Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Third Sunday of Easter

April 26, 2020      10:30 am

 
Meditation:
“And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our own feet, and learn to be at home.”― Wendell Berry, The Unforeseen Wilderness: Kentucky’s Red River Gorge

From there to here: we Gather

Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship!  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 Peace Jennifer Even Melton   Debbonnaire Kovacs, Reader
God of all being, Love of the universe, Take my hand, Calm my breath, Cradle me in your peace Until your peace flows through me And by your grace May I offer to others The very presence of being My heart most earnestly seeks Light my path And guide my steps Lead me where I seek to be Where I need to be Where you need me to be Where what I do unfolds into what is done unto me In the wisdom and grace of oneness.
Passing the Peace at Home
Building the Community: News that Connects Us

The Living Word among us

Special Music Fountains of Light from “The St. Francis Suite”K. McChesney
Pearl Marshall, Handbells
Epistle Lesson  1 Peter 1:17-23 Carla Gilbert, Reader
If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
Children’s Moment                        
Gospel Lesson Luke 24:13-35     Betsy Whaley, Reader
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’
They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was 
the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.
Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him. Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’
That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Sermon Rising Expectations Rev. Kent Gilbert

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!
Silent Reflection and Prayer
Center yourself, either now or sometime today, and breathe deeply and peacefully.

• In your prayers today, in the silence as you breathe, meditate on what is perishable in your life, and what is imperishable. What has been planted in you that is still rising? And what do you now have the grace to let fall away? Allow yourself to feel the loss and the gain. Feel in this moment the imperishable love planted in you and for you.
• We rise to expectations of both failure and success in our lives. Disappointments, rejections, unexpected loss: how can these be seeds of good? This day, pray to rise beyond challenges to the opportunity for new life. Pray to be surprised, and in common things, open your eyes to see any miracles on the wing.
• Breathe deep, not only with your own breath, but with the breath of rising hope, rising strength, rising love. Let your expectations of yourself be buoyed up by the joyful embrace of God & Spirit. You are more than the sum of your fears.

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 Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and our brothers and sisters at Liberty Avenue Full Gospel Outreach in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Barb Smith, Tom Warth.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ George Mountjoy.
¨ Family and friends of Joyce Henderson, who passed away April 13. Her son John Ritchie Henderson’s address is 3270 Mud Pike, Christiansburg, VA, 24073.
¨ Melissa and Susan Doring-Zook, rebuilding and recovering after a house fire. All people and pets are well.
¨ Emily Hoskins, who is pregnant and has gestational diabetes
¨ Cheryl Caruso Payne, at the death of her mother, Geneva Mitchell
¨ 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.
Prayers of the People                    Craig, Kala and Bella Shearer, Readers
Sower of life, tiller of grace, we have been born anew from imperishable seed. Through your eyes we see clearly; through your teaching we act rightly; through your sacrificial love we know dearly and truly that love is stronger than death. In the breaking open of our routines, in the disruption of our patterns, reveal your greater light and knowledge to us. In any sadness, depression, and despair of ours, or anyone who is listening, reveal again your hope and your strength. We offer to you the sacrifice and service of our teachers, our public health officials, of our hospital staffs, our ambulance drivers, our Governor, and the researchers who are working to hold the broken hearts together. For those ill in our families, and those who are feeling low, let your touch be gentle and loving. Heal them and us of anything that harms. For you have said we are not destined for calamity, but for an inheritance of mercy and life. Be known to us in the breaking of our bread, and the sharing of our love, and in this moment of prayer. This is our road prayer. This is our traveling hope: that you will share the road with us, and open our eyes.
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 In the Bulb There Is a Flower Promise

The Sending & Blessing Rev. Kent Gilbert
Postlude Moving Forward  Andre Lemos, singer
Announcements
 
For the latest information regarding COVID-19 visit Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ website:   https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/pages/covid19.aspx (updated daily)  COVID-19 Hotline (800) 722-5725. The City of Berea has information at its website as well:  https://bereaky.gov/covid19/
April 22, 2020 marked the 50th World-wide celebration of Earth Day. And the week of April 17 – 26 is the 11th Faith Climate Action Week facilitated by Interfaith Power and Light (IPL). Watch for more suggestions in Monday’s announcements and on the church website for ways that you/your family might participate, while “sheltering in place.”
Be a part of the Union Church “Share Force!” We are hoping to be a source of light and community to more and more people. You can help by simply reposting worship announcements, sharing that you are watching (or about to watch), or posting clips from Union Church services that were meaningful to you. Post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Thank you!
Thank you to all who have written and commented! We have received so much support and comments on the church work of recent weeks. Union Church viewership is growing substantially, and so are the wonderful comments and notes people are sending. Rev. Kent is trying to get back to everyone just as soon as possible with many apologies for any delay. If you have an urgent need, don’t hesitate to call the church office or put “Urgent” in your email subject line! We want to connect!
New this week: More Inclusion of More Union Church Family! To build and support our sense of community with each other we would like to invite you and any other members of your household to be a part of leading worship through video. We would like to showcase as many as 3 households per service. You record a video in your house of a scripture or prayer provided by Rev. Kent, then we will use it in our broadcast! All instructions provided! Use the comment form on the website to indicate your interest and someone from worship board will be in touch! Musicians this can include offerings from you, too! We are all in this together.
Tune in! Union Church is sponsoring the ringing of 10 am bells for Kentucky on 100.7fm the Coyote and 106.7fm the Pinnacle! #teamkentucky!
Thanks for those who are making facemasks! We now have a supply we can make available by mail to anyone who needs them. Please contact the office if you would like to have one or more sent to you, and if you would like to join in making some. We’d love to have pictures of our makers. Please send us a photo to share with and inspire others!
Nightly Live Story! Join Rev. Kent and Rev. Diana on Facebook for a story and song every night. In these hard times, and maybe stuck at home, here’s a chance to gather around a story. They are good for any of us, young or old. So grab your blanket, favorite stuffed animal, and snuggle in!
Use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UCstorytime/
Digital Deacons and Tech Operators needed:  Can you help on Sunday mornings? We need folks to help with our online ministry — audio, video, and to serve as “social media host” – to respond online during the service to people who check in. Also needed – a person with video editing skills. Let Rev. Kent know! kgilbert@union-church.org. Also, with fewer announcements the service begins promptly at 10:30. Tune in early so you don’t miss anything!!!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/UnionChurchBerea/ , unionchurchbereaky on Instagram, and on twitter: @UnionChurchKY This is a great way to get the latest news and inspiration as we care for one another.
Brenda Richardson with ACEky (Art Comes to Eastern KY), is asking if anyone might have a used laptop they would be willing to sell or donate to the Knox County jail. They need one to connect with their smart TV for Brenda’s art lessons that she would like to continue during this time. She is very concerned about the emotional state of the women currently. You can phone or text her at 606-219-7418 or contact Betty Hibler and she will relay the information.