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

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 12, 2018          10:30 am 

Meditation
Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new.
— Ursula K. Le Guin
“Peace goes into the making of a poem as flour goes into the making of bread.”
— Pablo Neruda

From there to Here: We Gather

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 Simple Gifts arr. Joel Raney
Lindsay Clavere, piano; Gabriel Evans, organ
The Call
Prayer for Approach, Confession & Release  
¨   Hymn #349 Black I Come with Joy Dove of Peace
¨   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 hospitality.

The Living Word among us

Musical Meditation Ripple Jerry Garcia
Laura Nagle, Melissa Neal, Mary Ellen Beaven
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine and my tunes were played on the harp unstrung, would you hear my voice come through the music Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken, perhaps they’re better left unsung. I don’t know, don’t really care. Let there be songs to fill the air. Ripple in still water when there is no pebble tossed, nor wind to blow. Reach out your hand if your cup be empty. If your cup is full may it be again. Let it be known there is a fountain that was not made by the hands of men.
There is a road, no simple highway between the dawn and the dark of night and if you go no one may follow. That path is for your steps alone.
You who choose to lead must follow, but if you fall you fall alone. If you should stand then who’s to guide you? If I knew the way I would take you home
Epistle Lesson Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (p. 1425)
The letter to the Ephesians gives directions for living the new life in Christ.
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 stay in the service or visit the Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary, which has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or adults) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Gospel Lesson  John 6:35,41-51 (p. 1289)
Jesus declares himself to be the bread of life, telling those who doubt that those who believe and eat of this bread shall have eternal life.
Sermon Mixed Blessings Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

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.
Prayers in Action and Reflections
You are invited to reflect and pray at the 4 stations also in the room. Here you will find meditations based on the ingredients in bread. Questions for each are listed on the enclosed sheet. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew. The reflection page is provided for your thoughts, notes, drawings or other meditations at any time during the service.

Prayer in Action and Reflection Stations:

Today in worship you are invited to reflect on how the divine combines and changes us as we incorporate our elements into God’s great “becoming.”  As always, you can go to all or none of the stations. And you can also simply use the time alone or together in your pew. There is space in the bulletin for your notes and thoughts or drawings as your reflections evolve.
Struggle and Stretch: Many foods need to be mixed or folded together gently. Not bread. It must be massaged and kneaded and even banged down on the table. Kneading is what stretches the gluten and makes it able to hold pockets of the gases yeast is creating, so that the bread will be light and fine.
¨ Breathe deeply as you walk, sit, or pray. Your very breath is stretching your body, combining and exchanging elements with the outside world. Rest in the awareness that life stretches you.
¨ At the table, (or in your thoughts) knead the dough there. When have you felt kneaded, stretched, pushed together, folded, or even beaten? What was incorporated into you by that? What got stronger? What was broken or torn?
¨ Jesus says, “Work for the bread that satisfies…” What are you struggling and stretching now in your life? What in your life do you want to knead, massage, or pound? As you work the dough on the table or in your in your thoughts, imagine folding holy light into the dough with every turn. Join in prayer for self and others: “May struggles yield strength for joy.”
Water That Rinses Clean: 
If you are feeling disconnected and unincorporated, or being stretched beyond the breaking point, find here the water of life.
¨ Wash, rinse, soothe, your spirit by touching the water that represents the Holy Spirit and God’s blessing.
¨ Leave in the water that which hinders you: negative thoughts, hateful speech, self-doubt, crushing grief, anger. This water dissolves. This water heals.
¨ As you pray, allow the water to be a messenger of the Spirit. What is softened? What is distributing through your life?
Getting the Rise: At first glance these trace ingredients in bread have no effect. Their work is unseen, but mighty.
¨ In the jars are the beginnings of a “sour”-dough that over the next weeks will be leavened by yeasts that are all around us. Breath deeply and consider deeply: what is all around YOU with that power? What is beginning to bubble?List them in your mind or in writing.
¨ As you exhale, pray about what you are contributing to the world, what you are breathing into bread of life yourself. Ask a blessing for this holy work. May it rise strong.
¨ As you inhale again, hold close what you need to “rise” and have “flavor.” What forgiveness do you choose to offer or seek? What joy is present or missing? What work of kindness, justice, or mercy needs to lift and salt you this week?
Bread Beyond These Walls: Our prayer in action today is to give food to those who need it most, who fear there will not be enough and who are yearning to support their children, parents, or spouses. Any food placed here is for the Berea Food Bank, a living prayer we offer every week to fellow Bereans in need.
¨ If you brought food, place it here. It will be a blessing and make an invisible connection to sisters and brothers in need.
¨ If you are able, transport the food here to the food bank sometime this week. You may take it now, or after service, or come during the week. On the table are the hours and directions. When you do so, connect as deeply as you can to what is being fed in YOU by doing so.  
Our Offering 
Like kneading dough, incorporating love and self-giving into daily practice develops the strength of spirit and strong bonds to boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus.  We stretch so others can live. We rise to put aside evil and harm and poverty.
We do that as church and community in a very real way through the Berea Food Bank. Anyone in Berea can get a weeks worth of groceries for their family 6 times a year. Because
of generosity here, bread and meat, and organic fresh vegetables are bought and grown for any in need. Your generosity today, here and everywhere you give of yourself, is essential to baking the beloved community God calls us to become. Thank you for your generosity and care.
When invited, please join in singing the familiar chorus: Alleluia!
Community Prayer & 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

Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨  Hymn #533 Black Children of God Welwyn
¨  Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨  Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that  you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
The Sending and Blessing
 Postlude (please be seated) Toccata in F Charles Marie Widor
This is the very first Postlude that Gabe played at Union Church in July 6, 2014
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 Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and  Niger, and our brothers and sisters at the New Life Assemblies of God 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.
¨ For the family and friends of Wayne G. Cooper, Jerry Cooper’s brother, who passed away aged 93, earlier this week.
¨ Prayers for a kinder, more just America as we remember the events of Charlottesville, VA, one year ago, and the continuing toxic effects of white supremacy. May we never cease to pray and act for the dignity and safety of every life.
¨ The Ngabwema Family, our adopted refugee family from the Congo! That God will help us help them with all they need for a full and safe life in Lexington.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin.
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Dave Wellinghurst, with a recurrence of glioblastoma. Hospice is involved now.
¨ Cheyenne Olson and family, at the death of her sister
¨ David Duffee, recovering from surgery for a torn rotator cuff.
¨ Maurice Hibbard, still suffering from pancreatitis.
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.

Special Coffee Hour today. We will say farewell to our dear Gabe Evans, Director of Music Ministries who, with fiancé Joseph Smith, will soon move to New York City. Best wishes on this new chapter of life!

2:00 pm Today! Hymn Favorites on Handbells! In the Sanctuary. Come hear favorite hymns interpreted and played on Handbells. All welcome to this wonderful celebration of a unique musical form.
POD unloading at the English/Hardman household. We’ve realized we will NOT need help after all. There’s not too much to carry and my sister is coming to help. Thank you!! (Joan)
New Church Directory Coming and we NEED YOU! We’re trying for a print date of earliest September. If you will send us your photo and info (names, addresses, birthdates, anniversaries, email addresses and phone numbers), you can save us a phone call! Kiddo gone off to school? Gotten hitched? Maybe you’d like to opt out of the Directory? Send to office@union-church.org. Thanks.
Sometimes our church members need help. If you have a skill you are willing to share, please email the information to dodiemurfmsw @yahoo.com. It will be printed on a page in our new church directory for folks to contact you directly. Thanks for consider-ing! Possible categories (include your own skill if it’s not listed):

• Yard work –planting, weeding, watering
• Making a meal
• Babysitting
• Baking
• Driving to appointments
• Running errands
• Grocery shopping
• Doing laundry, ironing
• Mending or hemming
• Writing thank you notes
• Lending books, DVDs or CDs
• Typing
• Computer software/hardware instruction, repairs
• Small plumbing jobs

The Children’s Church Team is looking for teachers for the upcoming year! No teaching experience necessary —  just a good sense of humor, a bit of patience, and the willingness to sit on the floor with small humans and explore the values of our faith while making cool stuff. The commitment is from September to May; you will be paired with another teacher, and will likely be with the children every third Sunday. (The scheduling is flexible according to your needs, and we are good about stepping in for each other when life interferes.) We are a close-knit team who work together to plan out lessons and problem-solve along the way. Interested? Have questions? Please contact Laura at joyfulsunflower@gmail.com or 859-358-0106 (text or call).  

