A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost August 9, 2015, 10:30 am
Meditation
“If the angel deigns to come, it will be because you have convinced her, not by your tears, but by your resolve to make a beginning, to be a beginner.”
—Rainer Maria Rilke
From there to here
Prelude I’ll Spend and Be Spent Shaker Hymn Al, Alice & Ruth
* Call to Worship
One: Out of the fullness of the lives God has given us we have come to worship and to praise.
All: With thanks we offer to God the creativity of our minds, the warmth of our hearts, and the joy of our spirits.
One: We love because God has first loved us, freeing us from the power of sin and death.
All: With glad hearts let us join together in singing praise to God: Creator, Word, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
* Opening Hymn #503 O Savior Let Me Walk with You Maryton
* Prayer of Approach & Confession (unison)
We break your heart, God of all the world, by the respectable lives we lead. Blessed by you with every gift, we practice thrift towards others. Seeking to be good and proper, we overlook you in the company of the poor, the oppressed, those without a voice, those on the fringe.
We choose to spread gossip about our friends and neighbors, when we could speak gently to them. Forgive us for the pain we cause you and other people, Grieving God. Help us to make a clean break with those habits which keep us from wholeness. Open us to the movement of your Spirit within us.
Feed us with the Bread of Life, so we might have the love and passion to feed the world. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
[silence is kept]
* Words of Assurance
One: Through the Holy Spirit, God works in us, transfiguring our old ways, breathing life and love into us, my friends. With God all things are possible and we can begin again.
All: We receive God’s grace, so we can offer it to others. We are caressed in God’s gentleness, so we can hold the broken. We will be quick to forgive, even as God has forgiven us. Thanks be to God. Amen.
* Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 Word in our Midst
Special Music I’ll Say It Again, Rejoice Ruth McLain Smith Al, Alice & Ruth
Epistle Lesson Ephesians 4:25-5:2
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, children are welcome to return to their seats or follow volunteers to the front entrance of the sanctuary to 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 age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.
Gospel Lesson John 6:35,41-51
Sermon Are You What You Eat? Rev. Kent Gilbert
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 Joshua G.A. Thacker Al, Alice & Ruth
* 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 inJapan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers 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
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, and are welcome to come forward during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
* Closing Hymn #329 Jesus, the Joy of Loving Hearts Hesperus
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 & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated)
____________________
* Please rise in body or in spirit as you wish
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 the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and our brothers and sisters at Berea Church of God in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin, Ruth Butwell
* Debbie Brown, who was briefly hospitalized for anemia and for Jordan, her grandson who will start botox and serial casting of his left leg with weekly appointments in Cincinnati
* Marlene Payne and her family, in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
* Loriel Warren, recovering from spinal surgery
* Deborah Martin, recovering at Central Baptist from lung surgery
* Walter Holbrook, Mitch’s father, who is very ill, in Georgia
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Join the Church today! You can join this movement! New members will be welcomed today and the second Sunday of every month. Come, be part of this family working for Christ’s justice and joy!
Electronic Newsletter emailed on August 1. If we have your email address, you should have gotten a link to August’s newsletter last week. If you didn’t, or it didn’t work correctly for you—let us know and we’ll see what we can do better. If you aren’t and want to be on the emailing list – or prefer a paper newsletter – let us know that too. We want to keep you informed! Tks!
If you’re a member of Kroger Community Rewards, you must re-enroll sometime during the month of August. That can be done at www.Kroger.com/communityrewards.
Dobby Sock Drive—socks being collected today! The Harry Potter Alliance chapter of Lexpecto Patronum in Lexington is a group of young people organizing to do good in the world.
They are asking us to help with a sock drive for homeless people. In the Harry Potter books, the house elf Dobby was emancipated by being given a sock. New and very gently used socks are acceptable.
Donate whatever you would give a dear friend with cold feet. ♥
For more info about Lexpecto Patronum, go to www.facebook.com/groups/Lexpecto Patronum/
New Support Group Forming: Next meeting August 15. A support group for individuals with depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders meets in Wayside Room at 10:00 on the first and third Saturdays of the month. The format of the meetings is open discussion of day-to-day issues facing people with mood disorders. The meetings are free, confidential, and open to anyone who has or thinks they may have a mood disorder. More information can be found by emailing bdpberea@gmail.com or calling (859) 353 7047.
