A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
The Second Sunday of Advent December 7, 2025
10:30 am
Meditation
In a world full of fear, where do you see glimmers of Peace?
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 x, Reader
One: Family of faith, God is at work!
All: God is healing and creating,
One: redeeming and dreaming,
All: calling and sending,
One: listening and loving.
All: Yes, indeed, God is at work!
One: So may we worship our God who never gives up.
All: May we worship our God who holds onto hope and brings peace.
Lighting the Candle of Peace Don and Rhonda Cardwell, Readers
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 adapted 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 PEACE is lit.
Reader 1: In a world full of fear, where do you see peace?
Reader 2: I see glimmers of peace in the quiet of early morning, when people shake hands, when loved ones say they’re sorry, and when the church sings together.
Reader 1: Even in a fearful world, peace is all around us.
Reader 2: Today we light the candle of peace as a reminder of this good news. May this flicker of light help us remember that even in a fearful world, peace is present. We only have to look for it.
[The Candles of Hope and Peace are lit.]
Reader 1: Thanks be to God! Let us pray…
Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: God-with-us, we have every desire to hold onto hope, to believe that spring will come, that the sun will rise again. We confess that too often that hope slips through our fingers.
All: The peace we seek we fail to find, and in distress and dis-ease, we wound the world and those we love.
Forgive us and soothe our wandering hearts. Show us the places where abiding peace is building.
Show us the paths where you are moving and bring us along. We trust in your mercy, Lord.
With open hearts we pray, amen.
Words of Assurance
¨ Hymn #108 Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old Judas and Mary
- Isaiah the prophet has written of old
how God’s new creation shall come.
Instead of the thorn tree, the fir tree shall grow;
the wolf shall lie down with the lamb, the lamb,
the wolf shall lie down with the lamb.
2. The mountains and hills shall break forth into song
the peoples be led forth in peace;
the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God
as the waters cover the sea, the sea,
as the waters cover the sea.
3. Yet nations still prey on the meek of the world,
and conflict turns parent from child.
Your people despoil all the sweetness of earth,
the brier and the thorn tree grow wild, grow wild,
the brier and the thorn tree grow wild.
4. God, bring to fruition your will for the earth,
that no one shall hurt or destroy,
that wisdom and justice shall reign in the land
and your people shall go forth in joy, in joy,
and your people shall go forth in joy.
¨ 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.
Celebrating God’s Presence in Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament through which we are united to Jesus Christ and given part in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation. Today we celebrate the baptism of Tiffany Olsen. Tiffany’s grandparents, Jim and Lillian Hall, were Honorary Lifetime Deacons of Union Church, and her mother Betty Jean Hall came up in the congregation and remained a supportive friend of the church long after she left college and started her family and career in Virginia. Rev. Kent officiated the wedding of Tiffany to her husband, Kevin, in 2010. We are honored to be church family in Tiffany’s baptismal vows.
Introduction
Questions of the Candidate & Congregation when invited, please respond as indicated
Prayer Over the Water
The Act of Baptism
Covenant and Commitment
Pastor: The church is the family of God and the Body of Christ, the community in which we grow in faith and commitment. Members and friends please rise to seal our covenant with one another and with God:
All And we, the members and faithful friends of this church, renewing our own covenant to God rejoice to welcome you to our care and celebrate God’s presence in your life.
With you we promise to be a community seeking to boldly embody the life and ministry of Christ and to make the love of Jesus, the blessings of the holy spirit, visible and tangible to all.
We promise to watch over you in love, and pray that you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and that we continue to increase in usefulness and joy in Christ’s service.
Word and Worship
Anthem Carol of the Advent Philip Dieterrich Union Church Choir & Orchestra
People, look East. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look East, and sing today: Hope, the guest , is on the way. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there: give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish. People, look East, and sing today: Peace, the rose, is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together. People, look East, and sing today: Joy, the star, is on the way. Angels, announce to man and beast Him who cometh from the East. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look East, and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Scripture Reading Isaiah 43:19-21
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. ~ 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 11:1-11
Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Peacing It All Together Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard and reflect together.
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
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 Myanmar and Thailand; and our siblings at Glades Christian Church our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift our hearts in prayer.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One: Here at this Table, there is enough room, enough food, enough love for everyone.
One: Here at this Table, Jesus is standing up on his chair, waving his hands over his head, saying to each of you,
“I saved you a seat!” Here at this Table, you are wanted and welcomed. You are safe and loved. Here at this Table, you belong.
One: So my friends, there is no need for fear here, for this is a joyful feast, laid in hope, insisting on peace. And you are invited. All are welcome.
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.
Communion Prayer
One: You have entered this place, O God, and in your holy shadow heaven tangles with earth in the bread and cup, and in the promise of Spirit poured into flesh.
