Considering the Apocalypse

Sunday, November 13, 2022
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

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

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The closer he gets to the end of his life, the more Jesus speaks of devastating endings. Today, along with Jesus, we are considering the apocalypse—and what that means for us today.

Join us for worship in our sanctuary, or right here, if you are at home or on the road. You can also find the live-stream and worship videos on the Union Presbyterian Church of Endicott YouTube page! Worship videos are available Sunday after 1:00 PM.

Considering the Apocalypse

Psalm 98; Luke 21:5-19

Union Presbyterian Church

November 13, 2022

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

Liturgist: Trish Nilsen Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude (Bells/chimes next to pulpit) Choir / Tower Ringers

“Autumn Carol,” Russell Schulz-Widmar

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Sing to the Lord of harvest,

Sing songs of love and praise.

With joyful hearts and voices

Your alleluias raise.

In God the rolling seasons

In steadfast order move.

Sing to the Lord of harvest

A joyous song of love.

The clouds break forth with raining,

The deserts bloom and spring,

The hills leap up in gladness,

The valleys laugh and sing.

God fills them with abundance

And nature’s gifts increase.

The year is crowned with goodness,

With plenty and with peace.

Bring to this sacred altar

The gifts God’s goodness gave,

The golden sheaves of harvest,

The souls Christ died to save.

Your hearts lay down in offering

As at his feet you fall.

With holy lives adore him

Who gave his life for all.

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Call to Worship

Sing a new song to the Lord!

God has done marvelous things!

God’s steadfast love and faithfulness is sure:

God’s tender mercies are from everlasting to everlasting!

Let the rivers clap their hands, and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,

It is our loving God who comes to judge the earth. Thanks be to God!

Hymn  #31 W & R

“I Sing the Almighty Power of God”

(Public Domain)

I sing the almighty power of God
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at his command
And all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord
That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with his word
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how your wonders are displayed
Where'er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread
Or gaze upon the sky!

There's not a plant or flower below
But makes your glories known;
And clouds arise and tempests blow
By order from your throne;
While all that borrows life from you
Is ever in your care,
And everywhere that I may be,
You, God, are present there.

Call to New Life Trish Nilsen

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Almighty God of past, present, and future: your vast gaze comprehends eternity. We are limited, finite, and unable to take in more than the troubles of the day. We struggle to love you wholly, heart and soul, mind and strength. We allow fear and anxiety to prevent us from loving our neighbors as ourselves. We allow the shrill voices of culture wars to recruit us, and we let things that are not-you to claim our ultimate allegiance. Help us God. Help us to still ourselves in your holy and loving presence. Help us to turn our gazes to you, and drink in your unfathomable love. Help us to walk your path of love, justice, and peace. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

With the whole church:

We affirm that we are made in God’s image,

befriended by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit.

With people everywhere:

We affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity,

planted more deeply than all that is wrong.

With all creation:

We celebrate the miracle and wonder of life and the unfolding purposes of God, forever at work in ourselves and the world. Thanks be to God. Amen!

Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of God be with you. 

And also with you.

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

Scripture Psalm 98

Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous things,
whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known your victory,
    you have revealed your righteousness

in the sight of the nations.
You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands;
    lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

Sing to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the voice of song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    shout with joy before the king, the Lord.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    the world and those who dwell therein.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
    and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,

who comes to judge the earth.
The Lord will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “He Came Down,” public domain

Scripture Luke 21:5-19

A reading from the Gospel According to Luke, beginning at Chapter 21, verse 5.

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them,

“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Meditation

Anthem Choir

“Go Forth In His Name,” Graham Kendrick, John F. Wilson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

We are His children, the fruit of His suffering,

Saved and redeemed by His blood;

Called to be holy, a light to the nations,

Clothed with His power, filled with His love!

Go forth in His name, proclaiming, “Jesus reigns!”

Now if the time for the church to arise, and

Proclaim Him, “Jesus, Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.”

Countless the souls that are stumbling in darkness,

Why do we sleep in the light?

Jesus commands us to “Go make disciples.”

This is our cause, this is the fight!

Go forth in His name, proclaiming, “Jesus reigns!”

Now if the time for the church to arise, and

Proclaim Him, “Jesus, Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.”

Listen, the wind of the Spirit is blowing,

The end of the age is so near;

Powers in the earth and the heavens are shaking,

Jesus, our Lord, soon shall appear!

Go forth in His name, proclaiming, “Jesus reigns!”

Now if the time for the church to arise, and

Proclaim Him, “Jesus, Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.”

Jesus is Lord!

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  #475 W & R 

“Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ,” Frank von Christierson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Eternal Spirit of the living Christ,
We know not how to ask or what to say;
We only know our need, as deep as life,
And only you can teach us how to pray.

Call for Offering

Doxology  

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” 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  #29 W & R

“God of the Sparrow,” Carl Schalk

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

God of the sparrow, God of the whale,

God of the swirling stars.

How does the creature say Awe?

How does the creature say Praise?

God of the earthquake, God of the storm,

God of the trumpet blast.

How does the creature cry Woe?

How does the creature cry Save?

God of the rainbow, God of the cross,

God of the empty grave.

How does the creature say Grace?

How does the creature say Thanks?

God of the hungry, God of the sick,

God of the prodigal.

How does the creature say Care?

How does the creature say Life?

God of the neighbor, God of the foe,

God of the pruning hook.

How does the creature say Love?

How does the creature say Peace?

God of the ages, God near at hand,

God of the loving heart.

How do your children say Joy?

How do your children say Home?

Benediction

Go into the world in peace.

Have courage!

Hold fast to what is good.

Return no one evil for evil.

Strengthen the faint-hearted,

support the weak,

help the suffering.

Honor all people.

Love and serve the Lord your God,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit,

be with each and all of us,

This day and forevermore.

The Spirit is among us, so go in peace.

Thanks be to God. Amen

Postlude  Colin DeLap

“Horns Of Hyfrydol,” Penny Rodriguez

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal.

“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal