Third Sunday of Lent
February 28, 2016 10:30 am
Meditation
There is a really deep well inside me. And in it dwells God. Sometimes I am there too. But more often stones and grit block the well and God is buried beneath. Then God must be dug out again. — Etty Hillesum
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 Prelude and Fugue in G minor J.S. Bach
• Call to Worship
One: Hear God calling:
All: Come to the waters.
One: Everyone who thirsts,
All: all who are hungry,
One: you who need a welcome,
All: you who are longing for home,
One: “Come to me,” God says,
All: “Come, my mercy is for all.”
One: Let us worship God together.
• Opening Hymn #23 There’s a Wideness IN BABILONE
• Prayer of Approach and Confession
“Kyrie eleison” is Greek for “Lord have mercy,” and is an ancient petition in prayers of confession. When invited, please sing the refrain through twice, and hum while the worship leaders interweave the prayers between our singing.
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung twice)
One: When we cannot offer mercy to others, and we seek praise for self and only blame for others, Lord tend us with better thoughts we pray.
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung once)
One: At times our own will fails us, we see neither goodness in self or in the bounty of your world. Strengthen our body and mind to know the graces you intend.
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung once)
One: Your thoughts are not our thoughts, nor can we hold your light in fullness with our heart or mind. Yet, surround us with your Love and draw us close to you.
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung twice)
• 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.
THE WORD IN OUR MIDST
Anthem On Eagle’s Wings Joncas, Hayes
Union Church Choir
Refrain: And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.
1. You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in his shadow for life, say to the Lord: “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”
2. The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear: under his wings your refuge, his faithfulness your shield.
3. You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.
4. For to his angels he’s given a command to guard you in all of your ways; upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 55:1-9
Children’s Moment
As the children return to their seats or move to children’s church, 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, children grades K-5 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in Cowan Chapel. Otherwise, children are welcome to visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel or Nursery after the service.
Sung Psalm 63 p. 660
The Psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response when invited.
Gospel Lesson Luke 13:1-9
Sermon All the Crumbling Towers 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 Reflection D. Wood
Doxology
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 Prayers and Prayers for 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 #289 Come Forth, O Love Divine DOWN AMPNEY
• Benediction & Sending Forth
• Benediction Response
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Postlude (please be seated) Processional in F M. Kellner
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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 peoples of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands and our brothers and sisters at Rocky Mountain Holiness Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
For refugee families and individuals seeking shelter and safety, and for all who are working to provide it: May God magnify our efforts.
Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
George Oberst
Sheila Johnson, facing breast cancer
Marlene Payne and her family
Kelly Ambrose and family
Terry Allen Watts, NoraRuth Jenkins’ cousin
Alvera Perman’s nephew Kendrell Marshall and his family as he fights non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dana Rousey and family in the death of her mother, Averill Kilbourne
George & Elsie Hardman, struggling with health issues.
Chris McKenzie, recovering from a hand injury.
James Wray (Betty Wray’s son) recovering from heart surgery in Lexington
For all discerning the way forward in difficult circumstances, may God’s light lead and guide
For the family and friends of Don Graham in the death of his wife Frances
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.
TODAY’S LUNCH MENU:
The Faith Development and Mission & Service Boards will serve us some yummy brunch dishes!
Today, Fourth Sunday New Membership Info: 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 who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church after lunch for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board.
New members will be received each Second Sunday of the month at the close of worship. Next opportunity—March 13!
Do you have a Pack ‘n Play for babies that you no longer need, but that was manufactured after 2013? Would you consider donating it to the church nursery? We have discovered that our cribs are not in compliance with current regulations, so they need to go. But we still want a soft place for our tired babies to land in the nursery. If you have one to give, please call or email the church office. Thank you!!
