Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, March 12, 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
March 12, 2023 10:30 AM
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Chancel flowers today are from Ruth Smith and Cathy McCarty, To the Glory of God in Memory of: John H. Smith Sr., Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.
USHERS today are Richard Smith and Bob Beams
FELLOWSHIP HOUR is being hosted by Bob Beams, Sue and Theresa
Hosts are, as always, welcome and needed. Sign-up chart is in Fellowship Hall.
BETHANY COLVIN of Choshen Farm in Fumpulu, Zambia will be preaching and presenting today.
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 OPEN MON, March 13 and WED, MARCH 15 from 9:30-11:30 AM. Serving LOTS of people! If you would like to help, contact Kathy or Debby.
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 “Hope of the World” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Extinguishing the Lenten candles 1 through 3
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 95)
Leader: O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
PEOPLE: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him
with songs of praise!
Leader: For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all.
PEOPLE: In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
Leader: The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
PEOPLE: O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
Leader: For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
PEOPLE: O that today would listen to his voice!
INVOCATION
Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting.
Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity, that the discipline of these forty
days may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship and whet our thirst for the
living water you offer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Breathe on Me Breath of God” Red #295
INSTALLATION OF AN ELDER
We install David Young today as he returns to the Session.
CALL TO CONFESSION
We all journey in faith, but we often wonder if that is enough. We often fool ourselves with thoughts that distract our focus from you and your work to be done. Let us confess our sins
together.
PRAYER TO CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you and we confess that we have, too often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives, as if there were no God and we fall short of being credible witnesses to You. For these things we ask your forgiveness, as we ask for your strength. Hold us to You and build our relationship with You and with those You have given us here on earth. Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Our Lord knows our failings. Our Lord shares our pain. Our Lord brings us joy. And our Lord
always forgives us in infinite love and grace. Amen
**HYMN OF PRAISE “In Christ There is No East or West” Red #695
**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
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING PSALM 71: 5-8, 14-16 James Phillips
NEW TESTAMENT READING Romans 5: 3-5
SERMON MESSAGE: Start With Hope Bethany Colvin, Co-Founder of CHOSHEN FARM
Fumpulu, Zambia, Africa
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 “O Holy Jesus”
**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 HYMM “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Sing” Red #506
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Oh God Our Hope in Ages Past”
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
