Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 18, 2019 10:30 am
Meditation
Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves…Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer. —Rainer Maria Rilke
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 Apres un reve Faure
Danielle VanFleet, piano; Katy VanFleet, violin
The Call Ted Loder
Empower us
To be bold participants,
Rather than timid saints in waiting,
In the difficult ordinariness of now;
To exercise the authority of honesty;
Rather than to defer to power,
Or deceive to get it;
To influence someone for justice,
Rather than impress anyone for gain;
And, by grace, to find treasures
Of joy, of friendship, of peace
Hidden in the fields of the daily
You give us to plow.
¨ Opening Hymn #376 Black God We Thank You for Our People Holy Manna
¨ 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
Anthem The Snowy Path Mark Kelly
Jeni Balcom, harp
Epistle Lesson Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (p. 1474)
The Letter to the Hebrews recounts the stories of the great heroes of faith who endured much suffering. Their witness emboldens us today in our living of the faith.
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 are welcome to return to their seats. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) 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 Luke 12:49-56(p. 1253)
Jesus declares that his startling mission is to cast fire upon the earth and to divide families, saying that he has come to work remarkable change in the world.
Sermon Family Friendly Rev. Nate Craddock
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.
Acts of Reflection and Prayer
Some resources for reflection and prayer are provided. You are free to use – or ignore – these prompts as you find helpful. In whatever prayer manner you adopt, please hold the concerns of those listed, and those you know about, in God’s peace-giving light.
What are some of the gifts, talents, and characteristics you have received from your elders? How have these rooted you? What are some legacies you hope to pass on to your descendants? Are there specific things you do now to try to plant those seeds into younger family members?What are the fruits of these legacies that you have seen in your life so far?
Bell Table Roots and branches: On the bell table you will find strips of tissue paper. You are invited to write or draw on the papers a few of the gifts that you have received from your ancestors, and tie them on the tree.
Community Sharing Table Fruits: Bring fruits and vegetables, either fresh from your garden or commercially canned. Ponder the fruits you have received and shared in spiritual ways.
Prayer Corner Some legacies from our ancestors are painful or hard to live with. Come here to spend some time seeking to make peace with those troubled spots in your spirit.
Children’s Corner Take a paper cup, put in a peat pellet with the hole pointing up, and poke a bean down into that hole. You may take the bean home with you to watch it grow. As you care for it, think about the ways God is growing your soul.
Special Music The Swan Catriona McKay
Jeni Balcom, harp
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat. 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 good 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)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Please sing when invited: Metta Prayer (opposite)
Pastoral Prayer and 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
Hymn #576 Black For the Healing of the Nations Westminster Abbey
Danielle VanFleet, piano; Katy VanFleet, violin
¨ The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated) This Little Light of Mine trad.
Danielle VanFleet, piano; Katy VanFleet, violin
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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 Liberia and Sierra Leone and our brothers and sisters at Berea Baptist Church in 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.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ For Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ In thanksgiving for those students, teachers, parents, lawmakers, and citizens who are witnessing and working to end gun violence in our society. May laws that help be passed; may hearts that are broken be healed; may all who are in danger be kept safe.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Marie, 4-year-old great grand niece of Dorie Hubbard, being treated for cancer.
¨ Judy Rowell, recovering at home.
¨ Dean Jacobs, Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, who recently had brain surgery.
¨ Cheryl Moore, who has several family members struggling with health issues: Larry O’Hara in hospice care, Rob Unterberger with lung cancer, and Hunter Lamb, undergoing medical tests.
¨ Larry Brandenburg’s mom, who has broken her hip after a fall.
¨ The family of Charles Wesley, longtime church member (since 1964), who passed away Tuesday. The evergreen on the altar symbolizes God’s love, which is ever green. A service will be held here Saturday, August 24, 10 am in Cowan Chapel.
¨ Cheryl Caruso Payne, recovering from surgery.
Announcements
God on the Quad today. This is our opportunity to welcome Berea College freshmen and let them know that their neighbors at Union Church are glad they’re here. There are two ways you can help:
1) COOKIES!! Bring cookies or other portable treats to the kitchen this afternoon by 1:45.
2) VOLUNTEER!! We will meet at church at 2 and walk over to set up on the quad on campus. The event lasts from 3-4:30. You could help set up, pack up, or be there in the middle to meet the students.
Learn more about the church next week! Come One, Come All! Each fourth Sunday of the month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, are invited to come to the Classroom, past the office at the end of the hall, and join in conversation with the Community Life and Growth Board after worship.
Shirley Carlberg has had to step back from Wednesday Nite Live… it’s in the middle of a re-creation process. For now, please plan on attending a monthly First Wednesday of the Month Potluck, beginning with September 4. 5:45 pm, in the Community Room. Students, you are our guests — no need to bring anything.
Temporary Kitchen Manager Needed: We are hiring a temporary 3-hour / week position for a Kitchen Manager to prepare food for the youth group every Wednesday, help with set-up and clean-up for Wednesday Nite Live potlucks, and keep the kitchen clean and organized. This position will begin immediately, and is budgeted through the end of December. $15/hour. Must have dependable transportation and be able to commit to every Wednesday. Please pick up an application in the church office or request one by email – office@union-church.org. Applications are due by Wednesday 8/21.
