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

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany 

January 28, 2018           10:30 am 

Meditation   
“What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions.”
—Octavio Paz, Mexican poet, writer, and diplomat, 1914-1998   

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 Come, Thou Fount C. Moklebust
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
¨  Call to Worship
One: Broken into bits, scattered to the winds, fractured into factions.
All: Still we are all God’s children, young and yearning for wholeness.
One: In this place, for this moment, let us gather ourselves together. Let us come close to each other and to a Holy love. Let us unite our spirits.
All: United by all that is greater than our differences and more healing than our hurts, let us praise God together!
¨  Opening Hymn#27  From All that Dwell Below the Skies Lasst Uns Efreuen
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession (unison)
We come on this holy day, God our God, to speak of how we live.  Politicians, celebrities, talk show folks have become our so-called gods.  Our choices often cause those around us to trip over our anger and slip on our pride.  The words we speak to others show how we really want nothing to do with you.
Forgive us, Holy God, and have mercy on us.  May we silence our fears, so words of hope may be spoken. May we give thanks not only with our hearts but with the grace we can share with others.  May justice and peace be the tools we use as we serve beside Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  
[silence is kept]  
¨ Words of Assurance
 One: We know who God is – the One who comes to love us, to forgive us, and to save us.
All: Thanks be to God.  We will spread this good news, and share this grace and hope, with everyone we meet. Amen.
¨  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

Anthem Give Me a Clean Heart Margaret J. Douroux
Union Church Choir
Give me a clean heart so I may serve Thee. Lord, fix my heart so That I may be used by Thee, for I’m not worthy of all these blessings. Give me a clean heart and I’ll follow Thee.
I’m not asking for the riches of the land. No, and I’m not asking for the proud to know my name. Please give me, Lord, a clean heart so that I may follow Thee.
Sometimes I am up and sometimes I am down. Sometimes I am almost level to the ground. 
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Psalm 111 (p. 729)
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Epistle Lesson               1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (p.1391)
Sermon      Holy Ambiguity:The Divine Legacy of Faithful Pluralism        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        Jubilation F. Gramann
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
¨  Doxology  To God all glorious heavenly light; Old Hundredth
To Christ revealed in earthly night;
To God the spirit now we raise
Our grateful hymn of thankful praise. Amen.

