A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
April 26, 2026 10:30 am Fourth Sunday of Easter
Meditation
I cannot dance, O Lord, Unless You lead me. If You wish me to leap joyfully, Let me see You dance and sing. ~ Mechthild de Magdeburg
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
¨ Call to Worship Diane Bailey, Reader
One: Come, sing and dance before the Lord.
All: Praise God with the sound of music and dancing!
One: Let every soul sing God’s praises!
All: Let the mountains tremble and the seas roar!
One: Praise the King of glory who guides our lives.
All: Praise the Lord of hosts who watches over us. Amen.
~ written by Nancy C. Townley
¨ Hymn I Danced in the Morning Lord of the Dance
1. I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth.
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain: Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
2. I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
but they would not dance, and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the Dance went on.
Refrain: Dance, then, wherever you may be …
3. I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame,
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high;
and they left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain: Dance, then, wherever you may be …
4. I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the Dance and I still go on.
Refrain: Dance, then, wherever you may be …
5. They cut me down and I leapt up high,
I am the life, that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Refrain: Dance, then, wherever you may be …
| ~ Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786 |
¨ 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: Good shepherd of all,
Hold: I am renewed.
Exhale: Your mercy never ends
Hold: You restore my soul.
¨ 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!
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Anthem You Are Called to Tell the Story Duck, Hurd Union Church Choir
1. You are called to tell the story, passing words of life along, then to blend your voice with others as you sing the sacred song. Christ be known in all our singing, filling all with songs of love.
2. You are called to teach the rhythm of the dance that never ends, then to move with in the circle, hand in hand with strangers, friends. Christ be known in all our dancing, touching all with hands of love.
3. You are called to set the table, blessing bread as Jesus blessed, then to come with thirst and hunger,
needing care like all the rest. Christ be known in all our sharing, feeding all with signs of love.
4. May the One whose love is broader than the measure of all space give us words to sing the story, move among us in this place. Christ be known in all our living, filling all with gifts of love.
Scripture Reading Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
~ 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 Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Dancing with the Creator 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 Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia; and our siblings at Faith Decision Baptist Church 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): Good shepherd of all,
Hold (count of 3): I am renewed.
Exhale (count of 3): Your mercy never ends
Hold (count of 3): You restore my soul.
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
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 Diane Bailey, Reader
Spirit of the Living God, dance with us on this day. Come, Whirlwind of Wonder! Sing to the groaning of creation. Come, still small voice of Hope! Enflame us with your passion for justice. Come, Liberator of the Least! Purify us of our grasping greediness.
Come, Advocate of selfless living! Silence our gossiping tongues. Come, Harmony of God’s Heart! Wind of God, blow through us; Fire of God, burn within us; Tongue of God, speak to us on this day of renewal and birth, even as we pray as Jesus teaches us, Our Father . . .
~ posted on the RevGalBlogPals website
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.
¨ Hymn #252 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us Bradbury
1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us;
much we need your tender care.
In your pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have bought us: yours we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have bought us: yours we are.
2. We are yours; in love befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep your flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.
3. Let us always seek your favor,
let us always do your will;
Jesus Christ our only Savior,
with your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have loved us; love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
you have loved us; love us still.
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 light this candle for the Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr, and all the native peoples struggling to protect sacred lands.
On April 22, Earth Day, Dr. Nosie, Founder of Apache Stronghold, asked supporters to light a candle in prayer and support of continued legal efforts to save Oak Flat. Last year Union Church joined a coalition of over 100 religion and religion freedom groups to advocate for the preservation on Oak Flat, land sacred to the Apache and other Tribes in the southwest.
In July 2025, the US Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Instead, despite decades-long legal battles, a land grant has now been given to a foreign company to establish a copper mine on this public land in the Tonto National Forest. The current court filing is to preserve land adjacent to the property listed in the land grant. More information about the devastation that the copper mine will produce on the surrounding land can be found at apache-stronghold.com
From Here to There
‘Benediction Rev. Christina Ryan Perkins
May you go into the world singing a new song and dancing with the Creator.
May you be open to God, who continues to create harmony, rhythm, and melody to bless and encourage each one of us. Amen.
¨ Benediction Response I’m Goin’a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing trad. Spiritual
I’m goin’a Breathe …
I’m goin’a Lead …
I’m goin’a Dance …
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, recovering from injuries after a serious car accident. Thanks be to God, everyone in 3 cars survived a head-on collision.
¨ Rev. Kent as his sabbatical continues
¨ Margaret Whaley, Betsy’s mom, 86, diagnosed with uterine cancer and facing treatment.
¨ Pam Chabora, recovering VERY well from hernia surgery early last week.
¨ 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: May 2 – Jenny Hobson, Grace Hutchins; 3 – Edd Easton-Hogg; 4 – Doris Mosley
Anniversaries: May 1-Charles & Megan Hoffman
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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