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

Third Sunday of Easter

April 30, 2017  10:30 am 

 
Meditation  
All genuine loving begins with attentive, sensitive, listening. This is the “dying to self” about which Jesus speaks–the giving up, at least temporarily, of my own point of view. It requires turning aside for the moment, from my own perceptions, in order to be present in the world of another: to see what the other person sees, to feel what the other person feels. Few other sacrifices on my part are so difficult. And probably no other sacrifice treats you with such exquisite reverence and respect.
— James E. Sullivan, The Good Listener

From there to Here

Welcome & Announcements
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!
Prelude The Cuckoo L.C. D’Aquin
¨  Call to Worship
One:    We have traveled long ways to come here; from many places both geographic  and spiritual; from youth to age, from Lent to Easter, from death to life.
All:    Now we gather in God’s name on the road.
One:    On the journey we have rehearsed the hard power of despair, seen too often how fear scatters our hearts.
All:    Now Christ is made known to us in broken bread and we       sing a different song.
One:    We have been running away, but now we are springing forward, finding our voices, knowing God’s hope.
All:     Now we shout about good news; Now we sing Alleluia!
¨   Opening Hymn #238           Now the Green Blade Rises    Noel Nouvelet
¨  Prayer of Approach 
One:      Living Jesus, whose presence on our daily road we often fail to see; warm our hearts with fresh confidence in your Word, so that, in making room for the stranger beside us, we find your hospitality awaiting us, and the reassurance of your presence to inspire us to tread the road again and to share the good news of your resurrection life.
¨  Words of Assurance
¨  Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day! You are invited to turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace and joy. 

The Living Word among us

Anthem A Joyful Song Robert Leaf
Union Church Choir
A joyful song we sing to the Lord, all glory and praise to the risen Lord. Let all who will serve rejoice and sing praises to God: alleluia, praise to the Lord. Praise we sing to honor the Lord. Together with music our praise we bring.
Oh raise your voice with praise to the Lord, let all of God’s children be glad and sing. Rejoice, the victory is won, the Lord has risen; God’s holy son! Let all who serve rejoice and sing their praises to God: Alleluia!
Hebrew Scripture Lesson  Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Gratitude to God moves the psalmist to “pay it forward,” honoring God’s care of the writer with gracious acts unto others.
Children’s Moment  as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s presence 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.
Following the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel, or are welcome return to their seats or visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.  
Gospel Lesson Luke 24:13-35
Two disciples encounter the risen Jesus on the road but don’t recognize him until he breaks bread at the end of the day.
Sermon Scenic Overlooks: Rev. Kent Gilbert
Eyes Wide Shut Then and Now

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

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 good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory                    Triumphantly Risen R. Anderson
¨  Doxology               Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God above, ye heavenly host!
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. 
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praying it Forward
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.
Silent Prayers and Prayers for the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: 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

¨  Closing Hymn       Open My Eyes        

¨  Benediction    
   Postlude  Festivity on “Holy Manna” D. Wagner
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 Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and our brothers and sisters at Grace Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them.
Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week. Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Family, students, and staff of Dunbar High School student Star Ifeacho, who died from a medical emergency in the gym at school on Wednesday.  Susan Doring-Zook is a teacher at Dunbar in Lexington.
¨ Berea College students as finals loom and graduation nears; and for the faculty and hard working staff who support their growth and education. May the pressures be few and the joys be many!
¨ Larry Brandenburg and the family, at the death of his aunt, Hildred Hart
¨ Mary Miller, who is recovering from a major illness at The Terrace.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, at Richmond Place, in Lexington.
¨ For those suffering from mental illnesses and for their families who love and care for them.
¨ For Refugees around the world: may they find a home in safety and may God’s people help.
 
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Today, after worship: Brief meeting to vote upon the revised 2017 budget & elect a couple of Board members. Copies are available in the vestibule.
Joan English, Office Admin, is going to visit family May 4-11. The office will be staffed by kind volunteers. Thank you!!
Rev. Rachel will be out of town Monday-Saturday this week, on vacation in Minnesota
The Stephen Leaders from Union Church just returned from the Stephen Series Leader’s Training Course in St. Louis. Jeff From, Betty Hibler, Mary Lou Wiese and Pastor Kent did 7 full days of training in order to start our Stephen Ministry: lay caregivers working alongside the pastors to provide skilled, loving, confidential care to members in need.
Very soon, Union Church will begin training members to be “Stephen Ministers” in our congregation. These ministers will spend a number of weeks in training to complete 50 hours of service earning to give the highest quality compassionate care. If you are interested in making the commitment to be a Stephen Minister, talk to any of the Stephen leaders above or call the church office at 996-3725.
May 2, Explore the Psalms, 4 pm Classroom: The Psalms have guided the work and prayer of people in all manner of situations, from desperation to exaltation, from religious ritual to personal searching for life’s meaning. 
So we will come to these as a way of prayer, and to that end we will read and consider and listen to them speak to us individually and collectively. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.
WNL is a  Potluck this week—May 3. Last one before a summer break. Come enjoy food and fellowship, all welcome!
Thursday, May 4th. Join us for one last Noodling Around with Theology for the year at 8pm on The topic: Bearing Witness.  The food: delicious!  At Noodle Nirvana, 315 Chestnut St.
May the 4th be with you! And also with you!
Talent Show May 5. Please join us  in the Community Room  from 7-9 pm, for an evening of entertainment, fun and fellowship for the whole family.
This event will support the Union Church Youth Group, funds will go toward getting our church’s youth to Passport summer camp again this year.
We will also have snacks available for a suggested donation to go along with the entertainment. Suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family.
  Featured Acts will include:

• MacGregor Lakes doing stand-up comedy
• Jeff From and Sylvia From doing a dance duet
• Original songwriting, solos and duets by our youth, including Shane Wilcher, Ben Whaley-Jones, Kay Ward and Autumn Earl
• Country Dance Rapper Demonstration

Project Underway: In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be beautifying part of our building that has needed a bit of love for some time:

• Asbestos floor tile will be removed from 1st & 3rd floor hallways (outside of business hours — Saturday, April 29)
• Flooring will be installed in those areas
• The stairwell on the Cowan Chapel side will be painted

This project is planned to be finished by May 12 and will not impact regular activities. Monies to be used are from an insurance settlement due to damage from an overflowing toilet, and a generous bequest from Merlin Kindel’s estate. We are so grateful for Merlin’s love for the people of Union Church, and his care of the building.
FYI—the Lost & Found items across from the office will go to the Goodwill on Monday. Check to see if something might be yours before it’s gone!
Help Wanted.  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship reader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
We Need YOUR PICTURE for a New Church Directory! If you’ve got a photo you’d like to use, please send it to the office. Also — if there’s a chance we don’t have your address, phone, email address, anniversary, or birthday(s)—please send that info on as well: office@union-church.org. There will soon be a draft available in the office for you to check and correct if needed. If we left you out — we don’t mean to!! Please add your info! Also, if you happen to know that someone has moved or attends church elsewhere, let us know that too.