Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2019 10:30 am
Meditation Tripping Over Joy
What is the difference between your experience of Existence and that of a saint? The saint knows that the spiritual path is a sublime chess game with God and that the Beloved has just made such a fantastic move that the saint is now continually tripping over joy and bursting out in laughter and saying, “I surrender!”
Whereas, my dear, I am afraid you still think you have a thousand serious moves. —Hafiz
From there to here: we Gather
Hymn Sing Choose Your Favorites!
Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, 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. We’re glad you’re here!
Prelude Symphonia on Hyfrydol Kevin McChesney
Pearl Marshall, Handbell Solo
Prophetic Reading Isaiah 35:1-10 (p. 845)
Isaiah speaks of a day when God shall be present with God’s people, when the desert shall blossom, when Israel’s enemies shall be put down, and God’s people shall be established once again in the homeland.
Advent Wreath Lighting The Light of Joy Jennifer Melton
The Advent Wreath tradition reaches back to pre-Christian northern Europeans who lit candles awaiting the winter solstice. By the 1500s, both Lutherans and Catholics had adapted the Advent Wreath as a devotional way to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Each week as we wait through Advent, we light a new candle representing an aspect of the light God intends for all people. This Sunday the candle of Joy is lit.
On the Edge of Joy
Advent is a time of waiting.
Waiting in the dark, on the edge of the Light that is coming.
Waiting on the edge of Joy.
As we wait for the presence of Christ,
We also rejoice in the here and now
In the majesty of our mountains in sunlit snow
In the Joy of an owl, calling in the night
In the Joy of our beloved community
Gathering to usher your Light into the darkness.
We long for your Light
Calling us to be better stewards of creation
And better neighbors to each other
Restore us, O God.
Shine your Light over here,
So that we can magnify it
Where we stand
On the edge of Joy.
¨ Hymn The Desert Shall Rejoice Sterling
¨ Passing the Joy 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 Joy, Peace and hospitality.
The Living Word among us
Anthem Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Robinson, Larkin
Union Church Choir
Come, Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for loudest songs of praise. I am bound for the kingdom, will you go to glory with me? Hallelujah, praise the Lord! Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be. Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the Lord I love. Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to remain in the sanctuary for the Christmas Pageant! The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has 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 in Room 104 off the playground.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 11:2-11 (p. 1153)
Are you the long-awaited Messiah? Or should we expect another? This is the question put to Jesus by John and his disciples.
Short Reflection On the Edge of Joy Rev. Kent Gilbert
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat. 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 those in need via many external agencies.
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. You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Christmas Pageant
“Ninety Miles”
by Laura Nagle
Narrators: Jenny Hobson, Maria Hartz, Grace McKenzie, Ashley Cochrane
Today we are invited to walk in the footsteps of this ancient story. Throughout the play everyone (yes, young and old!) is invited to take the parts described by the narrators and led by the children. At various point everyone is invited to sing the hymns listed below. There are lots of way to enter the story, and to let it enter us. Here is the church engaged in Godly play. Let all be welcome and joyful!
Act 1: 6 Days
#119 Black My Soul Gives Glory To My God Morning Song
Act 2: 4 Days
Come Take My Hand Tune: Wexford Carol #206
- Come take my hand and be my friend:
Your health and hope I’ll gladly mend;
Your worth, though hidden, I’ll reveal,
Your brokenness I’ll touch and heal.
Chorus:
And if you will go where I will go,
On pathways smooth and troublesome,
And if you will love as I will love,
You’ll see on earth the kingdom come.
- O leave the things that let you down:
The lust for wealth or cheap renown,
The memory of what you’ve been,
The worst you’ve ever thought or seen. Chorus.
- Prepare to welcome those who like
Your hand to shake or face to strike.
The love I share, which saves the lost,
Is never cheap but comes at cost. Chorus.
- I am the bread, I am the vine,
I lay my lifeblood on the line.
If you’re with me, avoid pretense:
Stay on the ground and not the fence. Chorus.
Act 3: 2 Days
#539 Black Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant Servant Song
Act 4: The Time is Here
Silent Night (Please hum) vocals by Melissa Sparks
From Here to There
¨ Hymn People, Look East (next page) Besançon
¨ The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated)
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 China, Macau and Hong Kong and our brothers and sisters at Wallace Chapel, in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ For Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ In thanksgiving for those students, teachers, parents, lawmakers, and citizens who are witnessing and working to end gun violence in our society. May laws that help be passed; may hearts that are broken be healed; may all who are in danger be kept safe.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Joyce Henderson, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Tom Warth.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Dean Jacobs, Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, approaching the end of life.
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from surgery on her fibula and ankle, injured in a fall.
¨ Kelly Mehler, recovering from liver surgery.