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 #179 We Yearn, O Christ, for Wholeness Passion Chorale
¨  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated) Festivity on “Holy Manna” Douglas Wagner
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 Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara and Tunisia and our brothers and sisters at Mt. Zion Christian Church 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, Nancy Hindman, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Neighbors and friends in fear of ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) raids in our area, and for DACA students and their families. May we all strive for a safe and respectful path forward to be good neighbors.
¨ Those affected by the recent school shooting in Marshall County, KY. We pray for the day when peace will reign.
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Loyal Jones, who recently moved to Arcadian Cove.  His address is Apt. C11, 532 Cady Dr. Richmond, 40475.
¨ Judith Singleton, recovering from her recent illness, and for her daughter, Stephanie, undergoing a difficult immunotherapy for her Multiple Sclerosis in New Mexico.
¨ Hazel Morris’ cousin, Bill, diagnosed with bladder cancer in Florida.
¨ BJ Godby, recovering from ankle surgery at home.
¨ Renee Wellinghurst’s father-in-law, Dave Wellinghurst, diagnosed with glioblastoma after surgery for a brain tumor.
¨ Gary Dillon, significant other of Betty Sarafin, critically ill with cancer.
¨ Congratulations to Derrick Hodge, son of Ellen Mink, who will be ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ at St. Peter’s UCC,  Louisville today! May God prosper his ministry!
¨ Carol Shaffer, due to have shoulder replacement surgery on the 31st.
¨ Luke Woodie, recovering from extensive surgery. He’ll be in Central Baptist Hospital until approximately Feb. 5.
¨ The family and friends of Dwight Blackburn, former member of Union Church, who passed away in Louisville January 12. A service will be February 17, 2 p.m., at First Christian Church.
¨ The people of Immanuel United Church of Christ, who will soon receive their new pastor, and Rev. Rachel and her family as she assumes this new role.
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.
Find out more about the church today! Come One Come All!  Each fourth Sunday of the month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members, are invited to come to the Classroom two doors past the church after worship for conversation with the Pastor and the Community Life & Growth Board.
 Rachel’s Departure: What to Expect, Part 2. Rev. Rachel’s last Sunday will be February 11 before she departs to pastor in Louisville. In the short term Church Council has directed that we hire a person to help Rev. Kent with pastoral care needs, and a person who will assist with Community Life and Faith Development details, each approximately 10 hrs per week. If you have interest in either position, please send a letter of interest addressed to Dave Kobersmith, Church Administrator by February 1.
Next, Church Council has formed a Long Range Planning Task Force. They’ll be helping design some ways we can pray and plan together about next steps, including how God is calling us to serve our community now, and best ways to do that. That’ll include thoughts about how to craft staffing to meet that need, as well as how to organize ourselves for that work.
Rev. Kent will also need our support. Not for himself alone, but also all of us supporting one another in loving and consistent ways: It’ll be a great help if we can be especially attentive to caring for our sick or sad friends, and it’ll help us all if you can be as diligent as possible about your volunteer positions, board assignments, and other service. We want to serve well, and we’ll need all hands doing their best work! Let’s make sure we are BEING the church, not just coming to church.
Stay after church next week, Feb. 4, for a farewell lunch. We’ll eat a wonderful Mexican meal together and send Rachel & her family off in good Union Church style!
Rev. Rachel could use your help and company as she packs up her office. If you could spend an hour or two this week or next (during workday hours) helping her decide what to pack and actually packing, she would deeply appreciate both your company and the help. Call the office to find a time.
Stephen Ministry is recruiting for another training class. Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one lay caring ministry where trained and empowered lay care-givers- called Stephen Ministers- provide high-quality, confidential, accepting, compassionate care to people who are hurting. The training for new Stephen Ministers will start in mid-April and continue through the summer until late August or early September.  Informational meetings about Stephen Ministry will soon be announced for February. You can pick up an application at one of the infor-mational meetings, the church office, or contact Jeff From jeff.from@gmail.com. Interviews for applicants will be conducted in March.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration to becoming a Stephen Minister. 
The multi media ministry of Union Church is a vital function in the life of the  congregation. Besides providing sound and video support for Sunday morning services as superstar volunteers, many other special events allow the technicians to earn money by working  weddings, Berea College events, and even some of our own events.
  Do you have an interest in multi media? After a year of Marty Hensley and myself, Jack Marshall, perfecting the new system, we are ready and willing to train whoever might be interested. 
  No prior experience is necessary! We will train you in everything you need to know about all of the multi media assets that are around our beloved Church. We hope to build 4 to 6 teams consisting of two people each. This is a great thing for families to participate in together, and  can be taught to anyone between nine and 99 years old! 
  Email Jack Marshall at jack.a.marshall @gmail.com or text him at 859-200-2679 if you are interested. 
  Come hang out with the balcony crowd! It’s a lot of fun. 
Our own Bob Shaffer has written a new book of prayers. Copies available in the office, $12.
 
Have you seen the sign-in book we use to record new members’ joining dates and attendance at meetings? It’s been missing and we need it back! Maybe someone accidentally took it home or tucked it somewhere for safe keeping? It’s black padded leather, about 8 1/2 x 11.
Berea Home Village volunteer orientation. If you would like to become a volunteer to help our Berea Home Village members remain in their beloved Berea homes, this volunteer opportunity might be for you. We are offering a volunteer orientation on Thursday, February 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Saint Joseph Berea boardroom. Lunch will be provided. Katie Heckman, Executive Director, Berea Home Village 859-985-0099.
Save the Date! Berea Leadership Experience will hold its camp for kids to learn skills of conflict resolution, media literacy, mindfulness, and appreciation of nature the week of July 16th -20th, 9 am – 2 pm for kids in incoming grades 2-8. We are also seeking sponsors for scholarships and other financial donations to make this camp possible for as many people as possible. Sponsorships are $60 to cover one student. Checks can be made or online donations can be designated to Union Church, memo line “Berea Leadership Experience.” Thank you!