First United Presbyterian Church SSSodus,Sodus, New York SeptSeptemberember 22272777,, 2020 Seventeenth Sunday in Pentecost

Reverend Gail Heimberger, Pastor Douglas Blackall, Organist Anne L’Hommedieu, Handbell Choir Director Tracey Fox Allen, JJJoJoooyfulyful Singers DirDirDireDir eeectctctctoooorrrr

GAGAGATGA TTTHHHHERINGERING AROUAROUNDND THE WORD

MeditationMeditation:: “We don't serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted so we serve God. We don't follow Him in order to be loved; we are loved so we follow him.”– Neil T. Anderson

GGGrGrrreetingeeting and AnnouAnnouncncncncemeemeementntntntssss Reverend Gail Heimberger Let us quiet and still ourselves as we come into the presence of God.

PrelPreludeudeudeude:::: “Prelude in C Major” J.S. Bach

Hymn: “Rejoice the Lord is King ” p.155

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, And triumph evermore: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! God’s kingdom cannot fail, Christ rules o’er earth and Heaven; The keys of death and hell Are to our Jesus given: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! Rejoice in glorious hope! For Christ, the Judge, shall come to glorify the saints for their eternal home: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! ---1-111---- Call to WorshipWorship:::: Come to hear the Word. Come to do the Word. Come to experience Comfort. Come to experience ChallChallenge.enge. Come to find Cost. Come to find Joy. Come to find Humanity. Come to find Community. Come to find Church. Come to find God.

Prayer of Invocation All too often, we tell God we wiwillll do better, and bebe better, and then just go on living the same way we always have. Let this be the moment when we tell our GoGodd of our failures and faithlessness,faithlessness, so we can go forth to work in that kingdom of grace and hope. Join me as we pray,

Call to CConfessiononfession Despite our best intentions, there is much in life that separates us from God and others. We are not always eager to follow God’s ways nor do God’s will. Let us seek God’s forgiveness, that we may know God’s mercy.

Prayer of Confession Too often we have gone our own ways and done our will rather than God's. Let us ask forgiveforgivenessness from the Lord. Lord Jesus, your “““Yes“YesYesYes”””” wwwaswas a firm “““Yes“YesYesYes”””” to the will of the Father, even when it led you to suffering and the cross. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Jesus Christ, your word was reliable, for you lived as you believed: CCChrist,Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, we oowewe fforgivenessorgiveness anandd life to your “““Yes“YesYesYes”””” ---2-222---- to the Father: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, forgive us our hesitations and cowardice in living up to the gospel. Help us to serve you with genegenerousrous love and lead us to everlasting live. Amen. —from Liturgy Alive, Models of Celebration

AssurAssuranceance of Pardon: Friends, believe in the good news of the gospel! In Jesus ChriChrist,st, we are ffforgiforgiorgiven.ven. Let God’s people say, “A“A“Amen“A men and amen!”

Special MMMusicMusicusic:: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” Maynard

ReReResponsiveRe sponsive Reading: Psalm 78 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will opopenen my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of oldold,,,, things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hidhideeee them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation. The praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. But God performed wonders in their ancestors’ presencence---- ininin the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. God split the sea and led them through, making the waters stand up like a wall. God led tthhhhemem with the cloud by day; bbbyby the lightning all through the night. God split rocks open in the wilderness, gave them plenty to drink- as if from the deep itself! God made streams ffflowflow from the rockrock,,,, made water run like rivers. ---3-333---- Prayer of Illumination As we hear your word, may we be filled with your peace, your joy, your love and with hope. May we work for justice, peace and reconciliation of the world.

SSScriptureScripture ReadingReadingssss:: Matthew 21: 23-32 The Authority of JesJesusus QQuestiouestiouestionenenenedddd 232323 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 242424 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 252525 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 262626 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”272727 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. The Parable of the Two Sons28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 292929 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.33303000 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.313131 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 323232 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

---4-444---- SermoSermonnnn:: “Putting Feet to Faith” - Reverend Gail Heimberger

ReadinReadingggg VoicVoice:e:e:e: Come, beloved. Come and be a blessing to the people in need. There is much to be done, and I have equipped you to serve and heal. Come, the time is now to work for hope and justice. WorkerWorker:::: I’m ready, Lord. Just look at me! I will go into the fields of need and bring your words of compassion and justice! I just have to finish this one little task before I go. Voice: The time to serve is now. The task you so urgently need to complete will still be there when you have done as I have asked. Why do you hesitate? WorkerWorker:::: I’m not hesitating, exactly. Well, you know what I mean. Do you really need me to come right now? Can’t I have a little time? OK, I’ll come, I promise. Voice: Come, dear one. I have need of your gifts and talents. There is much work to be done, and I have chosen you to be part of this great service. WorkerWorker:::: Listen, Lord! I know you need everyone to help, but I’m really not the person. I’m not good enough. I don’t have the talents everyone else seems to have. I don’t know why you are asking me. Surely there are others who are much more qualified than I am. I just can’t do this right now. I know you understand. WorkerWorker:::: And the first one, who said that he/she would come, did not come. Instead, the task that seemed so urgent claimed him/her. The words were strong, but the commitment was not. However, the second one, who believed he/she was not good enough and did not have the talent, did come and work. Each one that God has called is given strength and courage. Each one has talent and abilities that are needed ---5-555---- in this world for healing. Each one is loved by God and strengthened by God’s compassionate forgiveness. It is easy to say yes and then back down. It is also easy to say no, claiming inability. But God knows us better. God calls to each of us. How can we, who have received so much from God, say no. Come, dear friends, the time is now to serve. Right now, in this place, in this hour, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

RESPRESPONDINGONDING TO THTHEE WORD

OffOffOffertoryOff ertoryertory:::: “Sheep May Safely Graze” J.S. Bach

Prayer of Dedication

Call to Prayer The Lord be with you. And also witwithhhh you. Let us pray.

