A Service in Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the March on Washington
A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost August 25, 2013
Welcome to this service of worship. We are glad that you are here today. You are invited to rise in body or in spirit as you are able and willing at points in the service marked “*”
Hearing enhancement devices and large print bulletins are available in the vestibule. After checking in on FaceBook and Twitter, please silence your cell phone, pager, etc, so all may worship undistracted.
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.
Meditation
To be afraid is to behave as though the truth were not true.
— Bayard Rustin
Gathering to Worship
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude Meditation on Deep River Sam Batt Owens
* Processional Woke Up This Morning (opposite) Woke Up this Morning
Please rise and sing as the Procession reaches your pew.
* Call to Worship
One: Beautiful are the works of God!
All: Beautiful also are the skins of God’s people!
One: Beautiful is the mind of God!
All: Beautiful also are the hopes of God’s people!
One: Beautiful is the heart of God!
All: Beautiful also are the souls of God’s people!
One: God made the heavens and the earth!
All: To God be the glory for the things God has done.
Adapted, Trinity UCC, Chicago
* Hymn #403 Black My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less Solid Rock
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We confess that the circle of love is repeatedly broken because of our sins of exclusion, selfishness, and fear. We create separate circles: the inner circle and the outer circle, The circle of power and circle of despair, the circle of privilege and the circle of deprivation.
All: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
One: We confess that the circle of love is broken whenever there is alienation, whenever there is misunderstanding, whenever there is insensitivity or a hardening of the heart.
All: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
One: We confess that the circle of love is broken Whenever we cannot see eye to eye, Whenever we cannot link hand to hand, Whenever we cannot live heart to heart and affirm our differences.
All: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
* Words of Assurance
One: Through God’s grace we are forgiven, Through God’s power and might, our sins are shaken loose from us. Though we may tremble in fear, let us also rejoice and be glad, For it is God who is the Good News.
All: Glory to God! Amen!
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the Word
Gift of Music Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name Brazeal Dennard
Carolyn Romano, Rebecca Hahn, Todd Martin, James Bonta
God Speaking through the Epistles Hebrews 12:18-29 (p. 1475)
The letter to the Hebrews speaks of the mystery and the glory that accompanies being in the presence of God.
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 Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall. Activity clipboards are available at the altar for older children.
God Speaking through the Gospels 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 Shake it Like a Polaroid Picture Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Song Wade in the Water (please turn page) trad.
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: ….Our Maker, our Mother,
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Call to Offering
Offertory Improvisation Nyghel Byrd
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
Walking Forward in Faith & Receiving New Members
Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
* Invitation Hymn #514 Black Over My Head African-American trad.
* Questions of the Congregation and New Members
* Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members 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 and Sending Forth
Postlude Postlude on “We Shall Overcome” Adolphus Hailstork
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 Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and our brothers and sisters at Berea Friends Meeting in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* Michelle Tooley
* The Cooper family, at the untimely death of Shannon’s sister
* Peggy Baker, recovering at UK Hospital
* Bob Bates, recovering at home from emergency surgery
* Lori Wallhauser, daughter-in-law of John and Mary Wallhauser, recovering from a stroke, in Cincinnati
* Dawn Manor, Dot Kindel’s daughter, and the family. Dawn has recently had surgery and the family is moving to Berea
* Ruth Butwell
* Teri Van Pelt, experiencing pain from stenosis in the cervical vertebra
* The father of Debbonnaire Kovacs, hospitalized with serious health issues
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Kenwood Nursing Home in Richmond
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Announcements…
You Matter! Please Sign In, Check in on FB/Twitter and Try a Name Tag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church. Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed, and whether you are a first time visitor or a long-time member, a name tag helps everyone connect the dots. Mobile phone users can also check in on Facebook and Twitter.
Explore Union Church! This is a place where your faith can grow and deepen! We are actively looking for those who would like to explore discipleship with Jesus in this congregation. YOU matter, and so does YOUR faith journey. If you’d like to join Union Church in pursing the way of peace, justice, and hope, please call, email, or Facebook either pastor, or call the church office. YOU are welcome here!
Help keep the Memorial Garden looking great! Persons who are interested in helping to maintain the Garden are invited to meet with David Saladino this coming Tuesday morning August 27 at 8:45 am.
College Students – Welcome and Welcome Back! Join us for a cookout at Rev. Rachel’s house this Wednesday, August 28th, at 6pm. Her address is 419 Center St. Speak with her or check out the Union Church events page on Facebook for more information and to let us know you’re coming.
Test drive the handbells. On the next two Wednesdays (Aug 28 and Sept. 4) at 7 p.m. there will be opportunity for anyone (Grade 3 and up) to “test drive” the handbells. Larry will be there to introduce the basics and help you discover the fun of handbell ringing. Give it a “ring.” Childcare will be provided.
Come make a joyful noise — Choir starts Thursday! Current and “yet to be” members are reminded that our regular Thursday, 6:15 pm ADULT CHOIR rehearsals begin this week. We are in “open-house mode” with the hope that new singers would come and try us out. If you are a tenor or bass, your presence would be a special gift to the choir.
Think Berea should be a Fair Trade town? Peacecraft invites you to a meeting Tuesday, August 27, at Berea Coffee & Tea on College Square, at 5:30 pm.
Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Friend Raiser! All are invited to the Madison County KFTC Friend Raiser Saturday, September 14, 4:30 – 7:30, at HomeGrown Hideaways (500 Floyd Branch Road). There will be a potluck at 5:00 pm, live music at 5:30 (Carla Gover) and a silent auction featuring contributed items. This is free, very family-friendly occasion with food, music and lots of good conversation and spaces for people to learn about some of the social justice work happening in Kentucky.
Please bring a dish to share, your own dinnerware, and a donated item for the silent auction (baked goods, homemade items, donation of a service, books, etc.) If you have questions (E.g., how to find HomeGrown Hideaways?) contact Beth Bissmeyer at bethbissmeyer@kftc.org or (859) 314-2044. KFTC is 32 year old grassroots organization that believes in the power of people working together to challenge injustices, right wrongs, and improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians.
Come out and celebrate work for social justice in your community!
Found in the Conference Room: a purple bag with a small white rack inside it. Is it yours? Claim it at the church office.
Leave a Reply