A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
“Kindle in my heart within a flame of Love.” ~Celtic Prayer
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
The Call
One: I will light a light in the name of the Maker who lit the world and breathed the breath of life for me.
All: I will light a light in the name of the Son who saved the world and stretched to his hand to me.
One: I will light a light in the name of the Spirit who encompasses the world and blesses my soul with yearning.
All: We will light three lights for the Trinity of love: God above us, God beside us, God beneath us; The Beginning, The End, the Everlasting One.
¨ Hymn Christ Be Beside Me Morning Has Broken
1. Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, king of my heart. Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me, never to part.
2. Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me, shield in the strife. Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, light of my heart.
3. Christ be in all hearts thinking about me, Christ be on all tongues telling of me. Christ be the vision in eyes that see me, in ears that hear me Christ ever be.
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Special Music Hornpipes: An Paistin Fionn/the Birds Bella Issakova & Randy Clepper
Scripture Lesson Genesis 45:1-15 Rev. Theresa Scherf, Reader
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?”
But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.
So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there–since there are five more years of famine to come–so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty. And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.”
Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
Children’s Moment Debbonnaire Kovacs
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.
Scripture Lesson Matthew 15:10-28 Diane Bailey, Reader
Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”
But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Music Jigs: Crabs in the Skillet/Statia Donnelly Bella Issakova & Randy Clepper
Reflection
Music Hornpipe/Reel: Jackie Tarr/House of Hamil Bella Issakova & Randy Clepper
Reflection
Music Operators piece: Bill O’Malley’s Waltz Bella Issakova & Randy Clepper
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.
Prayer Reflection Questions
Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8 is an alternative reading for this week. Verses 7b and 8 say, “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.”
As we celebrate the Celts, who have scattered all over the world, we can consider also all those peoples who have moved over the whole earth. On the world map rug at the front of the room, you are invited to place one or more pennies on the place or places where you know or suspect your ancestry to come from.
What are some of the stories, experiences, beliefs, and traditions that your people have spread in the communities where they have lived? Which of those do you choose to carry on with you?
Have you ever felt like an outcast, physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually? What does this promise of God, to gather the outcasts, mean to you? What are some ways that you can gather others who may be feeling outcast?
Offertory
As we come forward, our gifts are received for this common work together.
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
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Silent Prayers & Prayers of the Community
O Christ, we bow before you in this shelter-house of prayer once more to give you thanks. Together we gather, celebrating your presence in creation around us, in the flowing air, the fertile earth, the open hearts, and creative minds that fill our lives.
Here, our lives have crossed with yours. On this road, may all guests and family be fed, and may all find shelter this night. May you teach us to tend the sick and give comfort to all who are ill in body, mind or spirit. Help us turn back to the work of healing our families and our land from all that harms, and keep our vision clean and clear on the world of peace you call us to make.
Intersection of human and divine, cross-road of love, may we know your presence amidst all we do, and in knowing allow the knowledge to shape our deeds in ways pleasing to you. This we ask in your name and reaching to you now as you taught us by saying…
Our Lord’s Prayer
All: 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: We Depart
¨ Hymn Be Thou My Vision Slane
1. Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best Thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
2. Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord Mother and Father, thou art both to me, Thou in me dwelling, and I one with Thee.
3. Riches I heed not, nor life’s empty praise Thou mine Inheritance, now and always Thou and Thou only, first in my heart High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
4. High King of Heaven, my victory won May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Mae Street Kidd was born in Millersburg in 1904. After attending several segregated schools she enrolled at the Lincoln Institute, a boarding school for Black students.
During World War II, Kidd served in England with the Red Cross, had a long career with the Mammoth Life and Accident Insurance Company, and worked tirelessly in the Civil Rights Movement. Her activism and civic leadership led her to the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1968 to 1984, and she became the first woman elected secretary of the Democratic caucus.
Kidd was also instrumental in introducing legislation for the Kentucky Fair Housing Act, enacting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a state holiday, and ensuring the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to U.S. Constitution.
In 1948 Kidd was credited with organizing Louisville’s first Urban League Guild which supported the National Urban League, and she was awarded the prestigious NAACP Unsung Heroine Award.
Historical Marker #2147 in Millersburg celebrates her life and legacy, and after her death in 1999 she was interred at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville.
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response Woyaya (We Will Get There)
Please sing as you form our larger circle. We will sing it twice so that we may fully see each other and sing at the same time.
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of the Liberia and Sierra Leone; and our brothers & sisters at Liberty Avenue Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ Prayers for 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 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: Jan Hamilton, Doug Hindman, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Tom & Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Tom Parker, Tina’s father and Iris & Opal’s grandfather, has transitioned to hospice care. He will remain at Morning Pointe.
¨ A.J. Bodnar, recovering from a serious bicycle accident.
¨ Loyal Jones, in hospice care. His daughter, Susan, reports he’d love to hear from friends. His address is 200 Tabernacle Rd. L-205; Black Mountain; NC; 28711.
¨ Rita Barlow, receiving care at home.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Annriette Stolte, who has had a fall and broken several ribs. She’d love cards and calls from Union friends: 579 Alexian Way #417, South Signal Mountain, TN, 37377; 859-200-6954
¨ John Hosp, John & Peggy Coyne’s son-in-law’s brother. He had a heart attack at 43 and has been in ICU for stints and blood clots.
¨ Doug Hindman, at Baptist Health Richmond.
¨ Jerry Cooper, recovering from surgery.
¨ James Stephens, Charlie Hoffman’s brother-in-law, suffering with cancer and having major surgery on Aug. 15.
¨ Prayer request for healing from Jo, received online.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ John Stanley & Heather Lundy former Union Church members & still beloved friends, as John recovers from a stroke.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today, August 20 – Pearl Marshall, Sean Mack; 21 – Kayleena Ward; 22 – Rob Wescott; 23 – Alvera Perman; 24 – Sylvia From; 26 – John Culp, Robert Rorrer, Jennifer Elam
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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