Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

July 30, 2017           10:30 am

Meditation  
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
             ― Plato                             

From there to Here

Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship!  During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “ ”.”
Please sign in using the pew folder, passing it back down the row so all can greet one another by name, and place the sheet in an offering plate. We’re glad you’re here!
Prelude Etude in C# minor, Op. 25 No.7 F. Chopin
Jenny Bromley, piano
¨  Call to Worship
¨  Opening Hymn #318 Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast St. Flavian
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession   Hallelujah MaMuse
Susie Ritchie, alto & David Duffee, baritone
Every time I feel this way, this, old familiar sinking, I will lay my troubles down by the water where the river will never run dry. 
Refrain: Hallelujah Hallelujah (I’m gonna let myself be lifted, I’m gonna let myself be lifted) Hallelujah (I’m gonna let myself be lifted) Bye and bye I will lay my troubles down by the water where the river will never run dry
It’s been said and I do believe as you ask so shall you receive. So take from me these troubles, bring me sweet release where the river will never run dry. Refrain…
There is a river in this heart of hearts with a knowingness of my highest good. I am willing.  I will do my part where the river will never run dry. Refrain…
Where the river will never run dry . This river will never run dry.
¨  Words of Assurance
¨  Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day! You are invited to turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace and joy. 

The Living Word among us

Musical Meditation Precious Lord, Take My Hand G.N. Allen
B.G. Hibbard, piano
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 29:15-28
Children’s Moment  as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s presence guard, protect and guide you.  God bless you, God bless you. Our savior’s loving arms be ever ’round you. God bless you, God bless you.
Following Children’s Moment, children are welcome to visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, which is NOW downstairs in Room 104 off the playground. Follow the blue butterflies!!!
Musical Meditation What a Wonderful World L. Armstrong
Betty Sarafin, soprano
I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white. The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky are also on the faces of people going by,
I see friends shaking hands, saying, “How do you do?” They’re really saying, “I love you”.
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow. They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world. Yes, I think to myself, What a wonderful world. Oh yeah.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Sermon      A String of Pearls       Rev. Kent Gilbert

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastors and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory                    Just a Closer Walk with Thee
LaRee Jacobs, piano; Bradley Vilanacci, saxophone
¨  Doxology                 Avery/Marsh
Praying it Forward
Ringing of the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998).  A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: Our Maker, our Mother, and …
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:                                 
     For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.  Amen.

From Here to There

¨  Closing Hymn #181 You Are Salt for the Earth, O People Bring Forth
Lovingly dedicated to Andy Blyth
¨  Benediction & Sending Forth
    Postlude Douze Pieces pour Orgue, III. Toccata T. Dubois
Especially in our prayers
Each week we join millions of Christians who pray for one another through the ecumenical prayer cycle and, locally, the Berea Ministerial Association’s prayer cycle.  Let us hold the people of  Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe and our brothers and sisters at New Life Assemblies of God in our hearts, and pray for them.
Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week. Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Prayers for Rev. Kent and his bride-to-be, Rev. Diana Hultgren as they marry this coming weekend!
¨ The family and friends of Andy Blyth, who died on July 27. Service arrangements are not yet finalized.
¨ Susan Doring-Zook, recovering from surgery on her arm, broken in a fall. Meal Train at www.mealtrain.com/trains/wodzge.  Meals needed AFTER July 31.
¨ Laura Robie, recovering at home from a shoulder replacement.
¨ Travel mercies for members & friends here and abroad. 
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Our Nursery is now located in Room 104, off the playground!!   
Learn more about the church  today! If you want to know more about Union Church or want to explore church membership—or if you’re a new member – you are invited to come to the Classroom two doors past the church after worship for conversation with the Pastor and the Community Life and Growth Board.
Waterslide Party at Rev. Kent’s! Friday Aug 4: 11:30-2:30 In honor of their youngest friends and family, Rev. Kent and Rev. Diana would like to invite young people and their adults to a Friday-before-the-Wedding Picnic. We’ll have a 16’ inflatable waterslide, some drinks, and some hot dogs/veggie dogs. You bring anything else you’d like to eat or share, a blanket or chairs, and your swimming suit! Fun will be had by all! 298 Harrison Rd.
You’re Invited to the Wedding!
“The Banner Over Me is Love” —Song of Solomon 2:4
Congrats to Rev. Kent and Rev. Diana Hultgren! They are getting married August 5th and all church members and friends are invited (due to size limits, they had to wait until family and out-of-town RSVPs were received, but now we’re all ‘IN’).
Ceremony is at 4:30pm, Reception at 7pm. Come to one or both! You can go to www.withjoy.com/kentanddiana to RSVP. Use code RW8SQR (They have picked some favorite charities on their registry www.simpleregistry.com/KentandDiana, or celebrate with a donation to one of your own!).
Rev. Gail Bowman will be officiating! If you can’t come, the happy couple will receive a special blessing from the church Sunday, Aug. 6th, during our regular worship service. Bring a finger food snack to share or a beverage of your choice! Local musicians and callers will help lead the festivities.
Special birthday reception August 6: Jennie Kiteck is turning 90! On Sunday, August 6, between 12:00 & 3:00 you are invited to celebrate with her and her family in the Community Room.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact her daughter Mary, at marykwhitlock@gmail.com
August 6 Burger Bash & Pool Party! 5 pm – burgers, hot dogs & drinks provided, bring sides or desserts. Field games follow, then we have rented the pool from 7-9. 
Celtic Gala Concert at Union Church August 19, 8 pm! For eight years Berea Celtic Fest has produced one great event after the other with absolute quality Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England, Brittany, Galicia and across the North American continent.
This year’s “Celtic Gala Concert” will take place at Union Church and will also be a fundraiser and friendraiser for KEF – Kentucky Environmental Foundation and in cooperation with The Folk Circle Association of Berea.
The event includes a short intermission where you can meet KEF folks and buy CDs from the musicians.
Tickets are $20, $5 children & students,$75 priority seating – available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3000155
Scribes to help our Pastors. You may see a member of the Pastoral Relations Board standing near the pastors as they greet folks on their way out of the worship service. These are scribes—their job is to note  important conversations and details the pastors  might forget in the activity.
Are you a Creative Decorator?  The Worship Board seeks folks to “boldly and creatively” rethink our sanctuary décor.   Do you have some ideas?  Can you help?  If so, please talk to one of the pastors. 
Help Wanted!  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship reader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
Host an International Student: Do you want to learn more about the world outside the USA?  Offer hospitality to someone far from home?   If so, you might enjoy hosting an international student through the Community Friendship Program at Berea College!  Share meals, develop meaningful relationships, and celebrate your cultures together for the 2017-2018 academic year.   Email:communityfriendshipprogram@berea.edu to get an application or to receive more information about the program.
Mark your calendars & Save these Dates!
August 4: Waterslide party at Rev. Kent’s!
August 5: Rev. Kent and Diana’s wedding!! 4:30 pm, Ceremony, 7 pm Dance and Reception at Churchill Weavers .
August 6: 12-3 Jennie Kiteck’s 90th birthday party, Community Room
August 6: 5 pm Pool Party & Burger Bash – at the shelter behind the city pool AND the POOL!!!
August 19: Celtic Gala Concert  www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3000155
August 27: Rekindle the Spirit Day, events after worship AND our Youth lead the Worship Service