Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, October 30 will be in-person and streamed on YouTube to view at home.
CHRISTIAN ED: SUNDAY, October 30, children are welcome to wear their costumes and enjoy decorating harvest festival cookies.
YouTube broadcast will begin at 10:25 AM, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewburghPresby
ORDER OF WORSHIP
October 30, 2022 10:30 AM
TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
USHERS today are Paul Hill and Richard Smith. If you would like to usher in November or December, contact Dan Olson.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS today is the Outreach Committee. Hosts needed for the remaining dates in November and December. Sign-up chart in Fellowship Hall.
HOLIDAY PIES! $15 for your choice of apple, pumpkin, blueberry, lemon, Black Forest cake, or cheesecake. To place an order, complete the form in the Narthex and return it to the office with payment. Orders are due Fri, Nov 11. Pickup is Wed, Nov 23.
PHOTO DIRECTORY: Starting Sunday, Nov 20 Outreach will begin taking pictures of individuals and families, during Fellowship Hour after services, for the new photo directory.
LOAVES & FISHES THANKSGIVING: Last year, over 650 food baskets and turkeys were distributed, providing Thanksgiving for more than 2800 people in the community. We, as a church family, are blessed in so many ways and can help those less fortunate. Please sign-up in the Narthex and take a bag and/or food list. Tip: Walmart and Aldi's have the best prices. Bags are due Sun, Nov 13 so the Deacons can bring them to the distribution site.
SAVE THE DATES:
Sun, Nov 13: INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING Service at 4 pm at Calvary Church. Join us for music from the combined choirs and bell choir, and a look at their newly refurbished building. Refreshments available afterwards.
Sun, Dec 11: HOLIDAY LUNCHEON after worship, sponsored by the Board of Deacons. Afterwards join us for a special musical program by Jonathan Hall of Goshen Presbyterian church, concluding with a Carol Sing.
FOOD PANTRY: NEXT OPEN Monday, Nov 7 and Wednesday, Nov 9 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 “A Mighty Fortress is Our God!” setting by Johann Nicolas Hanff
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: Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. 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: You are a hiding place for me;
PEOPLE: You preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
INVOCATION
God of unity, we come before you in worship and adoration for all you have created and offered to us. We enter your sanctuary to give you honor and praise to your love and care that are beyond limits. Receive our worship and accept our thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “All Creatures of our God and King” Red #356
MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our God is not a concept, since the true presence and magnitude of God defies all of our imaginations, descriptions, and definitions. Let us come before God in confession of that knowledge.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, we confess that our words and notions about you often detract and diminish your indescribable dimensions when our attempts at understanding tend to reduce you to a larger version of ourselves. Remind us once more, by the beauty of creation and the spirit of your love that you exceed all our images, ideas, and concepts. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. (a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
By the word of Scripture, the grace of God’s love, and the sheer beauty of the creation around us, we know we are forgiven.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord” Red #702
**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
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
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 1: 8-19 Cathy McCarty
GOSPEL Luke 19: 1-10
SERMON What Is It About That Sycamore Tree? 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
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 “Holy Ghost with Light Divine” arr. by Gordon Young
**DOXOLOGY Traditional, Blue #592
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 “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” Red #433
(Verses 1, 4, & 5)
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Hymn to Joy” Beethoven/arr. Gordon Young
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955