A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Good Shepherd Sunday April 21, 2013
Meditation
““Living in the power of the resurrection means refusing to accept that anything that is broken will remain broken.” –Robert Bondi
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Paean on Hyfrydol (Praise to the Lord) Alec Wyton
Handbell Choir and Organ
* Call to Worship
One: Gathering today, our hearts are full with the heaviness of this week.
All: We wonder how we can sing the Lord’s song in this strange land.
One: And yet life flows on, heaviness is leavened with everyday resurrections.
All: We are God’s Easter people. We stand in an ever flowing stream of hope and justice as we participate in the work of the beloved community.
One: Let us stand in fierce hope, God’s risen and rising people, as we offer ourselves to the work that Jesus has entrusted to us. People of God, let us join hearts and voices, giving ourselves to the song.
* Opening Hymn #235 Black Christ Is Living Central
* 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 Chanticleer’s Carol Vernon Hoyle Union Church Choir
All this night shrill chanticleer, Day’s proclaiming trumpeter, Claps his wings and loudly cries, Mortals, wake and rise! See a wonder Heaven is under; From the earth is risen a Sun Shines all night though day be done.
Wake, O earth, wake everything! Wake and hear the joy I bring; Wake and joy; for on this day Death’s dark pall is cast away, All amazing, Still stand gazing. Angels, powers and all that be, Wake, and joy this Sun to see.
Hail, O Sun, O blessed light, Sent into the world aright. Let thy rays and heavenly powers Shine in these dark souls of ours; For most duly Thou art truly God and man, we do confess: Hail, O Sun of Righteousness!
Lesson from Acts Acts 9:36-43 (p. 1332)
Tabitha, a generous woman, has died, causing great distress in Joppa.
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:
Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks Donald Fishel
Epistle Lesson Revelation 7:9-17 (p. 1512)
Revelation offers a vision of heaven with the lamb, robed in white, surrounded by the elders robed in white.
Sermon Showing Up Alive Rev. Kent Gilbert
Hymn #247 Black My Shepherd Is the Living God Concolation
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 God Is My Shepherd Antonin Dvorak
Alex Dycus, soprano
* 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
* Hymn #252 Black Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us Bradbury
* Benediction & Sending Forth
* Postlude Postlude on Psalm 117 Allen Orton Gibbs
_____________________________
* 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 Djibouti and Somalia and our brothers and sisters at West Side Baptist 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.
* Those killed, injured and traumatized by the bombings at the Boston Marathon, and those who ran toward, instead of away from, the blasts.
* Those killed, injured and affected by the explosions and fire in West, Texas, and the emergency personnel who assisted.
* Maurice Hibbard, in Room 112 at Telford Terrace, after knee replacement.
* Toby Wilcher, recovering at home.
* Anne Thomasson, having some health problems.
* Dorothy Chao, recovering well from breast cancer surgery in Tucson.
* Joan Moore, happily recuperating at home!
* Paul Wells, recovering from heart surgery at home.
* Whitney Louise Wellinghurst, who was born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces, now weighs over 7 pounds! Whitney is now at home! 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. Abi is showing some small signs of improvement!!
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace.
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer.
* Ruth Wesley, at The Terrace.
Assisting in Worship
Worship Leader today is Grace McKenzie. Next week: Cole Warren
Announcements…
Congratulations, Chelsey! All are welcome to the Community Room after worship 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 today, April 21. (next opportunity will be at WNL on April 24 after a potluck supper). 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 have been emailed to the church mailing list and will be made available at the meeting.
Clergy Clinic – Rev. Rachel will be away until Thursday attending the second of three Clergy Clinics in Chicago. Larry Brandenburg will be away April 24—May 1.
Union Church is a place where your faith can grow and deepen. We are actively looking for those who would like to explore discipleship with Jesus in this congregation. If you’d like to formally join Union Church, please call the office or either pastor. YOU are welcome here!
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.
Graduating college seniors: as you struggle through keeping focus in the last weeks of your career, we want to support you! We also want to honor you on April 28th with a sendoff in the church service and at our picnic afterwards. To do that, we need to know who you are. If you haven’t already, please let Rev. Rachel know that you’re graduating, in person, by email (rsmallstokes@union-church.org), or on facebook. We want to celebrate with you. Easter is coming, friends – don’t lose heart!
Honoring Abi Dietz: A few Berea College Students and close friends of Abi’s are working to partner with Abi by continuing her work and starting a nonprofit. Please take a few moments to checkout this website: www.PartneringWithAbi.org
Remembering Sara Fuller: Sara Fuller, an ‘07 Berea College graduate an employee at the Boone Tavern, was killed in a car accident February 7. To honor and share the vitality of Sara’s short life, her family and friends have created a memorial charity to help continue spreading her love and enthusiasm. The goal of Sara’s Harvest Fund is to raise $10,000 between now and May 25th, her 28th birthday. These funds will be used to purchase products from the farmers at the Berea Farmers Market and beyond and then donated to area food banks, helping both local farmers and those in need of fresh, farm-raised goods.
Join in the “4th Saturday Work Day” on April 27! 4th Saturday Work Days are back! The first post-renovation “work day” will be this coming Saturday, April 27, from 9 to 12. Come when you can to join in various clean-up and upkeep projects. Weather permitting, there will be weed pulling, mulch spreading, and gutter cleaning plus a range of inside tasks for all skill levels. Offers of cookies and other snacks for workers are absolutely welcome – as are all workers who can come to help! Come when you can and leave when you need to. Many hands make light work.
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.
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.
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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