A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Third Sunday of Easter April 14, 2013
Meditation
To follow the Savior is to participate in salvation; to follow the light is to perceive the light.
– St. Irenaeus
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Meditation on REPTON Robert Hobby
(“How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord”)
* Call to Worship from Feed My Lambs, written by Rev. Quentin Chin
One: Brothers and sisters: If you lift your net and it is empty, Come here!
All: We’ll cast it out again into Christ’s abundance.
One: If you open your eyes but do not recognize the Holy One, Come here!
All: We’ll find the Risen Christ in all Creation.
One: If your life is filled with mourning, Come here!
All: Christ is leading a dance of joy.
One: Come here, sisters and brothers!
All: To give blessing and honor and glory to God!
* Opening Hymn #238 Black Now the Green Blade Rises Noel Nouvelet
* 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 Praise the Lord, God’s Glories Show David Schelat Union Church Choir; Tristan Carr, Conga Drums
Praise the Lord, God’s glories show, Alleluia, Gloria! Saints within God’s courts below, Alleluia, Gloria! Angels round the throne above, All that see and share God’s love, Earth to heaven and heaven to earth, Praise God, praise forevermore! Praise the Lord, great mercies trace, praise the providence and grace, all that God for us has done, All God sends us through the Son. Alleluia, Gloria!
Children’s Moment
Following Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room, 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.
As the children return to their seats we sing:
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks Donald Fishel
Gospel Lesson John 21:1-19 (p. 1314)
Jesus appears to the disciples along the shore of Lake Tiberias.
Sermon The Care and Feeding Of God’s Sheep Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Hymn How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord Repton
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 Intermezzo (Op. 9, no.4) Hermann Schroeder
* Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Walking Forward in Faith & Receiving New Members
Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
* Invitation Hymn #173 Black You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore Pescador
* Questions of the Congregation and New Members
* Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that you and we may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
* Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude “Fanfare” Fugue J.S. Bach
_____________________________
* All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
Annual Concert Choir Spring Concert TODAY! The annual Spring Concert by the Berea College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Stephen Bolster, conductor will be held on Sunday, April 14 at 3:00 p.m. in Gray Auditorium on the Berea College campus. The choral concert will be accompanied by Lindsay Clavere on the piano and a variety of guest musicians and dancers. There is no admission charge.
“A Place at the Table:” Learn about Hunger and What we can Do About It! A newly-released documentary film highlighting the ongoing tragedy of hunger in America will be shown Wednesday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Union Church, following a light community supper at 5:45 p.m, as part of the Wednesday Nite Live! Program. This hour and a half documentary describes, through personal stories of three families, the on-going tragedy of hunger in America. The film showing will be followed by letter writing to our members of congress as part of this year’s Bread for the World Offering of Letters. This event is co-sponsored by BFCO, St. Clare Catholic Church, and Union Church. All are invited.
SaraCare Friday, April 19 — SaraCare is a memorial fund established in honor of Sara Elizabeth Kennedy, who gracefully fought an aggressive childhood cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma) until passing away at age 18 on March 23, 2005. The fund supports the work of her health care providers—Kentucky Childrens Hospital and the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, and provides assistance and comfort to young patients and their families. See www.saracare.org for more info. There will be a spaghetti dinner ($5) at 6:00 pm and a free concert in the Sanctuary at 7:30.
Congratulations, Chelsey! Next Sunday the 21st, all are welcome to the Community Room to celebrate Chelsey Lloyd’s graduation from Berea College at a reception hosted by her mom, Loriel Warren, and brother, Cole Warren
Revising our Constitution — the first Q&A session for Revised Constitution will be right after the worship service next Sunday, April 21. (next opportunity will be at WNL on April 24). The Committee (Jean Boyce, Merlin Kindel, Steve Rhodes) will hear questions and take suggestions about the revisions proposed to the Union Church Constitution. The proposed revisions formalize the new Board structure that has been in place on a trial basis for the past two years. Copies of the Constitution will be made available ahead of time.
We are an artistic bunch! More than a dozen church members are represented in the “Community and Young at Art Show” that has been hung at the Berea Arts Council on Main Street. One member is a sponsor for the exhibition that will remain up until May 11.
Stock up on Summer Reading! Annual Book Sale sponsored by Friends of the Madison County Library is April 18-21, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Bag Sale day Sunday April 21, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Sale is at Richmond Mall, Richmond Bypass. Become a Friend and come to the preview sale Wednesday April 17th 6 -8pm. Not a Friend, join for $10 that night. Volunteers are needed to help set up and take down and to work during the sale. All volunteers receive one free book for every hour. Contact Becky Knauer at 986-5593 to sign up. Donations of books, cds, computer games and movies are welcome — bring to either the Berea or Richmond libraries. Thanks!!
Save the Date! Vacation Bible School will be June 2-5th, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, with supper included. The Faith Development Board would like to offer classes and learning experiences for adults as well as children during this time. If you have something you’ve been hankering to lead for a night (or four nights), please contact Rev. Rachel.
Giving Statement info – the Stewardship and Finance Board recently agreed that giving statements for 2013 would be distributed for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters. This means statements will be sent mid-July, mid-October, and mid-January(2014). Those of you who would also like a report for the 1st quarter, please contact Patty Boyce (patty_boyce@berea.edu). THANK YOU to those who have agreed to receive statements via email! You can join the email list at any time (it’s never too late) by contacting Patty Boyce.
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.
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.
Spring Concert to benefit the McCready Manor Emergency Generator Fund: Beth Kleppinger on organ and piano. “Key of G” is a spring concert of keyboards
Thursday, April 25th 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Richmond. The campaign for the McCready Manor generator was launched last fall. Thanks to the donations of many residents, their families, Board members and community friends, the $100,000 mark has been crossed toward the needed $170,000 for the equipment and installation. In case of a significant power outage, a generator will insure the basic safety and comfort of residents whether during the chill of the winter or the heat of the summer. Following the program, tax deductible donations will be gratefully accepted for the Fund.
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