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.”
Please click here if you would like to donate to the mission of our small but mighty rural church in Newark Valley, NY. Together we can do more. https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z2KS/home
For Reflection: “The moment we define someone as an enemy, we shut ourselves off from their humanity and any contribution they may possibly make to our world.”
Opening Music: “Let All Things Now Living”
Musicians: Anne Austin, Laurie Holdridge
Piano recorded by: Brenda Yeier, Ann Lowdermilk
Call to Worship . (c) 2022 Thom M Schuman
L: We come, those who seek to trust in God. All: We commit ourselves to do as Jesus would do for those around us. L: We come, delighting in all the wonders God provides for us. All: We would not worry, but open ourselves to God’s heart. L: We come, waiting patiently for God to speak. All: We will be still, listening for God’s words of hope, of peace.
NVUCC Announcements
February 20th Service with Cathy Young
February 27th Service with John Schwartz
March 6th Service with Cathy Young
March 13th Communion Service with JK Boodley
Bible Study Starting March 1 on Zoom and at the Church-“Reframing Our View ”
Call to Reflection and Reconciliation Over and over we are told how simple life with God can be: trust, do good to others, take delight in the wonders God provides for us. But we simply have trouble living such a life. Let us confess the struggles we have, as we bring our prayers to God, saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness In this season of light, Revealing God, we find ourselves wandering the shadows of the world. In this time when we focus on Jesus’ ministry of healing, we hold tight to all those emotions – hatred, fear, worry – which continue to damage us. In these days when we are invited to listen to Jesus’ teachings, we confess it is easier to hear the seductive words of sin. Forgive us, Resurrecting God, for trusting in promises which are short-lived, rather than in your Word which endures forever. You have sent Jesus before us so that, as we follow him, we might travel from that far country of fear and doubt to that better country of resurrection life. Silence is kept Assurance of Pardon God chooses to be gracious; God longs to give us our heart’s desires; God provides healing and hope to all. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
Readings: Message: “Love Your Enemies?” Shared by Cathy YoungPrayer Requests: Lord in Your Mercy All: Hear our Prayer
PASTORAL PRAYER: Creator God, as we pray for your world, we ask that you take from us all hatred and prejudice. We pray for the people who seek to do us harm in ways that cause terror and that show little regard for human life.
We pray for the people who have encouraged policies that have perpetuated poverty in the world, and for those who do not seem to be filled with compassion at the sight of suffering.
We pray for people with whom we deeply disagree over matters of great importance.
We pray for the demons that live within our own hearts.
Lord in Your Mercy Hear our Prayer
Plant seeds of your love in our hearts O Lord.
Let that love take root, disrupting the complacent soil of our hearts,
that one day that love may blossom into glorious flower
as we find ourselves at home with you.
We pray this in your name O triune God, In your holy names we pray your 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:
You pour out your abundance on us, Loving God, as we can alleviate the sufferings of others, turn their woes into blessings, and their emptiness into overflowing grace and life. Take the gifts we offer and use them in the work of your new life which is in our midst. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
c. 2022 Thom Schuman
SENDING PRAYER:
L: We leave, our hearts filled with God’s love. All: We will go to offer the wonders of laughter and hope to everyone we will meet. L: We leave, following Jesus into the world. All: We will serve alongside him in the brokenness of our neighbors and our communities. L: We leave, having heard the whispers of the Spirit. All: We will speak justice to those who would hoard it only for themselves. (c) Thom M. Shuman
Service Program for Today June 20th, 2021 11:00AM
Announcements
:• June 27th Service with John Schwartz
• July 4th Communion Service with Barbara Schwartz
• July 11th: Sunday Service with Cathy Young followed by a shared potluck Sunday Brunch
• Program for Youth! Stay Tuned for more information. Tentative First week in August.
• Sharing Cupboard Project: Please consider bringing non perishable food items as well as toiletries for donating to those in need in our community. Suggestions for donations are: peanut butter and jelly, cans of tuna or soup, cereal, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap. Any of us could be in need of a little help– especially during this pandemic.
Greeting /welcome to others: You can wave “Hello” or “Peace to You”
For Reflection: On this day when we remember what it means to have a father or be a father, we recognize the importance of fathers in our communities. We pledge as a congregation to love and nurture the fathers around and among us so that they will manifest the love of God in all that they do.
Opening Music: “You Are the Light”Call to Worship
L: In the midst of life’s storms, God is there.
P: What have we to fear?
L: In the darkness and terror, God is with us.
P: Of whom shall we be afraid?
L: Rise up, people of God, for you are loved and saved
.P: Thanks be to God who cares deeply for us. AMEN. (Source: Ministry Matters)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Gracious God,Forgive us that we call you “Our Father”but fail to live as your children.We do not trust you as we should,preferring instead to follow our own inclinations.We are reluctant to accept your will,repeatedly disobeying your instructions.We are slow to ask your guidance,but swift to forget you and wander from your side. Help us to place out trust in you, Lord Jesus. Help us to fix our eyes on you and on the ministries to which you have called us. For we ask these things in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Words of Assurance:Fear not! God is always there for us,waiting to welcome us back with open arms, and setting us on our feet again. Always loving us, so we trust in God always. AMEN.
