Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, February 26 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
February 26, 2023 10:30 AM
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
USHERS today are John Safran and Dan Olsen
FELLOWSHIP HOUR is being hosted by Session
Hosts are, as always, welcome and needed. Sign-up chart is in Fellowship Hall.
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
FOOD PANTRY will receive $1 from every Bloomin' for Good bouquet sold during FEBRUARY at Stop & Shop at 1429 Route 300 in Newburgh.
FOOD PANTRY OPEN MON, FEB 27 and WED, MARCH 1 from 9:30-11:30 AM. Serving LOTS of people! If you would like to help, contact Kathy or Debby.
Mark your calendar Life Line Screening will be here at Union Church, Friday, March 10, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. Information on the table at the Narthex.
Chancel flowers today are from Ruth Thomsen, In memory of her mother, Violet Rose and Sister Harriette Weeden.
Lectern flowers today are from Marylin Mazza, In memory of Dick Stabile, Father of Marie Mazza.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
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
PRELUDE Joseph Henry Bush on the Union Church Piano https://youtu.be/5tkBu5pI_BA
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 32)
Leader: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
PEOPLE: Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Leader: While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
PEOPLE: Therefore, let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
Leader: Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
PEOPLE: Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
INVOCATION
God of love may the good news of your love for all your creation once again capture our thoughts and imagination in this Lenten season, so that we may be inspired to sing your praises, to know of your infinite love, and to understand your overwhelming grace. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley” Blue #80
CALL TO CONFESSION
We often sense God standing with us, but we ignore him. Or he speaks to us and we may
hear, but not listen. Let us come together to come closer to God.
PRAYER TO CONFESSION
Oh Lord, you have appeared among us but we have not seen you. You have walked among us, but we have not followed you. You have spoken to us, but we have not listened to you.
You have rejoiced with us, but we have not embraced you. Lord, give us the courage to turn about and return to you, as we will return to our neighbor. Then shall your light break forth like the dawn and your grace ascend as the rising sun.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Our Lord is merciful. Our Lord is generous. Our Lord is eternally forgiving us. In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “LORD I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN” Blue #372
(Request by Richard Smith)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
APOSTLES CREED (Traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only
Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under
Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He
rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the
Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the
Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, The Forgiveness of sins;
The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Draw us close, Holy Spirit, as the Scriptures are read and the Word is proclaimed. Let the word of faith be on our lips and in our hearts, and let all other words slip away. May there be one voice we hear today — the voice of truth and grace. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Cathy McCarty
GOSPEL READING Matthew 4:1-11
SERMON Tempting or Testing? John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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. Amen.
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 “For the Life That You Have Given”
**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.
BENEDICTION
CLOSING HYMM “Lord Listen to Your Children Praying” Red #629
POSTLUDE “Abide With Me”
Union Church Chancel Choir from 2019
https://youtu.be/dQICvT0s3Dw
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