The Faith Development Board invites you to Rekindle the Spirit Day next Sunday, August 16th (following worship service) to join the conversation. We want to take time to share our vision for the future and hear where you want to go. Together, we will go boldly in to future of our faith development! The discussion will take place in the Community Room downstairs, and a snack lunch will be provided. Topics to be discussed will include, but will not be limited to: changes to children’s church, family faith days and opportunities to further the mission of the Faith Development Board. We look forward to seeing you and hearing what you have to say!
Achieving and Building Life Equally Are you interested in joining together to create a Berea support group for those of us who self-identify as differently or uniquely able, or identify as disabled? This includes anyone who may be coping with a chronic or long-term illness, or dealing with an injury or illness that impacts daily life. If interested, let’s meet on August 19 at 6:00pm in the Community Room at Union Church. This could become a regular get together, an opportunity for friendship and sharing in a confidential setting.
We, in ABLE (Achieving and Building Life Equally), work hard to be strong and fearless. We succeed in life with creativity. We are not ‘less than;’ we are equal in the world.
Musical Notes: Union Church Music Ministries Picnic August 20, 6 pm at Rev. Kent’s house, 298 Harrison Rd.
Thinking about joining the Choir? Or the Bell Choir? Want to know more? Come to this picnic and meet choir members, music staff, bell folks—bring your family! Burgers, hot dogs and drinks provided. Bring a side or dessert to share. RSVP to Sharona Nelson by August 16—sharonanelson@gmail.com
We Want YOU! Choirs are Starting Back Up! Come Join!
August 26, 7-8 pm Union Church Handbell Ensemble
August 27, 6:15—7:45 pm Union Church Chancel Choir
Share-YOUR-music Sunday! August 30 ~ Sanctuary This is an opportunity for vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles to share the music of their hearts in worship.
If you would like to provide music for this special service, please fill out the sign-up sheet in the ivory brochure and turn it in by Sunday, August 16 or sooner.
We will need this information well in advance so we can craft an inspired, and smooth-running worship service, as well as an efficient sound-check schedule.
Please contact Gabe to coordinate additional practice times.
Church Bazaar, Sat. August 29! Raffles! Bake sale! Food on the lawn! Live music! Junque! Bring donations to the former Nursery off the Community Room. Baked goods, jams, welcome too.
Alzheimer’s Education at Madison County Public Library, Richmond location
Session 2: Living With Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Middle Stage. In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, those who were care partners now become hands-on caregivers. Tuesday, August 11, 2:00 pm
Session 3: Living With Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage. In the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving typically involves new ways of connecting and interacting with the person with the disease. Tuesday, August 18, 2:00 pm
If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s time to learn the facts. To register, call 1-800-272-3900
bell hooks: Artist of the month at the Madison County Public Library. bell is the Distinguished Professor in Residence in Appalachian Studies at Berea College. She is known for her writing but did you know she is also a painter?
bell is the August artist of the month at the Madison County Library-Berea location. This is a partnership between the library and the Berea Arts Council!
bell will also be speaking at the library on August 30th at 2:00pm about the bell hooks Institute that opens on September 1st! Mark your calendars now for this exciting free event!
Special Call to Help Feed Our Neighbors: Did you know that many Bereans will face an extra challenge in feeding their families this August and September? As Kentucky’s EBT system (formerly known as “food stamps”) makes changes to its calendar, some families will have to find ways to feed their children for a week longer than usual.
Berea Community’s Family Resource/Youth Service Center is able to help meet the need during those weeks, but needs your help to do so. You can make a financial contribution to the FRYSC, and staff will convert your dollars into filling meals for families who are facing food shortages. Your donation is tax deductible.
Write a check to Berea FRYSC and be sure to mark “family meals” in your memo line. You can mail that check to Berea FRYSC, 3 Pirate Parkway, Berea, KY 40403. Call Jenny Hobson at 893-1075 or email jenny.hobson @berea.kyschools.us
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