holy, Holy, Holy: Heaven resounds,

Your people cry out in praise of you, Lord.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Holy, Holy, Holy: Heaven resounds,

Your people cry out in praise of you, Lord.

Scripture Hosea 11:1-4

When Israel was a child, I loved them,

and out of Egypt I called my child.
They, the Baals, called to them,

they went out to the Baals;

they sacrificed and to idols,

they offered incense.
Yet it was I who walked toddling Ephraim,

taking them by their arms;

yet they did not know that I healed them.
I led them with human ties,

with bonds of love.

I was to them like those

who lift babies to their cheeks.

I bent down to them and fed them.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Life, Liberation, and Love” Rev. Pat Raube

* Affirmation of Faith From the Iona Community, Scotland

We believe in God above us,

maker and sustainer of all life,

of sun and moon, of water and earth, of all God’s children.

We believe in God beside us,

Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh,

born of a woman’s womb, servant of the poor.

He was tortured and nailed to a tree.

A man of sorrows, he died forsaken.

He descended into the earth to the place of death.

On the third day he rose from the tomb.

He ascended into heaven to be everywhere present,

and his kingdom will come on earth.

We believe in God within us,

the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,

life-giving breath of the church,

Spirit of healing and forgiveness,

source of resurrection and of life everlasting.

Amen. 

* Hymn # 3

“Womb of Life and Source of Being”

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Womb of life and source of being,

Home of every restless heart,

In your arms the worlds awakened;

You have loved us from the start.

We, your children, gather ‘round you,

At the table you prepare.

Sharing stories, tears, and laughter,

We are nurtured by your care.

Word in flesh, our brother Jesus,

Born to bring us second birth,

You have come to stand beside us,

Knowing weakness, knowing earth.

Priest who shares our human struggles,

Life of Life and Death of Death,

Risen Christ, come stand among us,

Send the Spirit by your breath.

Brooding Spirit, move among us;

Be our partner, be our friend.

When our memory fails, remind us

Whose we are, what we intend.

Labor with us; aid the birthing

Of the new world yet to be,

Free of servant, lord, and master,

Free for love and unity.

Mother, Brother, holy Partner;

Father, Spirit, Only Son:

We would praise your name forever,

One-in-three and three-in-one.

We would share your life, your passion,

Share you word of world made new,

Ever singing, ever praising,

One with all, and one with you.

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 # 10

“Sing Glory to the Name of God,” David Gambrell

@2015, GIA Publications, Inc., All rights reserved.     

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Sing glory to the name of God,

Whose holy splendor shines abroad.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Enthroned above the crashing waves,

The God of grace and glory saves.

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The name of God is full of might:

Resounding thunder, flashing light.

Alleluia, alleluia!

The wilderness cannot contain

The echoes of the great refrain:

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The name of God is wild and free,

A-whirl in holy mystery.

Alleluia, alleluia!

A secret wrapped in smoke and fire,

Still chanted by the temple choir:

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

May God forever be our peace;

May hymns of glory never cease:

Alleluia, alleluia!

Let all the faithful people come;

Sing praise to God, the Three-in-One:

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Holy, Holy, Holy,” 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.

Liturgy taken and/or adapted from “A Wee Worship Book,” Wild Goose Worship Group, Chicago, IL

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Trinity Sunday: Life, Liberation, and Love