Advent 4: Hope and Amazement

Sunday, December 21, 2025
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

Jospeh, Mary’s fiance, was a good man. But when he learned that his betrother, Mary was pregnant… he decided to walk away. God had different plans, and like the Joseph of the Old Testament, Joseph’s dreams became incredibly important to seeing those plans through.

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.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Hope and Amazement

Tobias the Innkeeper: One Special Night

A Christmas Pageant

Titus 3:4-7; Matthew 1:18-25

Union Presbyterian Church 

December 21, 2025 

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

Liturgist: Joan Kellam Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube 

Welcome  

Announcements          Joan Kellam

Prelude Mary

“A Stable Lamp Is Lighted,” Richard Wilbur, David Hurd

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

A stable lamp is lighted

Whose glow shall wake the sky;

The stars shall bend their voices,

And every stone shall cry,

And straw like gold shall shine;

A barn shall harbor heaven,

A stall become a shrine.

This child through David’s city

Shall ride in triumph by;

The palm shall strew its branches,

And every stone shall cry,

And every stone shall cry;

Though heavy, dull, and dumb,

And lie within the roadway

To pave his kingdom come.

Yet he shall be forsaken,

And yielded up to die;

The sky shall groan and darken,

And every stone shall cry,

For stony hearts of men:

God’s blood upon the spearhead,

God’s love refused again.

But now, as at the ending,

The low is lifted high;

The stars shall bend their voices,

And every stone shall cry,

In praises of the Child

By whose descent among us

The worlds are reconciled.

* Call to Worship/ Lighting of the Advent Candle of Love

Candlelighter: Xavier Rivera

Behold! God is good,

and has set a star in the heavens to guide us to love.

We follow it with joy!

We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.

As the Lord has promised, in days to come,

the Lord will give you a sign:

Look! The young woman is with child.

She shall bear a Son, and name him Emmanuel:

“God is with us!”

Let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

* 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

Scripture tells us that God is love. Let us open our hearts to that infinite love for the healing and wholeness it can impart to us.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (responsive)

God of steadfast love, how impatient we are with you, with each other, and with ourselves! We do not live as those who recognize your reign on earth, though we again celebrate your arrival. We are too filled with anger, and slow to show our love. We put limits on our compassion, and allow others to do the work of justice. We speak of love and peace on earth, but turn away from the tragedies of our global community. We earnestly repent, and ask your grace to grant us hearts for love alone. Let the light of Christ lead us to new life. We pray in your holy name. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

Hear the good news!

When we become aware of our need for it, we are given God’s grace.

In the name of Emmanuel, God-with-us, we are forgiven and made whole.

Thanks be to God! Amen. Alleluia!

* Sharing of the Peace

God is love, and is with us as we wait for the Prince of 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 Titus 3:4-7

When the graciousness and lovingkindness of God our Savior appeared, God saved us through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, not because of any works of righteousness we had done, but according to God’s mercy. This Spirit God poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by God’s grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of life eternal.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “God the Sculptor of the Mountains,” Amanda Husberg

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem

“Abide With Us, Emmanuel,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Come, O Wisdom, Holy Guide!

Speak your Word; our hearts are open wide

To know your will and to walk your sacred way.

Come, O Saving Adonai!

Just as once you heard your people cry,

Return to us; set our feet on freedom road.

O Emmanuel, O Emmanuel,

Make us burn as living candles

Of peace and hope and light

Shining strong and bright in the midst of night.

Come, abide with us, Emmanuel.

Come, O Root of Jesse’s Tree!

Come in power and set all people free;

Deliver us from the chains of hate and fear.

Come, O Morning Star, shine forth!

Kindle light upon this darkened earth;

Bring joyous hope to the ones in dark despair.

O Emmanuel, O Emmanuel,

Make us burn as living candles

Of peace and hope and light

Shining strong and bright in the midst of night.

Come, abide with us, Emmanuel.

Come, O gentle Prince of Peace!

Quickly bring the day when wars shall cease

And nations come to the rising of your light.

Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Enter now within our hearts to dwell;

Abide in us, just as we abide in you.

