Being Human Toolbox 4: Forgiveness!

Wednesday, April 2, 2025
6:30 PM 7:15 PM 18:30 19:15

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

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When we are hurt, it hurts. Physically, but perhaps even moreso mentally, emotionally, spiritually. How do we find the capacity for forgiveness within ourselves? How do we ask for forgiveness when we know we have caused harm? How do we forgive ourselves?

Our Lenten Evening Prayer services take place at 6:30 PM in our sanctuary. You are invited! If you can’t come in person, please consider joining us by livestream here or at the link below. Videos are available after the service. You are welcome!

Being Human Toolbox 4: Forgiveness!

Psalm 32

Union Presbyterian Church

April 2, 2025

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

Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude

“O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus,” Larry Shackley

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

*Service of Light

“Holden Evening Prayer: Processional,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world,

All: The light no darkness can overcome.

One: Stay with us now, for it is evening,

All: And the day is almost over.

One: Let your light scatter the darkness,

All: And shine within your people here.

*Hymn

“Holden Evening Prayer: Evening Hymn/Joyous Light,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Joyous light of heav’nly glory,

Loving glow of God’s own face,

You who sing creation’s story,

Shine on ev’ry land and race.

Now as evening falls around us,

We shall raise our songs to you.

God of daybreak, God of shadows,

Come and light our heart anew.

In the stars that grace the darkness,

In the blazing sun of dawn,

In the light of peace and wisdom,

We can hear your quiet song.

Love that fills the night with wonder,

Love that warms the weary soul,

Love that bursts all chains asunder,

Set us free and make us whole.

You who made the heaven’s splendor,

Ev’ry dancing star of night,

Make us shine with gentle justice,

Let us each reflect your light.

Mighty God of all creation,

Gentle Christ who lights our way,

Loving Spirit of salvation,

Lead us on to endless day.

Evening Thanksgiving

“Holden Evening Prayer: Evening Thanksgiving,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: May God be with you all.

All: And also with you.

One: Let us sing our thanks to God.

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

One: ... you are the light and life of all creation.

All: Amen.

Scripture Reading Psalm 32 (NRSVUE)

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silent, my body wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 

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. 

Therefore let all who are faithful
    offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
    shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. 

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    else it will not stay near you.

Many are the torments of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Response We live, not by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from God.

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Being Human Toolbox 4: Forgiveness!

Psalm 141

“Holden Evening Prayer: Psalm 141,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

O God, I call to you, come to me now;

O hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Keep watch within me, God: deep in my heart

May the light of your love be burning bright.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

All praise to the God of all, Creator of life;

All praise be to Christ and the Spirit of love.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,

The lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Prayers of the People

“Holden Evening Prayer: Litany and Prayers,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Response: God of mercy, hold us in love.

Final response:

One: Help us, comfort us, all of our days:

All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our father in heaven,

Hallowed by your name,

Your kingdom come, your will be done,

On earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive our sins

As we forgive those

Who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

And deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

And the glory are yours,

Now and forever. Amen.

*Hymn  # 544 PH

“Day is Done,” James Quinn, S.J.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Day is done, but Love unfailing

Dwells ever here;

Shadows fall, but hope, prevailing,

Calms every fear.

God, our Maker, none forsaking,

Take our hearts, of Love’s own making;

Watch our sleeping, guard our waking,

Be always near.

Dark descends, but Light unending

Shines through our night;

You are with us, ever lending

New strength to sight:

One in love, your truth confessing,

One in hope of heaven’s blessing,

May we see, in love’s possessing,

Love’s endless light!

Eyes will close, but you unsleeping

Watch by our side;

Death may come, in Love’s safekeeping

Still we abide.

God of love, all evil quelling,

Sin forgiving, fear dispelling:

Stay with us, our hearts in dwelling,

This eventide.

*Benediction

“Holden Evening Prayer: Final Blessing,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One: Let us bless our God:

All: Praise and thanks to you.

One: ... be our guide and path for all of our days.

All: Amen.

Postlude

“What Wondrous Love Is This,” Molly Ijames

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

Some Words About Lent

Welcome to Lent, the season focused on Jesus’ journey to the cross and resurrection. Almost since the church was birthed, people have set this season aside as a time to prepare for the great mystery of Easter, as well as a time to deepen our faith using certain practices. The gospels tell us that Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days, and this formed the bases of practice in the early church. By the fourth century there was a strong practice of fasting, associated with prayer and with giving food and alms to the poor and hungry. It was also the time when newcomers to the faith prayed and prepared themselves for baptism. Welcome. Breathe deeply. God is love, and our journey this season will be a re-discovery of that love.

Worship With Us

Being Human Toolbox 4: Forgiveness!