A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2012
Meditation
I have little patience for those who fail to see the sufferings of the world. I am skeptical of those whose joy seems forced, happy no matter what befalls them. But there is another joy—deeper than the good times and bad times life metes out, stronger than our best attempts and sorest failings—a joy that lifts us when we cannot lift ourselves, a peace that grasps us and returns us renewed.
This is the joy Paul proclaims as he writes to the Philippians from prison. Rejoice in the Lord, for our deepest joy lies not in our circumstances, but in God. Let all…know your forbearance. To know the joy that comes from God is not to be carried away in blissful happiness, but to be strengthened and deepened in our love for the world.
—Barbara Gerlach
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee (St. Theodolph) Wyton/Manz
Introit Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Winkworth, Schweizer
When invited, please sing the refrain:
Reading from the Prophets Zephaniah 3:14-20 (p. 1113)
A song of celebration.
Advent Candle Lighting: JOY
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 adopted 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.
Lighting the Candle of Joy
One: Like a mother lullabying a baby, the God of Advent sings over us; like a father picking up his kids after school, God brings us home.
All: And So we sing songs to the One who fills our lives with wonder and joy.
One: We light these candles each Sunday to remind ourselves of the Hope of salvation on the way, Peace surrounding our hearts and minds: helping us to set aside our fears and worries; And this pink candle of Joy because we rejoice in what God has done and is doing in our midst. As we begin our worship let us pray:
All: Jesus Christ, Wellspring of salvation: may we draw near and drink deeply of your living waters, so we might be renewed to life and restored to wholeness. Help us prepare our houses to be homes of such joy and justice that all can know us by our Love. Help us prepare home and heart for the living Spirit of Christ, our guest, our hope, and our joy.
¨ Opening Hymn People, Look East (opposite) Besancon
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
¨ Words of Assurance
One: This is the good news proclaimed to us: the Lord is near, the Lord who is our salvation.
All: We give thanks to God, who has come bringing peace, bearing hope, carrying joy into our lives.
One: In the name of the living Christ, the one who came and is coming into all darkness with light, that sin shall have no power over any. We are forgiven and free through Christ our lord.
All: Amen.
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the word
Anthem “Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth” Richard Shephard
Union Church Choir
Come thou redeemer of the earth, let ev’ry age adoring fall, And manifest thy virgin birth; such birth befits the God of all. Begotten of no human will, but of the Spirit, thou art still, The Word of God in flesh arrayed, the promised fruit to God displayed.
O equal to the Father thou! Gird on thy fleshly mantle now; The weakness of our mortal state with deathless might invigorate. Thy cradle here with glitter bright, and darkness breathe a newer light, Where endless faith shall shine serene, and twilight never intervene
Epistle Lesson Philippians 4:4-7 (p. 1432)
Paul encourages the Lord’s followers.
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, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, on the second floor (in the new Conference Room), and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
Scripture Lesson Luke 3:7-18 (p. 1229)
The preaching of John the Baptist.
Sermon “Snake Handling” Rev. Kent Gilbert
Hymn Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice (opposite) Aberystwyth
Prayers of the People
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 Prayers & Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Invitation to Offering of Self and Service
Offertory “Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Divinum Mysterium)” Wilbur Held
Those seeking to join Union Church are invited to come forward during the Doxology.
¨ Doxology To God all glorious heavenly light To Christ revealed in earthly night; To God the Spirit now we raise Our joyful songs of thankful praise. Amen.
¨ Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith & Receiving new members
Introduction and Invitation to Membership Rev. Kent
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. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨ 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.
¨ Closing Hymn #121 Black Toda la Tierra v. 1-3 Taule
Postlude Praise Be to You, Jesus Christ Helmut Walcha
_____________________________
¨ Those who wish to may stand
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 Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo and our brothers and sisters at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
¨ Those in harm’s way in the service of our country
¨ Jean Seals, at Hospice in Richmond
¨ Jessica Holly, at the death of her grandfather
¨ Barb Taylor’s father, Russell Thayer, as he approaches the end of his life
¨ Renee and Billy Wellinghurst at the birth of Whitney Louise, born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces. Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges. Renee is doing fine.
¨ Cole Warren, who has injured his knee and needs an MRI and possibly an orthopedic surgeon
¨ Greg Bolster, brother of Steve, who is suffering painful abdominal complications related to his long-term cancer treatments.
