Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, March 20 will be in-person and streamed on YouTube to view at home. We will share prayers, songs, and reflections.
YouTube broadcast will begin at 10:25 am, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewburghPresby
ORDER OF WORSHIP
March 20, 2022 10:30 am
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
LECTERN FLOWERS today are given by Ruth Smith & Cathy McCarty to the Glory of God and in memory of John H. Smith Sr. Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather.
CHANCEL FLOWERS today are given by Lauren Conklin to the Glory of God and in honor of my granddaughter Maeve Lois Emhoff’s 4th birthday.
USHERS today are Bob Beams and Richard Smith. If you would like to usher, contact Dan Olson.
FELLOWSHIP TIME HOSTS today are the Deacons. Signup chart is in the Fellowship Hall.
SESSION meeting TODAY after Fellowship in the parlor.
OUTREACH meeting NEXT Sunday, Mar 27 after Fellowship in the parlor.
MID-WEEK MEDITATION for the fourth week in Lent will be Wednesday, March 23. A YouTube link will be sent out via email.
MAUNDY THURSDAY: There will be a Meditation and virtual Communion for Maundy Thursday.
GOOD FRIDAY: The church sanctuary will be open from 12-3PM for private meditation or prayer with the pastor.
EASTER SUNDAY Sunrise Service, April 17 at 6:30 am on the Riverfront.
FUNDRAISING: Palm Sunday Brunch Sunday, April 10 after worship, $10.00 each. Place your order by calling the church office (845) 562-09544.
BAPTISM: Magnolia Jo Redman will be baptized on Palm Sunday during worship.
OUTREACH is starting a biography project to help introduce members and to serve as a starting point for conversations beyond “committee talk”. Richard Smith will be collecting information from those who wish to participate in sharing a little of who they are. One member or household will be published in the newsletter every other week. We look forward to your participation!
FOOD PANTRY: NEXT OPEN Monday, Mar 28 and Wednesday, Mar 30 from 9:30-11:30 am. Serving LOTS of people! If you would like to help, contact Kathy or Debby.
We’re happy to announce that our Union Food Pantry is part of Stop & Shop’s Bloomin' 4 Good program for April. For every $10.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet sold, $1 is donated to a local hunger organization. The Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet have a red circle sticker and are sold at Stop & Shop on Route 300, Newburgh. Should you need flowers in April, you can help to support our program!
ORDER OF WORSHIP
**Kindly stand if you are able
When you enter, converse with your neighbors; when the Prelude begins, converse with your God.
PRELUDE “In Heavenly Love Abiding” setting by Gordon Young
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Extinguishing the Lenten Candles
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 63) Leader: O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. PEOPLE: So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Leader: So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. PEOPLE: My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips Leader: for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. PEOPLE: My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
INVOCATION
Dearest Lord, we come to you in this Lenten season to praise you, to be nearer to you, and to thank you for our joys and blessings even amidst the trials of our daily lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “In Heavenly Love Abiding” Red #521
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 OF 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 was no God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask your forgiveness, as we also 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 is merciful. Our Lord is generous. Our Lord is eternally forgiving us. As we seek a greater understanding, we are both blessed and forgiven. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Nicene Creed, Abridged)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “As Water to the Thirsty” Red #608
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
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 Isaiah 55:1-9 Cathy McCarty
NEW TESTAMENT Ephesians 2: 4-10
GOSPEL Luke 13:1-9
SERMON WATER TO THE THIRSTY John Redman, CRE
PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE
Gracious God, keep in our hearts all those whose names you already know and who ask for healing in their own quiet ways, and as we join in prayer as Jesus taught us:
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Let us all consider what we have been blessed with and how we can best share it with those in greater need, even as we gift our church for its greater work to the Glory of God and the undying love of Jesus.
OFFERTORY “Liebster Jesu” Johann Sebastian Bach
("Blessed Jesus" BLUE #454)
**DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those less fortunate than we may be. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING Give to the Winds your Fears Red #618
BENEDICTION
May the love of God our Father which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds through the grace of Jesus, both this day and in all those days to come. Amen.
POSTLUDE “Come Down, O Love Divine!” Ralph Vaughan Williams
(Please join in singing St. 1, 2 and 4) Red #304
INVITATION TO FELLOWSHIP TIME
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955