WELCOME TO WORSHIP!

The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Music Appreciation Sunday

June 28, 2020 10:00am

~~~~~

Abiding Presence Church The Reverend Paul Egensteiner, Bishop The Reverend Robert Schoepflin, Pastor Dr. Thomas Zatorski, Director of Music

Ms. Lisa Pecchio, Soloist Deacon Kathy Pucci, Assisting

Page 2

Welcome to Worship! The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Music Appreciation Sunday June 28, 2020

10:00am Abiding Presence Church The Reverend Paul Egensteiner, Bishop The Reverend Robert Schoepflin, Pastor Dr. Thomas Zatorski, Director of Music

Ms. Lisa Pecchio, Soloist Deacon Kathy Pucci, Assisting

INTRODUCTION The welcome of baptism is for all God’s children. This baptismal gift sets us free from the power of sin and death. In today’s gospel, Christ promises that the disciple who gives a cup of cold water to the little ones serves Christ himself. From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome. GATHERING - The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting, whose faithfulness endures from generation to generation. Amen.

Page 3

Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Reconciling God, we confess that we do not trust your abundance, and we deny your presence in our lives. We place our hope in ourselves and rely on our own efforts. We fail to believe that you provide enough for all. We abuse your good creation for our own benefit. We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us. We sin in thought, word, and deed. By your grace, forgive us; through your love, renew us; and in your Spirit, lead us; so that we may live and serve you in newness of life. Amen. Beloved of God, by the radical abundance of divine mercy

we have peace with God through ☩ Christ Jesus, through whom we have obtained grace upon grace. Our sins are forgiven. Let us live now in hope. For hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Amen. GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Page 4

HYMN OF PRAISE

Page 5

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray together. O God, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and mercy reshape the world. Mold us into a people who welcome your word and serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. WORD - God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

First Reading: Romans 6: 12-23 Sin is an enslaving power which motivates us to live self-serving, disobedient lives. Sin’s final payoff is death. We, however, have been set free from sin’s slavery to live obediently under God’s grace, whose end is the free gift of eternal life.

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans 12Do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. 13No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 15What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

Page 6

20When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm 89: 1-4, 15-18

The psalm is spoken responsively 1Your love, O LORD, forever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness. 2For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is established forever; you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens. 3“I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: 4‘I will establish your line forever, and preserve your throne for all generations. 15Happy are the people who know the festal shout! They walk, O LORD, in the light of your presence. 16They rejoice daily in your name; they are jubilant in your righteousness. 17For you are the glory of their strength, and by your favor our might is exalted. 18Truly, our shield belongs to the LORD; our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Page 7

Gospel: Matthew 10:40-42 When Jesus sends his disciples out as missionaries, he warns them of persecution and hardships they will face. He also promises to reward any who aid his followers and support their ministry.

The holy gospel according to Saint Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. [Jesus said to the twelve:] 40“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE ANTHEM “Alleluia! Voices Raise” Text by George Wither; Music by Richard W. Hillert Sung by Lisa Pecchio REFLECTION

Page 8

HYMN “When In Our Music God Is Glorified”

RECOGNITION OF MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR OF THE ABIDING PRESENCE: Karen Alicata, Betty Bose, Karen Farber, Paul Farber, Jean Forberg, James Gavin, Vivian Isakson, Emily Johnson, Lisa Pecchio, Nicole Redden, Tony Redden, Ingrid Smith, Jeffrey Smith, Mark Waldron, Theodore Weber, Holly Williams. CHOIR OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE: Emily DeMaio, Emily Johnson.

