Lent 1: Terrible and Beautiful?!

Sunday, March 9, 2025
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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If we really think about it, the wilderness is all around us. Life is challenging even on the best of days. When the world feels chaotic and scary, the wilderness is with us always. Fortunately, there is someone who went before us: Jesus. This morning we meet him in the wilderness, and see how he clung to his humanity throughout a time of chaos and testing.

You can join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are always welcome!

Lent 1

Terrible and Beautiful?!

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Luke 4:1-13

Union Presbyterian Church

March 9, 2025

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Peg Corwin Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“The Glory of These Forty Days,” Lyndell Leatherman

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

* Call to Worship

O Christ, out of your fullness

we have all received grace upon grace.

You are our eternal hope.

O Christ, you are patient and full of mercy.

You are generous to all who call on you.

You are the fountain of life and holiness.

You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

O Christ, obedient unto death,

you are the source of all comfort.

You are our peace and our reconciliation.

Come let us worship!

* Hymn # 93 W & R

“Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness,” Rusty Edwards

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Praise the One who breaks the darkness
With a liberating light.
Praise the One who frees the prisoners,
Turning blindness into sight.
Praise the One who preached the gospel,
Healing every dread disease,
Calming storms and feeding thousands
With the very bread of peace.

Praise the One who blessed the children
With a strong yet gentle word.
Praise the One who drove out demons
With a piercing two edged sword.
Praise the one who brings cool water
To the desert's burning sand.
From this well comes living water
Quenching thirst in every land.

Praise the one true love incarnate:
Christ who suffered in our place.
Jesus died and rose for many
That we may know God by grace.
Let us sing for joy and gladness,
Seeing what our God has done.
Praise the one redeeming glory;
Praise the One who makes us one.

* Call to New Life

We have entered into a season of self-reflection in preparation for our holiest of celebrations. Let us open our hearts for God’s healing.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of mercy, you came in Jesus to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves as great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth.

(Silent prayer)

And we pray,

Have mercy on us O God. Forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ our brother and savior. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

God is Love.

By the grace of God in Jesus, we are forgiven and renewed.

For we are convinced that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

* Sharing of the Peace

God has renewed us; we have a new lease on life.

God has given us God’s perfect peace.

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Psalm 91:1-2; 9-16 (NRSVUE)

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
    my God, in whom I trust.”

Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
    the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
    no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
Those who love me, I will deliver;
    I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
    I will be with them in trouble;
    I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them
    and show them my salvation.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Shout to the Lord,” Darlene Zschech

Used with permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Anthem

“Refuge and Strength,” Mark Hayes

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear.

Though the earth should change,

Though the earth should crumble into the sea,

Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear.

There is a river whose streams

Make glad the city of God,

The holy dwelling of the Most High.

God is in the midst of the city.

It shall not be moved.

God will help when the morning dawns.

The nations are in an uproar.

The kingdoms of men have tottered.

God thunders, the earth melts,

The God of hosts is with us.

The God of Jacob is our fortress.

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear.

God is our refuge and strength!

Scripture Luke 4:1-13 (NRSVUE)

A reading from the gospel according to Luke, beginning at chapter 4, verse 1.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.’”

Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    to protect you,’

and

‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon

Affirmation of Faith From the Confession of 1967 (Section 9.08)

In Jesus of Nazareth true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all kinds of sinful men and women. But his complete obedience led him into conflict with his people. His life and teaching judged their goodness, religious aspirations, and national hopes. Many rejected him and demanded his death. In giving himself freely for them he took upon himself the judgment under which everyone stands convicted. God raised him from the dead, vindicating him as Messiah and Lord. The victim of sin became victor, and won the victory over sin and death for all.

* Hymn

“On Eagles’ Wings,” Michael Joncas

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,

Who abide in his shadow for life,

Say to the Lord: “My refuge,

My rock in whom I trust.”

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of his hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,

And famine will bring you no fear:

Under his wings your refuge,

His faithfulness your shield.

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of his hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night,

Nor the arrow that flies by day;

Though thousands fall about you,

Near you it shall not come.

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of his hand.

For to his angels he’s given a command

To guard you in all of your ways;

Upon their hands they will bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of his hand.

Prayers of the People   (Responsive)

Jesus, remember us when we come into your kingdom. Hear our intercessions.

For your church around the world,

we ask new life.

For all who carry out ministries in your church,

we ask grace and wisdom.

For people who have accepted spiritual disciplines,

we ask inspired discipleship.

For Christians of every land,

we ask new unity in your name.

For Jews and Muslims and people of other faiths,

we ask your divine blessing.

For those who cannot believe,

we ask your faithful love.

For governors and rulers in every land,

we ask your guidance.

For people who suffer and sorrow,

we ask your healing peace.

Holy God, your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world

and brought humanity the gift of reconciliation

by the suffering and death he endured.

Teach those who bear his name to follow the example he gave us.

May our faith, hope, and generosity

turn hatred to love, conflict to peace, and death to eternal life,

through Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray, saying,

The 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. 

Prayer Response # 461 W & R (verse 1)

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

(Public Domain)

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love whate'er you love,
And do what you would do.

Call for Offering

* Doxology # 244 W & R (verse 6)

“O Love, How Deep, How Broad”

(Public Domain)

All glory to our Lord and God
For love so deep, so high, so broad–
The Trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.

* Prayer of Dedication

* Hymn # 252 W & R

“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”

(Public Domain)

Lord, who throughout these forty days
For us did fast and pray,
Teach us with you to mourn our sins
And close by you to stay.

As you with Satan did contend,
And did the victory win,
O give us strength in you to fight,
In you to conquer sin.

As you did hunger and did thirst,
So teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and so to live
By your most holy Word.

And thro' these days of penitence,
And thro' your Passiontide,
Forevermore, in life and death,
O Lord, with us abide.

Abide with us, that through this life
Of doubts and hope and pain,
An Easter of unending joy
We may at last attain!

* Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Forty Days and Forty Nights,” James Mansfield

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal

“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal

Call to Worship, Prayer for Wholeness and Peace, and Intercession for Lent, adapted/ taken from the Book of Common Worship (PCUSA), 1993.

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Lent 1: Terrible and Beautiful?!