Meditation
But we, little fishes, after the example of our ΙΧΘΥΣ Jesus Christ, are born in the flood, nor have we safety in any other way than by abiding permanently in water.
—Tertullian 3rd Century
From there to here
Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship. We’re 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 “*.”
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.
Prelude Toccata in E Minor J. Pachelbel
* Call to Worship
One: Prophets have shouted, Angels have sung, the Wise have come and gone;
All: But the Spirit of the Lord remains.
One: Organs have played, trumpets have blared, bells have rung out;
All: But the voice of God remains.
One: Children grow, governments change, perspectives shift;
All: But the work of Love and Justice remains.
One: Beloved, let us come to the waters and turn ourselves anew to the work of love and praise.
* Opening Hymn The Prophet’s Voice Aberystwyth
* Prayer of Approach and Confession based on Psalm 29
One: The Holy Voice is over the waters
All: but when the waters are rough our fear can beat a rhythm louder than the pulsing of the Spirit.
One: The Holy Voice is powerful
All: but voices of desire, comfort, success and power call to us seductively and persuasively, and we turn from God.
One: The Holy Voice flashes forth flames of fire,
All: to light our path, and warm our hearts, but there are times when we prefer the shadows, when we prefer to linger in the cold of night.
One: Forgive us, Lord of Water and Spirit. Separate us from the chaff of our fears and baser instincts and gather in our souls all that is right-seeking and grace-filled. For ourselves and for others, Lord, may we be forgiven and changed.
[Silence is kept]
* Words of Assurance
One: The Holy Voice shakes the wilderness, but not with correction, not condemnation. Hear the call, beloved, and believe the good news of the Gospel! Sins are washed away and new life flows like streams in the desert.
All: 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
Anthem Praise the Lord Hal Hopson
Union Church Choir
Praise the Lord, sing a new song. Tell God’s salvation, tell it day to day, shout the glory, shout it to all. Let the heavens be joyful; let the earth be glad; let the roaring sea give forth its praise; field and mountain join the song. All together sound the joyful praise.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 43:1-7
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 grades K-5 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in Cowan Chapel. Otherwise, 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, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel or Nursery after the service.
Gospel Lesson Luke 3:15-17,21-22
Sermon Forks in the Road Rev. Kent Gilbert
Remembering God’s Love
Today, with many other Christians, we celebrate a renewal of our Baptismal Vows, using both words and water. During the readings and music, a branch from a Christmas tree will be used to sprinkle water over the congregation. Like the rain, the grace of God falls on all people, whether baptized or not. We invite all who will to join in prayers for grace and wholeness in every form and however realized. We invite all who will to recommit to service in the way of Jesus. All God’s children are beloved.
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
Waters of Blessing Litany
One: God calls us to the water to find a new way:
a new grace,
a new hope,
a new faith,
a new life.
All: God calls; we come.
One: Come to the water and let go of the outworn:
outworn habits,
outworn pains,
outworn angers,
outworn burdens.
All: God calls; we come.
One: God blesses the water and it
heals us,
cleans us,
renews us,
refreshes us.
All: God blesses; we praise.
One: Come to the water and receive
blessing,
freedom,
mercy,
love.
All: God blesses; we praise.
One: Bless to us this water with your presence, Lord. Amen.
Receive this water, gift of God, and hear for yourself how God names you: Beloved.
All: By the waters of baptismal grace we promise to love and serve God by following the Christ. We pray to boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus by celebrating the transforming power of God, the compassion of Christ, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Asperges: Remembering and Receiving
Hymn #407 How Firm a Foundation Foundation
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.
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 Verset de Procession sur l’Adoro Te L. Boellmann
* Doxology To God all glorious heavenly light; Old Hundredth
To Christ revealed in earthly night;
To God the spirit now we raise
Our grateful hymn of thankful praise. Amen.
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
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 What Ruler Wades Promised Land
- What ruler wades through murky streams and bows beneath the wave, Ignoring how the world esteems the powerful and brave?
Refrain: O Water, River, Spirit, Grace, sweep over and through me!
Recarve the depths your grace has traced, our sculptor ever be!
- Christ gleams with water born with clay from land the prophets trod.
Above while heaven’s clouds give way descends the dove of God. - Come bow beneath the flowing wave. Christ stands here at your side
And raises you as from the grave God raised the crucified.
