First Presbyterian Union Church, Owego NY

June 14, 2020-2nd Sunday after Pentecost-10:00 am Choir Appreciation Sunday

Gathering in God's Name

Gathering Music

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude: Sarabande-Antonio Corelli

Call to Worship: (Psalm 100)

One: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

All: Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. One: Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his;

All: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. One: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

All: Give thanks to him, bless his name. One: For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever,

All: and his faithfulness to all generations.

Hymn #464 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (words & music on next page)

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you

with our whole heart and soul

and mind and strength.

We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

In your mercy,

forgive what we have been,

help us amend what we are,

and direct what we shall be,

so that we may delight in your will

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your holy name. [Silent Prayer]

Assurance of Forgiveness

Gloria Patri: Awesome God

Our God is an awesome God;

He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power and love.

Our God is an awesome God.

Sharing of the Peace

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

Hearing God’s Word Prayer of Illumination

Epistle Lesson: Colossians 3:12-17

Anthem: Beloved, Let Us Love One Another-Pepper Choplin

Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 100

Sermon: “Make A Joyful Noise” Pastor Bruce Gillette

Hymn #264 When in Our Music God Is Glorified (words & music on next page)

Responding to God’s Word

Affirmation of Faith: Litany of Thanksgiving for Our Choirs and Church Music

- based on some anthems and hymns from 2019 - 2020:

One: Loving God, we rejoice in your gift of music. We thank you for hymns, anthems and special music,

through which we offer our praise to you.

All: We thank you for pipe organ and piano, for bells and band instruments through which we

worship you. One: Through our church’s music, we share in the faith of many generations, in many places:

All: “By Faith” we gather— physically or spiritually— as we celebrate your “Amazing Grace.” One: We rejoice that “The Lord is Beautiful“ and we sing “A Jubilant Song.”

All: We ask you to “Open the Eyes of My Heart” as the scriptures are read and the word pro

claimed. One: We listen for the Good News, asking, “Is There Room for a Sinner?”

All: We hear the invitation to come, “Just As I Am, Without One Plea.” One: We celebrate the seasons of the church year, singing “Silent Night” and “The Palms” and

“Alleluia.”

All: We commit to loving you and our neighbors, singing: “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use

Me.” We can do all things “In Christ Alone.” One: We “Lift Every Voice and Sing till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmony of liberty.” We

commit to working for justice for all, especially those who are oppressed.

All: We commit ourselves to your reign, praying “Let There Be Peace on Earth— and let it begin

with me.” One: Through it all, we celebrate that “His Name is Wonderful,” and that “Jesus Loves Me.”

All: Thank you, God, for the music we have shared this year that has helped us to love you and our

neighbors— and we thank you for all who have led us in song. Amen.

Service of Giving

Offering Sentences

Giving of the Tithes and Offerings

Offertory: How Can I Keep from Singing-arr. Timothy Shaw

Doxology: Now Thank We All Our God-vs. 3

All praise and thanks to God, who reigns in highest heaven.

To Father and to Son and Spirit now be given.

The one eternal God, whom heaven and earth adore,

The God who was, and is, and shall be evermore.

Prayer of Dedication

Joys and Concerns

As each petition is concluded, the prayer leader and congregation respond:

One: God, in your loving kindness,

All: Hear our prayer.

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.

Sending

Hymn SOP p. 91 Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth (words & music on next page)

The Sending

Postlude: He Keeps Me Singing-Luther B. Bridges

Happy Birthday...

15-Debby Evans

17-Lorraine Hess

Happy Anniversary…

19-John & Sue Mahler

Calendar

Sunday, June 14, 2020

10:00 a.m. Worship Service-Zoom

Monday, June 15, 2020

7:00 p.m. Evening Bible Study-Zoom

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

7:00 p.m. Coping with Loneliness Program- Zoom

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer Service-Zoom

7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Service-Zoom

7:45 p.m. Evening Prayer Service-Zoom

Thursday, June 18, 2020

9:00 a.m. Bible Study-Zoom

Friday, June 19, 2020

Saturday, June 20, 2020

6:30 p.m. Strawberry Snack-Zoom

7:00 p.m. Strawberry Family Feud

Sunday, June 21, 2020

10:00 a.m. Worship Service– Zoom

Scripture Readings for

June 21st-3rd Sunday after Pentecost:

Genesis 21:8-21

Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17

Romans 6:1b-11

Matthew 10:24-39

Silver Sneakers Update: Colleen will be holding Silver

Sneakers classes via Zoom every

Tuesday and Thursday at 10 am.

