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

Second Sunday of Advent

December 9, 2018         10:30 am

Meditation
The least we can do is to make his coming no more difficult than the earth makes it for the spring when it wants to come.
—Rainer Maria Rilke

From there to Here: We Gather

Hymn Sing Choose Your Favorites!
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 Alleluia! The Angels Will Sing  Dana Mengel
Come, oh come, Holy One; Emmanuel, fill our world with beautiful light. Turn our night into day, take this darkness away, show the splendor and power of your might. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Angels will Sing. Alleluia! Alleluia! When you come down to reign as our King.
Prophetic Reading Baruch 5:1-9
  Advent Wreath Lighting   The Light of Peace Jennifer Even Melton
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.
The light of peace is passed forward as words guide our meditation on expectation. If the candle comes to you please pass it forward toward the wreath.  
¨ Hymn  #110 Black             Now Bless the God of Israel          Forest Green
¨  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 hospitality.

The Living Word among us

Anthem Comfort, My People words, Michael Barret music David A. German & Michael Barrett
Union Church Choir
Comfort my people, and calm all your fear; the day of salvation is quickly drawing near. The one you long to see will soon set you free. O come, Lord Jesus, come.
Oh come, Lord Jesus, come silence the thunder, silence sounds of war. End all destruction and comfort those who mourn. Your dream draws near, your vision is here. 
Be light in the darkness, be truth for our lives. Be strength for the helpless, the poor and lost who cry. O saving voice, O living choice, O come, Lord Jesus.
Contemporary Reading To Carry Glory Libby Falk Jones
Each week in Advent Union Church has asked for words from local poets, or poets connected with our congregation. This week Libby Falk Jones shares her poem, To Carry Glory.
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. 
Following the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Gospel Lesson   Luke 3:1-6 (p. 1229)
A listing of rulers of the region gives historical context for the beginning of John’s ministry. John offers baptism as a sign of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Sermon A Level Playing Field Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

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.
Prayer in Action and Reflections
You are invited to reflect and pray, either in your pew or at one of the stations. Some suggested prayer direction is printed below. The poems read in worship today are at the end of the order of worship. You are also free to choose to rest in private prayer, remaining with our own thoughts and in your pew.
Sink into the poems line by line.
 The prophets say God will level hills, fill in valleys, and make the rough smooth to make a level highway “so Israel can walk in safety.”
Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and ponder where in your life you have need of this kind of leveling and smoothing.
Consider also the joy and pain of peaks and valleys. Would you like your whole life “plain?’” Where do you feel the intersection of “too high/low” with “too flat?”
Our Offering 
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.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier. You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Musical Meditation Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. N. Hascall
Pearl Marshall, Solo Handbells; Charlie Hoffman, Cello
As we draw back to our seats,                                                                                         you are invited to join in singing a verse of this ancient antiphon:
O Come, O Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by your advent here; Love stir within the womb of night, and death’s own shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
 Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community
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

Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨  Hymn  People Look East (opposite) Besancon
¨  Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨  Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that  you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 19th Century Carol
The Light of Peace
Let this time of waiting—this Advent season
be filled with the Light of Peace
Be still… and let Peace arise
 
Peace can be elusive
As we grasp
it slips through our desperate fingers
The Light of Peace traverses a challenging path
Dare we take that journey?
Be still… and let Peace arise
 
In these darkening days of Advent
As the Holy One draws near
Be still
Prepare the way for Peace
On the rocky, obstacle-filled path
Shards of shame, guilt, and grief may cut our feet
Pain and despair may pry open our hearts
We may stumble, may fall
May descend into the deep, dark wellspring
from which the Light of Peace arises
 
Through relentless grace-filled labor, give birth to Peace
Imagine Peace, not yet, but already ours
Choose Peace
Walk toward it
As it emerges on the other side of struggle and strife
Step into its intimacy with our deepest fears
And our sharpest suffering
In the Light of Hope,
Embody the Light of Peace
Be still… and let Peace arise
     — Jennifer Even Melton
To Carry Glory
 
An Advent Meditation on Baruch 5:1-9 and Luke 3:1-6
Be one who breathes with the breathing earth
Be one on whom the wind writes
Be one to claim the canopy, the crown
And also claim the trunk, the branching roots
For we are gathered into an infinite hand
Marvel at skin, flesh, bones, blood, cells
Marvel at strength, at freedom
 
Be one blown west and east, to seed the world
Be one to shelter, preserve the green fragrance
Be one to pierce the clouds and shine on water
Be one in the light, be light
 
For splendid light lifts us
Holds us, feeds us
Breathes with us,
The sweep of green dreams
 
