Advent 1: Lord, We Are Weary

Sunday, December 1, 2024
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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What do we have in common with an elderly couple who are stunned to find they're going to have a baby? The answer is, more than you think. We are weary. We are hardened by the disappointments and losses of life, and we are wondering when we might find hope again. Can grief and joy co-exist? Join us for our Advent/ Christmas series, "How does a weary world rejoice?" We will share the Lord's Supper, a reminder that in the hardest of times, our God lays a table for us and we are always welcome.

You can join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited! You are always welcome to bring your weary heart and body to this safe space.

How Does a Weary World Rejoice?

Advent 1

Lord, We Are Weary

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Luke 1:1-23

Union Presbyterian Church

December 1, 2024

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

Liturgist: Becky Conklin Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Becky Conklin

Prelude Choir

“Hope Waits for Us at Advent,” Amanda Udis-Kessler

Used with permission.

Hope waits for us at Advent.

Hope waits for us to trust.

Hope waits for our commitment

To a land that’s kind and just.

In this time of preparation

For the work of co-creation,

For the birthing of a world

That heals the ones in pain,

Hope is born in us again.

* Call to Worship

In God’s house, we can be joyful.

We can be grateful. We can be hopeful.

In God’s house, we can be weary.

We can be anxious. We can be grieving.

In God’s house, we can be honest—

inspired or tired, delighted or doubtful, connected or curious,

and everything in between.

This is God’s house. You are welcome exactly as you are.

Let us worship our loving God.

* Hymn

“O Come, O Come Immanuel,” Barbara Lundblad 

O come, O come, Immanuel 

And bless each place your people dwell. 

Melt every 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. 

Candle-Lighting Liturgy Linda Bevilacqua, Nancy Helgeson, Sonja Herrala

How does a weary world hope?

By telling stories of hope, by lighting candles in the night, and planting seeds in the winter that will bloom in spring.

By praying for children as they grow, and picking up trash on the sidewalk.

By insisting that small acts can make a difference.

There are a million ways to practice hope. So today we light the candle of hope as a reminder and a charge.

With God’s help, may we bring hope into a weary world.

* Call to New Life

Friends, in today’s scripture passage, a man named Zechariah is given good news from God and his response is to ask, “How can this be?” Have any of you ever felt that way when receiving good news? It can be hard to receive good news when we don’t expect it. It can be hard to accept God’s grace and God’s love when we feel we don’t deserve it. But friends, scripture tells us over and over again of a loving, generous, and gracious God. May we come to this prayer, not with fear, but with an awe so deep that we ask ourselves, “How can this be?” Let us pray:

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (Responsive)

Gracious God, we are weary.

For weary bodies that ache and cry out, we pray:

Forgive us for pushing ourselves too hard.

Remind us that we deserve Sabbath rest.

For weary minds that feel overwhelmed and saturated with news, we pray:

Forgive us for creating so many distractions.

Remind us that in the quiet, we can hear you.

For weary hearts that long to feel the joy of this season, we pray:

Forgive us for being impatient with ourselves.

Remind us that healing takes time, and that joy and grief can coexist.

[Silent Prayer]

And we pray,

For the weary edges of faith that struggle to hold onto hope,

Forgive us. Remind us of Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Remind us that your good news knows no bounds. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

Family of faith, no matter how many times we wear ourselves thin,

no matter how many times we lose ourselves to distractions,

no matter how many times we ask ourselves, “How can this be?”

God’s love keeps showing up for us.

Say this with me:

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

Thanks be to God. Amen.

* Sharing of the Peace

Our loving God is the source of our hope,

and therefore, the source of our 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 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (Responsive)

A responsive reading from the book of Psalms, selected verses from Psalm 80.

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

   before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
    and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,
    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears
    and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
    our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
    the one whom you made strong for yourself.

Then we will never turn back from you;
    give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” Graham Kendrick

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Anthem

“Come As You Are,” Lloyd Larson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Come out of sadness from wherever you’ve been.

Come, brokenhearted, let rescue begin.

Come find your mercy; O sinner, come kneel.

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal,

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal.

Lay down your burdens, lay down your shame.

All who are broken, lift up your face.

O wanderer, come home; you’re not too far.

So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart,

Come as you are.

There’s hope for the hopeless and all those who’ve strayed;

Come sit at the table, come taste the grace.

There’s rest for the weary, rest that endures.

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t cure.

Lay down your burdens, lay down your shame.

All who are broken, lift up your face.

O wanderer, come home; you’re not too far.

So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart,

Come as you are.

Come as you are, fall in his arms, come as you are.

There’s joy for the morning. O sinner be still.

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal,

Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal.

Lay down your burdens, lay down your shame.

All who are broken, lift up your face.

O wanderer, come home; you’re not too far.

So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart,

Come as you are.

So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart,

Come as you are.

