A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 11, 2013
Welcome to this service of worship. We are glad that you are here today. You are invited to rise in body or in spirit as you are able and willing at points in the service marked “*.”
Hearing enhancement devices and large print bulletins are available in the vestibule. After checking in on FaceBook and Twitter, please silence your cell phone, pager, etc, so all may worship undistracted.
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.
Meditation
The future is always faced with uncertainty, even panic. The unknown is always seen as more terrifying than the known, for we are not certain our coping behaviors have developed to meet the new challenges. Besides, we get accustomed to dealing with the familiar. It’s secure, like old bedroom slippers. Anything new might require us to reprogram ourselves altogether. And that we find a most threatening prospect. Again the question haunts us.
Given the jostling and rapid change of today, with future discoveries a boggle to the imagination, how does one face tomorrow without fear? How does one develop an inner hold to meet the invading forces of the yet-to-be-born? —Roger Sizemore, Keeping in Touch
Gathering to Worship
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude Awake, Awake, to Love and Work (Morning Song) Anna Laura Page
Processional Come, All You People (opposite) Uyai Mose
Please rise and sing as the Procession reaches your pew.
* Call to Worship
One: By faith we gather.
All: Seen and unseen, God is present.
One: In hope we seek.
All: Bidden or not bidden, God is present.
One: In community we bloom: in covenant with each other, with God, and with all God’s creation let us worship the God of great love!
* Opening Hymn #382 Black Come, We Who Love God’s Name Marching to Zion
* Prayer of Confession
One: With little thought we ardently prepare for ourselves: we plan, we save, we spend, we work, we play. But we have been less prepared to plan, spend, or support others. We confess that we have not sold what we should, nor have we cared for the poor as we might have. We confess that we are terrified by the uncertainties of this world, and so surround ourselves with walls of possession for protection. The thought of “less” frightens, and so the sight of those with less, is uncomfortable. We turn in, we turn away, we turn off. And we are sorry to diminish ourselves and your love like that.
All: In forgiveness, teach us to lighten our load and spend our energy and intellect for a wider good. We need your deeper love and humbly ask for strength and for courage to face all our fears. We ask in Jesus’ name and that we might live close and free in his way.
* Words of Assurance
* 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
Gift of Music Unto the Lord God Give Praise Heinrich Schűtz
Larry Brandenburg, soloist; BG Hibbard, piano
Unto the Lord God give your unending praise. Unto the Lord God give honor and glory. Hallelujah! Unto the Lord God give the glory due His name. Worship God the Father, in the beauty of holiness. All the people bow before Thee, and sing to Thee. Sing praises, sing praises to Thy holy name.
God Speaking through the Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 1:1,10-20 (p. 808)
The prophet begins his pronunciations of doom on Judah and Jerusalem, but promises that God will forgive and restore the nation if the people become obedient to the will of God.
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 Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall. Activity clipboards are available at the altar for older children.
God Speaking through the Gospels Luke 12:32-40 (p. 1252)
Here is a series of brief sayings on various themes that have to do generally with the responsible human response to the gifts of God’s grace.
Sermon Breaking Bad Rev. Kent Gilbert
Song Lord, We Hear Your Word Blaenwern
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Call to Offering
Offertory Allegretto (from Suite in D Major) Leonardo Vinci
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn #573 Lead on Eternal Sovereign Lancashire
* Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude The Rejoicing Charles Callahan
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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 Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, and our brothers and sisters at Bearwallow Pentecostal Holiness 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 and all those who wait and worry for them.
* Peggy Baker, recovering at UK Hospital
* Bob Bates, recovering at home from emergency surgery
* Lori Wallhauser, daughter-in-law of John and Mary Wallhauser, recovering from a stroke, in Cincinnati
* Dawn Mason, Dot Kindel’s daughter, who has recently had surgery for ovarian cancer
* Ruth Butwell, at Berea Hospital
* Nancy Jones, back at home
* Teri Van Pelt, experiencing pain from stenosis in the cervical vertebra
* The father of Debbonnaire Kovacs, hospitalized with serious health issues
* Ed Poston’s sister, and the family, at her serious illness
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Kenwood Nursing Home in Richmond
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Explore Union Church! This 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. YOU matter, and so does YOUR faith journey. If you’d like to join Union Church in pursing the way of peace, justice, and hope, please call, email, or Facebook either pastor, or call the church office. YOU are welcome here!
Youth Group meetings are back! Youth Group meetings will begin on August 14th. Middle school group will meet at 4:45 & the high school group will meet at 6:30. We realize that meeting at 4:45 may not be conducive to some work schedules, so if you will call Chris (678-982-1731) or Grace (205-451-7444) we can arrange to pick up your youth if you need us to.
Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice for Caregivers This eight week program is a psychoeducational group for caregivers for individuals with dementia. It is designed to teach caregivers about mindfulness and character strengths and how to utilize them, even in the face of stressful circumstances, to experience less anxiety and sadness and more quality of life. While traditional approaches to teaching and learning will be used, special emphasis will be placed on learning through experience and practice. Meets every Thursday from Aug. 22 to Oct.10, 9-11 am. To register or for more details, contact Talia at (859) 358-3849 or at talia_bryant29@mymail.eku.edu.
Singers needed for “Installation Choir!” To help celebrate Rev. Rachel’s installation, we are forming a choir for the occasion. You do not have to be a member of the Union Church choir—in fact, the more the merrier! We will rehearse next Thursday, Aug. 15 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Choir Room. JOIN US!
Speaking of choir…regular rehearsals for the Union Church Choir begins on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6:15 p.m. This will be an “open house” rehearsal for any and all who may be interested in seeing what we are up to on Thursday nights! Come and try us out!
Project Read of Madison County needs tutors! Can you help share your gift of knowledge? Project Read offers free classes in adult basic literacy, computer skills, GED Math and English as a second language. If you’d like to learn more about tutoring, check out the poster in the back hallway or call 623-4905. Or if you know someone who would benefit from Project Read’s services, encourage him or her to call.
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