We Need YOUR PICTURE for a New Church Directory! We’re coming up with a plan for taking photos BUT if you’ve got one you’d like to use, please send it to the office. Also — if there’s a chance we don’t have your address, phone, email address, anniversary, or birthday(s)—please send that info on as well: office@union-church.org. There will be a draft available at Lenten lunches and WNL for you to check and correct if needed. If we left you out — we don’t mean to!! Please add your info! Also, if you happen to know that someone has moved or attends church elsewhere, let us know that too.
Help Beautify the Sanctuary for Easter! Order Lilies by March 22!
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 with a click! Sales will support our Annual Budget, providing loving care in our many ministries.
We’ll see that the lilies are delivered to church and they’ll be available to take home after the Easter Service if you wish. All orders must be received by March 22 to have dedications included in the Easter service bulletin — just visit union-church.org.
Special Lent Opportunities
Let’s Do Lunch! Lenten lunches through March 13 Each year the Boards work together to provide lunch for the Sundays of Lent (through March 13, which is our ANNUAL MEETING!) and the income from these lunches helps to fund the budgets of our Boards — suggested donations of $5.00/single or $15.00/family.
“Where I’m From” Writing Workshop Monday, Feb. 29th, 7pm, Classroom. Ruthie Maslin of the Madison County Library will lead this workshop using our state poet laureate George Ella Lyons’ poem “Where I’m From” as a starting point. This is part of a statewide initiative to celebrate people’s sense of place in Kentucky.
Adults’ Healing Arts Retreat Friday evening, March 4th — Saturday, March 5th all day. Led by Michelle Hayden, Rev. Rachel, and Sarah Broomfield, this year’s retreatants will create a vessel out of felted wool.
The vessel serves as a sacred container, whose intention will be to hold that which needs holding: vulnerable feelings, things that need healing, inner strengths, hopes, etc.
Advance registration required, and $20 materials fee requested. Adults only. Register online at https://union-church.org/lent2016, or call the church office.
Hymn Sing Sunday, March 6th, 6:00-7:30pm, Cowan Chapel. Belt out your old favorites! Requests will be taken! Join your voices together!
Young People’s Healing Arts Retreat Saturday, March 12th, 9am-1pm. Older children and teenagers will explore Lenten themes of distress and healing using fabric and embroidery. Very interactive, with a lot of breaks, snacks and fun time! Led by Abigale Embry and others.
Calling All Knitters, Needle-workers, Crafters, Crocheters and More! Sunday mornings of Lent, 9:45am-10:15am, bring your own creative project to work on, and join others for relaxed and unstructured conversation, community-building, and coffee before the church service begins.
Tuesday Evenings in Lent: Walking Meditation Please join us and meet at 5:45 at Alumni Field. Walks will be led by David Bellnier and will be a chance to revel in nature and inspiration, while enjoying exercise and new friends. Listen together to a reading, then walk together in meditation!
Story time! Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, Community Room. After Wednesday Night Live supper, we’ll have a different member of the community tell a story.
Book Study America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America Wednes-days, 7pm, Classroom. Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel will lead a discussion of this new book by Sojourners executive director and long-time Civil Rights ally Jim Wallis. This will be a time of non-judgmental, thoughtful, and prayerful study as we try to learn more how to be effective advocates for racial justice. (If you can’t attend the class, you can read along with us; discussion guides available online.)
Other Highlights
The Finance and Administration Boards have decided to seek bids from local accountants and bookkeepers. If you know anyone or are interested yourself email or call Dave Kobersmith to receive the Request For Proposal (RFP), davek@union-church.org Bids are due March 7th.
Sustainable Berea’s Annual Meeting March 14 at First Christian Church. Join us at the meeting to hear about Sustainable Berea’s upcoming projects for 2016. 6:30 pm for desserts and 7:00 pm for the meeting, followed by the baked goods auction at 8:00 pm. If you can donate a baked item for the event, either to be in the auction or to feed people in the dessert-meal, prior to the meeting. If you are interested, please contact Cheyenne Olson at 859-893-4590.
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