A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Sharing the Lord’s Supper 10:30 am
Meditation
“The opposite of scarcity is not abundance. It is enough.” ~ Brene Brown
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship Maranda Weckman, Reader
Days pass when I forget the mystery.
Problems insoluble and problems offering
their own ignored solutions
jostle for my attention, they crowd its antechamber
along with a host of diversions, my courtiers, wearing
their colored clothes; cap and bells.
And then
once more the quiet mystery
is present to me, the throng’s clamor
recedes: the mystery
that there is anything, anything at all,
let alone cosmos, joy, memory, everything,
rather than void: and that, O Lord,
Creator, Hallowed One, You still,
hour by hour sustain it.
~ Denise Levertov: Primary Wonder
¨ Opening Hymn #329 Jesus, the Joy of Loving Hearts Hesperus
1 Jesus, the joy of loving hearts, fount of life and light of all, from every bliss that earth imparts we turn, unfilled, to hear your call.
2 Your truth unchanged has ever stood; you plead with all to call on you; to those still seeking, you are good, to those who find life is new.
3 We taste of you, the living bread, and long to feast upon you still; we drink of you, the fountainhead, our thirsty souls from you we fill.
4 For you our restless spirits yearn where’er our changing lot is cast; glad, when your smile on us you turn, blessed, when by faith we hold you fast.
5 O Jesus, ever with us stay! Make all our moments calm and bright! Oh, chase the cloud of sin away, shed o’er the world your holy light.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Let us pray:
All: Redeemer, forgive us. We confess our complicity with the systems of this world that hurt and harm your children and your creation. We confess our complacency with the status quo, incrementalism when urgency is required, and the claim that nothing ever changes. We confess our comfort holds more influence over us than your command that we love our neighbor as ourselves. Forgive us and release us from the bonds of guilt and shame so that we can be free to change and grow, free to receive your power and new life, and free to be your agents of transformation in the world. Holy One, in your mercy, hear our plea. Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: Redeemed, the Sovereign God has given you power and freedom to live as full citizens of the kin-dom of God. Receive the grace to do your best for today trusting that the Spirit will guide you to your best for tomorrow. The past has no power to keep you from new life in the present and abundant life in the future. Claim your redemption and, in gratitude, the new life gifted to you in Christ.
All: Thanks be to God for a Love like that. 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 Fount Dalglish/Robinson
Holy Creek: David Duffee, Debbonnaire Kovacs, Susie Ritchie, Robert Rorrer, Deborah Thompson
1. Come thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to know thy grace. Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise!
2. In the steadfast pull of ocean, in the sudden rain that falls, there’s a wheel in constant motion, there’s an ancient voice that calls.
3. In the power of a river, all our faith becomes a boat, if we are to be delivered, we must watch and work and hope.
4. There’s no final destination. Rivers bend and open wide. Elements of all creation join the never-ending tide.
5. Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above, to praise the ground we walk upon it, ground of thy redeeming love.
6. Bring our lives and souls together, here on earth where we do roam, benefactors of a treasure, make us worthy of our home.
7. Come thou Fount of every blessing, to my heart to know thy grace. Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise!
Scripture Reading 2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a
When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, and the Lord sent Nathan to David.
He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare and drink from his cup and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.”
Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing and because he had no pity.” Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your bosom and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah, and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.
“Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. Thus says the Lord: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and in broad daylight.” David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
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 John 6:24-35
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us, then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Sermon “Lord of Mercy!…” Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
¨ Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Take courage from God’s mercy and power.
All: We trust in God’s healing grace.
One: Let us give thanks for all that God is doing.
All: We would love what God loves and sing the praise of Jesus!
One: As we come to this table, we are reminded that this is not the table of this congregation, nor is it the table of any particular denomination. It is the table of Jesus Christ, the family feast of the whole people of God, a place where we seek the bread that never perishes but gives life over and over.
One: All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith, and long to live justly and in peace with their neighbor, are welcome here and will be fed. It is for the equipping of the saints so we can bear the light and speak the Word. So come weak and strong, churched and not sure. Come not because you must, but come because you are wanted, welcomed. Let us eat and drink together for our strengthening in the faith, and for the sake of the world.
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.