Readings: Psalm 68; Mark 4:35-41;
Psalm 68: 4-64 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds[b]; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.6 God sets the lonely in families,[c] he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Mark 4: 35-4135 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Message: “On Fathers and the Fatherless”; Shared by Cathy Young
Musical Reflection: “All of Me” performed by Laurie Holdridge
Prayers of the People: Lord in Your Mercy All: Hear our Prayer
Pastoral Prayer: O Great Love, thank you for living and loving in us and through us You love us, O God from the time of our naming, You love us in our growing and hold us as we take our first steps.You love us and walk beside us as we explore the world with eager hands and eyesAs a mother/father loves her/his child as she/he sees it grow and develop so you love us—and we thank you. Help us dear God to love one another in this way….In your holy names we pray your prayer –
Lord’s PrayerOur 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 give thanks O Lord. All of these things are gifts from you. May the gifts we bring become instruments that will spread your gifts to others. Amen.
Offering Response: Lord, we lift your name on high, Lord we love to sing your praises. We’re so glad you’re in our lives. We’re so glad you came to save us. You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross, our debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky. Lord, we lift your name on high.
Sending Prayer for Father’s Day (for fathers around the world)Our Father in heaven,we pray today for the many fathers around the worldwho are struggling to provide for their families:those who despair about finding safe shelter,who watch in anguish as their children starve,who desperately search for adequate medical care,or safety from violence that surrounds them.Be with these fathers this day. Strengthen and encourage them as they seek to care for their families. Grant them and all of us, your children, grace and courage in the midst of impossible circumstances, and bless them with hope as they look toward the future. Amen.
Closing Song: “In Christ There is No East or West”
Greeting /welcome to others: You can wave “Hello” or “Peace to You” (Due to Covid concerns, Please stay in your own seats)
Lighting of the Advent candle: The Candle of Hope Emmanuel, God with us, we pray that you send your light into our hearts at this time. Live in us and help us live in you so that our work and worship may be filled with your transforming hope. May our words and actions today rebuild lives and offer hope; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn: Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn, Hymnal 107
Gathering Prayer / Call to Worship (Thom M. Shuman)
Leader: In this uncertain season of Advent, we wait. All: Hoping, hoping God is coming to us. Leader: In the vagueness of these days, we try to listen. All: Hoping, hoping the Word will be whispered to us. Leader: In the weariness of our times, we wait, we listen, we watch. All: Hoping, hoping the Spirit will be found in our midst.
Call for Reflection (Thom Shuman) Leader:We try to stay faithful but fail. We long to care for others but end up focusing on us. We think we are being safe but know how often we live dangerously. Yet, God knows our foolishness, and forgives our mistakes, so we can be made new people. Let us pray, as we say,
Leader: Come, God-who-draws-near-to-us, for we live in fretful times, wondering if we will ever come out of them. Come to us, with your grace. All: Come, God-who-has-walked-these-roads, for we long to be faithful in these days, but find it all to easy to be seduced by worry. Come to us, with your hope. Leader: Come, God-who-carries-life-in-your-breath, for we try to stay apart for others and ourselves, but find it easy to listen to those who mock us for being so foolish. Come to us, with your love.Pause in Silence for Reflection Assurance of Pardon Leader: In the midst of all our uncertainty, The Child has come, bringing grace, offering mercy, and wrapping us in arms of love! Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.
Readings:1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, or in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark 13:24-37
“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Message: “Justice, Hope & Toxic Religion” Shared by Cathy Young
Prayers of the People
Lord in Your Mercy All: Hear our Prayer
Pastoral Prayer: God of Hope – we lift up all these prayers to you in the knowledge that you are already at work amid the brokenness of our world and that you invite each of us to be a part of your holy work of justice. We offer to you these prayers today – both spoken aloud and those in our hearts – in the hope that together we might be the people you have called us to be, In your holy names we pray your 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:
You gift us, Loving God, not so we will hoard, but would share with others; not that we might accumulate more, but offer gifts to those who have so little. In the waiting, may we realize the wanting; in the listening, may we hear the brokenness, in the watching, may we see the weariness, and pour out our gifts, our lives, and our hearts on others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Offering Response
Lord, we lift your name on high, Lord we love to sing your praises. We’re so glad you’re in our lives. We’re so glad you came to save us. You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross, our debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky. Lord, we lift your name on high.
Sending on this pilgrimage of uncertainty, may we remember God has walked this road many times before. as we live through these endless moments, may we remember Jesus shares hope with us every day, every day. in this season filled with isolation from others, may we remember that the Spirit knows our loneliness and cradles us in love. (c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman
Closing Hymn: My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise, Hymnal 106
World Communion Celebration!! Join us at 11 am here Live, or in person at the church at 32 S. Main St., Newark Valley, NY 13811. Have bread or crackers and juice or wine ready for our World Celebration.
We gather from the west to the east, from the south to the north,
to celebrate the God of peace who accompanies us in our acts of peace.
