Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, March 5, 2023 will be in-person and streamed on YouTube to view at home. We will be celebrating Communion this Sunday.
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 5, 2023 10:30 AM
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
COMMUNION SUNDAY
Chancel flowers today are from Alana Gervais: In loving memory of my Mom who passed away March 16, 2018.
USHERS today are Jeff Bousche and John Safran
FELLOWSHIP HOUR is being hosted by Ruth and Tom
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 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.
Life Line Screening will be here at Union Church, Friday, March 10, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Information on the table at the Narthex.
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 “For Beauty of Meadows”
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 121)
Leader: I lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come?
PEOPLE: My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Leader: He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
PEOPLE: He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Leader: The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
PEOPLE: The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
Leader: The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
PEOPLE: The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and
forevermore.
INVOCATION
Gracious God, hear our songs, hear our prayers, hear our devotion to you in this Lenten season, as we all walk through the valley of the shadow of death to the light and the life everlasting. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” Red #433
CALL TO CONFESSION
We know that our God hears our prayers, but do we hear his responses? We know that our
God loves us immeasurably, but do we really comprehend that? We know that our God will
forgive us even as we approach in sinful humility. Please join me in prayer.
PRAYER TO CONFESSION
Compassionate God, we confess that we do not always model our human relationships after your divine love for humanity and as a result our own lives become a mess. Forgive us, we pray, and empower us with your Spirit to love each other sacrificially rather than selfishly as we strive to live as never before in rhythm with you and at a better peace with ourselves.
(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 “How Great Thou Art” Red #21
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious Lord, like Nicodemus, we come to the word with many questions. Like the Pharisees, we can be captivated by correctness, intent on right answers. As we turn to your word, Spirit of God, do not let our desire for information dominate our need for transformation. Let us hear the word and be moved to greater faith and obedience. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 12: 1-4 Theresa Cotanche
GOSPEL READING John 3: 1-13
SERMON How Can This Be? John Redman, CRE
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.
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMN: “The Lord is Here” Red #777
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Communion Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Prayer after Communion
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**APOSTLES CREED (As 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.
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 “What Wondrous Love is This”
**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 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” Red #552 Verses 1 & 2
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Oh God, Who Gives to Humankind”
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