Page 9

BELLS ABLAZE YOUTH BELL CHOIR: Stevie Burkhardt, Katelyn Callahan, Avery Doino, Kyle Johnson, Olivia Johnson. RESOUNDING PRAISE BELL CHOIR: Felicia Alicata, Elizabeth Bruce, Barbara Ericksen, Patricia Evans, Jean Forberg, Cathy Fox, Vivian Isakson, Greg Johnson, Lisa McCaffrey, Garrett VanderBrink, Dr. Tom Zatorski; Director of Music. INSTRUMENTALISTS: Malena Farber, Joseph Fischer, Emily Johnson, Pat Matos, Jessica Mayor, Annie Nikunen, Daniel Schoepflin, Leigh Schoepflin, Zachary Schoepflin. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our shared world.

A brief silence.

God of companionship, encourage our relationships with our siblings in Christ. Bless our conversations. Shape our shared future and give us hearts eager to join in praise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of abundance, you make your creation thrive and grow to provide all that we need. Inspire us to care for our environment and be attuned to where the earth is crying out. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of mercy, your grace is poured out for all. Inspire authorities, judges, and politicians to act with compassion. Teach us to overcome fear with hope, meet hate with love, and welcome one another as we would welcome you.

Page 10

Heal the racial division in our country. Help us recognize and overcome racism in all of its forms. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of care, accompany all who are in deepest need. Comfort those who are sick or lonely, especially those suffering from Covid-19, and Bob, Barbara, Betty, Rakel, Avery, Mary, Roger, Greg, Gerd, Scott, Melinda, Kathy, Ray, Marissa, Jessica, and those we name before you, aloud or in our hearts pause for names. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of community, we give thanks for this congregation. Give us passion to embrace your mission and the vision to recognize where you are leading us. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of light, remind us in these uncertain times to relish moments of joy. Help us underscore the gift of special moments, especially the birthdays of Brian, Cristina, Michelle, David, Trevellyan, Ryan, Michael, Laura, Anne, Kirsten, Deanna, Keith, William, Emily, Diane, Frank, Lisa, Claudia, Carlee, Tyler, Emily, Alli, Francis, Tyler, and Linda and the wedding anniversaries of Claudia and Theodore, Sarah and Paul, Elizabeth and Mark, Barbara and Chester, Eileen and Glenn, Betty and Karl, Lisa and Gary, Karen and Craig, Sharon and John, Valerie and Frank, and Lisa and Christopher. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of love, you gather in your embrace all who have died. Keep us steadfast in our faith and renew our trust in your promise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SHARING OF PEACE

Page 11

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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

SENDING - God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. ANNOUNCEMENTS BLESSING

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you his peace, In the name of the Father and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Page 12

SENDING HYMN “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”

DISMISSAL

Gathered by Christ, Growing in Faith, Sent to serve. All are welcome! Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

Page 13

Gracious and loving God,

Our souls are filled with the power and joy of your song of

Creation as we raise our voices in response to your call.

Bless those who serve among us in our music ministries as

singers, ringers, cantors and instrumentalists, wrapped in the

arms of your sustaining and eternal love, they offer their gift of music.

We pray that all who listen will feel their spirits touched by the wonder of your

mystery, and add their own voices to our joyful noise.

May we ourselves continue to be uplifted in knowing our music touches and

uplifts many others in our faith community and sing always with hearts open to

your presence and your power; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

Amen

CHOIR OF THE ABIDING PRESENCE

Karen Alicata, Betty Bose, Karen Farber, Paul Farber, Jean Forberg,

James Gavin, Vivian Isakson, Emily Johnson,

Lisa Pecchio, Nicole Redden, Tony Redden, Ingrid Smith, Jeffrey Smith,

Mark Waldron, Theodore Weber, Holly Williams

CHOIR OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Emily DeMaio, Emily Johnson.