Anyone is welcome and right now the

class is free.

https://zoom.us/j/5168560515

Meeting ID: 516 856 0515

Betty Babcock is would love some calls or mail.

Her contact info is:

Good Shepherd Fairview Home

80 Fairview Ave. Room# 3890

Binghamton NY 13904

607-584-3890

The phone number rings directly to her room.

Please allow time for her to answer it.

If you are in college or going to college in

the fall, and are a church member or child of a

church member, you are invited to apply for

an Alice Bidlack Award. Please contact Pat

Shafer or Cheryll Berg for more information.

Applications need to be completed and

returned by July 1st.

For those who would like to

send a birthday card to

Lorraine Hess,

her mailing address is:

Hearth at Castle Gardens

1717 Castle Gardens Rd

Vestal NY 13850

Thank you to Molly Denis for

being our worship assistant

today!

Next Sunday we will be recognizing

our 2020 Seniors!

If you have a graduate in the family,

please let Pastor Bruce know!

(pastorbrucegillette@gmail.com)

Tuesday, June 16, 7:00p.m. Coping with Loneliness. Loneliness is contagious, heritable, affects one in four people – and increases the chances of early death by 20% – says US social neuroscientist John Cacioppo. The good news? He thinks it can be treated. Join us for a talk by Dr. Cacioppo followed by a zoom discussion led by Pastor Bruce Gillette. Bruce did graduate studies in counseling at Oregon State University before getting two degrees from Princeton Seminary and served on the two counseling center boards. Everyone is welcome to join this program that can help us help family and friends deal with loneliness.

Need Help with Yard Work? The Scout families in our church are looking for yards that need to be cleaned up. It has been tough for our scouts to do community service, but now is a good time for them to help others. Let us know if you would like them to stop by. Thank you!

"Mysteries of the Celtic Cross: Art, Theology, and Life" Tuesday, July 7, 7:00p.m. This is a special evening program presented by FPUC Faith Practices Committee. The encircled cross is an ubiquitous symbol, often used by the Presbyterian Church. Yet few people understand its history and significance. Using images collected from a decade of research in Britain and Ireland, Kenneth McIntosh sheds light from the crosses of ancient Ireland, Scotland, and Wales." Kenneth McIntosh is pastor of Honeoye United Church of Christ, author of bestseller "Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life,” newly published "The Soul of the Green Man" and he is a good friend of Bob and Cheryll Berg. A Celtic cross will be included in the FPUC Memorial Garden that is being constructed this summer in the area between the sanctuary and the lounge. Debby Evans and William Dove are available to answer your questions about Zoom. Debby's phone is 508-981-9338. William's phone number is 607-206-7355. Join us for this special evening of learning about spirituality and history on zoom.

Strawberry Family Feud on Saturday, June 20

On the weekend of the cancelled Owego Strawberry Festi-val, you are invited to enjoy some delicious strawberries and have fun with your church family. Starting at 6:30 p.m. with a strawberry snack (you prepare what you want with your strawberries -- shortcake, angel food cake, whip cream, va-nilla ice cream) and enjoy it at home as you talk over zoom to others in their homes enjoying their strawberry treats. From 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. we will play an online version of “Family Feud” in groups meeting in breakout groups on zoom. Debby Evans and William Dove are available to an-swer your questions about Zoom. Debby's phone is 508-981-9338. William's phone number is 607-206-7355. Plan to join us for a fun evening.

Just Mercy Movie Free in June on YouTube “Just Mercy” is based on the powerful and thought-provoking true story of young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who were not afforded proper representation, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley. One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian, who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the main testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. In the years that follow, Bryan becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings, as well as overt and unabashed racism as he fights for Walter, and others like him, with the odds—and the system—stacked against them. The main cast also includes Rob Morgan as Herbert Richardson, a fellow prisoner who also sits on death row awaiting his fate; Tim Blake Nelson as Ralph Myers, whose pivotal testimony against Walter McMillian is called into question; Rafe Spall as Tommy Chapman, the DA who is fighting to uphold Walter’s conviction and sentence; O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Anthony Ray Hinton, another wrongly convicted death row inmate whose cause is taken up by Bryan; and Karan Kendrick as Walter’s wife, Minnie McMillian, who stands by her husband. Go to https://www.justmercyfilm.com to see where you can watch this movie for free online. Pastors Bruce and Carolyn Gillette have the book that the movie is based on and recommend it.