Next Sunday, God on the Quad. Can you remember moving away from home for the first time? We have the opportunity to offer love, a warm welcome, and COOKIES to Berea College freshmen as they make this huge transition. God on the Quad is scheduled for Sunday, August 19th, from 3:00 – 5:00 on campus. We need volunteers for the following times:
· 2:00 – 3:00: set up (table will be provided)
· 3:00 – 4:00: be with the students
· 4:00 – 5:00: be with the students
· 5:00 – 6:00:  clean up (hopefully there won’t be much left to pack!)
We also need nut-free cookies.
If you can be a part of this unique opportunity to minister to our young  neighbors, please contact Laura Nagle at joyfulsunflower@gmail.com or text / call 859-358-0106.
Celtic Festival, August 17-19, The 9th Annual Celtic Festival includes a violin concert in Cowan Chapel at 4 pm and a fantastic traditional & grassroots concert at Union Church Sat. 8/18 at 8 pm (admission $20, students/kids $5, under 6 free, special seating $50), and Irish harp music at the Sunday service. Volunteers are needed all weekend! If you can help, call Sune Frederiksen at  248-0690, or email sune.ky@icloud.com.
Cool Opportunity! The City of Berea is sponsoring a three-day community building workshop called AIR:Shift from Aug. 17-19 at Berea City Hall. AIR:Shift, a program by Berea College, helps participants to transform their ideas about money, business, art, and how to combine them. The winning project will receive funding from the City of Berea. The cost is $25 thanks to a sponsorship from MACED. Register at https://bereaeconomicdevelopment.com/event/airshift, or call 859-302-1018.
Programs upcoming at the bell hooks Institute – all at the Institute, 300 Center St. at 4:00 pm:
· August 20 – On Family Homophobia, Sarah Schulman
· August 27 – Talks with bell hooks about his new novel, Silas House
· September 10 Identity Politics and Feminist Studies, Beverly Guy-Sheftall
· September 27 – White Men Engage Feminist Studies, Billie Korinko & Eric Carter
Bridge Classes. The Bridge Club will hold “Bridge for Beginners” classes every Friday from 1:00-2:-00 pm in the classroom. Join and learn to play! Also good for existing players who need to brush up on their skills (no charge). Then we play at 1:30!
CoCoDA visit August 29. At 5:45 pm, our CoCoDA Salvadoran friends, Ivan Villasboa and Yunior Gomez will visit Union Church. They will bring their wonderful expertise and slides to catch us up on what is going on in El Salvador and Nicaragua, the two regions in which CoCoDA works.
Especially of interest for us is the current situation in the El Roble village and its school project.  The water projects in various areas are moving along.  Student medical delegations have been learning and working in Suchitoto.  And there is always the thought of a delegation from our area going to El Salvador again and renewing our relationship with our friends there.  CoCoDA has been working on many projects. Food will be provided!  Bring interested friends as well as yourself for a great evening of catching up, good humor and renewal.
Berea Home Village Fundraiser Sept. 13. Berea Home Village presents “September Serenade” featuring The Jigs! Join them on September 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Churchills in Berea. Help them to continue to provide services for Berea Home Village members! Call Katie Heckman for more information or to purchase tickets at 859-985-0099.
Healing Arts Retreat Saturday, September 15, 8:30-5:30. Led by Donna Eder, this year retreatants will enjoy the centering and meditative movement of calligraphy, brush painting (bamboo), and Tai Chi. Chinese brush work is an ancient tradition which strengthens “chi,” while promoting sensi-tivity and an appreciation for simplicity. Advanced registration requested online at union-church.org or by calling the Union Church office, by September 8. Please bring a suggested $20 materials fee to the retreat (can be waived).  Adults only.  Limit 12.
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup. com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.