* 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) Trumpet Voluntary J. Stanley
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 stateless people and migrants and our brothers and sisters at Dixie Park Cornerstone Baptist Church 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
* George Oberst
* Elizabeth Long’s brother, Jay, whose cancer has metastasized
* Cassandra Jaggers
* Sheila Johnson, fighting breast cancer
* Marlene Payne and her family
* Kelly Ambrose
* George Hardman, Joan English’s father, having colon cancer surgery on January 13.
* Averill Kilbourne, very ill in North Carolina
* John Hillman
* Terry Allen Watts
* Rochelle Seals, undergoing treatment for breast cancer
* Dexton May
* Dodie Murphy’s cousin, Jean Monahan, facing surgery at 79
* Linda Landree, relative of Dodie Murphy, hospitalized in NJ with serious medication problems.
* Dodie Murphy’s grandson’s father, CJ, in dire straights in NJ.
* Ray Cable, father of Annette Broadbridge, very ill in Tennessee
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! Membership at Union Church is not a club, it is a act of service and the following of a call to deeper faith exploration. You don’t have to have all the answers: come ask the questions in an environment dedicated to justice and joy for all people. Members are received every second Sunday of a month at the end of service. YOU are welcome here!
Christmas poinsettias have been moved to the Parlor. Feel free to take yours home!
Joan English well be away Jan. 12-20 to be with her parents through her dad’s surgery. & early recovery. Thanks for the office coverage, friends!
Your Talents are needed! The Nominating Board invites you to follow the link on the Union Church website https://union-church.org/bearing-the-light-through-service-sign-up-now/ and take the survey to let us know what talents and skills you may like to contribute to the ongoing work of the Church. Please respond by January 15, 2016.
Aidan Broadbridge In Concert January 16, 7:30pm! Aidan Broadbridge, internationally known Scottish fiddler will lead an evening of both classical violin and traditional tunes. Well known and in demand as a dance musician, Aidan was selected to be the fiddler in the recent film version of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightly. Aidan and his wife Annette were married here in Union Church and now live in Sweden with their son, Levi. Tickets are $10 per person for the concert ($5 for students and children).
From 2pm-4pm, Aidan will offer a special musicians’ workshop for students of any instrument and skill level on topics such as choosing the right piece to perform, stage management, and skill building. Cost for the workshop is $20. Tickets available at the door &online at Brown Paper Tickets!
IMPORTANT FAITH WORK FOR ALL NEXT SUNDAY: All Y’All Faith Day Jan. 17, After Church! Race and Diversity issues can be fun? Yes! All ages are invited to join us next Sunday right after church for a snack lunch and our guest facilitators will lead us in interactive and thought-provoking games and activities about race and diversity.
This is important for our faith walk. Pastor Kent has called for a special emphasis for our church to help dismantle the toxic racial and privilege divides in our community. We hope to begin a discussion by listening to other’s stories, getting a sense of where we each are on a privilege spectrum, and contemplating where Union Church can make a difference. Our discussion will be better if people of all ages and perspectives join in!
Want to Help Usher? Read? Light Candles? Wash Dishes? Help with Food? VOLUNTEER SPOT! Signing up for service is easy using volunteer spot at Union Church. Here’s the link to the new page for Volunteering! Sign-ups on VolunteerSpot: https://www.volunteer spot.com/group/737396918047
We’ve Started a Widows’ Group. We are starting a new monthly group for widows/widowers. If you are interested, you are invited to contact Debbonnaire Kovacs 859-779-0793. The group will meet Jan. 19, and the third Tuesday of each month, at 1 pm, in the Wayside Room.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington invites us to the ordination of Diana E. Hultgren at 4pm, January 24, 2016. Diana is the Oncology and Palliative Care Chaplain at UK Hospital and a member of our Berea and Union Church community. A reception will follow!
“Black Lives Matter” yard signs. Union Church, in our ongoing commitment to our history and work for justice, has “Black Lives Matter” yard signs available for $10 at the church office.
Michelle Hayden in a New Exhibition: “Turn up the Heat” is an encaustic art invitational exhibit at M. S. Rezny Studio/Gallery, (Lexington Distillery District, 903 Manchester Street) . You can support Michelle and enjoy this lovely artform of beeswax and pigments with mixed media January 12th—Feb. 20, Artists Reception January 15th 5-8pm .
Save-the-Date
January 23 – Benefit Concert & Supper to support Kelly Ambrose
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