The season of Advent isn’t simply about preparing for the celebration of Christmas; it is also about preparing for Christ’s return at the end of all things, when God will redeem the world. Sounds good, right? So why do we always feel a little uncomfortable talking about it… as if only a wild-eyed person standing on a milk crate yelling at passersby would talk about this thing? But the return of Christ isn’t something to dread; it’s something that gives us hope.
Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street, Endicott. Or, you can join our livestream by clicking on the Youtube Video right here. We would love to walk the Advent journey together.
First Sunday in Advent
Hope in the Midst of Chaos
Psalm 8; Matthew 24:32-44
Union Presbyterian Church
November 30, 2025
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Cindy Surrena Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube
Welcome
Announcements Cindy Surrena
Prelude Chris Bartlette
[Chris needs a Mic for this/We need slides for lower 3rd text]
“Night Sky / Give Honor to the Lord,” Chris Bartlette
When I look at the night sky and see the works of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set in place,
What are mortals that you should think of us,
Mere humans that you should think of us?
What are mortals that you should think of us,
Mere humans that you should think of us?
Give honor to the Lord,
For his glory and strength, the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord in his splendor;
Worship the Lord in his holiness.
In the temple, everyone shouts: Glory!
The voice of the Lord
Is powerful and full of majesty.
Worship the Lord in his splendor;
Worship the Lord in his holiness.
In the temple, everyone shouts: Glory!
Give honor to the Lord.
* Call to Worship/ Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope
Jesus says, I am coming soon.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
As the Lord has promised, in days to come,
The nations shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
Let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
* Hymn # 154 W & R
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
(Public Domain)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
And order all things, far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And cause us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven's peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
* Call to New Life
Surely God is our salvation. Have faith, and do not be afraid.
* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (responsive)
God of the future, you are coming in power to make all things new. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace.
~ Silence ~
And we pray,
In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes in glory. Amen.
* Words of Assurance
The wilderness will rejoice; the dry land will blossom.
The people of God will return with joy and singing.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made whole.
By the grace of God, we are made free. Thanks be to God!
* Sharing of the Peace
With God’s help, we rejoice in hope;
we are patient in affliction; and we persevere in prayer.
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 8
A responsive reading from the psalter, Psalm 8, selected verses.
Womb of Life, our Sovereign,
how exalted is your Name in all the earth!
Out of the mouths of children and nursing babes
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
You have founded a stronghold against your adversaries,
to put an end to the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars you have established,
What are we that you should be mindful of us?
the woman-born that you attend to them?
You have made us a little lower than God;
you adorn us with glory and honor;
you give us mastery over the works of your hands;
you put all things under our feet:
All sheep and oxen,
even the wild beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
Womb of Life, our Sovereign,
how exalted is your Name in all the earth!
Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube
Music: “City of God,” Dan Schutte
©1981, OCP, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Anthem Choir
“I Want to Be Ready,” Alton Howard, Pam Stephenson
©1993, Howard Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
O John, O John, what did you say?
(Walk in Jerusalem just like John.)
That you’d be there on judgment day.
(Walk in Jerusalem just like John.)
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
John said the city was just four-square,
(Walk in Jerusalem just like John.)
And he declared he’d meet me there.
(Walk in Jerusalem just like John.)
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
If you get there before I do,
(Walk in Jerusalem just like John.)
Tell all my friends I’m-a comin’, too.
(Walk in Jerusalem just like John.)
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.
Scripture Matthew 24:32-44
Jesus said, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Son of Woman is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Most High God. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Woman. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Woman. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Redeemer is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, the owner would have stayed awake, and would not have let the house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Woman is coming at an unexpected hour.
Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:
Thanks be to God!
Sermon “Hope in the Midst of Chaos”
* Affirmation of Faith An Advent Statement of Faith by Rev. Rebecca Harrison
We are an Advent people,
a people of hope.
For us, Advent is a time of waiting,
and so we wait.
We wait for the coming of the One
who is the fulfillment of God’s promise,
the fulfillment of hope,
the declaration that we have been redeemed.
Even so, we are not a naïve people.
We know that the world in which we live
will continue to be filled with pain and sorrow.
We know that hatred and violence will continue to exist.
We know that death and separation will continue to be a part of our lives.
But because we are an Advent people,
we know that none of these things will win in the end.
The Holy One is coming,
to make holy once again
all that was, is, and ever will be.
And in our waiting and our hoping,
we work and worship,
pray and play,
in all things hoping that peace, love and joy will reign
in our lives and in our world,
now and forever.
* Hymn (to the tune of #191 W & R)
“God, You Alone Know What You've Planned,” Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
©2019, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Used with permission.
God, you alone know what you've planned
For earth and sky and sea.
Creation waits your loving hand
To bring in what will be.
When things we trust in shift and shake
And sorrows multiply,
We hear you calling, "Keep awake!
Redemption is close by!"
O Christ, you taught us, "Watch the trees
As seasons change each year,
For when they bud and grow new leaves
You know that summer's near."
May we look round this changing earth
And see with faith-filled eyes
Your signs of newness, life and birth
That witness to the wise.
Though heav'n and earth will pass away,
Your word will still be true.
O Son of Man, on that great day,
We'll be secure in you.
For at the close of history
When all that's past shall end,
The one who judges us will be
No stranger, but a friend.
So by your Spirit may we share
The life you're bringing forth:
May we seek justice, end despair,
And work to heal the earth.
For there's a new day coming near
With no more death or pain;
Till then, we'll seek to serve you here
And welcome in your reign.
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 # 3 PH (verse 3)
“Comfort, Comfort You My People” (Public Domain)
Make you straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits God’s holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o’er earth is shed abroad;
And all flesh shall see the token
That God’s word is never broken.
Call for Offering
* Doxology # 156 W & R (verse 5)
“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (Public Domain)
To you, O Christ, all praises be,
Whose advent sets your people free;
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore!
* Dedication of Offering
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
©1984, GIA Publications, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
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.
Words of Institution
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.
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: “Let All Mortal Flesh” (Public Domain)
Prayer of Thanksgiving (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 # 153 W & R
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
(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
Postlude Chris Bartlette
“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come,” Lloyd Larson
©2020, Lorenz Publishing Co., All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
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
Scripture Translations:
WLWC = A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A, by Wilda C. Gafney.
NRSVUE = The New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition.
Liturgy taken/adapted from the PCUSA Book of Common Worship, 2018. Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Liturgy, P. Raube, 2003.