Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

August 25, 2019            10:30 am

Meditation
Do you bow your head when you
pray or do you look
up into that blue space?
Take your choice, prayers fly from
all directions.
—Mary Oliver, except from Whistling Swans
 

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 “t.”
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     Prelude on Lobe den Herren  John Walther
The Call               Wendell Berry
Sabbath Poem X
Whatever is foreseen in joy
Must be lived out from day to day.
Vision held open in the dark
By our ten thousand days of work.
Harvest will fill the barn; for that
The hand must ache, the face must sweat.
And yet no leaf or grain is filled
By work of ours; the field is tilled
And left to grace. That we may reap,
Great work is done while we’re asleep.
When we work well, a Sabbath mood
Rests on our day, and finds it good
¨  Hymn #22 Black Sing Praise to God, Who Has Shaped            Lobe den Herren
¨  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

Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       Isaiah 58:9b-14 (p. 875)
Guidance for ordinary men and women to do God’s work in the world.
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 13:10-17 (p. 1254)
A woman whose back is terribly misshapen encounters Jesus. He has great compassion for her, healing her of her affliction.
Sermon     Rest and Resistance    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.
This week, Rev. Nate will lead us in a guided meditation.
What are some ways we can catch ourselves, take a breath, and seek the deeper meanings (if any) behind the rituals, habits, and routines we do simply because “we’ve always done them that way”? (Hint: we’re not just talking about church!)
What does honoring the Sabbath look like to you?“Shabat” means “cease.” In what ways do you feel that taking a break is an act of resistance? What forces in your life does sabbath resist?
How might we work on behalf of those who don’t have the opportunity to rest and recover?
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 #175 Black          O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come Kentridge
¨  The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated)   Paeon  John Marsh
_________________________________
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 Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal and our brothers and sisters at Bethel 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.
¨ Dean Jacobs, Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, who recently had brain surgery.
¨ Cheryl Moore, with family members struggling with health issues: Larry O’Hara in hospice care and  Rob Unterberger with lung cancer.
¨ Larry Brandenburg’s mom, recovering from a broken hip.
¨ The evergreen on the altar is in memory of Tom Boyd, and a reminder that God’s love is ever green.
¨ Beth Sims, for healing. Prayer request received online.
Announcements
Learn more about the church today! 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.
Last day to buy tickets for the Quilt Raffle! Today is the final day to purchase raffle tickets for the tow children’s quilts. The drawing for the winning tickets will take place on Sept. 8. You do not have to be present to win. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this fundraiser for Samuel’s Kids in Uganda.
September 4 – Plan on attending a monthly First Wednesday of the Month Potluck, in the Community Room at 5:45 pm. Bring a dish to share – come for food & fellowship! Students, you are our guests – no need to bring anything.
Thrivent Members – We are making plans to raise awareness around our 2019 5-4-3-2-1 Vision and our relationship with Thrivent Financial. If you are willing to tell Dave Kobersmith you are a Thrivent Member he would like to talk to you about the possibility of using an Action Team that is available to you as a member. For reasons of confidentiality, Thrivent Financial representatives cannot tell church staff who are Thrivent members but you can – if you are willing – let me know. I can help you use your Action Team or Choice Dollars to help Union Church programs or other non-profit programs if you wish. Thanks, Dave Kobersmith, Church Admin-istrator, 859-986-3725 or davek@union-church.org.
Music Program is Starting Up!! 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.
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.

There’s LOTS Coming up…. Mark your Calendars &  Watch for Details!

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 Sunday
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)