A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
December 28, 2025
10:30 am
The First Sunday after Christmas
Meditation
We humans have spent a lot of time focusing on the fear. Don’t forget: God is also in the joy.
~ Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed from “Holy & Unhindered”
From There to Here: We Gather
Hymn Sing Choose Your Favorites!
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
The Call Peggy Patrick, Reader
One: We have sung and celebrated
All: But the work of Christmas is not done.
One: In wonder and worry we watch as the year closes,
All: And pray for what may come in the next.
One: In turn and transition,
All: In anxiety and grace,
One: we gather to listen, to dream, and follow.
All: God before us, God beside us, God with us, we gather to sing and praise.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Lest we get lost…
All: Keep us on the path.
One: Lest we forget again…
All: Help us protect what is true, what is good, what is love.
One: Lest we harm ourselves or the world…
All: Dream with us a way from sorrow and open a way in the wilderness of our mistakes.
One: Light our darkness, turn our feet, open our hearts, O light of the World:
All: Amen.
Hymn #435 Each Winter as the Year Grows Older Carol of Hope
1. Each winter as the year grows older,
we each grow older too.
The chill sets in a little colder;
the verities I knew
seem shaken and untrue.
2. When race and class cry out for treason,
when sirens call for war,
they overshout the voice of reason,
and scream till we ignore
all we held dear before.
3. But I believe beyond believing,
that life can spring from death:
That growth can flower from our grieving;
that we can catch our breath
and turn transfixed by faith.
4. So even as the sun is turning
to journey to the north,
The living flame, in secret burning,
can kindle on the earth,
and bring God’s love to birth.
5. O Child of ecstasy and sorrows,
O Child of peace and pain,
Brighten today’s world by tomorrow’s,
renew our lives again;
Christ Jesus, come and reign!
Words of Assurance
One: “Fear not!” the angels say. Now as then there is good news for all the people of earth: “Your sins are as morning dew evaporating, and each day is the beginning of a new year of grace.” Where there has been harm, there is strength to rebuild. Where there has been injury, healing is on the wing. Where we have acted in ignorance, there are better angels to show us the better way. Fear not, and may God light the way forward.
All: Amen!
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Special Music Christmas Medley Union Church Orchestra
Scripture Reading Psalm 148
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
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.
Scripture Reading Matthew 2:13-23
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. Then what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon The Long Walk to Home Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard and reflect together.
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
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 Japan, North Korea and South Korea and our siblings at the Berea Church of God our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Ringing 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.
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
For Reflection
Until We Reach the Sun ~Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed
Buffaloes are the only animals that run into a storm.
They can smell the snow coming. They can feel the temperature change—
deep in their bones. So they gather together, a pack on the plains.
And with their large lumbering bodies, they run.
They run through snow and ice, wind and rain. They do not stop
until they reach the sun.
When you are afraid, because this world is cruel and harsh,
or because humans are deported and shot without reason,
or because we cannot remember how to talk to each other civilly,
I will be your pack. I will stay by your side. I will run with you
until we reach the sun.
Offertory Noel Nouvelet, Raymond Haan Kim Kobersmith, flute
A Chance for Generosity: 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 easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering 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!
¨ Doxology Old Hundredth
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.
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community Peggy Patrick, Reader
How trauma and triumph intermingle in your human ones. We are carried too often by cruel winds and always at risk to become the cruel in turn. So for this we pray, Lord: That we might find strength in the dreams you send us. That we might rise up from our dangers and Go, go to the edges of the world to find the center of worthy, holy work. And that we might dance in praise and wonder, never ceasing and even in the valley of the shadow of death, to make the broken whole.
We pray for homes for all displaced and ask for the eyes to see them, ears to hear them, hands to help them that in so doing we might help ourselves and all on the long walk to a home we have never yet known. In the coming year, help us to live Christmas, not only sing of it. Help us to pray with integrity the prayer Jesus taught when he told us to reach to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, Our Mother, and Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn Joseph, Son of an Ancient King Dan Damon
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we light the Justice candle for the Kentucky Refugee Ministries. This organization resettles refugees and welcomes immigrants. They provide hope and advocacy for those seeking safety. With a continuum of services KRM helps families to rebuild their lives. Services include assistance with housing, learning English, career development and applying for citizenship.
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response you’re invited to join in singing:
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Dave Reilly’s nephew, Herb Post, ill with kidney cancer that has spread to his lung.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ 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.
¨ That the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East may hold; and those suffering receive the aid they need.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ Bruce and Kelley Hoefer, and all the family, at the death of Betsy Hoefer. A remembrance will be held over the summer.
¨ Brandy Mountjoy Anderson at her father, George Mountjoy’s, passing.
¨ The Brunner family and friends, at the death of KaraBeth Brunner.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Hattie Parks, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: December 28 – Marvin Jenkins, Iris Bailey; 29 – Paul Smithson; January 1 -Maureen Spencer; 3 – Rebekan Easton-Hogg
Anniversaries: January 1 – Gene & Donna Daniels
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Sooooooo disappointed I couldn’t watch service online, as I’m out of town and can’t be there inperson!