Sunday Worship - 10:00 a.m. live stream only

Wednesday Evening Prayer Service: 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 7:45 pm- live stream only

Bruce’s day off is Friday

Pastor……...Rev. Bruce Gillette Music Director……..B.J. Heinle

Parish Associate…..Rev. Carolyn Gillette Secretary……………Lisa Grant

Church Office …….687-1682** Church Kitchen …..687-1306

*Bulletin submissions or changes are due by Wednesday morning.

Address: P.O. Box 355, 111 Temple Street, Owego, NY 13827

Church Office E-mail Address: office@owegofpuc.org

Church Website: www.owegofpuc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OwegoFPUC

Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley Website: www.susvalpresby.net

**Please note that the church

office is closed but Lisa is

working from home during

her normal office hours of

8:30 am to 12:30 pm from

Monday through Thursday.

Calls to the church office are

forwarded to her cell phone,.

She will also be checking the

postal mail daily.

Join us Wednesday evenings at either 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm or 7:45 pm for our EVENING PRAYER SERVICES ONLINE

Pastors Bruce and Carolyn Gillette are hosting a simple prayer service from the Presbyterian Book of Common Wor-

ship Daily Prayer online. Join other church members at 5:30 pm ,7:00 pm or 7:45 pm. It is being offered at multiple

times to make it available to all those who have expressed interest in being part of the prayer service. The prayer ser-

vice’s written order of service is posted on the FPUC website for easy downloading and printing before the ser-

vice: https://www.owegofpuc.org

All three Evening Prayer Services will be on Zoom. Here is how to access them each Wednesday (these should not

change) on the Zoom meeting web site:

5:30 pm Wednesday Evening Prayer: Meeting ID 830-1389-5503 and Meeting Password: FPUC

7:00 pm Wednesday Evening Prayer: Meeting ID: 823-9862-7563 and Meeting Password: 261970

7:45 p.m. Wednesday Evening Prayer: Meeting ID: 823-9862-7563 and Meeting Password: 261970.

For the first two prayer services, we will be using the Zoom videoconference so everyone can see and hear each other

(you also have the option of not being seen). You can be a part of these evening prayer services if your computer

does NOT have a camera/mic (you can watch and hear it, but can't speak in the meeting). You can also participate by

phone, check with William Dove or Debby Evans on how to do it. We want everyone to be included in our church.

The 7:45 p.m. Evening Prayer Service will also be via Zoom this week; it will be non-participatory. People may

simply listen in as we lead the service, and then the service will be archived on Facebook Live for those who would

like to see it later. You can find it on the church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OwegoFPUC/ .

We will be using Jesus’ prayer book (the Psalms) along with scripture readings from the Daily Lectionary, prayers of

thanksgiving and prayers of intercession. The whole service will be streamed live online from the Gillettes’ home

and will be about 30 minutes.

Live Stream Bible Study with Pastors Bruce & Carolyn

on Thursdays at 9:00 am.

Pastors Bruce & Carolyn Gillette will take turns leading a new Bible Study based on

the coming Sunday's biblical lessons. The Thursday Bible Study will be done in Zoom;

Here is how to access it each Thursday (these should not change) on the Zoom meeting

web site: Meeting ID: 876-7953-9978 Meeting Password: 766404

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN

THESE TOUGH TIMES!

In-Church worship is suspended but FPUC's mission and expenses continue. Mail in

your donation to the church office (PO Box 355, Owego, NY 13827). Mark it Attn. Cliff Gray.

Donate on line via the FPUC web site. https://www.owegofpuc.org/online-giving

We also understand that some of our donors have suddenly been confronted with

personal financial challenges. No one should feel guilty because they are not able to keep up

their financial pledge at this time. Our financial pledge card says “This commitment may be

increased or decreased due to changing circumstances.” This is true not only for those who are

financially hurting, but also for those who are living comfortably and can afford to give more

so our church can better help those in need. Please contact Pastor Bruce Gillette if you need

assistance. We are grateful for whatever people can prayerfully give at this time.