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer

BBBEARBEAREARINGING THE WORD TO THE WORLD

Hymn: “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling”

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; See, on the portals he's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.

---6-666---- Refrain: Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home. Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me? (Refrain)

O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me. (Refrain)

BBBeneBeneeneenedicdicdicdicttttionionionion

PPPostPostostostlllludeudeudeude:::: “A Hymnal Postlude” Marks

HappenHappeningsings September 22272777,,,, 2020 Keep in PrayerPrayer:::: All who face health issues: Bonnie Bollling, Nicky DeBadts McHenry, Gary DeBadts, Marilyn DeMarree, Linda Diehl, John Faulks, Roger and Debbie Gill, Nancy Gulino, Doris Keese, Rose Jock, Bob Leimberger, Anne Martini, Butch McMahon, David Meneely, Ed and Judy Merkel, David Neese, Chester Payton, Kim Perrotto, Jody Rolston, Carol Sergeant, Joyce Small, Jessica Smith, Corky Somerville, Bernie Stuttle and Mary Sue Switzer • All our children and teachers as they return to school. • Bill Clark, Jane and Jim Hopkins’ brother-in-law, who has pneumonia. ---7-777---- • Marilyn DeMarree, as she recovers from shoulder surgery. • The family of Jason Davis as they grieve his loss. • Corky Somerville who is recovering at home after back surgery. • Bernie Stuttle who is undergoing tests. • The family of Jeanette Hermenent as they grieve their loss.

Thank you to: • All who reach out to our families and neighbors to keep all of us safe during these trying times. Special thanks to our Deacons for keeping in touch with our folks. • Jeff Sondervan and Nan Hanna-Paquin for serving as Liturgists on September 20. • Our bagged lunch helpers, Carol Martini, Alice Irwin, Nancy Gulino. Thank you, also, to Kelly Allen for providing eggs. • Harry Stiokas & Jim Hopkins for Live Streaming each Sunday. Thank you to them for their faithfulness. We are looking for someone who could “learn the trade” and help them. • Thanks to Scott Dennis and Jeff Sondervan for the “goodies” on Sunday. • Doug Blackall for providing such uplifting music for each Sunday’s Service. • Alice Irwin for putting bulletin and sermon on the website. Soduspresbyterian.com and Facebook. • Connie Preston for faithfully watering and tending our flowers. • All our financial people, Kate Daratt, Lorie Ribis and Keith Blackall and all of you who faithfully give, for keeping us in “The Black”.

AVAVAV HELPERHELPER((((S)S)S)S) WANTED FFFORFOR OUR LIVE FFAAAACEBOOKCEBOOK SSERVICEERVICE We are looking for someone(s) who might be interested in helping out with our live broadcast. See Jim Hopkins or Harry Stiokas.

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AAANYANYNYNYONEONE INININTERESTEIN TERESTETERESTEDD IN HHHEHEEELPINGLPING WITH OUR OOOCTOBEROCTOBER COMMUNICOMMUNITYTYTYTY DINNER, OCTOBER 2020?? SeeSeeSee GaGaGailGa ililil

BLESSING OF THE ANIMAANIMALLLLSSSS:: TODAYTODAY:: NooNoonn on o n tn thet he fffrontfront lawn. BBBringBring yyourour animals foforrrr the “““Blessi“BlessiBlessinnnngg of the AnimalsAnimals”””” ServiceService....

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We are polling all our parparishishishishionersioners re: ChChristmasristmas EveEve.. We are having only one service this year (whi(whicccchhhh,, of courscoursee will bebebe brbrbrobr oooadcasadcasadcastedted on Facebook) Which is yyoooourur preference, a 7:00 pm service or an 8:00 pm seseservicese rvicervice?? Email Gail

ThThThisTh isisis SSSundaySundayunday,,,, SepteSeptemmmmbebebeberr 272727,27 ,,, 2220200022220000 10:0 0am: Worship, In-Church and Streaming ONLINE on FACEBOOK. Noon: Blessing of the Animals (On the front lawn)

TTThiThihihiss CoComimimimingngngng WWWeeWeeeeeek:k:k:k: Monday: Presbytery Committee Meeting, via Zoom, 6:30 pm WednesWednesdadadadayyyy: Take-Out Bagged Lunch,11:30-Noon

NNNeNeeextxtxtxt SSSunSununundaydaydayday,,,, October 44,,,, 2220200022220000 10:0 0am: Worship, In-Church and Streaming ONLINE on FACEBOOK. Communion

StaStaStatuSta tututussss ffforfor SeptemSeptemberber 202020,20 ,,, 2020: Current- $736.00 Benevolence- $10.00 Bagged Lunches- $18.00 (donations)

Community Dinner-$90.00

---9-999---- Highlights of SSomeome of the ChanChangesgesgesges • Nursery school area closed indefinitely. • Masks must be worn in the building until seated and socially distanced. When singing, please wear masks. • Hand sanitizer stations will be located at the entry. Please use when entering and exiting the bldg. Also, as required, we take temperatures upon entering. • No coffee chat for now. • Bulletins located on table as you walk in. • Offering will be placed in a plate at the back of the church. • Seating will be by usher to areas marked off to provide social distancing. • Bible Study postponed. • Sunday School opening postponed…. Older Class, online

Members and Friends, While the church is going through change, our bills and financial obligations continue. Please do what you can to keep your pledge and contributions current. You can mail your check to the church using the following address:

First United Presbyterian Church of Sodus Attention: Financial Secretary, 31 West Main St. Sodus, NY 14551

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