A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
April 19, 2026 10:30 am Third Sunday of Easter
Meditation “As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.” ~ Maya Angelou
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
¨ Call to Worship Carla Baumann, Reader
One: Sing to God, O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
All: Sing to God and bless God’s holy name.
One: Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise!
All: Sing to God and bless God’s holy name.
One: O come, let us worship and bow down; for the Lord is a great God
All: Sing to God and bless God’s holy name.
One: For this is our God, O that today you would listen to God’s voice!
All: Sing to God and bless God’s holy name.
~ Ps. 95, adapted
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
¨ Alexander Technique Tutorial Dr. Ann Rhodes
¨ Hymn #292 Black Breathe on Me, Breath of God Trentham
1. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.
2. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with you I will one will,
to do and to endure.
3. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
stir in me one desire;
that every earthy part of me
may glow with holy fire.
4. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
of your eternity.
¨ Prayer of Approach & Confession Box Breath Prayer (3x)
As we pray, we slow our breathing and our lives in order to attend to God. The leader will guide this meditation three times, and you are invited to pattern your breath with each phrase as indicated below.
Inhale: Spirit of God,
Hold: fill my lungs.
Exhale: Exhale what is hazardous
Hold: hold in what is holy.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: The world may feel suffocating, but the breath of the Almighty gives life. As long as we are breathing, we are not defeated.
All: Our soul breathes and our hearts sing for we have seen the Lord at work! Amen!
Word and Worship
¨ Anthem Verleih’ uns Frieden Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Luther Dr. Stephen Bolster, Director
Mercifully grant us peace,
Lord God, in our times.
For there is no other
Who could fight for us
But you alone, our God.
Scripture Reading Romans 12:9-19a, 21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading Exodus 3:13-15
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is this god’s name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors—the God of Sara and Abraham, the God of Isaac and Rebekah and the God of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon I’m Gonna Live as The Spirit Says Live Rev. Christina Ryan Perkins
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
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. Next week, let us hold the people of Belarus, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine; and our siblings at Church on the Rock in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Ringing 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.
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
For Reflection
Christ Breathes Peace… Do We?
So-called “Box Breathing” is an ancient prayer practice now credited with deep neurological benefits. Slowing your breathing settles nerve responses and increases oxygen uptake. More oxygen feeds and frees the brain. It lowers blood pressure. It resets the vagus nerve stem. With our thoughts clear, our heart settles, and the space opens to receive what God is offering in each moment. Here is prayer meditation to center and ground you for this week:
Breath Prayer for The Week:
Inhale (count of 3): Spirit of God,
Hold (count of 3): fill my lungs.
Exhale (count of 3): Exhale what is hazardous
Hold (count of 3): hold in what is holy.
Repeat the pattern until you are deeply at peace. Ten times is a good start, but do more if you need or have time. Do this anytime you find your anxieties on the rise, or you need the spiritual support of Christ’s love.
Christ Lifts Our Hearts…
Easter is the sure sign that joy is part of God’s plan. Far from condemnation and guilt, Christ seeks to lift the hearts of everyone he touches. What would lift your heart? What makes it sing? Stopped because what you want or need feels preposterous? Well, is it more preposterous than a risen Christ appearing in a locked room… TWICE? Even if only in this prayer relax your judgement and offer up what would free your heartsong. Hold the vision and allow Christ to breathe peace over it. Pray for what you need to lift your heart.
Offertory Psalm 86 Holst, Bryan EKU String Ensemble and organ; Sam McMahan, tenor; Maranda Weckman, soprano Dr. XT Hong, Director
A Chance for Generosity: easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”).
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Doxology Lasst Ens Erfreuen
For death-defying hope, we praise; for love that conquers all, we raise alleluias! Alleluia!
For justice here on earth we sing and righteousness as if a stream. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community Carla Baumann, Reader
God of the Heavenly Winds and Earthy Air,
So often, we concern ourselves about the events of this world filling us to bursting. Help us to exhale, letting go of those toxic fumes. Lead us to release the anxiety, the bitterness and the despair to you. Yet, there are many still hurting from the pains accumulated in this life. From illnesses to poverty, and from the lack of kindness to the overwhelming injustices, we overlook the needs of our siblings. Open our hearts to the gaps happening in our world.
[a brief silence is observed]
Allow us to be more compassionate and less judgmental about our neighbors who need additional help. Help us to set aside our worries about ourselves as we know you will care for us now and forever. Amen.
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.
¨ Vowel Exercise Tutorial Dr. Stephen Bolster
¨ Hymn O Breath of Life Spiritus Vitae
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we honor Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO) and especially the Berea Food Bank. Led by Berean Tony Crachiolo, and formerly by the late Jerry Workman, and staffed by volunteers from Berea College’s CELTS Program, the Food Bank serves local residents who suffer from food insecurity.
The Food Bank is funded in part by the City of Berea (20%) and by donations, including regular donations from the Union Church Mission and Service Board. It is shameful that the world’s richest nation seems unable to ensure food security for all, but failing that imperative, food banks nationwide help to fill that need.
The Joy o f Welcoming New Members
Partnership & Purpose
Today presents an opportunity to covenant together! All who would like to are welcome to join the church family – you will be received in joy.
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends 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.
From Here to There
¨ Benediction Go Forth Into the World in Peace John Rutter EKU String Ensemble
¨ Benediction Response I’m Goin’a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing trad. Spiritual
I’m goin’a Breathe …
I’m goin’a Sing …
I’m goin’a Love …
I’m goin’a Serve …
I’m goin’a Live …
Our Prayers for Others
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ Those in mortal danger in the war in Iran. For the leaders of nations to set aside assassination and warfare in favor of just, diplomatic solutions to conflict.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ Barbara Wade, who has broken her humerus.
¨ Susan Doring-Zook, who survived a serious car accident on Wednesday. Thanks be to God, everyone in 3 cars survived a head-on collision.
¨ Travel mercies as Rev. Kent begins his sabbatical with a trip to the mountains of Japan.
¨ Carol Jones’ family, at her death. Carol, the daughter of the late Loyal and Nancy Jones, died on April 12.
¨ Pam Chabora, as she heads into her hernia surgery on 21 April. And so many thanks from Pam to all who are helping her in our church family deal with these physical challenges! She feels so blessed and grateful for any prayers that can come her way as she heads into this next hurdle!
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Hattie Parks, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today! April 19 – Madalyn Dodson; 20 – Howard Carlberg, 22 – Shirley Carlberg, Ella Garrett, 24 – Jessica Burton, Sam Franklin; 25 – Betty Sarafin; 26 – Marty Hensley; 27 – Susan Doring-Zook, Bryce Carlberg, Samantha Melton
Anniversaries: April 27: Bob & Sue Goldsmith
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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