Sunday’s Worship Service at FPUC Celebrates Jesus’ Parables

“Singing in the Reign: A Worship Service Celebrating Jesus’ Parables and Teachings in the Gospel of Luke” will be offered this Sunday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Union Church, located at North Avenue and Temple Street, in Owego. 

Jesus was a gifted storyteller, and his parables have sometimes been described as “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.” They help people in their daily life and work.

This special worship service celebrates a wide variety of these simple stories that will be read by different people in the congregation; the old, familiar scripture readings are paired with new hymns on the parables.

For example, a new hymn, “Christ Taught Us Of a Farmer, which is based on the story in Luke 8:4-15, is written to the tune of AURELIA, which is usually associated with a hymn called, “The Church’s One Foundation.”

Christ taught us of a farmer who went out sowing seeds.

A few had trouble growing among the rocks and weeds,

Yet others grew till harvest in soil that was so good.

O God, you sow the gospel: The seed is your own word.

You sowed your word of love here so many years ago.*

Your message found a welcome; your word began to grow.

By grace, this church was built here by saints who followed you.

The seed took root and flourished: we hear and follow, too.

Another hymn in the worship service, “God’s Great Love is So Amazing,” is based on the three “lost and found” parables which are found in the 15th chapter of the gospel of Luke 15.

God’s Great Love Is So Amazing

CONVERSE 8.7.8.7 D (“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”)

“God’s great love is so amazing! See — a shepherd with his flocks!

Ninety-nine are safely grazing; one is lost among the rocks.

That good shepherd goes and searches till he finds the one astray.

So God says to fill our churches with the ones who’ve lost their way.

God in love is always seeking! See — a woman with her broom!

For a single coin she’s sweeping every corner of the room.

When it’s found she calls each neighbor, telling friends from all around.

So God says to search and labor till God’s precious ones are found.

God keeps waiting, searching, yearning! See — a father’s heartfelt joy!

Thankful for his son’s returning, he runs out to greet his boy.

To the angry older brother, hear the father’s patient call.

So God says to love each other, for in Christ, God loves us all.”

Biblical Reference: Luke 15

Tune: Charles Crozat Converse, 1868 (“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”)

Text: Copyright © 1999 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

This worship service was written by Pastor Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, who has written over 500 hymns that have been sung by thousands of churches in USA and overseas, published in over 20 books (most recent ones by the Church of Scotland, the Anglican Church in Canada and Mennonite Church in USA) including four books of just her hymns. Their unique quality has sometimes made news; her hymns have appeared in stories by The New Yorker magazine, The Christian Century, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and PBS-TV. 

She and her husband Bruce have served as pastors of the First Presbyterian Union Church since December 2018.

The complete service can be found online at www.carolynshymns.com/singing_in_the_reign.html.

If people are not available on Sunday morning, they can view the service later on the church’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/channel/UCfFrLlO_iqo-omgKbfIzQ4w.