A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
You must have courage to love, you have to have a profound will to do what is right to love, and it does not come easy. ~bell hooks
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship How to Be a Poet Dr. Pamela Chabora, Reader
¨ Opening Hymn How Lovely, Lord Duba, Hopson
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¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Let us pray together to be truly free of all that keeps us from God and our best selves:
All: Lord, we seek your wholeness for ourselves and for the world we make in your creation. We confess that we have done so much wrong, shattered hopes and broken promises, and have too often performed the spiritual “hit and run.”
We seek repair. We seek restoration. We offer repentance for what we have not done well and we ask your forgiveness and your help.
Help us do the hard things for the better way and in your mercy grant us the ability to live free by the grace of Jesus and all he teaches us. In his name we pray: Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: Even in the hard realization of our misgivings and mistakes, there is hope. Christ promises forgiveness of sins and courage in the struggle to transform both self and world. Receive this good news and accept the joy and challenge of such transformation, for all who seek will find, and all who come are made new in Jesus’ way. Thanks be God for a love like that!
All: Amen!
¨ 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
Anthem I Believe Mark Miller
Combined Choir: Union Church Choir & Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington
I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining.
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it.
I believe in God even when God is silent.
Scripture Reading Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah. Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed. For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
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 Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.
Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Pray also for me, so that when I speak a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
Sermon The Sword or the Shield 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 By the Waters Dave Perry, Jean Perry Combined Choir
Union Church Choir & Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington
By the waters of Babylon, we sat down and wept. When we remembered you, O Zion, we sat down and wept.
Sing the songs of Zion. Sing of Jerusalem. Sing in a far and lonely land. Hallelujah! Ah, we remembered. Sing a hymn of the land we love.
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.
What Shields you? What Protects? Paul’s metaphors in Ephesians beg the question, “What really DOES strengthen and protect me in all the challenges and struggles?”
As you take time to “dwell in the presence of the Divine” today, explore what your helmets and shields are in this moment.
Missing something?
Not feeling the level of protection you wish for?
Go deep and breathe through any worry or anxiety and see if you can identify the right metaphor and the path to living it.
Laying Down the Sword… In the temptation to protect with aggression, even violence, even the instruments of peace can become weapons harming others. If zeal or other blindness has turned your blessings into bombs, you are not alone. Prayerfully meditate on the hows and whens of this in your life. Now or in a quiet time to come, rehearse what it would look like to “lay down your sword,” or to “beat it into a plough.” You might imagine a physical action to symbolize your resolve. Ask for what you need to make your intent a reality.
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.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”).
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
¨ 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 Dr. Pamela Chabora, Reader
Lord of heavens and earth, Lord of bone and blood, we join all created beings in thanksgiving for your care and blessing. So, too, we join to ask you to wrap your protection around your world.
Shield and defend those who are victims of so much greed, too much violence, and an abundance of indifference. Lift those whose dwell in despair or pain. Shelter in us the hope of better ways and prosper in us the healing of neighbors and nations. In our human affairs, break the sword of idolatrous self-righteousness and help us don the helmet of humility, service, and partnership with your intended justice and joy.
Heal us body, mind and spirit, Lord that we may dwell in the house of such hope and action. You are our sun and shield, and in your light we go from strength to strength. Jesus, our brother, shows us the way and teaches us to reach to you as…
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 #495 Called As Partners in Christ’s Service Beecher
1 Called as partners in Christ’s service
Called to ministries of grace
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace
May we learn the art of sharing
Side by side and friend with friend
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfil God’s chosen end
2 Christ’s example Christ’s inspiring
Christ’s clear call to work and worth
Let us follow never faltering
Reconciling folk on earth
Men and women richer poorer
All God’s people young and old
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold
3 Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission
In a small or global sense
Help us bear each other’s burdens
Breaking down each wall or fence
Words of comfort words of vision
Words of challenge said with care
Bring new power and strength for action
Make us colleagues free and fair
4 So God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife
Make us partners in our living
Our compassion to increase
Messengers of faith thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace
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
Today, our Justice Candle is in honor of Mother Teresa on the occasion of her birth and ministry A favorite motto of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata was: “Do small things with great love.”
But the “small things” she did so captivated the world that she was showered with honorary degrees and other awards, almost universally praised by the media and sought out by popes, presidents, philanthropists and other figures of wealth and influence. In addition to winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa was given Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971; the Templeton Prize in 1973; the John F. Kennedy International Award in 1971; the $300,000 Balzan Prize for Humanity, Peace and Brotherhood in 1979; the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997; and dozens of other awards and honors, including one of India’s highest—the Padmashri Medal,
Often when criticized about her approach to social issues, Mother Teresa told of a man who suggested she could do more for the world by teaching people how to fish rather than by giving them fish. “The people I serve are helpless,” she said she told him. “They cannot stand. They cannot hold the rod. I will give them the food and then send them to you so you can teach them how to fish.”
Mother Teresa was beatified in record time—in 2003, just over six years after her death in 1997—because St. John Paul set aside the rule that a sainthood process cannot begin until the candidate has been dead five years.
¨ 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!
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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 Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal; and our brothers and sisters at Wallaceton 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, 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.
¨ 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.
¨ Deborah and Kennett Payne, and all the family and friends at the passing of Dr. John Payne. A memorial service will be held here at Union Church, Sept. 1, 3:00 pm.
¨ Joy Frazier is recovering from a stroke. Cards and notes can be sent to 3660 Central Ave. #250, Columbus, IN, 47203.
¨ Mary Ellen Sarafin, Betty’s sister, suffering from cirrhosis.
¨ Nick Lockwood, 16-year-old nephew of Andy & Jordan Lockwood, who was born with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). Nick has, nevertheless, progressed successfully through his high school studies to date, but has recently developed cardio-pulmonary issues resulting in his being transferred to the ICU At Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati.
¨ Teresa Dickson’s dad will turn 100 on Sept. 12! He’d love to get cards and notes. Send to:
Ralph Amann
6635 Azalea Drive
Ft. Wayne, IN 46825
¨ Darlene Lowe, seriously ill with Covid complications and C.Diff, and for her wife, Lauri McVicker , as she cares for her.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: August 26 – John Culp, Jennifer Elam; Robert Rorrer; 28 – Mary Ann Zeis, Heather Dent; 29 – Jen Eich, Sofia Saderholm, Diego Haynes; 30 – Nancy Adams; Sept. 1 – Sara Parker
Anniversaries: Sept. 1 – Gene & Dorothy Chao
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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