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

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Youth Sunday

August 27, 2017       10:30 am 

Meditation  
Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi’s life. So you might say that we are encouraged to love.
–Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones  

From there to Here

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 “ ”.”
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 To God Be the Glory arr. H. Warford Susan Waterbury and Gabe Evans
¨  Call to Worship
 One: Together, let us pray as we gather to worship God:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
All: Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
One: where there is injury, pardon;
All: where there is doubt, faith;
One: where there is despair, hope;
All: where there is sadness, joy;
One: where there is darkness, light.
All: O Divine one, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
One: not so much to be understood, as to understand;
All: not so much to be loved, as to love. Amen.
Based on a prayer by St. Francis of Assisi
¨  Opening Hymn #306            The Church of Christ, in Every Age  Wareham
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
 All:      Give us, o Lord, an eye for injustice.
One:      For it is only when are able to recognize injustice and feel its awful sting that we will be moved to make things right.
All: Give us, o Lord, a tender heart.
One: Sometimes we are too hard-hearted to recognize when we have been uncaring, unfeeling, or unkind.
All: Grant us, o Lord the ability to view life from the dust.
One: All our lives we have been taught to make others proud, to be proud of ourselves, to hold our heads high — all the while missing the virtues of being poor in spirit.
All: Teach us dear Lord, to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with you. Amen.
—Carolyn W. Dandridge
¨  Words of Assurance
One: We are only human, O mortals, which God knows very well. And God’s grace runs before us like waters, rolls down upon us like an everflowing stream. We are forgiven, so that we might become instruments of peace and love to others. Thanks be to God.
All: Thanks be to God! 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 and joy. 

The Living Word among us

Musical Meditation Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun arr. H. Warford
Susan Waterbury and Gabe Evans
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Amos 5:24
Middle Aged Moment                                 as our 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 Middle Aged Moment, children are welcome to visit 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 & under, care is available in the Nursery, which is NOW downstairs in Room 104 off the playground. Follow the blue butterflies!!!
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Micah 6:6-8
Sermon Do, Love, Walk Ben Whaley-Jones, Shane Wilcher, Julia Whaley-Jones

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!
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 in 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, 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  For Everyone Born For Everyone Born
¨   Benediction & Sending Forth
    Postlude 
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee   arr. L. McKechnie
Susan Waterbury and Gabe Evans
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, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal and our brothers and sisters at Glades Christian 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ The victims of recent violence in Charleston, SC; Barcelona, Spain, and  worldwide.
¨ Those killed and injured in mudslides in Africa.
¨ Rebecca Bradshaw-Cates, recovering from surgery for ovarian cancer
¨ George Mountjoy and the family and friends of Loretta, who passed away Tuesday, August 8.  Condolences can be expressed to George at 107 Clay Dr, Richmond, KY 40475.
¨ Dan Rohrer, recovering from a hospitalization
¨ Amy Williams, recovering from a car accident. She would appreciate some help with meals as she recovers: www.mealtrain.com/trains/4d7r22
¨ Susan Doring-Zook, recovering from surgery on her arm, broken in a fall.
¨ Rev. Rachel’s cousin, Jeff Small, father of two small kids, who is on a heart transplant waiting list.
¨ Hazel Morris, who lost several family members last week.
¨ Happy birthday to Rev. Don Graham, joining us in worship this morning!
Action item! Rally, Capitol Rotunda, Wednesday 12 pm, Supporting removal of Jefferson Davis Statue from the State Capitol grounds.  
Our Nursery is now located in Room 104, off the playground!!  
Our 4^th Sunday Newcomers’ Meeting will be canceled today because we think you’ll get an even better introduction to the church at our Rekindle the Spirit Day. Also, you’ll get free lunch! Please come and hear all about ways to get involved at the church. We’d love for you to join our Newcomers’ gathering on the 4^th Sunday of September, or just contact one of the pastors with any questions.
Time to Rekindle the Spirit, August 27. At the beginning of each school year, the Faith Development Board hosts a lunch (veggie option available) and gathering at which we can each learn about all the Faith Development offerings this year and see where you’d like to join in and rekindle your own spirit.
Plan to stay for an hour or so after church on today to learn about what’s happening, including children’s church, youth group, adult studies, and All Y’all Faith Days.
We’ll also have the good fortune to host a special screening of an award-winning 13-minute Applashop film Dying Breed by Lauren Rose, Jaydon Tolliver, our own Ben Whaley-Jones, and Shaylan Clark.
“After decades of decline, a deadly coal miners’ disease is on the rise in Central Appalachia. Living with black lung disease is a frightening reality that thousands of coal miners face. During recent months, lawmakers have tried to block funding for black lung treatments and benefits.
This film hopes to bring awareness to a disease that has gone unnoticed on a national scale. Viewers will experience the challenges that victims and their families face, along with insights from profess-sionals in the field.”  https://vimeo.com/228241566.  Ben will be present to introduce and discus the film.
Wednesday Nite Live begins this week!Come at 5:45 pm for supper. Bring your favorite dish to share for a POTLUCK to kick off the program year.
Celebration of Andy Blyth’s life Sept. 3. Andy’s Celebration will be held Sept 3rd, 2 -4 PM in the Union Church Sanctuary and feature numerous local musicians in a lively and memorable musical tribute to our favorite minstrel, Andy Blyth, who passed away July 27th. This is a Community Celebration and everyone is welcome and encouraged to come early and bring a snack to share.  A free-will offering will be taken up to benefit Union Church (sound system) and also WoodSongs Front Porch Association which encourages music in the schools and live local music.
Can you spend some time staffing the office? Joan English, Office Administrator, is going to visit family Thurs—Weds (Aug. 31-Sept.6). If you can spend a half or full day in the office, please call or email. Thank you!!
Join the Children’s Church team this year! Volunteers lead children in grades K-5 in a short lesson and activities during the second half of the church service each Sunday. We’re looking to add members to our team for the 2017-2018 school year. Children’s church leaders are provided with the lesson and activities each week, and each volunteer works together with a buddy to team teach.
The commitment is one Sunday per month, and we have a lot of fun, helping our curious and lively young people engage with the life of the church.  Interested? Contact Laura Nagle at 358-0106.  Or joyfulsunflower @gmail.com
From the Mission & Service Board: No Bazaar this year.  BUT – Union Church will be a sponsor for the Spoonbread Festival 5-K run and will also have a booth. Volunteers will be needed to staff it and hand out literature. We have a quilt that was donated (and refurbished by Bob Boyce) which we can raffle off at the Festival. Please let members of the Board know if you would be willing to assist with fundraising events. Thank you,
Sally Zimmerman and Dodie Murphy
Scribes to help our Pastors. You may see a member of the Pastoral Relations Board standing near the pastors as they greet folks on their way out of the worship service. These are scribes—their job is to note  important conversations and details the pastors  might forget in the activity.
Are you a Creative Decorator?  The Worship Board seeks folks to “boldly and creatively” rethink our sanctuary décor.   Do you have some ideas?  Can you help?  If so, please talk to one of the pastors. 
Help Wanted!  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship reader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).