What is a blessing? We use the word a lot—casually, as in, “I feel so blessed” in reference to nice weather the day of the wedding, or sarcastically, as in #bless. But what’s behind Jesus’s very strange idea of who is blessed? When he says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the majesty of the heavens”? How can being poor—either literally, as in, not having enough resources to sustain living, or spiritually, as in, at the end of our ropes—be a blessing? Today we ask that question, and we don’t settle for easy answers.
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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Who is Blessed?
Psalm 103; Matthew 5:1-9
September 20, 2026
Union Presbyterian Church, Endicott, NY
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Kathy Wescott-Sullivan 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 Kathy Wescott-Sullivan
Prelude Chris Bartlette
“He Leadeth Me,” Jay Rouse
©2023, Lorenz Publishing Co., All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
* Call to Worship From Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all God’s benefits:
who forgives all your iniquity,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord, O my soul.
* Hymn # 23
“God, You Spin the Whirling Planets”
Text: ©1980, Jane Parker Huber, All rights reserved.
Music: ©1986, GIA Publications, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
God, you spin the whirling planets,
Fill the seas and spread the plain,
Mold the mountains, fashion blossoms,
Call forth sunshine, wind, and rain.
We, created in your image,
Would a true reflection be
Of your justice, grace, and mercy
And the truth that makes us free.
You have called us to be faithful
In our life and ministry.
We respond in grateful worship
Joined in one community.
When we blur your gracious image,
Focus us and make us whole.
Healed and strengthened as your people,
We move onward toward your goal.
God, your word is still creating,
Calling us to life made new.
Now reveal to us fresh vistas
Where there’s work to dare and do.
Keep us clear of all distortion.
Polish us with loving care.
Thus, new creatures in your image,
We’ll proclaim Christ everywhere.
* Call to New Life
With what shall I come before the Lord? We come, knowing we’ve lived imperfectly, knowing we need forgiveness, and we ask what we could possibly offer for such a gift. But when we come in honesty and repentance, we find a God who is ready to love, ready to forgive, and ready to renew us as children of God. Trusting in that grace, let us confess our sin, first together and then in silent prayer.
* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)
Merciful God, we come before you in confession. You have showered us with blessings, but we hoard those gifts, refusing to share with our neighbors in need. You have given us freedom to live justly, but we choose to oppress and judge others. You have called us to live in peaceful community, but we sow discord and breed fear among ourselves. Forgive us. Soften our hearts and open our minds to hear your call. Inspire us to act justly, love fiercely, and walk in your way each and every day. Lord, hear our prayer …
(silent confession)
… Amen.
* Words of Assurance
The mercy of the Holy One is deeper than the depths of the sea.
The mercy of the Holy One is wider than the whole of the earth.
Friends, hear and the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, healed and made whole. Alleluia. Amen.
* Sharing of the Peace
The steadfast love and mercy of God
bring a deep peace to our souls.
May the peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us share a sign of God’s peace with one another.
Psalter Psalm 103: 1-3, 8-13
©2014, Chris Bartlette
Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,
Bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all God’s benefits:
Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
You will not always accuse us, nor will you
Keep your anger forever.
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor repaid us according to our iniquities.
Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So is your love for those who fear you.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far have you removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
So you have compassion for those who fear you, O Lord.
Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy,
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube
Music: “When the Lord Redeems the Very Least” (Hymn #852)
©1932, Hartford Music Co., All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Anthem Chancel Choir
“Lead Me, Lord,” Mark Hayes
©2018, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, longing for their Lord,
For God’s coming kingdom shall be theirs.
Blessed are the sorrowing, for they shall be consoled,
And the meek shall come to rule the world.
Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth
To seek and to find the narrow way.
Be may way; be my truth; be my life, my Lord,
And lead me, Lord, today.
Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs,
And the pure in heart shall see their God.
Blest are they whose hunger only holiness can fill,
For I say they shall be satisfied.
Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth
To seek and to find the narrow way.
Be may way; be my truth; be my life, my Lord,
And lead me, Lord, today.
Blest are they who through their lifetimes
Sow the seeds of peace,
All will call them children of the Lord.
Blest are you, though persecuted in your holy life,
For in heaven, great is your reward.
Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth
To seek and to find the narrow way.
Be may way; be my truth; be my life, my Lord,
And lead me, Lord, today.
Scripture Matthew 5:1-9
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and sat down; his disciples came to him. Then he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the majesty of the heavens.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called daughters and sons of God.”
Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “Who is Blessed?” Rev. Pat Raube
Affirmation of Faith From a Brief Statement of Faith of the PC (USA)
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
* Hymn # 819
“Be Still, My Soul”
©1961, Westminster John Knox Press, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide,
Who through all changes faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future surely as the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord;
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Minute for Mission Peg Corwin
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 # 466 "Come and Fill Our Hearts,” Jacques Berthier
©1991, GIA Publications, All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE. License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace.
You alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace.
Alleluia!
Call for Offering
* Doxology # 605 "Praise to God the Father"
©2011, Alfred V. Fedak, All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE. License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Praise to God the Father; praise to God the Son;
Praise to God the Spirit: praise to the Three-in-One.
Sing praise, sing praise to the Lord on high.
Praise to God Almighty; praise to the Holy One.
* Dedication of Offering
* Hymn # 821
“My Life Flows On”
(Public Domain)
My life flows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the clear, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
* Benediction
Postlude Chris Bartlette
“Lead On, O King Eternal,” Mark Hayes
©2020, Lorenz Publishing Co., All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.
All spoken scripture translated by the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney unless otherwise indicated. A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church Year A. Kindle Edition.
Liturgy written by Rae Watson, the associate pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Staunton, Virginia. Liturgy courtesy of Presbyterian Outlook, January 2026.