Newark Valley United Church of Christ desires to use its facility to the greatest extent possible for our surrounding community and neighborhood groups in addition to the ministries of the church and its members and regular attendees. Our goal is that our facility be a place for the community to gather for events, enjoyment of the arts, youth engagement and outreach, education, life milestones and celebrations, and spiritual and general community development. With those goals in mind, we are gradually making improvements to the facilities, including improvements to the kitchen and community hall. Stay tuned for our progress!
Balcony view of wedding
Weddings
The Sanctuary of Newark Valley United Church of Christ is a beautiful place to be married. We offer wedding ceremonies within the Christian tradition. Typically, there is prayer, scripture, a brief sermon and music. You are encouraged to think about the kind of wedding service you want, and to share your ideas when we meet with you. There is no fixed form which must be used, although the specific minister you choose may have requirements. The marriage ceremony is a service that should be filled with joy, hope and love. We welcome non-members to be married here, and unite both heterosexual and same-sex couples and ministers from other churches may officiate at the service. When planning your wedding you may meet with a minister we can recommend for you, or our church moderator who will do everything possible to make your service uniquely yours. Please call or email the office for details and fees.
Should you desire a Civil Ceremony, the bride and groom must agree to be responsible for making all arrangements with the officiator and musicians. You will need to schedule a meeting with a church moderator to review your plans for your special day.
Check out our wedding page for more detailed information.
God has created a world where there is no technique or magical method for purity or perfection. Forgiving and “love in action” is the only way out and the only final answer is God’s infinite Love and our ability to endlessly draw upon it.
Announcements
12th Annual Community Concert with Valley Harmony Sunday July 16th
June 26th Sunday Service with Cathy Young
July 3rd Sunday Service with Communion with Rev Barbara Schwartz
Greeting /welcome to others: “Peace to You”
For Reflection: God has created a world where there is no technique or magical method for purity or perfection. Forgiving and “love in action” is the only way out and the only final answer is God’s infinite Love and our ability to endlessly draw upon it.
L: We gather here today to praise God for God’s mighty acts in our lives. P: There are many people who do not believe in God’s presence. L: We are called to learn of God’s love and power. P: We are called to proclaim God’s transforming love to all people. L: Let us worship God who is with us now and forever. P: Let us open our hearts, souls, and spirits to hear God’s word. AMEN.
Prayer for Transformation and New Life Restoring God, too often we accept the conditions of the world around us and impose limitations on what is possible. We bind ourselves to societal conventions, norms, and pressure rather than follow you and your way. We conform to the values of this world rather than pursue the fruit of the Spirit. Show us the path of life and freedom in you. Teach us to plant seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May we perennially bear that fruit.
Words of Grace and Assurance The Guiding Spirit opens us to new life and leads us to right paths. Hear the voice that continually calls, leads, and companions with us. Life in the Spirit is constantly renewed and restored. Let the grace of God nurture our roots and allow our flourishing.
Scripture for Today
2 Kings:9-14
9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.
Galatians 5:1, 13-25 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 5:14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 5:15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 5:16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 5:17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 5:21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 5:22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Luke 9:51-62 9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 9:52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; 9:53 but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 9:54 When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 9:55 But he turned and rebuked them. 9:56 Then they went on to another village. 9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 9:59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 9:60 But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 9:61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”9:62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Message: “Waiting on God and Praying Our To Do List”
Musical Reflection: “Instruments of Your Peace”
Prayer Requests: What can we pray for you today?
L: Lord in Your Mercy ALL: Hear Our Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father-Mother in heaven, hallowed be your name. May your presence
be realized here on earth as it is in heaven. May we receive the bread that
you provide us. Enable us to know that our sins have been forgiven,
just as we forgive those who sin against us.
Strengthen us to deal with trials too great to endure.
Free us from the grip of all that harms us and others.
For your power of Love reigns now and forever. Amen
INVITATION TO SHARE:
Giver of Gifts, receive the resources we bring. May they bless our community and our world. May bonds of scarcity be broken as we meet the needs around us with the gifts that you have first given to us. May we be heartened by giving and rejoice in generosity. Amen.