O Emmanuel, O Emmanuel,

Make us burn as living candles

Of peace and hope and light

Shining strong and bright in the midst of night.

Come, abide with us, Emmanuel.

Come to us, Emmanuel.

Scripture Matthew 1:18-25

Now, this is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah happened: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to have a child in her womb from the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a just man and unwilling to shame her; he wanted to divorce her secretly. But when he deliberated this, suddenly an angel of the Most High God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for in her is conceived a child from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this happened to fulfill what had been spoken by the Most High God through the prophet: “Look now! The virgin shall conceive a child in her womb and give birth to a son, they shall call him Emmanuel,” which, translated, means “God is with us.” When Joseph got up from sleep, he did as the angel of the Most High God commanded him. He took her as his wife, yet did not know her sexually until her birthing of a son and named him Jesus.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Meditation “Hope and Amazement”

Tobias the Innkeeper: One Special Night

Adapted by Rev. Theresa Cho

From “Tobias’ Story” by Carolyn Peters

Welcome!
Today we bring you a no-mess, no-stress, no-memorization, no-rehearsal
Christmas Pageant.

Today, Kiara Neal will be our narrator.

When it is time for Mary and Joseph to come forward, Kiara will ask all who would like to be those roles to come forward. It’s fine if we have 10 Marys, or 6 Josephs; or 1 animal, or 9 Wise Persons. You are invited to step into those roles, think about what this night was like for them, and enjoy being a part of the story!

Narrator:

Welcome everyone to Bethlehem! Let us open our eyes and ears and listen to the story of when Christ was born.

Part I: Mary and Joseph

Those who wish to portray Mary and Joseph are invited forward.
Marys are given a heart-shaped felt necklace; Josephs are given a burlap pouch.

As the Marys and Josephs come forward, the congregation sings:

Hymn # 220 W & R

“Mary Had a Baby” (Public Domain)

Mary had a baby, my Lord;
Mary had a baby, my Lord.
Mary had a baby, Mary had a baby,
Mary had a baby, my Lord.

What did she name him, my Lord?
What did she name him, my Lord?
What did she name him, what did she name him,
What did she name him, my Lord?

She named him King Jesus, my Lord.
She named him King Jesus, my Lord.
She named him King Jesus, she named him King Jesus,
She named him King Jesus, my Lord.

Where was he born, my Lord?
Where was he born, my Lord?
Where was he born, where was he born,
Where was he born, my Lord?

Born in a manger, my Lord.
Born in a manger, my Lord.
Born in a manger, born in a manger,
Born in a manger, my Lord.

When the Marys and Josephs are on stage, narrator begins.

Mary and Joseph, a pitiful sight.
So tired and dirty, they gave me a fright.
Sickly or dying? What was the matter?
“A room in the inn?” Impossible chatter!
“My rooms are all taken; not one empty bed.
There’ll not be a room in all Bethlehem,” I said.
But their eyes told a story of hunger and need.
I couldn’t avoid them, so I tried a good deed.
I cleaned up the stable: Rachel cooked up a meal.
We helped all we could, at least, that’s how I feel.
For we noticed that Mary was expecting – and soon!
So we prepared for delivery right under the moon.
The child came so quickly. His face seemed a light.
As if God had shone God’s presence so bright.
Joseph said softly. “It’s Jesus, my friend.”
God sent him among us to bring to an end
fear and hatred, darkness and sin.
Instead God gave light, to let God’s love in.

Part II: The Animals

Those who wish to be goats, sheep, cows or donkeys
are invited by narrator to come forward.
Animals are given masks or hats.

As the animals come forward, the congregation sings:

Hymn (verses 1 and 6)

“The Friendly Beasts” (Public Domain)

Jesus, our brother, strong and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around him stood,
Jesus, our brother, strong and good.

Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,
In the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
The gifts they gave Emmanuel.

When the animals are on stage, narrator begins.

My animals were calm, quieter than normal.
They often were noisy, and never too formal.
They always were eating, or else they were sleeping.
The stable required continuous sweeping.
But on Christmas night, they were strangely in awe
at the sight of the babe and all that they saw.
It’s as if they were aware that God had just hushed them,
Had fed and watered and carefully brushed them.
They knew, I believe, that God had been able
to work a miracle there in that stable.

