Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, September 11 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
September 11, 2022 10:30 AM
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
FLOWERS today are given by Marylin Mazza to the glory of God and in loving memory of her parents, Margaret, Jack, and Emily Eger.
USHERS today are Dan Olson and Jim Alber. If you would like to usher, contact Dan Olson.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS today are Buildings & Grounds Committee. Thank you to all who signed up to host fellowship hour this Fall.
CHRISTIAN ED resumes SUN, SEPT 18. Thank you all for your generous donations for the Back-to-school supply drive. We now have plenty of crayons, pencils, and glue sticks.
We still need: pencil cases, erasers, tissues, earbuds, scissors, 1”-2” binders.
FALL FAIR: NOW accepting clothes. Please label clothes for “Fall Fair” and drop off in the nursery. DROP-OFF every other Monday & Wednesday corresponding with Food Pantry and Sunday from 10-12PM. NO electronics and only small furniture.
FALL FAIR MEETING Sept 11 at 9:30 am to discuss assignments.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE meeting Sun, Sept 11 after church services. The homework assignment is for each member to bring 2 ideas (or more) that they would like to see the committee implement this year. If you have any questions, contact Karen Olson.
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE created to study and recommend solutions regarding our financial position and next steps moving forward. Members are Mary Whidden, James Phillips, Merle Hennessey, Dan Olson, Brittany Brooks, and Richard Smith. If you have any comments, contact Pastor John.
CHOIR: We are looking for volunteers to help lead the congregational singing. No rehearsal or robes. If you're interested or have questions, contact Nancy Thomas (845) 562-8076.
FOOD PANTRY: NEXT OPEN Monday, Sept 12 Wednesday, Sept 14 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 Great is The Faithfulness
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 51)
Leader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. PEOPLE: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Leader: You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. PEOPLE: Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Leader: Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. PEOPLE: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
INVOCATION
O God, we unite here in your creation to worship you. We rejoice in your constant love, for you are the faithful foundation for all people, offering the world salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart Blue #145
CALL TO CONFESSION
As leaves change color with the season, we often think of how we can change for the better, but then do we actually do it? Let us consider changing as we center ourselves on faith and we pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious and loving God, look upon our hearts and minds as we come to you in prayer for our shortcomings, our lack of faith, our lapses in judgement, and our sometimes-selfish thoughts and actions that hurt others even before we know it. Give us a broader vision to see the world around us and our work in faith can only make it better, In Jesus name, Amen. (a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Sisters and brothers in faith, by the good news of the Gospels, and the unending power of our merciful Creator, we are forgiven, Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Blue #263
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH, 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 Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Theresa Cotanche
NEW TESTAMENT Romans 8: 31-39
GOSPEL Matthew 5: 38-39
SERMON Under a Bright Blue Sky John Redman, CRE
Reflections on 20+ years since the 9/11 attacks
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 Beethoven Sonata Opus 8 Number 13
**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 Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound Blue # 280
RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION
You are a blessed people. We will go to be a blessing in the world. You are the face of Jesus. We will go to be love and compassion to all. You are the family of God. We will go to serve our sisters and brothers
wherever we may find them. AMEN.
POSTLUDE Sonata #5 by Scriabin
Joseph Henry Bush is Artist in Residence at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh, and he teaches piano and organ in Connecticut. We are honored to have him with us today.
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955