First Fruits, Loving Neighbors and Stimulus Checks: A couple of months ago no one would have guessed

that federal lawmakers would enact a $2 trillion economic stimulus package on March 27 and would send

many Americans checks of up to $1,200 per person or $2,400 per couple, as a way to put money directly into

the pockets of families struggling to manage the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. We all like

getting unanticipated money. There are plenty of people who really need this money at this time; there are

others for whom this money is an "extra." The Bible reminds us that "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness

thereof" (Psalm 24:1) and it is a good spiritual practice to give back to God from the first fruits of any bless-

ings in our lives. A few weeks ago Pastor Bruce Gillette got a phone call from one church family saying they

plan to give their whole stimulus check to the church to help others. They liked Bruce's suggestion that the

funds go to our Deacons for a special fund in which half would be used for those in our church facing fi-

nancial hardships and the other half would go to Tioga County Rural Ministry to help our neighbors.

We know not everyone can give their whole stimulus check, but maybe you could tithe (10% percent or $120)

or give some amount to help our church help others during these challenging times. You can give online

through our church web site (see homepage link) or mail it to the church, P.O. Box 355, Owego, NY 13827,

noting it is for "Deacons Neighbor Fund." If you or someone you know in our church needs financial help,

please contact Pastor Bruce Gillette or Deacons Moderator Cheryll Berg.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of using your new blessing to help others.

Do You or Someone You Know Need Help? Millions of Americans have lost their

jobs with unemployment levels like the time of the Great Depression in 1930’s. Many

people lost their savings with the decline of the Stock Market. If you or someone you

know in our church needs financial help and/or help in other ways, please contact Pas-

tor Bruce Gillette, Pastor Carolyn Gillette or Deacons Moderator Cheryll Berg.

Monday Evening Bible Study: The Parables of Jesus from a Middle Eastern Perspective with Dr. Kenneth Bailey

Join us for these half-hour talks on Jesus’ beloved short stories followed by discussion. Someone once described the parables as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” We hope you will find in this series that Jesus’ stories speak in new ways to you, your faith and your daily living today. The video talks are by the internationally renowned Bible teacher, Kenneth E. Bailey; they shed new light on the parables, answer questions and reveal deeper meanings on the stories as they would have been understood by the people who first heard them. Dr. Bailey also shows us how the parables are relevant today. You may remember many Owego Presbyterians enjoyed Dr. Bailey’s presentations about the Christmas stories in Advent 2018. Dr. Bailey served as a Presbyterian mission worker for forty years living and teaching in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem and Cyprus. In this series, he employs his trademark expertise as a master of Middle Eastern culture to lead you into a deeper understanding of the person and significance of Jesus and his teaching within his own cultural context. With a sure but gentle hand, Bailey lifts away the obscuring layers of modern Western interpretation to reveal Jesus’ teaching in the light of his actual historical and cultural setting. These talks have been so popular that they were published in a popular book titled Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies of the Gospels. Pastor Bruce Gillette will be the discussion leader for this series on Monday evenings 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Zoom. You are welcome to come to all sessions or as many as work for your schedule. No prior Bible study experience is needed; all are welcome to enjoy the series in the comfort of their homes. William Dove and Debby Evans are happy to show you how to get on Zoom. Family and friends are welcome to join us for these times of learning together.

Masks on Our Church's Clothes Line: We are very grateful to people who are

making masks to help others stay healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Our governor asked

everyone to wear masks when outside along with social distancing (NY state has more positive

cases of the virus that any single country in the world). Several church members have been making masks.

We are now going to copy what the Episcopal church in Binghamton is doing - putting them in plastic bags on

a clothes line by our church with a simple sign saying to take one for free. Our Deacons will provide funds for

mask materials. Ginny Murray is happy to be a contact for this mask making ministry. Lisa Grant, our church

secretary, is happy to keep the clothes line stocked daily, Monday through Thursday. We are grateful that

our neighbor, John's Fine Foods, is letting people know about our free masks clothes line by our Temple Street

entrance. Mask makers can leave the masks between the front door and storm door of our church office. We

welcome your mask donations. Thank you for your support (prayers and mask making) of this project to help

our neighbors stay healthy and "flatten the curve" of the virus in our community.

A Note about the AA Meetings:

These meeting are not cancelled. Meetings can be found on Zoom.us AA Campfire Group & Plug in the Jug

https://zoom.us/j/237941251 Meetings are online now, same times.NOON Campfire Group

MTWTF also Saturday Night Beginners 7 PM (est) aacny.org They both share the same Zoom ID: 237 941 251

Thank You Bill A. (607) 232-2681