Youth Group begins Wednesday! Are you a person in 6th-12th grade? Do you know someone in 6th-12th grade? Union Church’s Youth Group is a great place to be! Wednesdays, beginning August 21, come to the Community Room for a light supper at 5:45 and then we’ll head upstairs to the 3rd floor Youth Room to meet until about 8. Chris McKenzie and Maggie Park are the leaders. We share fellowship and faith, take on current issues and bond over mission work and sharing good & bad times together. YOU would be very welcome here.
Bible Study has a new time: Thursdays at 10:30 am in the Conference Room. “In the beginning was the Word,” and Union Church has a long-standing Bible Study in which the upcoming Word of the next Sunday’s Bible texts are explored, looking at their context as well as seeking to understand their relevance in our personal lives and in the world. Sometimes, the pastor actually gets materials for the sermon. Join us! We look forward to welcoming you to our Bible Study led by Rev. Carla Gilbert and others.
Music Ministries Potluck in the Community Room August 22, 6:30 pm! Open to all, this will be a time of fun and fellowship. You will have an opportunity to meet current Union Church choir members, handbell ringers, orchestra members and your music staff! Think you might like to join one of the groups? Come talk about it & share some fellowship – no pressure!
Music Program Update!! Handbell Choir begins August 28, 7 pm. Beginning August 29, our NEW Orchestra will meet Thursdays at 5:30 pm. Join us, no matter what you play – from violins to ukulele, from drums to guitars! Vocal Choir also begins August 29, 6:45 pm. All rehearsals in the 3rd floor Choir Room and YOU are very welcome to join them!
Drum Break Thursdays at noon, Aug. 29 – Sept. 19, Room 101. No charge, donations appreciated. Relieve stress, build community, improve immune response, and HAVE FUN in this lunch-time group drumming activity! Official program lasts from 12-12:30, followed by free time to jam and visit. Drums provided, but if you have one to use or share, please bring it. No musical experience required. Emphasis is on inclusive creative expression, and activities can be adapted for a range of ages and abilities. Drop-ins welcome, but please register ahead if possible, especially if accommodations are needed. Bring a brownbag lunch if you wish.
Facilitator Rachel Dorroh is trained in the HealthRHYTHMS protocol and can be reached for registration and questions at racheldorroh@outlook.com or (859)985-8724.
Bamboo Painting Retreat—Saturday, September 7, 9-12, in the Classroom on the office level. Led by Donna Eder, this retreat will be an introduction to bamboo painting. Since many people have their own materials there will be no fee for this retreat—bring what you have and let me know what you might need in the way of brushes, ink, or paper. Chinese brush work is an ancient tradition which strengthens “chi”, while promoting sensitivity and an appreciation for simplicity. Advanced registration requested by contacting Donna at eder@indiana.edu or 859-868-1142.
Music Quilt Raffle! Check out the two beautiful children’s quilts in the back of sanctuary hand stitched by Jo Wernegreen. Raffle proceeds will benefit Samuel’s Kids. Buy tickets after worship – $2 each or 6 for $10 – in the vestibule!
Several in the church have asked if it is possible to write to Jack Marshall at the Madison County Detention Center. The best way is a new electronic email system available to prisoners. Cost of a message is $0.50 and requires that you register at https://www.smartjailmail.com. Select the Madison County Detention Center from the list, then search for “John Marshall” and a request to open messaging will be sent. You must buy a minimum $5 of message credits, but you can transfer a credit so he can write back without incurring additional fees.
Letters to Jack need to have his proper name: “John Marshall” followed by his jacket number: #206801. Send to 2901 Richmond Rd., Suite 140-322, Lexington, KY 40509.
Recycling info: paper recycling isn’t picked up curbside in Berea anymore, but you don’t have to send it to the landfill. You can bring it – and other recyclables – to the Richmond/Madison Recycling Center on Recycling Road. Take the road between Lowe’s and Aldi over railroad tracks & bear right, than a right onto Recycle Dr.
They accept:
- Corrugated cardboard
- Paper board, such as cereal boxes, gift boxes
- Newsprint
- Mixed paper such as office paper, wrapping paper, magazines, and ads such as fliers
- Plastics (all numbers)
- Plastic bags
- Steel & aluminum cans
- NO styrofoam
- NO glass
Please separate into categories.
There’s LOTS Coming up…. Mark your Calendars & Watch for Details!
August 21 Youth Group starts (Supper 5:45, meet in 3rd Floor Youth Room at 6:30)
August 22 Music Potluck, Community Room, all welcome (6:30 pm)
August 28 Handbell Ensemble rehearsals begin (7:00 pm)
August 29 NEW Orchestra (5:30 pm) & Vocal Choir (6:45 pm) rehearse
September 4 First First Wednesday-of-the-Month Potluck (5:45 pm)
September 7 Bamboo Painting Retreat (9:00 am – noon)
September 8 ReKindle the Spirit Day
September 9 Classic Chorale Begins (7:00 pm). Contact Larry Brandenburg if interested larkburg@gmail.com
September 12 Community Life & Growth Back-to-School Potluck in the Park (5:45 pm)
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