BELLS ABLAZE YOUTH BELL CHOIR

Stevie Burkhardt, Katelyn Callahan, Avery Doino, Kyle Johnson,

Olivia Johnson

RESOUNDING PRAISE BELL CHOIR

Felicia Alicata, Elizabeth Bruce, Barbara Ericksen, Patricia Evans,

Jean Forberg, Cathy Fox, Vivian Isakson, Greg Johnson,

Lisa McCaffrey, Garrett VanderBrink,

Dr. Tom Zatorski; Director of Music

INSTRUMENTALISTS

Malena Farber, Joseph Fischer, Emily Johnson, Pat Matos, Jessica Mayor,

Annie Nikunen, Daniel Schoepflin, Leigh Schoepflin, Zachary Schoepflin

Thank you to each one of you for your faithfulness ringing and singing God’s

praises throughout this year.

Page 14

IN OUR PRAYERS FOR COMFORT AND HEALING ARE: Alex, Rakel Anderson, Bellieu family: Kim, Josh, Faith, Noah, Eden & Micah, Margaret Belt, Bob Benson, Marie Benson, Betsey Berry, Bill, Bob, Joseph Bruce, Matthew Bruce, Emily Burns, Donnamarie Calabrese, Ann Marie Commisso, James Casinover, Connor, Dan & Joyce, Pat Deihl, Diedre, Avery Doino, Betty Domchick, Frank Drost, Patricia Evans, Barbara Forberg, Danny F., Gene Gaye, Melinda Geis, George, Gerd, Kristen Gonzalez, Karl Hank, Ed and June Heidelberger, Edwin Heidelberger, Anthony and Felicia Hudson, Walter Jenkins, Jennifer, Ginny Kacin, Evelyn Kaestner, Kathy, Florence Kelly, Linda Kelly, Gerry Krush, Joanne Krush, Sr., Neil LaFerlita, Maria LaFerlita, Ed Lichtenwald, Doris Lindros, Mary Lyons, Marissa, Kathy McCaffrey, Thomas McCormack, Katherine McGee, Dominic Mollica, Ralph Mormile, Jeff Murrey, Pauline Muth, Bobby Nallan, Christopher Nallan, Kim Nallan, Andreas Nabholz, Nick, Roger Nubel, Joe Pagano, Alice Pecchio, Ron and Brenda Pennix, Dorothy Philcox, The Pizzarelli Family, Evelyn Pucci, Jessica Pucci, Joey Pucci, Kathy Pucci, Ron Pucci, Phyllis Renaldo, Charlotte Roessle, Roger, Rena Rosenwald, Sam, William Sanfilippo, Scott, Ronnie and Jeff S.,Kathy Smith, Lisa Smith, Pete Strange, Lenore Strich, Joan Sweeney, Tony, Scott Trafas, Trish, Varcak Family, Marshall Veniar, Emilie Vernier, Michael Wagner, Arthur Wakefield, Carol Walderman, Gary Walderman, Peter Weichner, Bill Witte, Wolfgang Zinnert, Wanda Zurlo. FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY: Joseph Begley, Liam Begley, Carlo Calvo, Paul Cassuti, John Delano, Jonathan Dixon, Jason Ericksen, Walton Delano Gouldin, Eric Hank, Jr., Michael Hewson, Alycia A. Howard, Dr. Daniel Howard, Claire James, Tyler Kuchenbrod, Justin MacDonald, Katie Mayer, Daniel Murray, Richard Mutari, Jay Rosenwald, Jake Sass, James Schwen, Kaitlin Stark, Bryce Michael Wheeler.

THE SANCTUARY CANDLE burns throughout the week in loving memory of Margaret Reath by Janet and Pastor. THE CANDLES OF GRACE are lighted in loving memory of Margaret Reath by Janet and Pastor.

