A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30 am
Even a single soul can bring light to the world. One faithful soul, one loving heart, can turn life from sorrow to singing. It can heal even the deepest rift. It can restore hope in the imagination of millions.
~ Steven Charleston
From There to Here: We Gather
Hymn Sing Choose Your Favorites!
Meditation Chant/Song Kindle a Flame John Bell
@1987, Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
First Reading 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Rhonda Edwards, Reader
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”
Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies.
Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Lighting the Candle of Love
As its name implies, Advent is a time of new understandings, of awakening, and of expectation and of beginnings. We start not in the bright lights of Christmas cheer, but rather in the NEED that calls for this longed for child. We start in the shadows, learning their shape, and tracing the presence and promise of God that leads from “shadow” to “living love.” Today we examine the shadows around Love.
Reading by Candlelighters Iris Bailey, Emily LaDouceur
One: The journey of Advent is part of a sacred arc for us, one that moves from “shadows” of sin and fear, to the “kindled light” of Christmas that we will celebrate tonight. Throughout Advent we seek to understand the shape of these shadows and God’s presence and promise among them.
One: Even when we try to do grand and faithful things, we can still miss the mark. David wants to build a great temple for the ark of God, but completely misses that God wants a different kind of home. Instead of a stone cathedral, God would rather make a house of love; to be known and seen in the right relationship of loving hearts. Where does love live, exactly? It isn’t in perfectionism, or in showy expense. Love is the house where Mary’s “yes” and Moses’ “here I am” and our own “we’ll do what love demands” all meet.
As we move ever closer to the kindling of the Christ candle, we have passed the candles of HOPE and PEACE and JOY and LOVE to lighten the dark and show us the way. Let us pray:
Prayer from the Shadows
One: In all our living, may we be loving, great God of us all.
All: Make us into a living house for your care and compassion, then open the doors of our hearts and let the world pour in.
One: When glitz and glamor, pride or perfectionism, distract us from the love and the loving work you call us to, we beg for correction. Let nothing divert the Love you intend for all, we pray.
All: Forgive us, and reshape our shadows into the true Love of your coming Christ.
The Candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love are Lit
One: Humble hearts are greater than palaces to you, and you dwell wherever charity and love abound.
All: You have kindled Love in us, O Lord of Light. Grant that we may increase the flame for all. Amen.
¨ Hymn #43 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Beecher
1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven, on earth be found, Fix in us a humble dwelling; Let us all your mercies crown. Jesus, you are all compassion; Pure, unbounded love impart; Visit us with your your salvation; Enter every trembling heart.
2 Breathe, O breathe your loving Spirit Into every troubled breast; Let us all in you inherit; Let us find your promised rest. Take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.
3 Come, Almighty, to deliver; Let us all your life receive; Suddenly return, and never, Nevermore your temples leave. You we would be always blessing, Love you as your angels love, Pray, and praise for your unfailing, Wounded arms outstretched above.
4 Finish, then, your new creation; Pure and spotless may we prove; Let us see your great salvation Perfectly restored in you: Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Crowned as saints we ever shall be, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
¨ Passing of the Love
As we greet one another this morning you are invited to share something that has commanded your love or holds your heart.
Word and Worship
Second Reading Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Children’s Moment for All: Shaping Love from Shadows Rev. Kent Gilbert
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.
Video Reflection
Offering Our Gifts
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.
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: www.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 www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity 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!
Prayer Stations
For those who wish, Prayer stations are available for meditation, action, and reflection during this time:
Joy from Shadows Art prayers: use provided tools to make visual prayer from tempera art board on the table to the left of the dais.
Light in the Darkness: votive candles are available to light for those prayer needs being held in the Light of God’s hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
Dance Corner: Find art and room to move in the rear “garden side” corner for kinetic prayer. Art work graciously provided by Jennifer Elam.
Children’s Corner: Activities, coloring materials, and play for children of all ages in the “Tavern side” rear corner.
¨ Doxology
At the conclusion of our Offertory and Prayer, please join in singing and return to your seats:
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.
Christmas Cantata: Sing a Song of Christmas
Narration by Rita Barlow, Dale Barlow, Peggy Patrick, and Diane Bailey
Accompanied by the Union Church Orchestra and Choir
“It’s time to rejoice! So, let the celebration begin.
Let the musicians play. Let the singers sing!”
Sing a Song of Christmas Marty Funderburk, Doug Little
O Come, O Come... Trad.
Light of the Stable Steve and Elizabeth Rhymer
Still, Still, Still
The Story Never Grows Old Cindi Ballard, Wayne Haun, Matthew Garinger
Sing a Song of Christmas
Living Prayer
Community Prayer Rhonda Edwards, Reader
“Yes! A Thousand times Yes!” to all that your amazing love demands, Lord! Mary saw it and said “yes!” to a vision of justice and joy. Jesus saw it and said “yes” to everyone who had been told “no.” “Yes! to the outcasts, “Yes!” to the poor, the broken-hearted, the sick and the lame. “Yes” to the sinners looking for more, and “Yes,” even to those of us who think we don’t need it.
May we magnify such love by whom we embrace. May your hope and joy show in our children, and your peace echo through their lives. With love, tend us, show us what is demanded of those who seek to bring about your vision. Help us now and every week to be ready to welcome a coming savior… as love demands. This we pray in the way Jesus taught us to reach to you as…
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: We Depart
Hymn #110 Now Bless the God of Israel Forest Green
1 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power, who raises from the royal house deliverance in this hour. Through holy prophets God has sworn to free us from alarm, to save us from the heavy hand of all who wish us harm.
2 Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear, that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year. And you, my child, shall go before, to preach, to prophesy, that all may know the tender love, the grace of God most high.
3 In tender mercy, God will send the dayspring from on high, our rising sun, the light of life for those who sit and sigh. God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more. Sing praises to the Holy One, O worship and adore.
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community evens, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Povarello House and Br. David Buer On this Sunday when we emphasize Love, we need to consider the homeless, who represent some of the least loved members in our society. Jesus himself was homeless as he traveled throughout the Holy Land reaching out to the social outcasts of His day.
Poverello House of Tucson, opened in 2008 by Br. Buer, a Franciscan monk, is a homelike place of welcome and a safe environment providing daytime rest, food, laundry facilities, showers, and companionship for homeless men. Especially in the heat of the summer, this is a welcome respite of the homeless men who live on our streets and under bridges.
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response Let There Be Love on Earth (opposite) Courtney, Miller
Postlude
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of Japan, North Korea and South Korea and our brothers and sisters at White’s Memorial Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ 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.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman.
¨ Rita Barlow, receiving care at home.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Jeannette Davidson, having health problems.
¨ Mary McDonnell’s sister, recovering from surgery.
¨ John Wylie, at the death of his mother.
¨ Dorie Hubbard, moving soon to New York City; and Amy Williams, moving to Sacramento, CA.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Dec. 27 – Sue Peterson Blyth; 28 – Marvin Jenkins, Iris Bailey; 29 – Paul Smithson; 30 – Joseph Jacobs; Jan. 1 -Jerry Cooper, Maureen Spencer
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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