Advent 4: We See God in Each Other

Sunday, December 18, 2022
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

Mary rushes to see her cousin Elizabeth—two women who are having remarkable/ miraculous pregnancies! And John, the child in Elizabeth’s womb, leaps for joy.

Each of us has been made in God’s image, so why do we have such a hard time seeing God in one another? We continue this morning to tell the story of how God’s love is scattered and spread from generation to generation. It’s your story too—you are invited!

Join us for worship in our sanctuary, or right here, if you are at home or on the road.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

From Generation to Generation: We See God in One Another

Luke 1:39-45; Luke 1:46-58

Union Presbyterian Church

December 18, 2022

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

Liturgist: Jane Park Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

HANDBELLS IN FRONT OF COMMUNION TABLE

DRUM IN LOFT

Prelude       Colin DeLap

“What Child Is This?” Sharon Aaronson

Announcements Jane Park

Prayer Concerns Rev. Pat Raube

Prelude Colin DeLap

 “What Child Is This?” Chris Rice

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Introit Tower Ringers

“Gentle Mary Laid Her Child,” Patricia Sanders Cota

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Call to Worship / Lighting of the Advent Candle of Love

Jane Park, Xavier Fletcher, Chris Bartlette, Jay Rivera

Jane: Over a hundred people, from the ages of two to eighty years old, were asked the question: “What makes you feel connected; what makes you feel

loved?” From the voices of different generations, hear their answers:

Jane: Handwritten notes.

Chris: Casseroles.

Jay: Being invited in.

Xavier: Reading a book together.

Jane: The passing of the peace.

Chris: Family walks.

Jay: Playing with my team.

Xavier: When I see my friends at school.

Jane: Surprise phone calls.

Chris: Making music with other people.

Jay: Home-cooked food.

Xavier: Belly laughs.

Jane: Eye contact.

Chris: Dinner parties.

Jay: An inside joke.

Xavier: Hugs.

Adult: Today we light the candle of love as a reminder that from the very first generation, God has surrounded us with love. May this good news—these threads of love—not only weave deeper connections between neighbors, but shape our actions and allow us to see God more clearly.

(Liturgist lights the candle.)

Jane: In a lonely world, let this light shine bright. From generation to generation, we are held in God’s love. Thanks be to God for that good news. 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.

Call to New Life

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of today and tomorrow, when Mary was pregnant and afraid, she ran to her cousin Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth threw open the door with joy and showered blessings upon her. How often do we have that same opportunity? How often do we leave the door locked, the curtains drawn, and the lights off? How often do we shower critique or judgment instead of blessings and joy? Gracious God, forgive us for our wrongs. We want to see you when we see our neighbor. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Friends, this is what we know.

God delights in us.

God throws open the door, just like Elizabeth, and says,
“Come on home, There is room for you here!”

And in that moment, we are blessed.

In that moment, we are forgiven.

In that moment, we are seen, healed, and welcomed home.

Now rest in this good news: you are saved by grace.

Let us proclaim this gift together, using words from Mary’s song:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.”

Sharing of the Peace

God pulls us close and tells us the story of unbelievable good news.

We are listening, we are grateful, and we are at 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 Luke 1:39-45

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke, beginning at chapter 1, verse 39.

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.”

Anthem Tower Ringers

“Mary, Did You Know?” Patricia Sanders Cota

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed” (Public Domain)

Scripture Luke 1:46-58

A reading from the Gospel According to Luke, beginning at Chapter 1, verse 46.

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowly state 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;
indeed, 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 imagination 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 come to the aid of his child Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Meditation

Affirmation of Faith

We believe that all creation is inextricably linked.

We belong to one another in an undeniable way.

We are bone of bone and flesh of flesh, life breathed into dust.

We believe that God invites us to live into that truth—

to love with abandon,

to see the good in one another,

to trust that all belong to God.

We know that this life of connection is easier said than done,

which is why we gather in this space, week after week,

generation after generation, to be reminded:

We see God in each other.

This we believe. Amen.

Anthem Choir

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

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

I have traveled many moonless nights,

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I’ve done.

Holy Father, you have come

And chosen me now to carry your Son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer;

I am frightened by the load I bear.

In a world as cold as stone,

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now, be with me now.

Breath of Heaven, hold me together,

Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven.

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy,

Breath of Heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,

If a wiser one should have had my place?

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong, help me be, help me.

(Sung two times:)

Breath of Heaven, hold me together,

Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven.

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy,

Breath of Heaven.

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

“Advent Doxology”

Tune: “Once in Royal David’s City” (Public Domain)

Praise to God, the One who made us.

Praise to Christ, the newborn Son.

Praise the Spirit, ever with us.

Praise the Godhead, Three in One.

Clear a path! Prepare the Way!

Advent leads to Christmas Day!

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn  #226 W & R

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

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Colin on percussion, Chris on piano

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 (Responsive)

As you leave this place, may you go knowing that

from generation to generation,

we have been claimed and loved.

From generation to generation,

God has been by our side.

From generation to generation,

we are not alone.

The God of yesterday and the God of tomorrow

knows you by name, loves you, and calls you forth,

saying, “Go be the person you are called to be,

love wildly, do justice, and come back soon.”

May it be so. Amen.

Postlude  Colin DeLap

“A Day of Joy and Gladness,” Lani Smith

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

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

Prayers by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org