¨ David Spearen, brother of Sandy Bolster, recovering from partial amputation of a leg due to severe diabetes.
¨ Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038
¨ Edith Hansen, at The Terrace nursing home
¨ Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
¨ Iris Brandenburg’s mother, Leuella Cawood, ill at home in Bristol TN
¨ Ruth Wesley, very ill at home. Cards welcome, to 215 Peachbloom Hill
¨ Hamdy Kemp’s address is 3217 Mist Lake Court, Lexington, KY. 40515, cards are welcome.
¨ Jean Huffman, at Morning Pointe
¨ Larry Shinn, recovering from a fall
Advent Events
- The 8th Annual Christmas With a Conscience (aka Alternative Giving Christmas Market) is happening today, December 16, until 1:30 p.m. at St. Clare Catholic Church’s Fellowship Hall. A soup lunch will be served, all donations to go to Berea Faith Community Outreach, Inc. (BFCO). Come and shop for a gift that will match the passion and concern of the recipients, while at the same time benefitting local, regional and wider not-for-profit organizations.
- Visit to Berea Health Care Center on Wednesday, Dec 19 at 7:00, the youth group would like to invite you to join us at Berea Health Care for a Christmas craft with the residents.
- Long Night Service for Prayers of Healing on December 19 at 7:00 pm, in the Sanctuary. This special quiet service is for anyone who is suffering in body, mind, or spirit during the holidays: Those who have lost loved ones, who are divorced or widowed, suffering depression, lost their jobs, or are simply mindful of the pain of the world. Set on the longest night of the year, the service is meant as a loving community of care as we wait for the light to return.
- Christmas pageant December 23- this much beloved tradition will once again be part of our morning worship!
- There will be two services on Christmas Eve: 5:30 pm followed by a potluck finger-food reception for all, and a special 11:00 pm service to welcome the Christ child at midnight. There will be no Christmas Day services at the church so everyone can keep Christmas with their families and friends.
The Pastoral Relations Committee wants your input. The Pastoral Relations Committee acts both as an information gathering body and as intermediary between the congregation and the pastors. To that end, we want your opinions. We want to know if you have praise, suggestions or concerns about any aspect of pastoral care here at Union Church. All opinions and information are considered seriously, and are held in strictest confidence. Please contact Committee Chair Paul Smithson at 985-3716, or other committee members Dottie Blackburn, Mary Nash and Stephanie Woodie.
The Mission Board invites you to continue our tradition of contributing to St. Clare’s Christmas Basket Program. How do you do this?
1. You can contribute a food basket for a family of 2,4, or 6. The idea is to buy breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a family. Prices listed on the sheet are based on basic commodities, not necessarily name brands. From our Christmas tree, select a Christmas tree ornament or stocking with a 2, 4, or 6 on it, complete a card with your name, telephone number and the size family that you are buying food for. Leave the card in the basket by the tree today, then bring the basket to the Union Church office before December 20 at 5 pm.
2. You can buy a gift for a child or teenager . If you want to buy a child or teen gift, choose that stocking from the Christmas tree and complete a card with your name, contact information and the ages for the toy/gift card. St. Clare provides a gift store for toys and gifts. Parents come into our store and select (shop for) two items each for their children as well as a family item and stuffed animals. They then wrap the gifts, on the spot, and put them in a bag for the family to take home.
Thanks from Michelle Tooley & her Religion, Migration and Human Rights class for the generous gifts of household goods for Kentucky Refugee Ministries. We filled up one car with boxes from Union Church and another car from Berea College. Kentucky Refugee Ministries has a working relationship with Goodwill. When refugees are resettled in Lexington or Louisville by KRM, they receive vouchers to “buy” clothes or other things at Goodwill. The vouchers come from donations to Goodwill. When you take things to Goodwill, make sure that the staff write Kentucky Refugee
Ministries on the receipt. You take the receipt home and you can still use it for your charitable contributions. KRM’s voucher bank is empty, so the holidays may be a good time to go through your basement or closets for goods to give away to Goodwill.
The Nurture & Care Board thanks everyone for their gifts of cards! They have plenty for the time being
Anniversary celebration! Judy and Rich Royalty are inviting the folks of Union Church to join them for an open house on Dec. 30, 2012, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The address is 101 Bryon Ave., Berea. No gifts, please, unless it is a gift to the church. Please RSVP to 985-8265.
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