Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 27, 2020 10:30 am
Meditation
I say to people at our “welcome to house” brunches: I’m glad you love it here, but at some point, I will disappoint you, or the church will let you down. Please decide on this side of that happening if you will still stick around. Because if you leave, you will miss the way that God’s grace comes in and fills in the cracks of our brokenness. And it’s too beautiful to miss. Don’t miss it.
— Nadia Bolz-Weber
From there to here: we Gather
Welcome
As the Berea community responds to the governor’s suggestion to avoid gathering in large groups, we worship online to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19. We’re delighted to welcome you into this virtual circle of God’s healing love and light.
The Call Romero Prayer Cardinal John Dearden
Debbonnaire Kovacs, Reader
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future that is not our own. Amen.
Passing the Peace at Home
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
This week we light the Justice Candle for Reverend Dr. William Barber and Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, as they provide much needed leadership with the Poor People’s Campaign, A National Call for Moral Revival. In this time of unrest, when many are feeling defeated and angry, they remind us that there is still power in the vote. Even though we are bowed by grief, we must not give up hope; we must stay vigilant; we must do M.O.R.E.: Mobilize, Organize, Register and Educate voters before the election.
The Poor People’s Campaign is presenting a Kentucky Senate Town Hall on Tuesday, September, 29th and at 7:30 ET. Candidates have been invited to speak directly to the issues and priorities of poor and low-income constituents and to take questions from Kentucky PPC leaders. Tune in to the live streaming event at poorpeoplescampaign.org/livestream .
The Living Word among us
Special Music Eternity Paola Lucas, music Adriana Vilaron, pictures
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 Annette Broadbridge, Reader
The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.
Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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 21:23-32 Claudia Munson-Schrumpf, Reader
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Sermon Turn, Then, and Live: Rev. Kent Gilbert
Turning Toward “the Work”
Living Prayer
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.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier. You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offering Music
Silent Reflection and Prayer
In your prayer with me, describe your vineyard: Where are you being called to work? What is the nature of your resistance, if any? What is keeping you from turning toward the work asked of you, work that will feed you and yours? Suspend judgement and guilt. In your prayerful imagination, see and hold sacred all those affected by your labor or lack thereof. In the eye of your heart strengthen those connections. Receive the flow of blessings from those you are holding in this prayer (known to you or not), and return the blessing as you are led. See if you can hold those ties in your consciousness throughout your week. That is the labor. Great God of relations of justice and joy, help you to turn toward this mighty work.
Our Prayers for Others
You are very welcome to email or phone prayer requests to the office for the bulletin. Please do so by 10 am Thursdays, and be sure you have permission to share the information.
¨ 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 Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Peru and our brothers and sisters at Glades Christian Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ All those affected by the impact of storms in the southeast, and the fires in west.
¨ Families with kids back in school, in whatever form school takes.
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Joann Russell, Jeff & Reda Hutton’s aunt, with serious back issues.
¨ Kennedy Taylor, Donna Abner’s niece, who has died suddenly at 25.
¨ Gabe Barlow, under hospice care at home, and Dale, Rita and Morgan.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Barb Smith, Jan Hamilton.
Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the over 1000 Kentucky residents, and seven Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
Prayers of the People MacGregor Lakes, Reader
Holy one, stiff-necked as we are, stubborn as we can be, and as resistant to your grace as we have been, still: have mercy on us. Our hearts are not as hard as our actions sometimes show. We seek the way of life, and would turn to you and live. Help us turn toward our neighbor not away. Help us turn toward forgiveness and toward mercy. Help us, in your name, turn toward all that gives abundant living and makes joyful the hearts of those around us. Make peace our labor. May Justice our joy. Heal both our bodies and our sorrows that we may give you praise and offer you our whole selves. In all our choices, and in all our stubbornness, help us turn to you and live, and seeking the well-being of all, in your name. This we pray in Jesus name, who taught us to reach to you as…
All this we ask in his name and reach to you in the way he taught us, as. …
Our Lord’s Prayer
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
Hymn Now Is the Time Approaching Webb
1. Now is the time approaching, by prophets long foretold,
when all shall dwell together, secure and manifold.
Let war be learned no longer, let strife and tumult cease,
all earth a blessed garden that God shall tend in peace.
2. Let all that now divides us remove and pass away,
like mists of early morning before the blaze of day.
Let all that now unites us more sweet and lasting prove,
a closer bond of union, in blessed lands of love.
3. O long-expected dawning, come with your cheering ray!
Yet shall the promise beckon and lead us not astray.
O sweet anticipation! It cheers the watchers on
to pray, and hope, and labor till Christ’s new realm is come.
The Sending & Blessing
Postlude Merton Prayer
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
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