Scripture Luke 1:1-23 (NRSVUE)

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

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I, too, decided, as one having a grasp of everything from the start, to write a well-ordered account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may have a firm grasp of the words in which you have been instructed.

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God during his section’s turn of duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified, and fear overwhelmed him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he returned to his home.

Response  Holy Wisdom, Holy Word: 

Thanks be to God! 

Sermon “Lord, We Are Weary”

* Statement of Faith

We believe in a God who hears our prayers,

who knows the shape and form of our weariness.

We believe in a God who wants joy and delight for us,

not just survival and existence.

We believe in a God who looks ahead,

who is not done dreaming for the world—

a God who sends hope in the form of people and change,

movements and Spirit.

And so we return to this space.

We bring our joy and our weariness

like two sides of the same coin,

and we trust that God is already at work.

Yes, we believe in a God who hears our prayers.

Thanks be to God for a love like that.

Amen.

* Hymn “Weary World, Rejoice” Anna Strickland (Insert from WWR resource)

Used with permission.

Weary world, God’s own vine

Tears our only bread and wine

Crying out to be restored

Desperate for a break from war

Weary world rejoice

Come and raise your voice

Weary world, broken and bruised

Name of God so misused

Can we see the light of Christ

Glowing in each person we spite?

Weary world rejoice

Come and raise your voice

Weary world, out of hope

Disbelief is how we cope

We’ve left faith to rot and rust

Dreams are covered in layers of dust

Weary world rejoice

Come and raise your voice

Weary world, waiting still

Holding our breath until

Christ returns in truth and grace

Will we recognize his face?

Weary world rejoice

Come and raise your voice

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 # 174 W & R

“Prepare the Way of the Lord,” Jacques Berthier

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

(Sing twice:)

Prepare the way of the Lord,

And all people will see

The salvation of our God.

Call for Offering

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is one of unexpected hope and joy, even in a situation that seems impossible. When we give generously, we take part in the joy and hope that this community offers: together we serve our Lord, our congregation, our community, and the world. Let us bring our tithes and offerings.

* Doxology

"Doxology for a Weary World,” Anna Strickland

Used with permission.

Praise the one Creator, praise the Living Christ

Praise the Holy Spirit, praise both day and night

Praise when you are weary, praise in times of joy

Praise, my soul, with all your strength

And your heart and voice

* Prayer of Dedication

God of hope, only you know the future, of each of us individually, of us as a faith community, of our nation, and of our world. We bring our gifts of talent, time, and treasure this week and show our shared hope in what the future may bring. With these resources, may your work be done, and may your reign of love, justice, and peace come. We pray in your holy name. Amen.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

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

O Holy God, who promised salvation through the prophets, with hearts full of hope we give you thanks and praise.

For a time we were a people walking in darkness, but

now we have seen the light of Christ. New life comes as a little child leads us.

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

Sanctus

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 

God of power, God of might, 

Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is He who comes  

In the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest, 

Hosanna in the highest. 

O Gracious God, with eager anticipation we prepare the way for your son Jesus Christ.

With joy we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord among us.

Jesus accepted the baptism of John

and came to bring us a baptism of fire and the Holy Spirit.

He was pleased to dwell among us, healing the sick, blessing

and welcoming the outcast, eating with sinners, and

proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor.

In the fullness of time, he suffered and died, carrying the weight of human sin.

By your power he was raised again, vanquishing all other powers,

and breaking sin’s hold upon us forever.

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.

O Mighty God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, that by your power, this bread and this cup may become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Let this feast be for us the sign and seal of your

promises to us in Christ Jesus, that he is indeed

coming to make all things new.

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.

Communion of the Bread

We thank you that on the night before he died, Jesus took bread and after giving thanks, gave it to his disciples, saying, “This is my body that is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

We remember that your Son chose to walk with us,

that we might fear the darkness no more.

Give us grace to live as your people, at peace with one another on your holy mountain.

By the mystery of this bread, broken but one,

teach us to be one though we are many.

Communion of the Cup

In the same way, after supper, Jesus took the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

We remember that Jesus poured out his life for us,

leading us from death to life.

O God of Peace, we seek to bear good fruit in all we say and do.

By the mystery of this cup, give us a thirst to learn your ways.

Music during Communion: “Just As I Am” (Public Domain)

Prayer After Communion

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 # 153 W & R

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

Text: Public Domain

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.

* Benediction

Family of faith,

as you leave this place,

you go into a weary world—

so speak tenderly.

Do the good that is yours to do.

Choose connection.

Hold onto hope.

And remember

that Christ took on flesh for you.

You are God’s beloved.

So go rejoicing.

The world needs it.

Amen.

Postlude Chris Bartlette

Toccata on “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” Thomas Helmore

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

Words for Worship taken and/ or adapted from prayers by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. The Lord’s Supper prayers by Rev. Pat Raube.