A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Youth Sunday August 23, 2015, 10:30 am
Meditation
“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”
—Dom Helder Camara
From there to here
Prelude When I Can Read My Title Clear arr. Mark Hayes
* Call to Worship written by Chris and Grace McKenzie
One: We gather, led by our youth,
All: questioning current structures,
One: looking for the scripts of our lives that need to be rewritten,
All: trying to find the tables that need to be flipped, so everyone can join the feast.
One: Let the searching begin!
All: Let us worship God!
* Opening Hymn #5 Praise to God Sakura
* Prayer of Approach & Confession Presentation by the Youth Group
* Words of Assurance Summer Richmond
* Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 joy.
The Word in our Midst
Special Music I’ll Fly Away arr. Mark Hayes Gabe Evans
Gospel Lesson Matthew 21:12-17
Middle-Aged Moment Kayleena Ward & Sunni Walters
As the beloved elders 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 Middle-Aged Moment, children are welcome to return to their seats or follow volunteers to the front entrance of the sanctuary to the Children’s Worship Center, where there are 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 off the Community Room.
Epistle Lesson James 2:14-18
Time of Testimony Revolution Members of the Youth Group
Hymn of Reflection Canticle of the Turning Rory Cooney
Gifts Given for Love to Flow
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 to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular. Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
The youth are requesting a special offering for Bread for the World, which is working to turn the tables of the political systems so that they might care about the hungry.
Offertory
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
Praying it Forward
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 inJapan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community Della Walters
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
* Closing Hymn #12 I Sing the Mighty Power of God Ellacombe
* Benediction & Sending Forth Abi Woodie
Postlude (please be seated) A Trumpet Fancy L. Nelson
____________________
* Please rise in body or in spirit as you wish
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 Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and our brothers and sisters at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin
* Former president Jimmy Carter, diagnosed with cancer
* Marlene Payne and her family, in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The cards and letters are much appreciated.
* Loriel Warren, recovering well from back surgery and very thankful for food and visits
* Rhonda Owens, recovering well from surgery – and cancer-free!
* Jay Long, brother of Elizabeth Long, with pancreatic cancer
* Sharona Nelson has a new grandson! Baby and mom doing fine after an emergency C section.
* Berea College students, staff and faculty, as they begin a new academic year
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.
Happy Birthday, Rev. Rachel!!
Learn more about the church NEXT WEEK right after worship. If you’re thinking about joining, but have some questions, come to a new membership info session!
Anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board. New members are received every second Sunday of a month—next opportunity is September 13. YOU are welcome here!
Hymn Sing tonight in Cowan Chapel! 7:00 pm-8:30 pm ~ Cowan Chapel (All Ages Welcome!) Like to sing, just for fun? Come to Cowan Chapel tonight for a “traditional” hymn-sing led by the Union Church music staff.
God on the Quad today, 3-5 pm! Every year, the Willis D. Weatherford Campus Christian Center invites local churches to meet incoming students with this event, held in front of Hutchins Library. Rev. Rachel and other church members participate—stop by and say hi!
Check out the flower chart on the back bulletin board — sign up to bring some pretties from your garden, florist, special occasion, etc.
We Want YOU! Choirs are starting back up this week — Come Join!
August 26, 7-8 pm Union Church Handbell Ensemble
August 27, 6:15—7:45 pm Union Church Chancel Choir
Church Bazaar, Sat. August 29! Raffles! Bake sale! Food on the lawn! Live music! Junque! Bring donations to the former Nursery off the Community Room. Baked goods, jams, welcome too.
Volunteer for the Bazaar! We are trying a new scheduling system for church events: VolunteerSpot. Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps (there is also an app for smartphone and tablet users called “Volunteer Spot Clipboard”):
1) Click this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/81ScT4
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot.
Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Jack Marshall at jack.a.marshall@gmail.com
Wednesday Night Live is coming back! We will gather at 5:45 on Wednesday, Sept 2, with a POTLUCK. Bring something that reminds you of something you did this summer. (Try to not bring ONLY tomatoes!!) If you have a picture of your summer, bring that, too. (Email electronic photos to Rev. Rachel at rsmallstokes@union-church.org.)
Children’s choir, handbells, and youth will all be back in action, too! Save the date! This might be different from other dates you’ve heard, but this is it!
Church member with an opportunity! Toby Wilcher has gotten an Individual Development Account from the KY Domestic Violence Association that will provide her with a matching grant to get a car. Please call her at 859-353-2901 if you have any info, advice, tips, cheap cars, etc. Thanks for your help!
If you’re a member of Kroger Community Rewards, you must re-enroll sometime during the month of August. That can be done at www.Kroger.com/communityrewards. Prefer phone? In August, enrolled supporters that need help re-enrolling can call 1-800-KROGERS, Option #3, for assistance. Also, any new supporters can also call 1-800-KROGERS, Option #3, for assistance in enrolling the first time if needed.
Special Call to Help Feed Our Neighbors: Did you know that many Bereans will face an extra challenge in feeding their families this August and September? As Kentucky’s EBT system (formerly known as “food stamps”) makes changes to its calendar, some families will have to find ways to feed their children for a week longer than usual.
You can make a financial contribution to the FRYSC, and staff will convert your dollars into filling meals for families who are facing food shortages. Your donation is tax deductible.
Write a check to Berea FRYSC and be sure to mark “family meals” in your memo line. You can mail that check to Berea FRYSC, 3 Pirate Parkway, Berea, KY 40403. Call Jenny Hobson at 893-1075 or email jenny.hobson @berea.kyschools.us
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