A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of Church of Christ, Union
Fifth Sunday of Lent March 17, 2013
Meditation
“If the only prayer you ever said was ‘Thank you,’ it would be enough.”
—Meister Eckhardt
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude “Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier” J.S.Bach
* Call to Worship
One: Each week God sends an anointing of blessing to us.
All: Broken open like costly perfume, grace abounds.
One: Let us pour out our thanksgiving, let us lavishly commit to God’s work!
All: We worship as we work; we work as we worship. Giving and receiving we serve the Lord of life and love.
* Opening Hymn #206 Black A Woman Came Who Wexford Carol
Did Not Count the Cost
* Invitation to Confession (adapted from Feasting on the Word:
Liturgies for Year C, Vol. 1)
One: If we ask God to restore us to the way we have been, then we have not asked for as much as God intends to give. God is not content simply to return or restore us to former things. Instead, God seeks to give the gift of resurrection – a new and abundant life.
With confidence in God’s generosity, we confess our sins and seek the new life offered in Jesus Christ.
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
Here are questions for silent reflection, meant for grace. We will read them silently, and you are invited stand or sit, whichever feels most prayerful to you.
Purifying God, I grow comfortable with the way things are in my life, in the church, and in the world.
What is feeling uncomfortable, even though it might at first seem comfortable?
What do I know needs to change, but resist?
Sure of my own righteousness, I am critical of others. Wanting to control my assets, I hoard the gifts you give us.
What am I clinging to?
What criticisms do I make of others that might reflect a deeper criticism of myself?
Forgive me, I pray, for seeking my gain at the expense of others. Help me bend my life toward your own life of self-giving and sacrifice. Fill me, my home and church, the whole world, with the abundant love of Christ until all are made new.
Through Jesus the Christ. Amen.
* Words of Assurance
One: The apostle Paul reminds us that we do not make ourselves righteous. Our righteousness comes through faith in Christ, who has made us his own. Hear the good news! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! The old life has passed away – and a new life has begun.
All: Thanks be to God!
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the word
Anthem Haste Thee, O God Adrian Batten
Union Church Choir arr. & ed. by Crawford R. Thoburn
Haste Thee, O God, to deliver me, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul. Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame, that cry over me there. But let all those that seek Thee be joyful and glad in Thee. And let all such as delight in thy salvation say always: the Lord be praised, Amen.
Epistle Lesson Philippians 3:4b-14 (p. 1431)
Being acceptable to God.
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, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
Psalm 126 (Sung) p. 707 Black
The Psalms were all originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response at the “R” when invited.
Gospel Lesson John 12:1-8 (p. 1300)
Jesus’ anointing at Bethany.
Sermon Wafts of What Is to Come Rev. Kent Gilbert
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers & Prayers of the Community
Our 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 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.
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory Londonderry Air trad. Irish melody
* Doxology (Sung in English) Laudate omnes gent
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn #417 Black This Is the Day of New Beginnings Beginnings
* Benediction and Sending Forth
* Benediction Response Blessing Round Jonathon Jensen
_____________________________
* All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
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 Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and our brothers and sisters at the River of Life Foursquare Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country.
* Laurinda Pool, at the death of her father, Frank Littlejohn. The evergreen on the altar is in his honor and memory.
* For our campus community in the loss of Yohance Fegan
* Joan Moore, recovering from her auto accident at a friend’s home in Winchester and for her father, Bob, being cared for by Joan’s sister.
* Paul Wells, recovering from heart surgery at home.
* Carol Shaffer, recuperating from shoulder surgery at daughter Beth’s.
* Whitney Louise Wellinghurst, who was born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces, now weighs over 5 pounds! Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges.
* Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
* Ruth Wesley, now at The Terrace
Assisting in Worship
Worship Leader today is Leslie Small Stokes.
Flowers on the altar today are in memory of Mary Lou Pross (1923—2012), on the first anniversary of her memorial service.
Announcements…
Our Worship Continues with our Work… Join us for a St. Patrick’s Day Lunch and Annual Meeting. Guests are welcome!
You Matter! Please sign in on the Pew folders which will be passed in your row, with the last person taking out the sheet and placing it in the offering plate. Thank you.
Needed: small toys, stickers, fruit treats, candy…. To fill the eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter morning. No more plastic eggs needed — we have plenty, thanks so much! Please bring fillers to church by next Sunday, or to the office during the week next week.
