A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Christmas Day 10:30 am
Meditation
God became man so that man might become divine. ~St. Athenasius the Great,4th Century C.E.
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome and Invitation
Welcome to this service of worship!
¨ The Call
One: If you are like Joseph, and you are seeking truth,
All: There is room here for you as the light dawns.
One: If you are like Mary, and you are seeking rest,
All: There is a seat here for you, in the presence of all that is new.
One: If you are like the wise men, and you are looking for a sign,
All: These candles are here for you, shining like stars.
One: If you are like the angels, and you cannot help but sing,
All: There is a melody here to raise.
One: Come in. God has entered the house of the world and made it his own. Love is swaddled here this morning, and there is love cradled for you.
All: We come, we seek, we sing, and we wonder. Let us worship together the Prince of Peace.
Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
1.Good Christian friends, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Now give heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before him bow,
Asleep within the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
2. Good Christian friends, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Now you know of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
God has opened heaven’s door,
And you are blessed forever more.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
3. Good Christian friends, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Now you need not fear the grave;
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: God of refugees and shepherds,
God of teenage mothers and step-parents,
God of angel choruses and starlight—
We confess to waiting.
All: We have waited to extend grace.
We have waited to say, “I love you.”
We have waited to apologize.
One: We have waited to be just,
Choosing comfort and convenience over the needs of our neighbors.
We have waited—
All: Waited for someone else to make a move,
Waited for a sign,
Waited until it was our issue.
One: Asked to be bearers of the Christ, we have belabored the burdens and then just waited…
Forgive us. The time has come, the has dawned, and we turn to you.
All: Heal us and change us. Remind us of your love for this world, which can’t wait. Set us to the tasks, the loving and the dreaming that love demands. In your name we pray, Amen.
Words of Assurance
One: All the treasures of the east are of less value than the heart moved to mercy, of the harsh voice made wise and willing, of the lame excuse turned into the engine of transformation. The birth of Christ was to bring such hope, peace, joy and love into the world that it would fill the empty places where hatred and hurt too often echo. No, today, and everyday, Christ comes to save and to heal. All who turn will find a welcome at the cradle, grace and, so forgiven – are free.
¨ Passing the Peace
The Living Word Among Us
Special Music Ave Maria Schubert Charles Hoffman, cello
Scripture Reading Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
~ New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Poem Remembering That it Happened Once Wendell Berry
Remembering that it happened once,
We cannot turn away the thought,
As we go out, cold, to our barns
Toward the long night’s end, that we
Ourselves are living in the world
It happened in when it first happened,
That we ourselves, opening a stall
(A latch thrown open countless times
Before), might find them breathing there,
Foreknown: the Child bedded in straw,
The mother kneeling over Him,
The husband standing in belief
He scarcely can believe, in light
That lights them from no source we see,
An April morning’s light, the air
Around them joyful as a choir.
We stand with one hand on the door,
Looking into another world
That is this world, the pale daylight
Coming just as before, our chores
To do, the cattle all awake,
Our own frozen breath hanging
In front of us; and we are here
As we have never been before,
Sighted as not before, our place
Holy, although we knew it not.
Hymn #153 Black Who Would Think that What Was Needed Scarlet Ribbons
1. Who would think that what was needed
To transform and save the earth
Might not be a plan or army,
Proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision,
That a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven,
Coming here on Christmas Day.
2. Shepherds watch and wise men wonder,
Monarchs scorn and angels sing;
Such a place as none would reckon
Hosts a holy helpless thing;
Stable beasts and by-passed strangers
Watch a baby laid in hay:
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
3. Centuries of skill and science
Span the past from which we move,
Yet experience questions whether,
With such progress, we improve.
While the human lot we ponder,
Lest our hopes and humor fray,
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.
Scripture Reading John 1:1-14
The Word was first, the Word present to God,, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!—came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.
There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
~ Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language
(Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Jn 1.
Christmas Story Rev. Kent Gilbert
A time for children of all ages to gather around. If you’d like to come sit by the crèche with Thea, everyone is welcome!
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastor and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external ministries.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier. Baskets are placed at the head and foot of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation. Electronic donations can be made very simply and easily at: https//: www.easy tithe.com/union
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offering Music
Prayer Poem by Steven Charleston
Let these words pass your strongest defenses, the walls you have built to prevent another hurt, let them slip into the hidden chambers of your heart, let them whisper clearly into your watchful mind. Do not worry, the words say, do not be afraid. The good in you is stronger than any wall will ever be. The kindness in your soul is a river that will carry you forever. Your wisdom will not die. Your love will not end. I hope you will receive these words and use them like a key.
Our Lord’s Prayer
All: 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
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we light the Justice Candle in observance of Kwanzaa, an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa.
Hymn He Came Down (opposite) He Came Down
1 He Came downthat we may have love; he came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love; hallelujah forever more.
2 He came down that we ma have light…
3 He came down that we may have peace…
4 He came down that we may have joy …
TEXT: Cameroon song MUSIC: Cameroon melody, transcr. And arr. John L. Bell, 1986
Music Art@1986 WGRG, Iona Community (admin. GIA Publications, Inc.)
Poem from How the Grinch Stole Christmas Dr. Seuss
…So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the snow. It started in low. Then it started to grow. But the sound wasn’t sad! Why, this sound sounded merry! It couldn’t be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes! Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise! Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all! He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?” “It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!” “It came without packages, boxes or bags!” And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.” “Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”…
Benediction
Postlude Christmas Carol medley Union Church Orchestra
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