A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
“We are not meant to be as separated as we have become from those who have gone before us and those who will come after.” ~ Madeleine L’Engle, ‘Walking On Water’
Prelude Variations on “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Raymond Haan Larry Brandenburg, Organist today
Welcome
From There to Here: We Gather
¨ The Call Maggie Park, Reader
One: We open our second week of sharing our faith stories with these words from Psalm 1: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on God’s law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Today, let us worship the God in whose Light we grow tall, in whose Love we sink our roots, and by whose grace we bear fruit and prosper.
¨ Hymn #313 Black Like a Tree Beside the Waters Silver Creek
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession Carla Gilbert
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ Passing the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Announcements
Lighting the Justice Candle
Sadako Sasaki (佐々木 禎子), who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 when she was two years old, developed leukemia at age 12. She started folding origami cranes, following ancient Japanese lore that folding 1,000 cranes would grant a wish. According to her brother, Sadako folded more than 1,000 cranes before she died in October of 1955. Cranes she folded have been donated to significant places, including Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and the 9/11 memorial in New York.
After Sadako’s death, her friends and schoolmates raised funds for a memorial to all the children who died from the effects of the atomic bomb. A statue of Sadako at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is accompanied by a plaque that reads, “This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on Earth.” According to the City of Hiroshima, each year approximately 10 million cranes contributed from around the world are displayed at the Children’s Peace Monument.
Word And Worship
Epistle Lesson Hebrews 12:1-2 Maggie Park, Reader
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our First Story of Faith Maggie Park
Please join in singing:
May God’s blessing 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.
Gospel Lesson Luke 12:49-56
‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’
He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Our Second Story of Faith Bob Boyce
Our Third Story of Faith Betty Hibler
Visual Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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.
Offering Music Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring J.S Bach
offered in celebration of Larry & Iris Brandenburgs’ 50th wedding anniversary
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier.
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Community Prayer Maggie Park, Reader
God of justice, your word is light and truth. Let your face shine on us to restore us, that we may walk in your way, seeking justice and doing good. Open our ears to hear your word and draw us closer to you, that the whole world may be one with you as you are one with us. Hear us as we pray these words…
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 Send Down the Fire Marty Haugen
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
¨ Benediction
Postlude Trumpet Tune David Lasky
(you are welcome to be seated and enjoy the Postlude)
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. Let us hold the people of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger; and our brothers & sisters at Silver Creek Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 16,400 Kentucky residents, and 288 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty, and especially those in the city of Nikolaev where the family of former Berea International student daughter of Kevin and Carla, Yulia live. 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 seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Dorie Hubbard, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Congrats to Betsy Hoefer returning to McCready Manor from her lengthy rehab.
¨ Keith Gilbertson, suffering from a serious illness of unknown origin. May God’s healing come swiftly.
¨ The families and friends and for all the emergency responders to the floods in our Eastern counties: that safety return, that homes be rebuilt, that all needed help will come.
¨ Joy Frazier, who moved to be nearer family – 3660 Central Ave. #250; Columbus; IN; 47203
¨ Richmond Rosen, recovering well from surgery.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Hazel Morris, being treated for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
¨ Michelle, beloved nurse at Morning Pointe, undergoing treatment for cancer.
¨ Jess Burton & Jake Graber and their little girl, Lila, who has serious gastric issues.
¨ Dan & Donna Brewer, recovering from injuries sustained in a car wreck.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays: Today, August 14 – Alice White; Aug. 17 – Kim Kobersmith, Meaghan Catlett; 20 – Pearl Marshall, Sean Mack; 21 – Kayleena Ward
Anniversaries: August 18 – Dave & Lisa Shroyer; 19 – Larry & Iris Brandenburg – 50th!!
Announcements
Children are welcome in the service, or you can stay with them in the nursery.
No Nursery Attendant while we are in the “Red.” We’re keeping an eye on it, as is everyone! As soon as it’s safe, we’ll go back to offering nursery care during services.
Response to Devastating Floods
Our hearts are breaking for our brothers and sisters in Eastern Kentucky with the devastating floods this week. Tens of thousands of people throughout several counties have lost everything including family members. Evacuation continues and more rain is expected next week.
The Mission and Service Board is quickly responding to this desperate need by donating $1000.00 to the Appalachian Kentucky Crisis Fund. We urge the congregation to match this amount. You can help with a designated gift through Union Church or the following relief efforts; or any that you know of:
Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky Crisis Fund at bit.ly/AppCrisisAid
EKY Flood Relief https://secure.kentucky.gov/FormServices/Finance/EKYFloodRelief
Opportunities to Serve
The Nominating Board is looking for members of the Union Church community to serve on these Boards:
· Faith Development position filled!
· Mission & Service position filled!
· Nurture & Care — maybe YOU?!
· Pastoral Relations position filled!
Please call/email the church office or email/text Rachel Lakes (859.582.6646, rachel.robertslakes@gmail.com) for more information or to express interest.
Celtic Festival August 18-21!
Union Church supports the Berea Celtic Festival with Concert and Special Service
The Berea Celtic Service will once again hold a festival concert at Union Church on Saturday, August 20, and Union Church will host a special Celtic Worship Service on Sunday morning, August 21 with guest harpeist, Jeni Balcom. There are many other events and there are still volunteer spots open if you’d like a wonderful experience and the chance to promote some great music. Call Sune Frederiksen at 859-248-0690 . Even a single hour or two volunteering is a great help!
Madison County is in the CDC’s RED range regarding Covid cases. These are the protocols we’ll follow:
· Congregants recommended to stay up to date with vaccinations.
· Stay home when sick. Follow KY state quarantine and isolation guidance.
· Indoor mask use with N95, KN95, or surgical mask is required.
· No choir.
· Masked and distanced groups of up to 25 can meet in the community room and up to 50 in the sanctuary. All other meeting spaces closed. If you have a meeting scheduled in-person, it’ll have to move to the Community Room for the duration.
· Balcony closed for seating.
· Cleaning is necessary between groups.
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