One: Come now, God, as you once came to us in a stable in Bethlehem. Come now and be with us in the bread of Christ’s body, in this world that hungers and waits for truth, that hopes with open eyes for the way to clear. With all creation poised on the edge of redemption we pray, and yearn, and sing the praises of the angels:
Sanctus all are invited to join in singing:
Communion Prayer
One: Come now, God. As once your Spirit poured forth life upon the earth and poured a just peace into the mouths of the prophets, come now and pour the wine of Christ’s lifeblood for us in this moment, waiting for renewal.
All: Be present that even in anxiety we may wait in deep peace:
Choir: in the silence of power and the power of silence;
Piano side: in the throne rooms of the rich and the shanties of the poor;
Bell side: in overfed communities and in underfed souls;
All: Gather up Peace in this bread and cup. Break open the good news of your incarnation on the stretched budgets, and on frantic families; raise up your peace in the chaos of governments, and the pains of those who suffer. We are on the edge. Bring us to the center of your depth.
Words of Institution
One: Even when the world was not peace filled for Jesus—on the very night he was betrayed—he continued to feed others with strength and vision. We remember that he sat with his friends, took bread and blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them saying,
All: “This is my body, given for you. Remember me when you eat of it.”
One: After supper, he took a cup, offered you thanks, and gave it to his disciples saying,
All: “This is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for the forgiveness of sin. Whenever you share this cup, remember me.”
One: Come now, Holy Spirit. Gather up the good news in this gathering of your people. Come now, God. Where we have eaten the bread of anxiety, nourish us now with the bread of promise given form and purpose in a small child born in our midst. Humanity is waiting, working for life. Make your advent of peace here in our hearts.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher.
All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit and all people, within your tradition.
Living Prayer
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 God in the Kitchen ~Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed
I called home my first semester of college. I told my mom I was fine, but I was homesick. She must have heard the truth in my voice.
The ache ate at me. It was a long, slow song, a million tiny ants slurping the juice from a peach. I was tender and bruised, in the doldrums of it all. But she could hear all of that.
So three states away,
she preheated the oven. Three states away, she tossed blueberries in a thin layer of flour. Three states away, she dusted a layer of streusel over the soft peaks of a dozen warm muffins. And three days later, I unboxed a package from home—
a dozen blueberry muffins, a love letter with my name on it, a reminder that I was not alone.
If you’re running out of hope, count to three.
God is in the kitchen. She’s just waiting for yeast to rise.
Offertory 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 raiseOur joyful songs of thankful praise. Amen.
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community Rhonda Cardwell, Reader
Loving God, In a world racked with fear, you gather us together.
You set the table. You meet us here. You nourish our bodies as you nourish our spirits. You remind us that this is a joyful feast, and that fear cannot win every time. So with renewed courage, with renewed hope, with renewed conviction, send us out into the world. Help us to feed others as you have fed us with Hope and Peace. With gratitude we pray in the way of Jesus, reaching 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
Words Strickland, 2025 Music Gauntlett, 1849
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
On this second Sunday of Advent we celebrate Peace. Civil wars, ethnic and religious conflicts, wars of aggression and competition for resources rage worldwide. We honor the twenty-some international organizations working for peace, including among many others the United Nations, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and numerous non-governmental organizations such as the International Crisis Group, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Alliance for Peacebuilding. We add to that list Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ) with whom we at Union Church have worked during and after the Salvadoran civil war to counter US policy and promote justice for all in that small Central American nation.
¨ 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.
¨ Jenny Bromley, who dislocated her shoulder, and in her recovery from its repair.
¨ Rev. Christina Perkins’ sister, Veronica, and her children, at the passing of her husband Jamie Agurri.
¨ The family, friends and many students of Gurney Norman, whose life will be celebrated today at the Gatton Student Center, Univ. of Kentucky. Rev. Kent is presiding.
¨ 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Hattie Parks, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Graduates! From Berea College: Chloe Beyler; from EKU: Madalyn Dodson and Ainsley White; from University of Colorado, Denver: Jonas Gilbert
Maria Hartz-Clineburg will be ordained in the Episcopal Church on Dec. 13! Congrats can be sent to her at 50 Presque St.; Rochester; NY; 14609
Anna Baumann was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood yesterday. Rev. Baumann is the daughter-in-law of Carla and Lothar and has long been a friend of Union Church.
Birthdays: December 8 – Susan Jones English; Jackson Napier; 9 – Ron Rosen; 10 – Joan Moore; 12 – Karen Tillquist; 15 – Opal Bailey
Anniversaries: Dec. 7 – Ben Livingston & Lisa Bosley; 12 – Eric Dodson & Deborah Martin
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Leave a Reply