A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
Deep Peace of the running waves to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the smiling stars to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the watching shepherd to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. ~ Celtic Blessing
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude The Snowy Path/ Humours of Ballymanus Mark Kelly/trad. Jeni Balcom, Celtic Harp
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship Sue Peterson Blyth, Reader
One: I arise to life today, I arise to light and love.
All: I arise to life today through the love of God above.
One: I arise to life today through Christ our risen lord.
All: I arise to life today with energy for each hour. I arise to life today in the Holy Spirit’s power.
One: Risen Christ, come. Raise the fallen, strengthen the weak, support the weary. Give peace to the troubled, comfort to the anxious. Uplift all who are down, give wholeness and healing. Be with us now in this hour, and forever in our lives. Risen Christ, come as we rise to you.
~ from Celtic Prayers by David Abrams
¨ Opening Hymn #83 I Sing as I Arise Today Seed of Life
1 I sing as I arise today! I call on my Creator’s might: the will of God to be my guide, the eye of God to be my sight,
2 The word of God to be my speech,the hand of God to be my stay, the shield of God to be my strengthh, the path of God to be my way.
3 Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: O God, gladly we live and move and have our being in you.
Yet always in the midst of this creation glory
we see sin’s shadow and feel death’s darkness:
Around us in the earth, sea and sky, the abuse of matter;
Beside us in the broken, the hungry and the poor,
the betrayal of one another;
And often, deep within us, a striving against your Spirit.
All: O Trinity of love, forgive us that we may forgive one another, heal us that we may be people of healing, and renew us that we also may be makers of peace.
In the Christ’s name we pray: Amen.
~From the Iona Community Worship Book, Glasgow, Scotland (c) 1991
¨ Words of Assurance
One: In God’s mercy, from death comes life, from darkness comes light, and from confession comes transformation:
All: To all and to each, where regret is real, God pronounces pardon and grants us the right to begin again.
~From the Iona Community Worship Book, Glasgow, Scotland (c) 1991
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Special Music The Swan LK243 Catriona McKay Jeni Balcom, Celtic Harp
Scripture Reading 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Then David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established. Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dreamby night, and God said, “Ask what I should give you.”
And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you, and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?”
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or for the life of your enemies but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you, and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day, for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which the ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Sermon Tied in Knots Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
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.
Offertory Sheep in the Boat trad. Jeni Balcom, Celtic Harp
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
Celtic Knots: “Bind Unto Me This Day…”
An ancient Celtic formula of prayer implores God to “bind” to us those things that are valorous and honorable, protective, and worthy.
An 8th century petition known as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” provides an example (see the artistic rendering of it here in the sanctuary by local artist, Debbonnaire Kovacs).
In prayer today, meditate on what you are bound to and bound up in. Perhaps there are things that should be untied and let go? Read this prayer inspired by Christian sources from the British Isles:
Bind unto me, O God, your presence.
Bind unto me wisdom within, unknot and keep folly out;
Bind unto me joy within, unknot and keep bitterness out;
Bind unto me generosity within, unknot and keep greed out;
Bind unto me love within, unknot and keep self-seeking out;
Bind unto me light within, unknot and keep darkness out.
Bind unto me strength within, unknot and keep weariness out;
Bind unto me hope within, unknot and keep despair out;
Bind unto me truth within, unknot and keep falsehood out;
Bind unto me compassion within, unknot and keep hard-heartedness out;
Bind unto me love within, unknot and keep hatred out;
Bind unto me wholeness within, unknot and keep sickness out;
Bind unto me hope within, unknot and keep despair out;
Bind unto me peace within, unknot and keep turmoil out;
Tied to you, Help me to see the truth and to turn away from falsehood;
Bound in your love, help me learn compassion and leave hard- heartedness behind;
Woven in grace, help me find the courage to unthread all evil;
Wrapped in mercy, may I show your love in a world filled with hate;
Encircled by Christ, the light of the world, help me to see your light in the darkness. Amen.
If one or more of these lines speaks to you, you are invited to pray by holding in your mind that which you would like to loosen, and what instead you would rather be bound to.
Meditate on what you need to make such binding and unbinding true in your life. Ask for all you need, and inventory allies and resources already blessing you.
When you are ready, physically UNTIE the knotted string included in your bulletin, representing that which is not to be kept. Now, make your way to the prayer station table near the Christ Candle. Choose a special Celtic knot to represent the qualities you have prayed to be bound to. This can be knotted onto your string and kept as a reminder of your prayer.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
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¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403.
¨ Doxology Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost! Amen.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community Sue Peterson Blyth, Reader
Great author of life and lord of sea and sky, your presence is threaded through our lives. Secure in your people the ties that bind us to you and to each other. Bind us to Wisdom, however tangled in the world we may become, and unthread the fears and folly we find there.
Yours is the healing way. Yours is the power of life over death. Yours is the strength of mountain and sea to withstand and carry our burdens. Bind unto us this day the hope of your heart and the sight of your eyes. Interwoven with your Spirit and knotted tightly to you, we pray we may ever seek and serve you with wisdom and joy.
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 #451 Be Now My Vision Slane
1 Be Thou my Vision, O God of my heart Nothing surpasses the love you impart You my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, your presence my light.
2 Be now my Wisdom, and be my true Word Ever within me, my soul is assured Mother and Father, you are both to me, Now and forever your child I will be.
3 Riches I need not, nor life’s empty praise you, my inheritance, now and always; You and you only are first in my heart, Great God, may we never part.
4 Sovereign of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
We light this candle today to honor Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr., former Tribal Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Dr. Nosie, who specializes in Bioethics, Sustainability and Global Public Health, is an activist who has founded numerous organizations to benefit Native Americans. He has been recognized by the National Council of Churches from New York City for his accomplishments in Indian Country as a leader of spirituality among youth and organizing many events for over fifteen years, which includes having worldwide participation of sacred runs in protection of Native American culture, tradition and heritage.
Nosie is founder of Apache Stronghold, San Carlos, Arizona, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community organization of individuals who come together in unity to battle continued colonization, defend Holy sites and freedom of religion, and are dedicated to building a better community through neighborhood programs and civic engagement.
Apache Stronghold is currently engaged in a cross country prayer journey “to stop the shattering of human existence and to protect Mother Earth”. The prayer journey began in the Lummi Nation, north of Seattle, in July, and it will conclude on September 11, 2024 when the Apache Stronghold files their appeal at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, with stops along the way visiting tribes and supporters for prayer and ceremony. One of those stops is in Lexington on August 29. The Mission and Service Board is providing transportation to Lexington departing from the Church at 5:00pm. Contact Tennant Kirk if you are interested in attending – tykirk53@gmail.com
Read more about Dr. Nosie: facingrace.raceforward.org/speaker/dr-wendsler-nosie-sr
The Joy of Welcoming New Members
Partnership & Purpose
Today presents an opportunity to covenant together! All who would like to are welcome to join the church family – you will be received in joy.
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨ Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends 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.
¨ Benediction The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer. Let us hold the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone; and our brothers and sisters at Liberty Avenue Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. 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 affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, John Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ For all those caring for others in their illnesses and needs: may God give them both strength and encourage-ment in this work of costly love.
¨ Erikke Meadows’ mom, Prudy Meadows, with COPD.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ Laura Nagle, recovering from a broken leg.
¨ Prayer for a restored and renewed sense of integrity in all public officials and work: that justice may be louder than greed; fair and good governance a blessing to all people, not the favored few.
¨ John Payne is at The Terrace in Berea and would love visits and cards! 1043 Brooklyn Blvd., Berea.
¨ Joy Frazier is recovering from a stroke. Cards and notes can be sent to 3660 Central Ave. #250, Columbus, IN, 47203.
¨ The family and friends of Barbara Prairie, at her death early last week. Services will be held in Cincinnati, details shared when we know them.
¨ Larry Brandenburg and all the family, at the passing of his mother, Naomi Brandenburg.
¨ Mary Ellen Sarafin, Betty’s sister, suffering from cirrhosis.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: August 20 – Sean Mack; 21 – Kayleena Ward; 22 – Rob Wescott; 23 – Alvera Perman; 24 – Sylvia From; 26 – John Culp, Jennifer Elam; Robert Rorrer
Anniversaries: August 18 – Dave & Lisa Shroyer, Tim Monroe & Cheryl Nixon; 19 – Larry & Iris Brandenburg, Jeff & Jennifer Melton
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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