Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, May 29 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
MASKS are now mandatory in the Church and Fellowship Hall. Thank you.
Fellowship will be outside today and the next few weeks as Orange County and Union Church monitor COVID infections.
OFFICE CLOSED Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
May 29, 2022 10:30 am
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
USHERS today are Libby Szymanowicz and Richard Smith. If you would like to usher, contact Dan Olson.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS today are the Session Elders. Signup chart in the Fellowship Hall.
Fellowship will be outside today and the next few weeks as Orange County and Union Church monitor COVID infections.
OUTREACH – POTLUCK CANCELLED
We are sorry to announce that the Potluck is cancelled. The increase of Covid infections in Orange County has jumped from level green to red and is predicted to increase further in June. Session and Outreach have decided that cancelling the event is the safest option. We look forward to rescheduling the event again, possibly in the early Fall
ORGAN Fundraising Month in JUNE! Our beautiful organ needs regular maintenance, tuning, and on occasion a major repair, all at significant expense. Worship and Music will host coffee hour on June 12 to commemorate our organ and support the fundraiser. Please consider a donation to keep our organ healthy and able to continue providing beautiful music.
FOOD PANTRY: NEXT OPEN Monday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 8 from 9:30-11:30 am. Serving LOTS of people! If you would like to help, contact Kathy or Debby.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
**Kindly stand if you are able
A NEW HYMN “Lamenting Gun Violence”
Words by Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2022)
Music by John Edgar Gould (1871)
Recording by Rev. Casey Carbone (2022)
PRELUDE “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds!” setting by Robert Hobby
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 97) Leader: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! PEOPLE: The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. Leader: Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God. PEOPLE: For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Leader: Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. PEOPLE: Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
INVOCATION
Gracious God, we rejoice in our company here today, to offer our worship and devotion to you and to the teachings of Scripture. Guide us in our pathways of faith, step by step in your name and that of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Be Thou My Vision” RED #532
CALL TO CONFESSION
Amidst our struggles with family, work, play, and life in general, we often need to be reminded of those other important things in our lives, dear Lord. Let us come together with God in prayer.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Dear Lord, in this week of Ascensions, let us ascend to you to draw closer to you in our deepening faith in the pathways shown to us in Scripture, prophecy and the message and example of Jesus. Show us the way to be better in all ways of dedication, devotion, and forgiveness of others even as we seek your forgiveness, which is always at our fingertips.
(A moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
The touch of God’s forgiveness is always within our grasp. We only need to reach toward him, and it is there. In Jesus life and name, we are forgiven, Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**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, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, the Spirit is worshipped and glorified and 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 “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” RED #263
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FROM ACTS Acts 16:16-34
NEW TESTAMENT Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
GOSPEL John 17:20-26
SERMON As We Are One John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
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:
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
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 “Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels” Text by Jaroslav Vajda
(Please follow the text of RED #264)
**DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF THANKS
We thank you, our Lord for those gifts to us that we send to you for your work and ours in congregation, community, and culture. Guide us in good use as we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
**HYMN OF PARTING “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise” RED #258
BENEDICTION
May the Road rise up to meet you and the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
Amen
POSTLUDE “Jesus Lives, the Victory's Won!” Anton Wilhelm Leupold
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955