Part III: Angels

Those who wish to be angels are invited forward.
Gold and silver garland halos are placed on their heads.

As the angels come forward, the congregation sings:

Hymn # 185 W & R (verses 1 and 3)

“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” (Public Domain)

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."

Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."

When the angels are on stage, narrator begins.

We don’t often see angels in flight.
But on the first Christmas, they lit up the night.
They appeared to the shepherds and, boy, were they scared!
“Angels!” cried one. “Will any lives be spared?”
“Are they here to destroy us? Is our time on earth up?
Have we seen our last day? Have we drunk our last cup?”
But “Peace on earth; goodwill to all”
was the angels’ sweet song; that was their call.
With a light show that dazzled all who did see,
the angels hallelujahed and sang out with glee.
“To Bethlehem, shepherds!” the angels directed.
“To see Jesus the Christ, whom God has perfected.”
“Go worship the Lord and follow his ways.
And you’ll find Christmas joy for all of your days.”

Part IV: ShepherdS

Those who wish to be shepherds are invited forward.
They are given candy canes to represent shepherd’s staffs.

As the shepherds come forward, the congregation sings:

Hymn # 218 W & R

“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” (Public Domain)

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth.

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

When the shepherds are on stage, narrator begins.

The shepherds, I told you, where scared and stunned.
“Too much hard work or too much hot sun!”
That’s what they thought; that’s how they explained.
Perplexed and afraid, they loudly complained.
But the angels’ song calmed them, and then they believed.
They rejoiced when they knew and they were quite relieved.
They went to the stable and worshiped the Lord.
Then they left and began to spread the good Word.

Part V: Wise Persons and Star

Those who wish to be Wise Persons are invited forward.
Colorful construction-paper crowns with “jewels” are placed on their heads.
An older child has been asked in advance to bring forward

a brilliant star extended high on a stick.

As the Wise Persons come forward, the congregation sings:

Hymn # 233 W & R (verses 1 and 5)

“We Three Kings of Orient Are” (Public Domain)

We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Feeld and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now behold him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

When the Wise Persons are on stage, narrator begins.

The star that shone brightly led Wise Persons at night
To Bethlehem’s stable, to the manger’s strange light.
They came bearing gifts, in worship and love,
praising God for God’s wonders from heaven above.
The Wise Men were kings and they knelt on my straw.
It was the oddest of things that ever I saw.
If kings bring him treasure,
then maybe you, too, can worship with pleasure
the person of Jesus, who came to us all.
So worthy of praise, for he brings us God’s call.”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life,
Come to God for healing from strife.
Come unto me, all you who labor,
And I’ll give you rest forever to savor.”

Part VI: Conclusion

T’was the very first Christmas and there in the manger,
The Christ-child was born; it couldn’t have been stranger.
Shepherds saw angels; Wise Men, a star.
They came to see Jesus; they came afar.
They knew he was special – God’s very own son,
He came to the earth to love everyone.
He grew up in time, the Savior, the Lord,
To be worshiped each day, to be loved and adored.
So now at Christmas we all take delight.
In the gift that God gave us that first Christmas night.
In the gifts we receive and the ones that we give,
Let us never forget, it’s in Christ that we live.

Pageant People return to their seats.

Claire introduces chime part.

Hymn # 179 W & R (verses 1, 2, 4) (with chimes)

“Joy to the World!” (Public Domain)

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns;
Let all their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love,

And wonders, wonders of his love.

Invite everyone to put chimes in baskets.

* Affirmation of Faith Confession of 1967, 9:15

God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals God’s love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful humanity. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of his love.

* Hymn # 190 W & R (verses 1 and 2)

“Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming”

(Public Domain)

Lo! how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung,
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As saints of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

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 

* 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 

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child,” Lloyd Larson

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 

Scripture Translations are from A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A, by Wilda C. Gafney, unless otherwise noted.

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Advent 4: Hope and Amazement