Page 15

ABIDING PRESENCE LUTHERAN PARISH NEWS SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2020 CHURCH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS are 9:00am – 2:00pm through Labor Day. Our church is open. If you have a question or a need, please call the office and be assured that if your call is not answered directly, you will receive a return call. THANK YOU to those who have been mailing in their offering envelopes while we have not been able to meet for worship! It is greatly appreciated since our bills must still be paid during this time. Did you know that you can also make an offering online on our website? Please visit abidingpresencechurch.org and click “giving” to make a donation. You can also choose to have your contribution sent directly from your bank as a one time, or a recurring contribution saving you time and postage. Simply add the congregation’s name and address on the “add payees” page of your online banking site, and your bank will send a check directly to Abiding Presence. As a benefit to the Church, it helps provide an even cash flow throughout the year helping the church more effectively and easily meet budget goals and manage expenses. Thank you all for your faithful support of our parish. WE ARE LIVESTREAMING WORSHIP EACH SUNDAY AT 10AM on our YouTube channel during this time. NOTE: The link for You Tube and the worship bulletins for all services can be found on our website at abidingpresencechurch.org. The bulletin is also emailed on Friday. If you or anyone you know would like to be added to our email list, please call or email Debra Nicholas at 631-269-6454 ext. 11 nicholas.debbie@yahoo.com. WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY continues each Wednesday at 10:30am. The Zoom link can be found on our website. On July 1st, we will begin a study of the Book of Genesis. MEN’S BIBLE STUDY is on the first and third Saturday’s of the month. Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 4th, at 8:30am. The Zoom link can be found on our website. SAVE THE DATES MONDAY, AUGUST 3RD – FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH FOR VIRTUAL VBS 2020: Our theme this year is “ROCKY RAILWAY” where kids discover through life’s ups and downs that Jesus’ power pulls us through. Since we are unable to gather during this time, VBS will be pre-recorded and uploaded to our Abiding Presence YouTube channel. We are currently in the preparing stages and are in need of volunteers for several key positions to help us with this exciting week. Kids will participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, engage in fun snack preparing and eating experiences, take part in one-of-a-kind Bible Adventures, and collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them to trust Jesus. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. We are working hard to make it a fun week for all children and we invite parents to watch along with your child and share in this weeklong event. More information will follow in the coming weeks. PARENTS: PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS FOR REGISTRATION FORMS AND IMPORTANT VBS INFORMATION. Information and registration can also be found on our website at www.abidingpresence.org.

Page 16

ALTAR DEDICATIONS: Sanctuary Candles and Candles of Grace, and Altar Flowers may once again be dedicated each week. Communion Elements may be dedicated on the first and third Sundays of the month until further notice. The dedication may be “In Loving Memory of...” or “In Honor/Celebration of...” and will be shown in print in the bulletin of the Sunday you requested. Please email your request to nicholas.debbie@yahoo.com or call the church office at 631-269-6454 ext.11. Candles of Grace - $20.00; Sanctuary (Vigil) Candle - $10.00; Wine and Bread - $10.00; Altar Flower Dedication - $40.00 (NOTE: Dedications of Altar Flowers must be received no later than Wednesday to ensure your dedication will be printed in the Sunday bulletin). Money donated towards altar dedications is used to offset the cost of supplies and materials that are used in various dedications. Thank you in advance for your support. AMAZON SMILE: If you are an Amazon shopper, you can help support Abiding Presence at no expense to yourself! Amazon Smile is a service division of Amazon that gives a percentage of the price of the item purchased to a charity that is registered with them. It uses all your Amazon account information (log in, password, etc.) and if you use Amazon Prime this applies as well. Simply go to smile.amazon.com. You will be asked to log in and then asked what charity you would like to support. Type in Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Fort Salonga, New York. If names of registered churches pop up, be sure to select our congregation, as there are other Abiding Presence Churches. Once you make the selection you are set to go ahead and shop. It is as quick and easy as that AmazonSmile will send a percentage of the purchase price to support the ministry of Abiding Presence at no extra expense to you. GARDEN OF HOPE: The Garden of Hope provides fresh vegetables to the Northport Food Pantry for families in need. We thank Greg Johnson for tending to the garden in the summer months. If you have a home garden and would like to provide fresh vegetables or fruit for the food pantry it would be greatly appreciated. Please call Greg Johnson if you have any questions 631-543-2790.