This God of peace accompanies us in each and every circumstance around us.
We praise God’s name! Amen!
OPENING PRAYER from Zimbabwe
Creator God, bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships. Bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people. Bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war. Bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world. In the name of God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION from Armenia
Faced with God’s goodness, we recognize our failings. In the knowledge of God’s mercy, we dare to tell the truth about ourselves and our world. In the confidence of God’s children, let us confess our sins.
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION from Israel/Palestine
Gracious Lord, creator of this universe, in your generosity you have given us a world of abundance and diversity, yet we live guided by greed and selfishness. We confess that we have defaced your creation and poisoned our environment through our consumerist behavior and for personal gain.
In Christ, you made us brothers and sisters and intended for us to be united, and yet we have built walls to separate us from those who are different from us.
You gave us wisdom and creativity, and we have used those gifts to trick one another and to develop weapons of destruction and death. You have us laws to order our lives, and we have abused them to take revenge and punish our enemies.
We love war rather than strive for peace. We ignore the poor and weak and honor the rich and powerful.
Forgive us, Lord, for daring to boast in our human accomplishments and for failing to recognize that you alone are worthy of praise. In your mercy, forgive us our sins.
A MINUTE FOR SILENT PRAYER AND REFLECTION
ASSURANCE OF GRACE from Armenia
God accepted us simply because of our faith in Christ, through whom our sins are forgiven. May God help us to continue to preach peace to those who are near and those who are far. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION from Czech Republic
Holy Spirit, grant us openness and give us understanding of what each of us needs to receive through Holy Scripture. When we are facing a difficult choice between the easy and the right decision, help us to choose the narrow path. We also pray for all who are about to set out on an adventurous journey of faith anywhere in the world. Amen.
READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
Psalm 122
Galatians 3.27-28
1 Corinthians 12.12-27
SERMON The Body of Christ Rev. Barbara J. Schwartz
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(Lord, in your mercy. . . . hear our prayer)
PASTORAL PRAYER from Czech Republic
From every place on this planet, we turn our faces to you, O God. Gather us, all your people, together, to pray. In the midst of the forces which would separate us, bind us in your love as the Church together. Strengthen us through the grace of your people gathered, no matter how we gather, with the truth of your presence.
In a world aching to be made new, we cry out with those who suffer the pains of what powers and principalities extract from the world’s poorest. We cry out with those suffering from illness and disease, at whom the world turns a callous glance. We cry out with those stinging from the sins of white supremacy. We cry out with those seeking justice, equality, and peace— peace, at all times, in all ways.
In a world stretching toward wholeness, we celebrate with those whose lives bear the fruit of your Spirit and seek to share in your call to partnership. We celebrate with those whose efforts are making the world new. We celebrate with all who gather, earnestly seeking your transforming work in the world.
Make us a world that grows into the shape of your communion table, where all are welcomed and all are fed. Make us a people who grow your family by practices of mutuality, generosity, and justice.
And may we be found to be witnesses, when Jesus returns, to the truth of who we were created to be— people who belong to one another, people who belong to you, O God. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE Old Hundredth
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy Eternal One, we offer our gifts and the ministries of our daily lives, doing what we can to make your vision of justice, compassion, and well-being on earth a reality for all your children, human and otherwise. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (insert)
CHARGE AND BLESSING
CLOSING MUSIC
The prayers and responses in this worship service are adapted from the 2020 World Communion worship resource of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God throughout the world. People will come from east and west and from south and north to gather at the table of our Risen Lord Jesus. He invites all who long to know him to share in the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Blessed are all who hunger for this bread and thirst for this cup.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you!
And also with you!
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life, and for the earth, our home. We thank you for your lovingkindness to us and to all humanity. Your works are great and wonderful. Your ways are just and true. With the host of heaven and your people in all times and places we praise you, saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy God, we praise you for your Son Jesus, the Word that became flesh and made his home among us. He shared our weakness, and was tempted in every way as we are. Obeying you, he suffered and died for the redemption of all. You have raised him to sit at your right hand, and you have given him a name above every name— Lord and Christ. We praise him and we glorify you, great God our Father.
Now give us your Holy Spirit in the breaking of bread, so that by your power we may be drawn together and made one with Christ, who is our way, our truth, and our life.
With the faithful throughout all ages, we lift our hearts to you, giving thanks and trusting you to use us as your people, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Words of Institution
Communion of the People
As we eat the bread:
We give thanks for this bread, fruit of the earth and hard work, a gift of the grace of God. We break and share it, remembering the words and actions, gestures and glances, silences and self-offered life of the teacher from Nazareth.
As we drink the cup:
And we give thanks for the fruit of the vine, for the joy of communion, for alliances that endure in the search for justice and wholeness. We take the cup, knowing we are part of a community—people renewing their covenant with life.
Unison Prayer after Communion:
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. You have fed us with the bread of life, and renewed us for your service. Help us who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be his faithful disciples, so that our daily living may share in the life of your kingdom, and our love be your love reaching out into the life of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Newark Valley United Church of Christ 
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