A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Second Sunday of Easter April 7, 2013
Meditation
Thomas doubted the resurrection until he saw the nail holes and put his finger in the wound of the risen Christ’s hands and side. We, too, have been wounded in this life, and our society often teaches us to hide our wounds and vulnerabilities. What might happen if, like Christ, we invited those shut down by life to explore our wounds?
—from Feasting on the Word, Kimberly Bracken Long, ed.
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Triumphant Gladness (St. Kevin) A. Sullivan/A. Jordan
* Call to Worship
One: Warmth rises new each morning
All: And has nothing to do with the weather.
One: Hope springs from the heart of God every day
All: And does not depend on how we feel.
One: Joy dawns, turning mourning into dancing.
All: We are an Easter people, and we rise to worship the God of the new day!
* Opening Hymn #241 Black Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day Puer Nobis Nascitur
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the Word
Anthem Alleluia! Wm. Boyce/ M. Schweizer
Union Church Choir
Children’s Moment
Following Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room, and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
As the children return to their seats we sing:
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks Donald Fishel
Gospel Lesson John 20:19-31 (p. 1314)
Jesus appears to the disciples.
Sermon Late to the Meeting Rev. Kent Gilbert
Hymn #256 Black We Live by Faith & Not by Sight Dunlap’s Creek
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory I Know that My Redeemer Lives (Duke Street) Wilbur Held
* 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!
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
* Invitation to Communion
One: May God be with you!
All: And also with you!
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.
One: Jesus sat with all sorts, the many different colors of humanity, but mainly those excluded, and broke bread.
One: So along with everyone the world has turned its back on, along with everyone hungry, and everyone hungry for justice and truth, along with everyone abused as stranger and foreigner, along with everyone who does not fit “normal,” along with everyone who questions, doubts, and even denies, along with every prejudice that has ever been flung, along with every one made poor by other’s riches, you, you and I, are welcomed at this table.
One: Let us pray…
[please be seated]
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 Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Communion Prayer
One: Great God, who sits with us at table, break this bread with us once more in the retelling of the story of our hope, the world’s salvation, and journey with us into life.
All: You who created all, created all with love and in love.
One: We remember how you offered bread to the prophets as they cried for justice.
One: We remember how you refreshed even those who had sinned hard and heavy, with new life and new hope.
All: We would love the things you love, we would serve the peoples of your heart.
One: Great God, may these acts of breaking and sharing be the act of your reigning, bringing all people to your grace, gathering every disciple in every time and place, every follower no matter how hesitant, to the place of grace and service.
One: So we remember the story of the gathered disciples, and the broken bread; the facing of the cross, and the way through to resurrection; the empty tomb, and the dawn of alleluias where the angels sing, let us lift up our voices in song:
Communion Sanctus Please Join in Singing
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
One: So many times Jesus fed us: In pastures, in houses, at banquets, while teaching…in the boat, at the well, in the upper room, on the road when we didn’t know him, and in the room when we were afraid…
One: and now we gather at this table to remember and to be filled with such longing for your realm that we may rise together to turn our worship into witness and to follow in your way.
One: We remember that when Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread and, after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
All: “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.”
One: Then he took a cup and, after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying:
All: “Drink. This cup that is poured out for you is the promise of God, made in my blood. Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
One: Therefore, Holy God, we remember, and we cry for your Spirit.
Enliven this bread, awaken this body, pour us out for each other.
Transfigure our minds, ignite your church, nourish the life of the earth.
One: Make us, while many, united.
Make us, though broken, whole.
Make us, despite death, alive.
All: Come, Holy Spirit!
One: Come and bless to us this bread and cup, that those who are hungry may be fed, and that those who are fed may hunger for justice in Christ’s name.
All: Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it. By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. 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. As you wait for your turn, and as your reflect on your communion, you are invited to sing with us.
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. Elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer with the Nurture and Care Board members or by contacting one of the pastors.
Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Behind the locked doors of our fears and faults, we find you standing our midst ready to heal and transform. Thank you for this meal and thank you for every feast where your Spirit is shared for healing and wholeness. Strengthened in both body and soul, we sing rejoicing in the ever-unfolding gift of your love and life.
Walking Forward in Faith
* Hymn #253 Black Yours Is the Glory Judas Maccabeus
* Benediction & Sending Forth
* Postlude Recessional Robert Cundick
_____________________________
* All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
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 East Timor and the Philippines and our brothers and sisters at Liberty Avenue Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country
* The family of Michael Cable, who was killed in action in Afghanistan.
