A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Palm Sunday 10:30 am
Meditation
One who has surrendered to it knows that the way ends on the Cross—even when it is leading through the jubilation of Gennesaret or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. —Dag Hammerskjold
From There to Here: We Gather
Gathering Music
Welcome
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!
Gospel Lesson Luke 19:28-40
The liturgy of the Palms is the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
¨ Palm Processional
Everyone is invited to join in the Processional. When invited, please move to stand lining the aisles as the pastors, children, and adults process through “the crowd.” Those processing will begin by the door under the Peace Bell. All who would like to do so may gather in that hall, or join as the procession passes your pew.
¨ Call to Worship
One: It is holy to gather.
All: It is holy to sing.
One: It is holy to be generous, to throw our coats on the road.
All: It is holy to cry for justice for all!
One: It is holy to shout, “Hosanna!”
All: It is holy to remember.
One: It is holy to gather.
All: Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest!
Call to Confession
One: The word ‘hosanna’ is often sung with joy and glee on this day. We process in, we wave palm branches, and it feels like a celebration. But the truth is, the word ‘hosanna’ actually means, “save us.” The people along that parade route so many years ago were crying out to Jesus for help, because they knew—this world is not as it should be. There is still too much hurt here. They were crying, “Save us!” In the prayer of confession, we have our own hosanna moment, because we cry out to God, admitting the ways in which we have fallen short, and we ask for God’s saving hand. So friends, let us pray together, for there is still too much hurt here.
Prayer of Confession
One: God of street parades and hosannas,
All: we know that you are counting on us to speak out against oppression,
One: to speak up for love and to speak hope to fear,
All: but so often we are silent.
One: We worry that we’ll say the wrong thing,
All: so we don’t say anything at all.
One: We worry that we’ll offend,
All: so we keep our convictions to ourselves.
One: We worry that we’ll speak up and won’t be heard,
All: so we stay silent.
One: And meanwhile, the parade marches on.
All: Unravel our fears. Spark conviction in us. Give us the courage to yell, “Hosanna!”
One: Gratefully we pray, amen.
Words of Forgiveness
One: Friends, even when we are silent, even when we are scared, even when we miss the moment, even when we choose to speak and say the wrong thing— we belong to God. There is nothing said or unsaid, done or undone that can undo that, so rest in this good news:
All: We are forgiven. We are known. We belong to God, every day and always. Amen.
Hymn Chorus of Our Faith
used with permission
Passing the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Lighting the Justice Candle
Today we light the Justice Candle in honor of Eco-Palms. Our congregation is proudly waving Eco-Palms in partnership with Lutheran World Relief. By doing so, we are helping palm harvesters in Latin America, their families and communities find pathways out of poverty.
· Fair prices for quality palms encourage sustainable harvesting, meaning better income long into the future
· Eco-Palms are sorted & packed within the harvesting community, extending income opportunities to even more people
· Eco-Palms harvesters often earn five to six times more per frond than traditional palms, and a portion of that price goes directly back to the community.
Word And Worship
Singing Together We Are Listening, Lord
Prayer for Illumination Peter Haik and Sune Frederiksen, Readers
One: Holy God, sometimes life feels like a parade rushing by us as we stand on the sidelines and try not to miss it! There are hundreds of things that catch our eye, but the thing we fear missing the most is you.
One: So slow down the speed on this parade. Paint the colors of this world a little brighter. And dance through the words in our scripture passage until it is almost impossible for us to miss you there. God we are here. We are trying to pay attention. Gratefully we pray, amen.
Singing Together We Are Listening, 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.
Sung Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 p. 700 Robert Rorrer, Cantor
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, indicated by R
Response: The righteous shall enter the gate of God.
Singing Together We Are Listening, Lord
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 50:4-9a Sune Frederiksen, Reader
The lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens– wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The lord god has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Sermon Even the Stones Cry Out Rev. Kent Gilbert
Kyrie Ukrainian Orthodox Monondy of the XVth Century
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
Ringing of the Peace Bell Sune Frederiksen
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.
Offering Music Adagio Wagner Rina Tanaka, clarinet
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!
Community Prayer Peter Haik, Reader
Bless us this day, this week, Lord. Bless us with agitation and anger: at what is that should never be. Bless us with silence and isolation: from the voices that tempt us to trials. Bless us with shouts of Love and shows of value: for all those who have been stepped over and stepped on like paving stones to someone else’s good fortune. Bless us this day, this week, this Holy Week: that we might rise and remember what it is to overflow with love. This we pray in the name of the one who comes in the name of the Lord, 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 #292 Black Breathe on Me, Breath of God Trentham
1. Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew, that as you love, so I may love, and do what you would do.
2. Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours to do and to endure.
3. Breathe on me, breath of God, fulfill my heart’s desire, until this earthly part of me glows with your heavenly fire.
4. Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life of your eternity.
¨ Benediction
One: Let us remember how the sky went dark. Let us remember how his mother was there. Let us remember how people mocked him. Let us remember how his friends fled. Let us remember, how in the midst of all that, Jesus still chose love.
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 Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania; and our brothers & sisters at the First Baptist Church of Berea in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ 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 15,000 Kentucky residents, and 271 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty, and especially those in the city of Nikolaev where the family of former Berea International student daughter of Kevin and Carla, Yulia live. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason and respect for their own people’s lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those feeling the oppression of depression and isolation. May God strengthen us all and build bridges to grace.
¨ 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, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Dorie Hubbard, Betty Wray, 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.
¨ Ed Waters, friend of JoAnn Russell, who is recovering well from triple bypass heart bypass surgery.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Sharona Nelson, facing a long recovery after surgery to repair a broken shoulder.
¨ Sharona’s husband, and a faithful bridge club member, Dan Kotlow, recovering from surgery at The Terrace.
¨ Ukrainian Refugees and Afghani Refugees
¨ Blessings to our Muslim neighbors and friends in the season of Ramadan
¨ For the family and friends of Tom Frazier as they mourn his death.
¨ John McWilliams’ mom, Betty, who has entered hospice care.
¨ Claudia Munson-Schrumpf’s friend Claudia Williams of Modesto CA, at the death of her husband, Richard.
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
¨ Meg Suters, recovering from a broken wrist.
¨ Mary Lou Wiese’s niece, Catie and her husband Jacob, a the loss of their son, Lukas, at 16 months.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays: today, April 10 –Carol Shaffer, 11 – Sayer Kobersmith, 12 – Joan Bates, Della Walters; 13 – Jeff From; 16 – Annie Sims
Anniversaries – April 13 – Steve & Thana Connelly; 17 – Jeff & Reda Hutton
Coming Up
Holy Week
Maundy Thursday
7:00 pm, Foot or Hand-washing
7:30 pm, Service in the sanctuary
Good Friday
Cowan Chapel open for meditation (no service at Union, but we’ll share links of others’ observances)
Easter Sunday
9:30 am, Kids’ Easter Egg Hunt
10:30 am, Morning Worship – Celebration of the Resurrection!
Learn + Pray + Act
Please join the Mission & Service Board on Wednesday, April 20th, 7 pm via Zoom to find out about a planned Mission & Service Board Trip in May to the border with Mexico here in Arizona. The “Mission & Service 3rd Wednesday” program will introduce you to the southwest immigration crisis. Find out about immigration history, the problems that migrants and refugees face when coming to this border, and what some local groups are doing in order to alleviate some of the suffering. Even if you are unable to join us for the trip planned for May 11th through May 19th, attending the Zoom program will give you an idea of what the Mission & Service Board, and the “outlier” member who lives and works in Arizona, are up to!! Meet some of the activists who have been involved on the ground with this issue for many years. Watch for the Zoom link in the Monday announcements as the date approaches (it’s also on the website calendar)!
Tour of The Cincinnati Observatory April 23
Join members of the Pinnacles Astronomy Club for a trip to Cincinnati for a tour the oldest observatory in continuous use in America. Founded in 1845 with the installation of a telescope that was, for its time, the second largest in the world, The Cincinnati Observatory was decreed to be a municipal observatory, not associated with a research institution. This commitment to public education continues today with regular public viewings through the two large telescopes, including the original 1845 Merz und Mahler refractor.
The Cincinnati Observatory is associated with the establishment of standard time zones and its founder, Civil War General Ormsby Macknight Mitchell, invented the first global positioning system without satellites! A later director of the facility founded the National Weather Service.
This will be a daytime visit, beginning at 2:30. The cost is $100 for a group of 15. I’m capping the limit at 15 to get the best price ($7.00 per person if we have that many). We will meet at 11:45 in the church parking lot and carpool for the trip. If you’d like to register to go, please contact Jeff Hutton at jeffp.hutton@gmail.com or leave a message at 859-237-4014
Kids’ Easter Egg Hunt – details here!
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