Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, April 9, 2023 will be in-person and streamed on YouTube to view at home.
YouTube broadcast will begin at 10:25 AM, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewburghPresby
The bulletin is attached and posted on the church website, newburghpresby.org/blog
ORDER OF WORSHIP
April 9, 2023 10:30 AM
EASTER SUNDAY
USHERS today are Robert Beams and Theresa Cotanche.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR There is no Fellowship Hour today. Hosts are, as always, welcome and needed. Sign-up chart is in Fellowship Hall.
EASTER SUNDAY Mary Lee Farris is directing a women’s ensemble for “live” singing.
NEXT FOOD PANTRY OPEN MON, APRIL 10 and WED, APRIL 12 from 9:30-11:30 AM. Serving LOTS of people! If you would like to help, contact Kathy or Debby.
JAMES PHILLIPS announced he is performing a one-man show, Every Brilliant Thing at the Aquinas Hall Theatre! Dates are: Wednesday, 4/19, 7:30pm, Thursday 4/20, 4pm, Friday, 4/21, 7:30pm. Tickets are $5, but seating is limited. Call the Box Office for tickets at (845) 569-3273.
COLLECTION OF PROM ITEMS FOR NFA GIRLS: We are still collecting anything dressy for the NFA girls’ prom until April 16th.
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY: If you have not picked up Union’s new Pictorial Directory, they are still in the office.
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT: Liam Pickard will lead his Eagle Scout Project this spring and plant native pollinator plants here at the church in the raised bed on the side of the courtyard. The purpose of the project is to increase the plants that support the native pollinator population. Additionally, this project will make the existing plant beds more aesthetically pleasing. His aim is to start this project in early spring. He is asking for donations to help fund the project or if you would like to volunteer your time to help that would be appreciated. Yvette Colon-Pickard
ORDER OF WORSHIP
We begin this Easter morning in silence and darkness. The ushers will enter with the
First Fire of Easter. As the candles are lit, the cross is undraped and the Pastor
declares: CHRIST IS RISEN!
Congregation Responds: “JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!”
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
**OPENING HYMN “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” Red #234
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 113)
Leader: Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord.
PEOPLE: Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore.
Leader: From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.
PEOPLE: The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Leader: Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,
PEOPLE: Who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
Leader: He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
PEOPLE: He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of
children. Praise the Lord!
INVOCATION
Dear Lord, this is your doing: Christ has passed through the gates of death, but today
you have brought him through the gates of life. Now, you open those gates even for us,
who nailed him to a tree. Let the gates swing wide that all might enter with praise and
thanksgiving. This we pray in Jesus’s name, Amen.
GLORIA PATRI (Traditional)
CALL TO CONFESSION
In the joy of this Easter Sunday, let us draw nearer to our Gracious God’s love and
understanding in our lives and in those around us: Join with me in our prayer of
confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Compassionate God of All, we confess our regrettable tendencies to live as though we are still under the covering and veil of death, rather than as those who share in your victory in Christ over death and all its powers. Forgive us, we pray. Make us once again witnesses to your miraculous garden gift of Easter. Fill us with eternal life that sprang forth on that wonderful morning as we pray in His name, Amen.
(moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends, even as he defeated death Jesus brings us a new hope for our lives. By the grace of God and the Love of Jesus, we are forgiven.
HYMN OF PRAISE “Welcome Happy Morning” Red #241
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**APOSTLES CREED. (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, as we turn to your Word for us, may the Spirit of God rest upon us. Help us to be steadfast in our hearing, in our speaking, in our believing, and in our living. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 25: 6-9 Daniel Olson
EPISTLE READING: Romans 6: 3-11
GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18
SERMON United with Him John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Merciful God, you have torn apart the temple curtain to reveal the glory of your begotten Son who defeats death and intercedes for all of us. As he dwelt as flesh among us, he ministered to the least of your people, so that we too can know the hope he brings on this day and all those to come. We give you thanks that through Christ your law is written within us, upon us and among us. Fill us with hope as we greet the dawn of your endless Easter, standing with you on your mountain to see the earth spring forth with blossoms, and new life abounding around us. And let us enter into your temple to dine with our Savior, to break the bread that sustains us and to drink the cup of new life even as we ask for your healing touch on those we name here:
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We can hoard the gifts with which you bless us, God of generosity, or we can share them with others. May what we offer in these moments be the very blessing, the very hope, the very peace others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Alleluia Give Thanks to Our Risen Lord” Women’s Ensemble
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional)
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “He Lives” Red #248
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE: “Ode to Joy” Beethoven
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