* Dorothy Chao, recovering well from breast cancer surgery in Tucson.
* Joan Moore, happily recuperating at home!
* Paul Wells, recovering from heart surgery at home.
* Carol Shaffer, recuperating from shoulder surgery and due home soon
* Whitney Louise Wellinghurst, who was born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces, now weighs over 7 pounds! Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges.
* Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038. Abi is showing some small signs of improvement!!
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
* Ruth Wesley, now at The Terrace
Announcements…
Union Church is a place where your faith can grow and deepen. We are actively looking for those who would like to explore discipleship with Jesus in this congregation. If you’d like to formally join Union Church, please call the office or either pastor. YOU are welcome here!
Stock up on Summer Reading! Annual Book Sale sponsored by Friends of the Madison County Library is April 18-21, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Bag Sale day Sunday April 21, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Sale is at Richmond Mall, Richmond Bypass. Become a Friend and come to the preview sale Wednesday April 17th 6 -8pm. Not a Friend, join for $10 that night. Volunteers are needed to help set up and take down and to work during the sale. All volunteers receive one free book for every hour. Contact Becky Knauer at 986-5593 to sign up. Donations of books, cds, computer games and movies are welcome — bring to either the Berea or Richmond libraries. Thanks!!
Help us save on Postage.. . . not to mention paper and envelopes! Giving statements for 1st quarter 2013 will be available soon. If you would like to receive your statement by Email, please contact the Financial Secretary, Patty Boyce: patty_boyce@berea.edu or 859-986-9210 or 859-893-3132. Every little bit helps!
Tuesday Coffee, Bagels, and Church Fixes: Come One Come All… Tuesday 8:30-Noon – Come join for whatever time you can in fellowship and helping with minor repairs, etc. There will be job opportunities for people of all skill levels.
Youth Working to Earn Money for Church Camp…They Can Help! Need to get into your attic? Need some spring cleaning? Having problems understanding your new phone? Need someone to get your flowerbed ready for the Spring? A youth can do it! In the upcoming months the youth will be working hard to raise money for their trip to Passport Choices in Wyngate, NC. If you need assistance with any task, no matter how big or small, call Chris (678-982-1731) or Grace Mckenzie (205-451-7444). Be ready to estimate the number of youth you will need, what supplies you have and if you need us to bring any, and how long the project will take.
“A Place at the Table:” Learn about Hunger and What we can Do About It! A newly-released documentary film highlighting the ongoing tragedy of hunger in America will be shown twice in Berea in the next two weeks:
* Wednesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the Carter G. Woodson Center on campus (in the Alumni Building just across the street from Union Church)
* Wednesday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Union Church, following a light community supper at 5:45 p.m, as part of the Wednesday Nite Live! program
The documentary, produced by Participant Media and distributed by Magnolia Pictures, makes the connection between eliminating hunger and advocating for public policies and programs that ensure a place at the table for all people. Following each showing, materials will be provided to write letters to our Congressmen through Bread for the World’s 2013 Offering of Letters. The federal “sequester” and proposed 2014 budget cuts will deeply affect programs that provide food and other types of assistance to those in need. All are invited to one or both of these events.
Risen and Rising! Please Consider Helping Us Go The Second Mile to Serve Boldly
In this Easter Season we see dramatically the way God is doing new things at Union Church! We’ve undertaken and completed a difficult renovation of a facility that has served the community for over 9 decades. We’ve undergirded our ministry with a new church administrator and a new associate pastor who are making possible new and extraordinary service. The opportunities are many, but so are the financial challenges. “Risen and Rising” is a Spring Stewardship focus help us meet the financial aspect of serving needs with excellence and with boldness.
How Can I help?
First and foremost, pray that we may steward our resources in the best way for the greatest good. That means the greatest good for your household AND the household of God’s work. Some may be able to increase their pledge. Some may be able to donate their time to help defray an existing cost. Some may choose to donate something of their tax refund or other available funds. Even a modest one time gift over and above your regular giving can make a great difference!
In addition, letting people know about the good work Union is doing is also critical. We hope to spread the news of a God who is loving, persistent and consumed with justice. Too many people don’t know that there is a congregation working and serving in that way. Inviting a friend to share in this community might be the biggest gift you ever offer to them or to God’s work.
Consider a gift/pledge on or by April 28! Together we will rise to the challenge! We’re asking everyone to bring their one-time gift, pledge, or increase to worship on that day. After church we’ll have a whole church picnic to remind ourselves of the abundance of God’s blessings.
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