SENDING PRAYER: L: Beloved of God, go to be a blessing, Go to bring peace, dear ones! Go with the knowledge that God, the Father, the loving Parent, Jesus, God’s Son, and the Holy Spirit are with you! Bring peace and love to all you meet. AMEN. CLOSING SONG: “Come Oh Fount” Hymn 459
Worship Leader Cathy Young
Co Moderators John Schwartz and Cathy Young
Musician Laurie Holdridge
Newark Valley United Church of Christ
32 South Main Street • Newark Valley, NY 13811 Phone: 607-308-1503 • email: nvuccoffice@gmail.com“Believing is not a condition of loving or belonging here.”
Our prayers go out to our neighbors in Buffalo. We talked about this in our Sermon at minute 12:30…Where does the hate come from? We are awash in it in our society, in our media, in our politics, and even in our churches. If we do not know love, we do not know God! If we build a society, a community, a country, a church based on fear of others, or on rules of who is “in” and who is “out”, we do not know God. 1 John 4:7-8 “7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”https://www.facebook.com/newarkvalley.ucc/videos/484448056702842
March 27th, 2022 11:00AM Worship Leader Cathy Young
Announcements
• April 3rd Communion Service with Rev. Xenakis
• April10th Service with John Schwartz
• Bible Study Tuesday’s at 7:30 on Facebook and at the Church-Theme is “Good Enough”
Greeting /welcome to others: “Peace to You”
For Reflection: If we pray but seek validation from others, our lives will be like a ship without a rudder.
Opening Music: “All Belong Here” by The Many
Call to Worship Psalm 32
L: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
ALL: You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
L: I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
ALL: Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Reflection: Like the Prodigal child, Guilt, shame, and fear of being seen as a failure can leave us wallowing in the pig pen. Our delusions of a perfectible life keep us disappointed in ourselves. Truth is, life is a big ole risk every single day and facing whatever each day holds is not only good enough, but worthy of love and grace. Do you find yourself being unrealistically
hard on yourself? Let us take a moment of silent reflection…
Silent Reflection
Leader: Hear this compassionate word from the Second Letter to the Corinthians: “From
now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once
knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.” Know that already, God is offering us freedom from the guilt and shame of our past failings and our present unrealistic expectations. We are invited to rejoice that each day is a new beginning, so that we might enjoy, and not dread, the life before us. And know, that despite our sometimes faltering steps, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are being forgiven, even now. Amen.
Message: “Seeking Validation, Being Authentic” shared by Cathy Young
Musical Reflection: “I Thought By Now” ; Performance MP3 – Heather Sorenson
Prayer Requests: What can we pray for you today?
L: Lord in Your Mercy ALL: Hear Our Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father-Mother in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
May your presence be
realized here on earth as it is in heaven.
May we receive the bread that you provide us.
Enable us to know that our sins have been forgiven,
just as we forgive those who sin against us.
Strengthen us to deal with trials too great to endure.
Free us from the grip of all that harms us and others.
For your power of Love reigns now and forever. Amen.
Invitation to Share:
We offer to you, O God, the fruits of our labor. We are blessed by your overflowing generosity. Use these gifts, we pray, as you see fit to love the world. Then show us how to do the same. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
SENDING PRAYER:
And now, may the God who loves all of creation, especially the broken bits,
and Jesus, our companion along this crooked path called life,
and the Holy Spirit, who loves to improvise in surprising ways,
go with you, dwell among you, and give you joy. Amen.
Closing Song: “Amazing Grace” H547 (Piano
Worship Leader Cathy Young
Co Moderators John Schwartz and Cathy Young
Due to Covid, we ask that you please social distance, wear a mask if not vaccinated, and use hand sanitizer.
. Newark Valley United Church of Christ
32 South Main Street • Newark Valley, NY 13811 Phone: 607-308-1503 • email: nvuccoffice@gmail.com
“Believing is not a condition of loving or belonging here.”
Posted by cateyoungnv 
Newark Valley United Church of Christ 
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