A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

July 13, 2014, 10:30 am

Meditation
If we want to reflect the image of God, we will choose grace over hostility, reconciliation over revenge, and equality over rivalry.  When we make that choice, we encounter God in the faces of our formal rivals and enemies.  And as we are humbled, surrendering to God and seeking to be reconciled with others, our face, too, will reflect the face of God.
-Brian McLaren, We Make the Road By Walking

From there to Here

Welcome & Announcements
Prelude     Prelude in Classic Style           G. Young
Call to Worship              by Thom Shuman
One:     We have gathered in God’s holy presence, the One who etches grace on our hearts.
All:      This is the place where God will transform us into disciples.
One:     We glorify our God, who yearns for justice,  not just for a favored few, but for the least of our world.
All:      This is the place where God will write compassion on our souls.
One:     We give thanks to God for unceasing grace;  we remember God’s persistence in saving us.
All:      This is the place where God will breathe the Word into our lives.
*  Hymn #576 Black           For the Healing of the Nations            Westminster Abbey
*  Prayer of Approach and Confession               by the Staffordshire Seven,                                                              in Seasonal Worship from the Countryside
One:     O Lord, save us from hardness of heart, where your word cannot take root.
All:      O Lord, save us from shallowness of mind, where your word withers away.
One:     O Lord, save us from the deceitfulness of riches, where your word is choked by everyday cares.
All:      But Lord, grant that our hearts may be fertile soil, where your word flourishes and yields a harvest, bringing salvation to ourselves and those about us. Amen.
*  Words of Assurance
*  Passing the Peace of Jesus 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.

Breathing in The Living Word           

Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       Genesis 25:19-34
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.

Gospel Lesson                  Matthew 13:1-9,18-23
Sermon                 Soup to Nuts    Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

Being and Becoming One

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,
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 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  Be Thou My Vision      M. Thewes
*  Doxology             Avery/Marsh

From here to there

 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, and are welcome to come forward during the hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
*  Closing Hymn #318  Black          Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast    McKee (p.394)
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                    
Postlude    Fanfare          J.N. Lemmens
____________________________
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 Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and our brothers and sisters at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 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 service of our country, and those who wait and worry for them
* Our church family members in nursing homes:  Edith Hansen, Klara Welsh, Bernice Robertson, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Virginia Piland, Averill Kilbourne, Ann Thomasson, Alva Peloquin
* Charlie Smithson, Paul’s brother, battling multiple myeloma.
* Janet Dailey-Hosp, who had a lung transplant on June 11, and the early recovery is going very well.  Prayers also for the generous family that turned their tragedy into new life for others
* Travel mercies to Nick, Rusti, Daniel and Alex Mullins as they travel on the Breaking Clean Tour, teaching about mountain top removal.
* The Orwig family, at Elizabeth’s death. A service will be held  here in Berea  on August 30
* Tim Combs and family and friends, at the  sudden death of his mother Bridget Combs
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.  Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Welcome to Gabriel Evans, our new Director of Music Ministries! The Worship Board is proud to welcome Gabe Evans as our new Director of Music Ministries. Gabe is a native of Richmond, KY, and has most recently been choirmaster at a Presbyterian church in Winchester. He has 9 years of organ experience and 18 years as a concert pianist in addition to his choral skills.  Please help him feel welcome.
Join the church today! You are welcome here!  New members will be received today, July 13, and the second Sunday of every month.
Rental house needed: Laura Wick and Sean Perry are looking for a place to rent or house-sit in town, or arranging a labor trade if someone has a space that needs cosmetic or other minor repairs. Laura is hoping to cut way back on her car use by staying in town (currently, they live 25 min from Berea). Please contact Laura at 859-358-6885 or via email at laura.m.wick@gmail.com if you have info or a space for rent/ housesitting/ labor trade.
Coming in August, Sunday morning worship in Cowan Chapel! While the sanctuary flooring is being renovated, (starting in August, due to contractors’ schedules, dates to be announced) services will be held in Cowan Chapel. Because the chapel is small, There will be TWO services per Sunday, one at the usual 10:30 am, regular time, and one at 7:00 pm. We encourage those who like to “sleep in” to attend the evening service. More details to follow.
Michelle Hayden art display at St. Joseph Berea Hospital.  SJB is pleased to present a large body of Michelle Hayden’s work in the halls and in the new mammography center that opened this week. Her works will be on display through July 23. Michelle was the lead artist behind our Lent and Easter mosaic, which will soon be hung in Cowan Chapel.
Stay for Lemonade on the Porch!  The Community Life & Growth Board will provide the lemonade and the set-up on the porch, but we are seeking help with snacks for each Sunday during the summer, to go with the lemonade.  Snacks can be left in the kitchen prior to worship. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board at the back of the sanctuary. Lemonade on the Porch continues through August.  Thank you to all who have contributed snacks— the last 2 Sundays in August are the only ones unclaimed (grab one now-they’re going fast)!
Learn more about Union Church every fourth Sunday of the month (July 27). Anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board.
Altar Flowers needed…..There’s a sign-up sheet on the back bulletin board to bring flowers for worship.  Nothing fancy needed—if you have something pretty in your garden, you are welcome to share.
Mini-Bazaar Saturday, August 23 10 am until 2 pm.  Baked goods, jams & jellies, treasures, rummage, household items,  books, baskets, plants…all kinds of items needed to sell (not clothing).
Donate ONLINE or by TEXT, Now or Anytime! For online giving, Union Church uses EasyTithe, a completely secure contribution system. You can use Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express Credit and Debit Cards, or an E-Check from your checking account. Scan the code here to go right to the website on your smartphone, or visit www.union-church.org and click on the Donate button for instructions.  You do not need to register to make a donation (just choose “Quick Give” ). If you do register, your information will be securely stored making future visits faster and giving you full control of  your giving reports.  Credit card processing does cost the church about 3.1% of your transaction. ACH (E-Checks) only incur a 1% fee. Please use whichever is best for you, but if you can, consider adding a little additional to help cover the bank fee!
Give By Texting 859-448-3403: Yes! You can give using your web-enabled phone. Text any amount to 859-448-3403. The first time you do–and just the first time–you’ll get a link to associate your phone and enter your securely stored credit or debit card. It doesn’t go on your phone bill, but only to a card you specify. After that, all you need to do is text the number with an amount and any designation. It’s fast and easy! Of course, like every credit card transaction the church pays a 3.1% fee. If you can include that little extra bit, it will make a big difference!
Examples: Text “$50.00” to contribute to today’s offering. Text “$200.00 Capital Campaign” to contribute to a building pledge, or substitute the designation of your choice (youth, missions, BFCO, etc. Amounts texted without a designation will automatically go to the Annual Ministry Budget and all giving will be included in your annual giving records.