A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Epiphany Sunday 10:30 am
Meditation “I am not an optimist. I am a prisoner of hope.” —Desmond Tutu (1931-2021)
From There to Here: We Gather
Gathering Music
Welcome
The Call
I make an act of faith toward all mankind, where doubts would linger and suspicions brood. I make an act of joy toward all sad hearts, where laughter pales and tears abound. I make an act of strength toward feeble things, where life grows dim and death draws near. I make an act of trust toward all of life, where fears preside and distrust keeps watch. I make an act of love toward friend and foe, where trust is weak and hate burns bright. I make a deed to God of all my days – and look out on life with quiet eyes. —Howard Thurman, The Mood of Christmas & Other Celebrations
Passing of the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Lighting the Justice Candle
The Justice Candle is lit today in honor of Desmond Tutu, born in 1931 in Klerksdorp, Transvaal. He was ordained as a priest in 1960. From 1976 to 1978 he was Bishop of Lesotho, and in 1978 became the first black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches. Tutu is an honorary doctor of a number of leading universities in the USA, Britain and Germany. Bishop Tutu has formulated his objective as “a democratic and just society without racial divisions.” South African president Cyril Ramaphosa lauded him a “a man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.”
The Living Word Among Us
Hymn #164 Arise, Your Light Is Come Festal Song
1. Arise, your light has come! The Spirit’s call obey; show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
2. Arise, your light has come! Fling wide the prison door; proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.
3. Arise, your light has come! All you in sorrow born, bind up the brokenhearted ones and comfort those who mourn.
4. Arise, your light has come! The mountains burst in song! Rise up like eagles on the wing, God’s power will make us strong.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6 Sharona Nelson, Reader
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
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 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Sermon Prisoner of Hope Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offering Music Adoration of the Wisemen arr. M. Prints Pearl Marshall, handbells
Saw you never, in the twilight, when the sun had left the skies, up in heav’n the clear stars shining through the gloom, like silver eyes? So of old the wise men, watching, saw a little stranger star, and they knew the King was given, and they followed it from far.
Know ye not that lowly baby was the bright and morning Star? He who came to light the Gentiles and the darkened isles afar? And we, too, may seek his cradle; there our hearts’ best treasures bring; love and faith and true devotion
for our Savior, God, and King.
Invitation to Communion
One: The Lord Be with you!
All: And also with those you cherish.
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to God!
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One: In this time of increased isolation, let us center ourselves in this moment of committed community.
If you have a candle with you. Let’s light it now.
As the disciples saw Christ coming from a distance across the water, we can allow the flame to be a reminder of strong love coming to us. Let us center ourselves now for prayer. As we do, Please put in the comments or in the chat, what you are most hoping to be in touch with: the people, the ideas, the struggles. Com-Union. By this act together, add in what and who you are praying for.
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.
Communion Prayer
O Gracious God, who quickens the faith that brought Magi from the east, who kindles the hope that brought captives from exile, and who inspires the love that brings strangers together, we thank you for the light that guided those searching for the truth. We thank you for sending prophets and teachers, angels and magi to lead us into the way of salvation. We praise you for the light that shines through time and history; for leading us year to changing year by the bright morning star, Jesus Christ. We sing praises as we begin this new year of your call and promise.
Communion Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
One: Holy one, you who are in every gathering where joy is spread and hope is kindled, you were present when the wise arrived with gifts for sharing. We remember the bread of journeys and the wine of new discoveries. Later in his life, on the precipice of new beginnings and dangerous dealings, we remember that Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it among those gathered and said,
All: “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Not just the daily bread, but also the cup of celebration is passed to us: new life, flowing like joy, and looking like company. Amongst those same friends, he took a cup, and giving thanks, said,
All: “This cup is a new covenant of my life and blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord until he comes.
All: Gracious God, by this meal we recall Jesus’ birth, his ministry to all on the margins, and his promise of eternal life and light. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup, that we who eat and drink at this holy table may share the life of Christ, our Lord. Pour out your Spirit upon the whole earth and bring in your new year, and your creation. Gather us together from the ends of the earth and the limits of our understanding; gather us into your kingdom where peace and justice are revealed in all; gather us that we, with all your people of every language, race, and nation, may share the banquet you intend for all. Amen.
Community Prayer
Creator of heaven and earth of stillness and the passage of time, we pause to lay out our thanks for the year past: the kindnesses that sustained us, the love that carried us through grief and pains, and for all the blessings that rose above the turmoil and challenges. As we rise to the light of a new year, we are prisoners of a hope born of faith. Strengthen us to be bright stars of love and grace, no matter what the months bring. Help us defeat disease and the despair it brings, and heal those who suffer so badly in body, mind or spirit. We choose the star of your Christ follow, despite the night. Therefore, continue to grace, guard and guide all people of this earth that we might turn our heads and leave behind violence, fear, worry, and illness. God of the new year and everlasting hope, open your arms to us and help us open to one another with the light of your star.
This we ask as Jesus taught us to pray, reaching to you 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 Brightest and Best trad.
1. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning;
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
2. Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!
3. Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
4.Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Benediction
Postlude Nowell, Sing We Clear arr. A. Habicht Pearl Marshall, handbells
Masters in this hall hear ye news today, Brought from over seas and ever you I pray: Sing we now noel, Sing we noel clear! Holpen all the folk on earth, born the Son of God so dear! This is Christ, the Lord, Masters be ye glad!
Christmas is come in and no folk shall be sad! Sing we now noel, Sing we noel clear! Holpen all the folk on earth, born the Son of God so dear!
Come to Virtual Coffee Hour!! Zoom link — Join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761
OUR FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLES:
“Union Church welcomes all followers of Christ and works with all who work with Him; respecting each person’s conscience; working by love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”
Apologies for a typo: The final letter “y” was left off Charles Murray’s name in his poinsettia dedication.
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 Iran, Iraq and Syria; and our brothers and sisters at Wallace Chapel in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Tom & Dorie Hubbard, Sally Zimmerman
¨ 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, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Dear friends of Union Church, Michael Harrington and his husband, Matthew “Freddie” Frederickson, who passed away Christmas Day
¨ 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 now over 12,000 Kentucky residents, and 213 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Prayers of thanksgiving for Jerry Cooper, at his 88th birthday!
¨ John & Shelly McChesney, and all those touched by her love of music, children and teaching, at Mary Miler’s death.
¨ The family, many friends and colleagues of bell hooks, at her passing.
¨ Grace Behrendes, Betty Hibler’s sister, who has entered hospice care.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays, recent & coming up: Dec. 27-Sue Peterson Blyth; 28-Iris Bailey; 29-Paul Smithson;30-Joseph Jacobs; Jan. 1-Jerry Cooper; 3 – Rebekah Easton-Hogg; 6 – Dorothy Chao, David Parks, Harrison Brownrobie; 7 – Bob Shaffer, Luther Center, Christine VanPelt-Ward; Eliana Saderholm;
Anniversaries: Jan. 3-Thomas & Sarabeth Brownrobie; 4 – Ronald & Annie Sims
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