Communion Prayer adapted from United Church of Canada liturgy
One: Thanks and praise be to you, O God, for you create life out of the dust and create community even from calamity. We thank you that you are present to direct and guide, to renew and revive. We praise you for sending us Jesus, your Suffering Servant, to walk before us the way of the cross, to turn us to you and to one another. Therefore, we join your long procession of pilgrims praising you along the way:
Communion Sanctus please join in singing
Words of Institution
One: Mighty and tender God, in Jesus of Nazareth we recognize the fullness of your grace: light, life and love, revealed, the bread of life that never perishes:
All: In words that confront and comfort us, in teachings that challenge and change us, in compassion that heals and frees us.
One: And now we gather at this table to remember and to be filled with such longing for your realm, that we may rise together to turn our worship into witness and to follow in your way.
One: We remember that when Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread and, after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
All: “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.”
One: Then he took a cup and, after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying:
All: “Take and drink. This cup that is poured out for you is the promise of God, made in my blood. Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
One: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us that this meal may be our communion in the body of Christ. Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve you with the testimony of our lives.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher.
All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit and all people, within your tradition.
Prayers in Action and Reflections
Before, during or after coming forward to share communion bread and cup, 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.
Offertory
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¨ 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.
Prayer of Thanksgiving Maranda Weckman, Reader
The Life you break for us is so much more than bread alone. The thirst for your presence, your peace is a thirst only you can quench. For the touch of your Spirit in this meal we thank you. But for the never-ending feast of justice and joy you proclaim and set before us every day we sing and dance and praise.
You welcome all of us who hunger, and here we never thirst for your love. So with gratitude and by grace, we pray as Jesus taught us, reaching 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 #321 Break Now the Bread of Life Bread of Life
1 Break now the bread of life, Savior, to me, as once you broke the loaves beside the sea. Beyond the sacred page I seek you, Lord; my spirit yearns for you, O Living Word.
2 Bless now the truth, dear Christ, to me, to me, as you once blessed the bread by Galilee. Then shall all bondage cease, all shackles fall; and I shall find my peace, my all in all!
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
On August 6, 1945 nuclear weapons were detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki killing over 200,000 people instantly and dooming thousands more to suffer from leukemia, cancer and terrible effects of radiation for generations.
We light this candle to honor Setsuko Thurlow and other Hibakusha people, the survivors of the bombings, who work for the elimination of nuclear weapons. In 2017, The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (I CANN) received the Nobel Peace Prize for their ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons. In her Nobel Lecture Thurlow urged world leaders to join the U. N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons:
“To every president and prime minister of every nation of the world, I beseech you: Join this treaty; forever eradicate the threat of nuclear annihilation. When I was a 13-year-old girl, trapped in the smouldering rubble, I kept pushing. I kept moving toward the light. And I survived. Our light now is the ban treaty. To all in this hall and all listening around the world, I repeat those words that I heard called to me in the ruins of Hiroshima: “Don’t give up! Keep pushing! See the light? Crawl towards it.”
To learn more, visit Stories and the 1945 project, as well as these resources by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
In 2017, The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (I CANN) received the Nobel Peace Prize for their ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons. In her Nobel Lecture, Thurlow urged world leaders to join the U. N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons:
“To every president and prime minister of every nation of the world, I beseech you: Join this treaty; forever eradicate the threat of nuclear annihilation. When I was a 13-year-old girl, trapped in the smoldering rubble, I kept pushing. I kept moving toward the light. And I survived. Our light now is the ban treaty. To all in this hall and all listening around the world, I repeat those words that I heard called to me in the ruins of Hiroshima: “Don’t give up! Keep pushing! See the light? Crawl towards it.”
To learn more, visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum online.
¨ 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!
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
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 Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and our brothers and sisters at Blue Lick Missionary 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, John 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.
¨ Patty Boyce, and all the family, at Steve’s death. A service in celebration of his life will be held Aug. 11, 3pm.
¨ Laura Nagle, recovering from a broken leg.
¨ 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.
¨ John Payne is at The Terrace in Berea and would love visits and cards! 1043 Brooklyn Blvd., Berea.
¨ Joy Frazier is recovering from a stroke. Cards and notes can be sent to 3660 Central Ave. #250, Columbus, IN, 47203.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: August 7 – Truman Fields; 12 – Teri Mehler
Anniversaries: August 5 – Kim & Dave Kobersmith; Diana Hultgren & Kent Gilbert; 6 – Laurinda & Jeff Pool
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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