A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
August 9, 2026 10:30 am
Meditation
To aspire is to connect with the energy of our life, to the spirit inside that moves us. ~Oren Jay Sofer
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
¨ Invocation All We Need Is Here
All we need is here! All we need is here! God is among us, All we need is here!
¨ Call to Worship The Dream Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Stephanie Ryan, Reader
In the small gray boat
I floated into the lock
and found myself closed in
the giant metal chamber.
Water poured down the end wall,
and I was terrified
by the roar of the spillage,
aware I had no motor,
no sail, no oars, no way
to escape the lock.
But inch by inch, foot by foot,
my boat was lifted
by the growing depths
and I was lifted with it
until the lock opened
and my boat flowed out
into new higher waters.
How is it sometimes
when we cannot imagine
what comes next,
the world shows us
how the unimaginable
happens, and all that is asked
of us is presence and patience?
Released, I still had no way
to steer the boat,
no way to navigate
toward what came next,
but the sun attached
a beam to the bow
and pulled me moment
by shining moment
into the open waves.
¨ Hymn #546 Jesus, Lover of My Soul Martyn
1. Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to your bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last!
2. Other refuge have I none,
In your hands my destiny;
Leave, oh, leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on you is stayed,
All my help from you I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of your wing.
3. Plenteous grace in you is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Fount of life, your love impart.,
Fill my cup abundantly;
Spring up now within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.
¨ Prayer of Approach & Confession
One: Create in us clean hearts, open hearts, soft to the world and ready.
All: Call to us over wild water. Still the fears and the storms.
One: When we have been inattentive and inflexible; when we have been self indulgent but callous toward others, wake us from our delusions.
All: Forgive our misperceptions and open our eyes. Teach us to walk closer to you. Heal our broken relationships and let righteousness and peace meet in us.
[Silence observed]
¨ Words of Assurance Come, Bring Your Burdens to God South African English Trans: Barbara Clark, Mairi Munro, Martine Stemerick
Come, bring your burdens to God (3x)
For Jesus will never say no.
¨ Passing the Peace
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Scripture Reading Psalm 85:8-13
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and will make a path for his steps.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
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 Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Stepping Out of Boats, Bounds, and Banalities 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.
Call to Prayer
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. Next week, let us hold the people of Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea; and our siblings at Gethsemane Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
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.
For Reflection
The Meeting of Minds and Mercy…
For breathing and centering return to the words of Psalm 85 printed in the bulletin.
¨ Practice “box breathing” (in for 3, hold for 3, out for 3, hold for 3) to center.
¨ Then read each verse by itself.
¨ Take in the words with your inhalation.
¨ Ponder them as you hold.
¨ See if there is a call to your life, your heart as you exhale and hold space for the holy.
You don’t have to do everything in one breath, but try contemplating in this way for as many breaths as you like, and for each verse in turn. Conclude by letting the words that “stick” resonate as you box breathe a few more times.
Stepping Out…
Sometimes in tough times we want to “step out.” Out of responsibilities, out of difficulties, out of touch. But often there are important spiritual lessons to learned by stepping out of our comfort zone, out of our habits, out of our resignation or former patterns. Peter recognized Jesus when Jesus asked him to do an impossible thing. What do you need to step out of? What do you need to step out for?
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: 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 easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering 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 Words: St. Patrick, adapted Kent Gilbert Tune: Bunessan
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, my rock and my stay;
Christ be within me, Christ be below me,
Christ be above me guiding my way.
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community Stephanie Ryan, Reader
Without your help, our fears will sink us. Without your compassion, our hearts of stone will crack the world we love. Without your reminder that some are not “better than”, “more deserving than,” we will slip beneath the waves of fear and hate. Lord save us by helping us save ourselves. You have given us all we need: to endure hardship, to resist evil, to soften hearts, to love enemies, to release privilege, to act and sacrifice for the love you intend for all people.
Call us out of the boats, Lord, onto the waves. Calm the winds of the world but stir up that mighty tempest in our hearts to believe, to care, to act like children of a living God.
This we pray in the name of our brother Jesus, who taught 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 kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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
Anne Braden was an American civil rights activist, journalist, and educator who challenged racial segregation and injustice throughout her life. She became widely known after supporting an African American family’s home purchase in Kentucky, facing prosecution herself. Braden remained a dedicated advocate for equality, social justice, and human rights. americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/anne-braden
¨ Hymn #403 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less Solid Rock
1 My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust this earthly frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
2 When shadows veil my Savior’s face,
I rest upon unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]
3 Christ’s oath and covenant, and blood,
support me in the rising flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
Christ then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]
4 When Christ shall come with trumpet sound,
oh may I then in Love be found:
dressed in God’s righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]
From Here to There
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response All We Need Is Here
All we need is here! All we need is here!
God is among us, All we need is here!
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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.
¨ Those in mortal danger in the continuing war in Iran. For the leaders of nations to set aside assassination and warfare in favor of just, diplomatic solutions to conflict.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ The children and staff of Samuel’s Kids School and Orphanage in Uganda.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Hattie Parks, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Students, teachers and staff at the start of a new school year!
¨ Patti Smithson, recovering from knee replacement surgery.
¨ Rev. Christina and Matthew’s children, Fable and Simeon, both recovering from jugular decompression surgery.
¨ Laurie McVicker, with critical blood sepsis issues, now at the University of Pennsylvania hospital.
¨ George Johnston, Patti Smithson’s cousin, injured in a terrible car accident, in California.
¨ Charlie Hoffman, anticipating surgery.
¨ Bob Berger, with vascular issues.
¨ Paula White’s cousin, Donna Seale, badly injured in a car collision that will require several surgeries.
¨ Ron Rosen, in his recovery from thyroid cancer and for up coming surgical procedures to improve his voice.
¨ John Hindman, Sally Hindman’s brother, diagnosed with prostrate cancer, and his wife, Diane, in Hospice Care with lung cancer, in California.
¨ Safe travels to our on-the-move staff: Dave & Kim Kobersmith, settling Sayer into a new apartment (back Thursday); and Rev. Kent, travelling to a denominational visioning event (back Monday afternoon) and at his annual Indiana-Kentucky conference gathering later in the week..
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Aug. 12 – Teri Mehler; 14 – Alice White; 17 – Kim Kobersmith, Meaghan Spencer-Catlett
Anniversaries: Aug. 11 – Mark Pettis & Elena Larssen; 12 – Matt & Carrie Jadud, Jen Eich & Amy Schill; 13 – Marty & Gwen Hensley
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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