¨ Rachel Lakes and the family, at the death of her aunt Gini Hautau.
¨ George Mountjoy.
¨ Larry Brandenburg’s mother, recovering from hip surgery.
¨ Joan English’s uncle, Bob Peterson, who has contracted MRSA while recovering from a stroke.
¨ Hank Pinkerton, at the death of his son.
¨ Barb Smith, anticipating arm surgery.
¨ Ron Sims and all the family, at the death of his mother, Shirley Sims.
¨ Lisa Vaughn’s mother, whose husband is on hospice care.
¨ Peggy Coyne, who will have knee surgery this week.
“An American Christmas” will be presented by the 30-voice Berea Classic Chorale today at 2:30 pm in the sanctuary The program is comprised of music by American composers.
Admission is $5.00 per adult, children and students may attend free. A reception will follow. The Berea Classic Chorale is an adult mixed ensemble conducted by Larry Brandenburg. The singers, who are from Berea and Richmond, are beginning their 7th year of presenting quality choral music.
Christmas Caroling right after service next Sunday! Join us in the community room to grab a quick sandwich provided by Faith Development, and then we will divide up to spread our cheer to those who are at home. Cookies are appreciated! You can leave them in the kitchen before service that day.
“Praise God with Dancing!” Dancers (any gender) are invited to help bring in the light to our 5:30 pm Christmas eve service. No prior experience required. Please contact the church office or Maggie Park at 330-277-7738 or maggiecatherinepark@gmail.com to say “yes!”
St. Clare Christmas Basket Program! Each year we partner with St. Clare Catholic Church to help provide food staples and children’s gifts for the holidays. In the sanctuary, on the Community Sharing Table, you will find information about how to provide food for families of various sizes, including a shopping list. Your items, put into a cardboard box (or boxes), along with any toys or children’s books, do not need to be delivered to St. Clare until December 20. We will collect toys and food baskets here if you wish, or would like help transporting your items. If you wish to make a financial contribution in lieu of shopping yourself, here are the recommended donation amounts: 2 person family: $70; 4 person family: $80; 6 person family: $100; 8 person family: $115.
Tuesday—Justice Through Bail Reform: an Evening of Faith and Facts December 17, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Too many people in our community are being locked up before they are even found guilty of an offense, with bail set so high they can’t afford to get out of jail. The costs of pre-trial incarceration are financial, physical, mental and emotional, and they take a toll on people, families and communities. Join us as we hear testimonials from people who have experienced our unjust bail system and people working to change it. Our faith and the facts point us in the same direction: It’s time for equal justice for all Kentuckians through bail reform.
Light refreshments and Q&A directly following the program. Episcopal Church of Our Savior, 2323 Lexington Rd., Richmond.
Longnight Service Saturday, Dec. 21, 7:00 pm, Cowan Chapel. Many in this season are ready to sing “Joy to the World.” Perhaps you are not …. whether we are missing someone we love this Christmas, or we find ourselves in need of contemplation, renewal and hope, we gather this evening, as darkness comes, to worship God in the midst of grief.
We gather to shed tears if they come, and to join our voices with one another and our forebears in the faith who still cry out, “How long?”
Whether or not you are able to attend, whether you come for yourself or on another’s behalf, please know that the members and friends of this congregation will hold you in the light of Christ that night, “and the darkness will not overcome it.”
Stay for light refreshments and fellowship after the service if you’d like to. Please share with any you feel might wish to attend.
Room in the Inn is a community-based program that provides shelter to the homeless in the winter months. Several churches each take one night a week to become an “inn” by providing dinner, a warm place to sleep, and breakfast. Union Church participated last year on Sunday nights and we’re going to do it again this winter. We can use all kinds of help, working with guests, but also with behind the scene activities like cooking, cleanup, laundry and transportation. Volunteer training is being offered in December; shelters will run from January through mid-March. If you’re interested in joining this effort, please contact Shirley Carlberg at nonesuch_1998@yahoo.com or 859-985-5501.
A client of LaRee Jacobs is seeking roommates in her house on Cherry Rd., Berea: Her name is Victoria Bordelon & contact number is 859-314-4363. She is a Berea College Alum. She is asking $450 per month for a room/study and bathroom or $500 for a top floor 3 bedroom apartment/bedroom suite. The kitchen area is shared by everyone in the home. Kids and pets are allowed on a person by person basis.
Coming Up at Union Church!
Dec. 21: Longnight Service Prayers for Healing at Christmas Time. 7 pm. All welcome.
Candle-lit Christmas Eve Services
Early: 5:30 pm-6:30 pm Candle-lit service with Music of the Season, Christmas Story, and finger food reception afterwards.
Late: 11:00 pm. Quiet Intimate Service in Cowan Chapel with Holy Communion.
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