PRAYER LIST: If you know of anyone who should be added to or removed from the prayer list, please call or email Debra Nicholas at the church office 631-269-6454 ext. 11 or nicholas.debbie@yahoo.com

Page 17

Daily Bible Readings for Year A (June 28 – July 5) From EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP

The foundational premise of this set of daily readings is their relationship to the Sunday lectionary. The readings are chosen so that the days leading up to Sunday (Thursday through Saturday) prepare for the Sunday readings. The days flowing out from Sunday (Monday through Wednesday) reflect upon the Sunday readings. Sun 6/28 Lectionary 13 Jeremiah 28:5-9 Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42 Mon 6/29 Psalm 119:161-168 Peter and Paul, Apostles 1 Kings 21:1-16 Acts 12:1-11 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 Tues 6/30 Psalm 119:161-168 John 21:15-19 1 Kings 21:17-29 1 John 4:1-6 Wed 7/01 Psalm 119:161-168 Jeremiah 18:1-11 Matthew 11:20-24 Thurs 7/02 Psalm 145:8-14 Zechariah 1:1-6 Romans 7:1-6 Fri 7/03 Psalm 145:8-14 Thomas, Apostle Zechariah 2:6-13 Judges 6:36-40 Romans 7:7-20 Psalm 136:1-4, 23-26 Ephesians 4:11-16

Page 18

Sat 7/04 Psalm 145:8-14 John 14:1-7 Zechariah 4:1-7 Luke 10:21-24 Sun 7/05 Lectionary 14 Zechariah 9:9-12 Psalm 145:8-14 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Page 19

UPDATE FOR JULY 2020 NOW WITH SECURE, VIRTUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS

AVAILABLE FOR ANY NEW YORK RESIDENT

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

Seeking Wisdom in a Time of Losses By Molly W. Blancke, LCC Executive Director

Many people, including several of our counselors, have tried to put the insecurities and anxieties of the last few months into words, hoping that their words will bring greater

understanding and therefore, be of comfort in such trying times. During this COVID pandemic, we are all suffering losses; some are the same and others different,

depending on our circumstances.

We are all experiencing a loss of confidence in what we know as ‘normal’ in our lives, a loss of the sense of control over our lives and loss of the ability to be present physically

to others, as before, when often needed most. Due to the effects of COVID, some of us are also experiencing painful loss of loved ones, loss of income, loss of jobs, loss of

celebration of momentous occasions, or a loss in career or our perceived roles in life.

However, these losses do not have to be without hope or even, sometimes, without

invaluable lessons. In his incredibly insightful book about facing devastating loss, A Grace Disguised, Jerry Sittser talks about the regrets that always accompany losses.

Sittser lost his wife, mother and four year old daughter all at once in a tragic automobile crash, an accident that was caused by a drunk driver. He states: “People can be

changed by the unchangeable losses they experience. Thus, for redemption to occur, they must let go of the loss itself and embrace the good effects the loss can have on

their lives…..In other words, they must seek personal transformation, which comes only by grace.” Elsewhere, he notes, “The gift of divine forgiveness will help us forgive

ourselves. Without it, regret becomes a form of self-punishment”.

Don’t allow the regrets you may feel about the losses you have sustained to control your life. God can forgive any regrets you may have, giving you the space and ability to

forgive yourself. He can provide the grace needed to allow self-kindness and gentleness

in dealing with the losses so that transformation can eventually occur.

It is important to seek the help of others if you cannot do this on your own. Seeking a Christian faith-based mental health counselor to help you deal with losses incurred

means having someone to listen and help you sort out your feelings as well as to remind you of God’s unconditional love as evidenced at many times during your life. It requires

courage and the desire to change. He or she can provide the objective viewpoint and at the same time, be there to walk with you through the painful parts of the losses.

Our caring counselors are still providing safe, confidential virtual counseling sessions.

Please reach out if we can help you. For more information or to set an appointment, call LCC at 1-800-317-1173. For safety, all sessions are

provided using a secure, HIPAA compliant virtual video and/or audio platform.