Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

First Sunday of Christmas

December 31, 2017   10:30 am 

Meditation   
I see Christ as the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality. — Sydney Carter               

From there to Here

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 In Dulci Jubilo J. S. Bach
¨  Call to Worship
One:    When Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph,
All: God is there.
One:   When the shepherds leave their fields to find new-born joy
All:   God sends them.
One:     When Mary and Joseph make the long trip to Jerusalem
All:   God goes before them.
One: When Jesus is presented at the temple,
All: God awaits.
One: When Simeon holds Jesus in his arms,
All: God smiles.
One:   When Anna recognizes Jesus in the temple,
All: God rejoices.
One: This very morning,
All: God is here.
One: From all the places we have known,
All:   God calls us.
One: In remembering the year past,
All: God is present.
One: In the future we cannot see,
All: God goes before us.
One: In the traveling we do together,
All: God delights: Let us worship God!
¨  Opening Hymn #153 Who Would Think that What Was Needed Scarlet Ribbons
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: On this the sixth day of Christmas, as another year draws to a close, we come together before God and with one another, confessing:
All: the ways in which we have been caught up  in the frenzied spirit of the holidays and turned away from Your Spirit of Peace;
the times we have focused so much on our own lives and desires, that we have neglected the voices of your children who cry out for justice or help;
in the times we have dismissed Christmas as a time only for children,  and we have stubbornly closed our hearts to your amazing gift of Love.
One: O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Word Become Flesh, our Savior and King, hear us as we humbly pray,
All: Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. Amen.
— Rev. Nancy J, on her blog “wonderings through life and other such nonsense”
¨  Words of Assurance
One: Hear the good news of Christmas. Today God reveals to us the wonders of divine love.
All: For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given.
His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
One:      In the name of Jesus the Christ, you are forgiven and able to start anew..
All:       In the name of Jesus the Christ, you are forgiven and able to start anew. Hallelujah! And Amen.
— Rev. Nancy J
¨  Passing the Peace 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 peace and joy. 

The Living Word among us

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Musical Meditation
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.  
Gospel Lesson Luke 2:22-40 
Sermon Crossing the Line Rev. Kent Gilbert
¨  Hymn #435 Each Winter as the Year Grows Old Carol of Hope

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

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 to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
 Offertory         
¨   Doxology  To God all glorious heavenly light; Old Hundredth
To Christ revealed in earthly night;
To God the spirit now we raise
Our grateful hymn of thankful praise. Amen.  

Praying it Forward

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.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: 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

¨  Closing Hymn #433 In the Bulb There Is a Flower Promise
¨  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated) Hallelujah G.F. Handel
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 Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine and our brothers and sisters at Calvary Apostolic Church 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Jackie Perman, mother of Kelly Madden and grandmother to Cadence and Colin Perman and William and Brian Madden, who is now in rehab at Good Samaritan Hospital after a long illness.
¨ Neighbors and friends in fear of ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) raids in our area, and for DACA students and their families. May we all strive for a safe and respectful path forward to be good neighbors.
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Teri VanPelt, recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.
¨ Loyal Jones, who was hospitalized and is now recovering at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington.
¨ Paul Lyttle, friend of the Jacobs’, who underwent surgery due to an infection from a spider bite.
¨ Anthony Smallwood, in the loss of his sister last week.
Next week: Office is closed the 1st and 2nd.  Children’s Church is taking a break and will resume January 7. The 8:00 am morning meditation is taking a break until January 2. Please join us in the new year!
WNL is a potluck on Jan. 3 — first Wednesday of the month.
Church Council will meet on January 8 this month, as the 15th is a holiday.
Home Energy Workshop at Union Church January 9, 6:30—8:30 pm in the Community Room, conducted by Bluegrass Greensource. Childcare for those 4 and up provided, a light supper provided. Join us for free workshops to learn simple, energy-saving tips that will save you money and make your home more comfortable this winter. This hands-on workshop will give you the skills you need to protect your home against high energy bills. No charge, but please register at www.BgGreensource.org.
Birthday lunch for Hattie Parks! January 14th, come to the Community Room after worship for a light lunch and birthday cake to wish Hattie Parks a happy 95th birthday!  All are welcome and be sure to sign her birthday card.