A Special Lenten Offering: One Great Hour of Sharing… Next week! Each Lent we challenge ourselves to make a special “over and above” offering to aid the poor of the world. One Great Hour of Sharing is a ministry of Church World Service that supports direct relief, food sustainability, education, and disaster relief around the world. Your gift could not be more important, nor better used. Checks can be made to “Union Church” with “OGHS” on the memo line. You may also make your gift by credit/debit card. Let’s make an offering in thanksgiving for all the costly love needed to make Jesus’ ministry tangible and real.
Easter Lilies Available for Sale…Easter morning flowers are a glorious way to celebrate the joy of resurrection. Now you can order sanctuary lilies in honor or memory of loved ones for just $15 and a click or call! Sales of the flowers will benefit the El Salvador Mission and Service Trip, scheduled for June. Call the church office (986-3725) or use the church webpage: www.union-church.org/lilies to place your order and list your designation “in honor” or “in memory” of someone, if you’d like. All flowers will be delivered to the church and will be available to take home after the Easter Service if you wish!
Easter Morning Team Needed: Volunteers are needed for special ushering and Easter preparations. Team members meet with Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel on Saturday, March 30th to plan and practice. They then participate in the morning processional during the service, helping transform the darkness to light and joy! To sign up please visit www.union-church.org/easter-volunteers. All ages are welcome. Many thanks!
Good problem to have—we need silverware! Our Lenten lunch and potluck crowds are growing! Would you have any silverware laying around the house gathering dust? Just bring to the kitchen and we’ll put it to good use!
NOSW Fundraiser—The New Opportunity School for Women is partnering with Mary Kay Cosmetics on a contest to win $5000 as part of their “One Woman” campaign. The goal is for the NOSW log 300 makeovers (free of charge; no pressure to buy or sell). Any woman may participate, so feel free to spread the word to all your friends as well. Dates are March 23rd, 24th, 30th and April 6th.If you participate, you are entered to win $5000 for the NOSW AND an additional $5000 vacation package for yourself and friends/family. Please address questions and schedule your makeover with Debbie King at 985-7200 or email dking@nosw.org.
3rd Annual Berea Deep Clean-Up on Saturday, March 23rd In the past two years combined, we’ve collected over 4,000 pounds of waste from all around our community, and HEAL is ready to do it again! Meet down at Brushy Fork Park at 9:30 am on Saturday, March 23rd with a water bottle, brightly colored clothes, and be prepared to get dirty and wet. We’ll provide trash bags, gloves, and shuttles to clean up all over Berea. Then stick around after for a warm lunch at noon along with live music and fun activities for all ages!
Lunch for Woman’s Industrial We’re hosting a pot-luck lunch for Woman’s Industrial on April 5. Join us at 11:00 to meet, socialize, and eat with Woman’s Industrial members. Bring a pot-luck dish if you can but it’s not required. Sign up on the Service Board in the rear of the sanctuary or contact Doug Hindman at 582-5806.
Tuesday Coffee, Bagels, and Church Fixes: Come One Come All… Tuesday 8:30-Noon – Come join for whatever time you can in fellowship and helping with minor repairs, etc. There will be job opportunities for people of all skill levels, including some bulletin sorting (we found the missing bulletins!).
Youth Working to Earn Money for Church Camp…They Can Help! Need to get into your attic? Need some spring cleaning? Having problems understanding your new phone? Need someone to get your flowerbed ready for the Spring? A youth can do it! In the upcoming months the youth will be working hard to raise money for their trip to Passport Choices in Wyngate, NC. If you need assistance with any task, no matter how big or small, call Chris (678-982-1731) or Grace Mckenzie (205-451-7444). Be ready to estimate the number of youth you will need, what supplies you have and if you need us to bring any, and how long the project will take.
Adopt a Potato! Sustainable Berea is sponsoring a project to test 10 potato varieties under Berea’s growing conditions. Potatoes are a nutritious, high-yielding staple crop that adapts well to back yard gardens and provides a measure of food self-sufficiency. Sustainable Berea will provide you with two pounds of seed potatoes if you agree to grow the potatoes, keep some simple management and yield data, and report the results back to Sustainable Berea. Information on the available varieties and a sign-up form are in the vestibule. For more info: PO Box 1302, Berea KY 40403, email info@sustainableberea.org or call 859-985-1689.
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