A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
First Sunday of Christmas 10:30 am
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
Prelude
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 “<>.”
¨ Call to Worship
One: This is the time so well we love, with Christmas joy lingering long, and still holding us in warm embrace.
All: Joy grows stronger as the days grow longer.
One: We gather in grace; we gather to praise; we gather to nurture the holy in our midst.
All: God’s presence is revealed in joy and magnified in the wisdom of compassion for all. The work of Christmas has begun in us. Let us hold to the light and love as the seasons come and go.
¨ Hymn #434 All Beautiful the March of Days Forest Green
1 All beautiful the march of days,
As seasons come and go;
The hand that shaped the rose has wrought
The crystal of the snow,
Has sent the silver frost of heaven,
The flowing waters sealed,
And laid a silent loveliness
On hill and wood and field.
2 O’er brilliant fields of sparkling snow,
The radiant morns unfold;
The solemn splendors of the night
Burn brightly through the cold.
Life mounts in every pulsing vein,
Love deepens round the hearth,
And clearer sounds the angel hymn,
“Good will to all on earth.”
3 O you from whose unfathomed law
The year in beauty flows,
Yourself the splendid vision seen
In crystal and in rose,
The passing days with grace declare,,
And passing nights proclaim,
In everchanging words of light,
The wonder of your name.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession (unison)
God of the newest babes and greyest heads, we hope and pray to live more in the light and be less in the dark. We confess that we are prone to distraction rather than wise action. We study for our own gain, but neglect lessons of care for others. Where we have faltered and wandered away forgetting our children, our neighbors, or anyone of our true family, we ask for more light, and more love.
May we be led by this child born for joy and follow that light into every new year. In a world as broken and battered as we have made ours, we admit this is easier said than done. Forgive us for the moments when we forget. Forgive and transform us for the good you intend. In Christ’s name we pray: Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance when invited, please respond:
All: Thanks be to God!
¨ Passing of the Peace
All are invited to greet fellow worshippers and offer a sign of peace. You may simply share where you have seen glimmer of peace this week, or where you are seeking one.
Word and Worship
Special Music
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 Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
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 Luke 2:41-52
And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents were unaware of this. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them, and his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor.
~New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Sermon Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard.
Living Prayer
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.
Please refer to the insert in your bulletin.
As we journey through Christmas to Epiphany and as this year passes into the next, reflect on what you are carrying. This liminal time between is a chance to evaluate what is best kept for the road ahead, and what is best set down, left in the year behind.
What will you let go of?
What do you hope to carry with you?
In the space below take some time now, or later in a quiet moment to list those things. If you wish, tear off the section with those things you no longer need to carry and leave them in the jar at the altar. Fold the words with what you hope to carry and put it somewhere you can see again and again. Walk, then, a little lighter, in the Light.
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 simply an amount and a click.
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¨ 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 & Prayers of the Community
God of angel choruses and contagious laughter, Lord of teaching and wisdom and growing grace, we know that you speak to us in the quiet.
We know that when we bow our heads and fall to our knees,
you are there too, hovering close, calling our names, holding our hearts.
We give thanks too for your presence when we throw our heads back in laughter,
when we dance and clap with joy,
when we skip and sing with gratitude.
We know with certainty that in such beloved community you are there, and you are speaking.
So on this Sunday morning we pray:
open our ears and hearts to hear what it is that you are saying.
Meet us in every joy.
Meet us in delight and fashion us for loving widely and well.
Meet us in the hope of this Christmas season
and reveal the wisdom we need for the coming year.
With hearts full of gratitude and burdens with you
we laugh. We listen. We pray as Jesus taught us, reaching to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
¨ Hymn #153 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 sages wonder, Monarchs scorn and angels sing; Such a place as none would reckon Hosts a holy helpless thing; Stabled beasts and passing 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. In our search for sense and meaning, Lest our hopes and humor fray, God surprises earth with heaven Coming here on Christmas Day.
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 recognize Tony Crachiolo for his work for economic justice and his insistence on people over paperwork. Under his leadership the Berea Faith community Outreach (BFCO), which operates Berea Food Bank – BUURR – Frank Gailey Transient/Emergency Assistance Fund provides groceries and/or modest utility/rent assistance to over 600 Bereans in need every month as well as timely help for stranded travelers through a partnership with Berea Police Department.
We are so grateful for his service to the Berea Community.
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response Let There Be Peace on Earth (next page)
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
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 All Stateless People; and our brothers and sisters at Berea Friends Meeting in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ Mary Ellen Sarafin, Betty’s sister, suffering from cirrhosis.
¨ 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: Jerry Cooper, Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease, ands those who care and worry for them:: 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.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ Dottie Blackburn is in The Terrace for rehab. Cards welcome. 1043 Brooklyn Blvd., Berea.
¨ Charlie Hoffman, recovering from a heart procedure.
¨ Alva Peloquin, recovering from Covid.
¨ Kerry Jones, receiving Stem Cell transplant in Louisville
¨ Annie Hill, recovering from a broken leg after a fall at church.
¨ Dear friend of Union Church, Don Jiskoot, with serious complications after dental surgery.
¨ The Bellnier family, at the death of their young family member Elijah.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: today, Dec. 29 – Paul Smithson; 30 – Joseph Jacobs; Jan. 1 – Jetty Cooper, Maureen Spencer; 3 – Rebekah Easton-Hogg
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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