Advent 4: Seeking Sanctuary

Sunday, December 19, 2021
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

Google Calendar ICS

What if you had received news that truly rocked your world? Where would you go? Who would be the first person you would tell? This morning we have just such a story—earth, shattering, life-changing news, that caused Mary to go in search of sanctuary with a trusted friend.

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!

ONLINE BULLETIN
Advent 4: Seeking Sanctuary: Love

Union Presbyterian Church

December 19, 2021

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

Liturgist: Jane Park Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude Colin DeLap, piano

“Breath of Heaven (Mary’s song),” Lloyd Larson

Used by permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Handbell Introit Tower Ringers

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

(Public Domain)

Call to Worship Jane Park

We are seeking—

deeper faith,

a place to belong,

the feeling that God is here in this room.

We are seeking—

joy that overflows,

the movement of the Spirit,

a hand to hold, when alone in the dark.

We are seeking—

the freedom to be,

the courage to love,

the conviction to act in the face of injustice.

We are seeking, but here in this space,

We are found.

Take a deep breath. This is your sanctuary.

God is here. We are found. Amen.

Hymn #161 W & R

“People, Look East,” Eleanor Farjeon, Martin Shaw

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

People, look east, the time is near

Of the crowning of the year.

Make your house fair as you are able,

Trim the hearth and set the table.

People, look east and sing today:

Love, the Guest, is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,

One more seed is planted there.

Give up your strength the seed to nourish,

That in course the flower may flourish.

People, look east and sing today:

Love, the Rose, is on the way.

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim,

One more light the bowl shall brim,

Shining beyond the frosty weather,

Bright as sun and moon together.

People, look east and sing today:

Love, the Star, is on the way.

Angels announce with shouts of mirth

Him who brings new life to earth.

Set every peak and valley humming

With the word, the Lord is coming.

People, look east and sing today:

Love, the Lord, is on the way.

Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle Cathie Makowka and Cindy Natoli

God’s love is like an open door.

God’s love is the streetlight that guides us home.

God’s love is a warm bed to fall into.

God’s love is a table with room for you.

God’s love is a crackling fireplace.

God’s love is the sun that streams through the windows.

God’s love is the roof over our heads and the floor beneath our feet.

God’s love is a home for you and me, for neighbors and strangers,

for family and friends, for enemies and partners.

God’s love is a home for all.

Today we light the candle of love to remind us of this truth.

May it burn brightly in this space and even brighter in our hearts.

Amen.

Call to New Life

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of safe spaces, we wish we were more like Mary, who in the face of great change, went and sought help. She did not wait for help to find her; she walked to the shelter she needed. Too often we wait silently for the world to change around us instead of speaking up for the things we need. Forgive us for failing to care for ourselves the way you would care for us. Give us the courage to be more like Mary. God of safe places, we wish we were more like Elizabeth, who greeted Mary with laughter and contagious joy. How many people have crossed our doorstep and how many times have we failed to see them? Give us the courage of Mary, and the grace of Elizabeth. Gratefully we pray, amen.

Assurance of God’s Love

Family of faith, even if we miss the person standing on our doorstep, even if we fail to care for ourselves the way God would care for us, even if we forget and ignore, turn away and shut down, God still loves us. There is nothing we can do to lose God’s love.

Rest in this promise:

If we get lost,

we will be found.

If we mess up,

we are forgiven.

If we withhold love,

God is lavish in loving us.

We are claimed. We are loved. We are forgiven.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Sharing of the 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 Luke 1:39-45

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “The King of Glory Comes” (Public Domain)

Scripture Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
    and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Rev. Pat Raube

Anthem Tower Ringers

“Mary, Did You Know?” Patricia Sanders Cota

Used by permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Prayers of the People

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.

Prayer Response  #173 W & R (sing two times) Tower Ringers

“Sing Out My Soul – Magnificat,” Jacques Berthier, Taizé

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Sing out, my soul. Sing out, my soul.

Sing out and glorify the Lord who sets us free.

Sing out, my soul. Sing out, my soul.

Sing out and glorify the Lord God!

Call for Offering   

Doxology    Tower Ringers

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Tune: Public Domain

Text: Brian Wren 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures high and low.

Praise God, in Jesus fully known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Prayer of Dedication   

Hymn  #226 W & R

“God’s Love Made Visible,” Iola Brubeck, Dave Brubeck

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

God’s love made visible! Incomprehensible!

He is invincible! His love shall reign!

From love so bountiful, blessings uncountable

Make death surmountable! His love shall reign!

Joyfully pray for peace and good will!

All of our yearning he will fulfill.

Live in a loving way! Praise him for every day!

Open your hearts and pray! His love shall reign!

God gave his Son to us to dwell as one of us,

His blessing unto us! His love shall reign!

To him all honor bring, heaven and earth will sing,

Praising our Lord and King! His love shall reign!

Open all doors this day of his birth,

All of good will inherit the earth.

His star will always be guiding humanity

Throughout eternity! His love shall reign!

Benediction  

As you leave this service, your service begins:

Comfort the homesick.

Open your doors to others.

Give away that extra coat.

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  Colin DeLap, piano

“Pat-A-Pan,” Jay Rouse

Used by permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847