Is it possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been, for a kind of life you’ve never experienced? Advent begins with apocalyptic texts, in which everything is out of whack, and which might just hit close to home, if we’re paying attention.

Join the UPC community for Advent worship today as we explore ways in which this season draws us closer and closer to home. Worship with us in our sanctuary at 10:30 AM, or online (here!) if you are at home or on the road. You are invited!

First Sunday in Advent: Homesick/Hopeful

Union Presbyterian Church

November 28, 2021

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Barbara Ann Dailey Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude Chris Bartlette, organ

“Advent Meditation,” Dennis Eliot

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

If you are watching from home, or on the road, you may like to take this opportunity to find some bread and fruit of the vine, so that you might share in our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. God’s church is not limited by walls or distance.

Welcome. Welcome back. Welcome home.

Call to Worship

Can one be homesick for something you’ve never known?

We are homesick for a just world,

for peace like rivers,

for the end of suffering.

Yes, we are homesick—

for joy that is contagious,

for nations that feel like neighbors,

and for hospitals that run empty.

We are homesick for the world God promises.

We are homesick, but we are on our way.

God is here. God is still creating.

Let us worship Holy God.

Hymn

“O Come, O Come Immanuel”

Text: Barbara Lundblad, Used with permission.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

O come, O come, Immanuel

And bless each place your people dwell.

Melt ev'ry weapon crafted for war,

Bring peace upon the earth forever more.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,

God's chosen one, Immanuel, draws near.

O come green shoot of Jesse, free

Your people from despair and apathy;

Forge justice for the poor and meek,

Grant safety for the young ones and the weak.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,

God's chosen one, Immanuel, draws near.

O come, now, living water, pour your grace

And bring new life to every withered place;

Speak comfort to each trembling heart;

"Be strong! Fear not! For I will ne'er depart."

Rejoice! Rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,

God's chosen one, Immanuel, draws near.

O come, dear child of Mary, Come,

God's Word made flesh within our earthly home;

Love stir within the womb of night,

Revenge and hatred put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,

God's chosen one, Immanuel, draws near.

Lighting of the First Advent Candle The Rivera Family

We hope for a world where all are fed.

We hope for a world with more bridges than walls.

We hope for a world with wide open doors.

We hope for a world with contagious laughter.

We hope for a world where trees grow tall and creeks run clean.

We hope for a world where all people feel at home—in their bodies, in the church, in their physical homes.

We hope for that world.

We long for that world.

We are homesick for that world.

So today we light the candle of hope, because hope keeps our hearts alive as we wait.

May this light be a reminder that the wait is always worth it.

We are close to home. May we carry hope with us. Amen.

Call to New Life

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Gracious God,

We find ourselves with two options every day—

to stay homesick for the world you had in mind, or to allow cynicism to win.

Do we hope against hope, or do we throw in the towel?

Do we insist on a better world, or do we assume it’s impossible?

Forgive us for the days when cynicism wins.

Forgive us for numbing our homesick hurt instead of using it to fuel a better world.

Kindle in us a hope that won’t let go.

Gratefully we pray, amen.

Assurance of God’s Grace

Family of faith, even when we throw in the towel, even when we give up on hope, God does not give up on us. We are loved. We are claimed. We are invited closer to God’s home. So hear and trust this good news:

There is room for us in God’s house, and nothing can separate us from that love. We are claimed. We are forgiven. We are welcomed home. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sharing of Peace

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

This letter, written nearly 2000 years ago, is believed to be the oldest piece of literature in the New Testament. Before the gospels, before Revelation, before the letters to the Hebrews or the Corinthians—Paul wrote this letter to a small, struggling faith community.

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

Please contact the church office if you need an Advent Calendar or Devotional!

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

and the Profession of Faith for New Members

For Baptism: Xavier , Mahkayla , and Airrianna

Children of Amy

For Profession of Faith: Elizabeth Rivera, José Rivera, and Macyle Rivera

For Reception as New Members: Jayvien Rivera and Channel Rivera

Presentation

… Pastor (to the Congregation): Do you, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Xavier, Mahkayla, and Airrianna by word and deed, with love and prayer?

Congregation: We do.

Pastor: Will you encourage them to know and follow Christ, and to be faithful members of his church?

Congregation: We will.

Profession of Faith

… I invite the congregation to stand if you are able, and to join in affirming our faith in the words of the Apostle’s Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Thanksgiving Over the Water

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise

… Sanctify all our thirst with your living water,

Jesus Christ our Savior,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Baptism

Welcome

… Pastor: May the Spirit continue to strengthen and sustain you in the worship and the mission of the church.

Congregation: Amen. Alleluia!

Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you.

Congregation: And also with you.

Scripture Luke 21:25-36

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Response: Holy Wisdom, Holy Word. 

Thanks be to God! 

Meditation 

Anthem   

“Never Give Up,” Mairi Munro, Gordon Munro

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

You must never give up.

Light with hope the candle.

God is still creating.

There is room in God’s house.

All the earth is hopeful.

The Lord’s Supper/ Prayers of the People

The Invitation

The Wonderful Counselor of all peoples and nations is coming.

Our Mighty God and Prince of Peace is at the door.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Give thanks to God, for God is good.

God’s love is everlasting.

The Great Thanksgiving

…erefore, with the prophets and all our ancestors in faith, with all people of every age, we lift our hearts to you and sing,

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!

…O Generous God, as we come to this joyful feast, we take this bread and this cup, giving you praise and thanksgiving as we proclaim the mystery of our faith.

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Communion of the Bread

Communion of the Cup

The Gracious Spirit

…For it is through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,

In the unity of the Holy Spirit,

All glory and honor are yours, almighty God,

Forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Now with the confidence of children, we pray, debtors, trespassers, and sinners together, saying. . .

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.

The Communion

Prayer After Communion (Unison)

At your coming, Lord, waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. We thank you, Loving God, for the promise of your reign made real at the Communion table. By the mystery of this joyful feast help us to be strong and without fear. Let us be like the prophets, watching by night for signs of your coming. Let us be like the people of old, gathered at the river to share the wondrous news of forgiveness. And let us be like Mary and Joseph, opening our hearts and our lives to receive our Lord. Come, Lord Jesus, Come. Amen.

Hymn #163 W & R

“All Earth is Hopeful,” Alberto Taulé

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last!

Furrows lie open for God’s creative task:

This, the labor of people who struggle to see

How God’s truth and justice set everybody free.

People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell:

“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”;

She conceived him, “God with us,” our brother whose birth

Restores hope and courage to children of this earth.

Mountains and valleys will have to be prepared;

New highways opened, new protocols declared.

Almost here! God is nearing, in beauty and grace!

All clear every gateway, in haste, come out in haste!

We first saw Jesus a baby in a crib.

This same Lord Jesus today has come to live

In our world; he is present, in neighbors we see

Our Jesus is with us, and ever sets us free.

Benediction

As you leave this service, your service begins:

Comfort the homesick.

Open your doors to others.

Seek sanctuary.

Be brave enough to go home by another way.

And remember that here in God’s house, all are welcomed—

so come back soon.

In the name of our Foundation—God, Spirit, and Son—

go in peace.

Postlude Chris Bartlette, piano

“Give Thanks/Now Thank We All Our God,” Joel Raney

Used by permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Worship With Us

Advent 1: Homesick