A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Second Sunday of Easter 10:30 am
Meditation
“Your doubt can become a good quality if you train it. It must become knowing, it must become criticism… and the day will come when, instead of being a destroyer, it will become one of your best workers–perhaps the most intelligent of all the ones that are building your life.”
~ Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship
One: The doors can be shut and our minds distracted…
All: But still Jesus stands among us.
One: Fretful or frightened, faithful or fickle…
All: Christ’s peace is breathed upon us all.
One: In this Easter Season let us worship and wonder together!
¨ Hymn #241 Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day Puer Nobis Nascitur
1 Joy dawned again on Easter Day, the sun shone out with bright array; For when the Apostles hid in fear, the Risen Christ to them appeared.
2 O Jesus, Savior, Gentle One, come take our hearts to be your own, That we may give you all our days the willing tribute of our praise.
3 O Sovereign One, with us abide in this our joyful Easter-tide; From every weapon death can wield, your own redeemed forever shield.
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Musical Meditation Amazing Grace trad.; Olivia Puckett, trumpet
Scripture Reading 1 John 1:12:2
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
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 John 20:19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Sermon Are You Kidding Me? Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: Christ is risen!
All: He is risen indeed!
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
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.
Communion Prayer
One: When we do not understand, we gather by this table.
When mystery stretches ever wider, we break bread.
When the wonder is more than our souls can hold, we share the cup.
In resurrection, there is no other place to gather other than where heaven and earth tangle, where your hand holds our world, and love erupts with laughter in the dawn. And so with your people everywhere we proclaim with joy:
Sanctus
Words of Institution
One: We remember that Jesus ate with many and fed starving souls with more than bread. Christ offers love and strength to saints and sinners, to those who know and those who wonder and those who doubt.
One: His presence can be felt still: in open churches and behind the doors of locked hearts. His breath is peace, his presence is sure.
One: On the night before he died, he had supper with his companions. He took a loaf of bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, saying:
All: “Take, eat. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Then, he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he passed it among them, saying:
All: “Drink this, all of you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Risen Christ who comes to find us, even in our confusion and fear, we ask you to bless this meal. May it enable us to speak truth before power; to seek the forgotten and abused with premeditated mercy, and set both the prodigal and the righteous at same feast of forgiveness, as love demands.
All: Amen! Make us while many, one; Make us, though broken, whole. Make us, despite, alive with your Holy Spirit!
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit and all people, within your tradition.
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: www.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 www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply 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!
Sung Response
Prayer of Thanksgiving Sue Peterson , Reader
Holy One, by this meal the Risen Christ stands among us and proclaims life with life. With love and by love help us rise through our doubts and fears to be united and courageous in the struggle for a world more just, a community less fractured, bodies more whole, and minds overflowing with grace for one another. We pray you will help all who are suffering without enough bread, and we pray you will show us how to aid all who are in need. With mystery and relentless love you have set our spirits aglow. Send us from this table back to our lives, strengthening our hope, and kindling our love that we may serve you with joy.
This we pray in the name of the risen Christ who taught us to reach 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 # 256 We Live by Faith and Not by Sight Dunlap’s Creek
1 We live by faith and not by sight; no gracious words we hear From Christ who spoke as none e’er spoke, who still we know is near.
2 We may not touch Christ’s hands and side, nor follow where Christ trod; but in confessing we rejoice: our Savior and our God!
3 Help then, O Christ, our unbelief; and may our faith abound To call on you when you are near and seek where you are found: Verse 4 That, when our life of faith is done, in realms of clearer light We may behold you as you are, with full and endless sight.
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 to recognize Robert Shetterly, an artist who tells the stories of Americans who stood up to injustice; who used their voices to bring about change to oppressive systems; whose actions made a difference in our country.
Shetterly started this project after the events following 911 when our nation’s leaders justified a war by telling lies about weapons of mass destruction. In response, Shetterly began painting portraits of ordinary citizens, both historical and contemporary patriots, who took a stand with words and actions, often at great risk to their own safety. Each portrait contains a quote from the individual stating a “truth.”
Currently, there are hundreds of inspirational “stories” of these remarkably brave people from which he can choose a traveling art gallery to share with schools and communities.
Recently Shertterly came to Berea to unveil his latest portrait honoring Craig Williams. Craig is an activist who successfully advocated for safe destruction of chemical weapons stockpiled in Richmond and other areas around the country. Craig’s portrait can be viewed on line at americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/craig-williams
¨ Benediction The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania; and our brothers and sisters at Big Hill Pentecostal Holiness Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ 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.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Sally Zimmerman.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Barb Taylor, recovering at home from a stroke.
¨ NoraRuth Jenkins, recovering from two recent surgeries.
¨ David Hampton, dear friend of Matt and Lynnette Willis who recently suffered a stroke, and is recovering in hospital in Sacramento.
¨ Peggy and John Coyne, both struck with Covid last week.
¨ David, a friend of Claudia Munson-Schrumpf, struggling with a rare autoimmune condition.
¨ Our Muslim neighbors, family and friends who are commemorating the holy month of Ramadan. May God add a blessing to both fast and feast.
¨ In praise and thanksgiving for the Berea College community at the inauguration of the 10th President, Dr. Cheryl Nixon, yesterday; and in gratitude for all who made the special events a success. We pray for all that the light of knowledge may ever illuminate our faith and our service!
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today, April 7 – Greg Sutherland; 10 – Carol Shaffer; 11 – Sayer Kobersmith; 12 – Joan Bates; 13 – Jeff From
Anniversaries: April 13 – Steve & Thana Connelly
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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