Walk, the low and high
Walk, the straight and crooked
Walk, in infinite glory
Walk into glory, side by side
—Libby Falk Jones
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 Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and our brothers and sisters at Dreyfus Church of Christ 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.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin.
¨ Emily Spires, daughter of Randy Stone, continuing treatment for breast cancer.
¨ Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, Shelton Dean Jacobs with serious health concerns.
¨ Javier Clavere, who will have spinal surgery on December 11.
¨ Tonya , Judith Singleton’s daughter-in-law, diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
¨ Laura Robie, recovering from her second knee replacement.
¨ Annette Broadbridge, Union Church member living in Sweden with her family, recovering from a heart attack.
¨ For baby Jack, cousin of Sarah Miller, still in NICU with lung development problems.
¨ Abby Embry, our beloved former intern, who graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary on Friday with her Master of Divinity degree (M. Div.)! Les and Rev. Rachel Small Stokes attended.
¨ Shereese Clark, prayer request received online.
¨ Berea College seniors who graduate today. Our prayer is that Berea has given you roots and wings! Travel mercies for you and your families.
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Today: new members welcomed! As a family of faith committed to boldly and creatively embodying the life and ministry of Jesus, we would like to join with YOU. We’d like to be a context and inspiration for your own spiritual path, and work with you to make your heart, your world, your life more peace-filled and joy-full. Today we have an opportunity to covenant together. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
Union Church Budget Meeting today after worship and lunch. Why Come to a Budget Meeting? The budget of Union Church is the very core of our ministry. It’s often not thrilling, but it is a theological document that tells you where our values are and how we’ve decided to act those out.  As the gospel of Matthew reminds us, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Please attend this meeting to help decide where our hearts will be for 2019. Shirley Carlberg will prepare a delicious meal of hominy stew, mashed sweet potatoes, refried beans and tortilla chips! See you there!
Union Church will soon consider bylaws to our Constitution that will establish a Union Church Endowment Fund. The proposed bylaws were approved by Church Council at its November 19 meeting. The proposed bylaws will be discussed at our meeting today, but voted upon at a special called meeting right after church on December 16. Copies have been in Monday announcements are available in the vestibule.
Next week! Christmas Pageant at worship! Once Upon An Angel: A Simple Christmas Story. During worship, you will be invited to join the story of Christmas as led by the youth of the congregation. Come as you are; no rehearsal necessary.
Alva Peloquin sends thanks to the many church family for the birthday greetings!
Christmas trees & greens needed. Do you have a 5-7-footer you aren’t using? We can use it at church. We can also use some greenery, if you’re in the mood to prune around your yard. Holly, spruce, magnolia…we can use them all to beautify the church for Christmas!
I need a bit of help organizing bulletins in the office. Any weekday, 8-5. Call 986-3725 to volunteer. Thanks—Joan.
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2:00 pm. Memorial Service celebrating the life and faith of Stan Bolster, father of Steve Bolster sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Community Room. If you can bring something sweet or savory to the reception, it will be very welcome!
Dancers of all abilities and skills are enthusiastically invited to help us dance in the light on Christmas Eve. Dancers begin the service with slow and lovely music as we light the worship candles for the service. If you would like to join (no experience necessary), contact Carla Gilbert (859-985-1144 or 859-358-2962) .  Rehearsals will be scheduled as soon as the group is assembled.  We’ve love to include male and female dancers in the group!
Alternative Giving Market Dec. 16, 11-3 at Acton Folk Center.  What to get that friend or family member for the holidays?  Does your sister really need another sweater?  Why not give alternative gifts this year that reach toward your loved ones’ hopes and dreams for a better world?  Maybe what your friends and family really want for this year is health care, food and housing for those in need – or maybe disaster relief. Come and shop for that alternative gift for your loved ones.
Volunteers make this event a success!! Can you make chili and cookies, set up from 10-1, clean up after the event, contribute funds for advertising?  (send to Union Church, designate for Alternative Christmas ads). Call Annriette Stolte if you can help with these tasks, 986-9032 or annriette@ roadrunner.com
Christmas Caroling: Sunday December 16th at 4:00 pm. Meet at church for cookies at 4 pm. Help is needed to plan the details of this event.  Please contact Laura (call or text) at 859-358-0106 or joyfulsunflower @gmail.com to volunteer your fun-planning skills! Bring cookies if you can!
St. Clare Christmas Basket Program! Each year we partner with St. Clare to help provide food staples and children’s gifts for the holidays. In the sanctuary you will find information about how to provide food for families of various sizes, including a shopping list. Your items, put into a cardboard box (or boxes), along with any toys or children’s books, do not need to be delivered to St. Clare until December 21. We will collect toys and food baskets here if you wish, or would like help transporting your items. We’ve also got plenty of boxes if you need one. If you wish to make a financial contribution in lieu of shopping yourself, here are the recommended donation amounts: 2 person family: $70; 4 person family: $80; 6 person family: $100; 8 person family: $115.
Specific toys needed include: Legos, Lincoln Logs, KNex, building blocks, Magnetix, tractors/ trucks/ cars, dolls and doll house furniture, play kitchen and food sets, puzzles, stacking toys, headphones, basketballs and soccer balls and jump ropes.
Adopt a Gift for Liberty Place Recovery Center Residents and Their Children. Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women is one of our Union Church Mission and Service projects as we support women who are making the courageous and difficult journey to freedom from addiction. You can help by adopting a resident or their children for a Christmas present. Provide your name and contact information in the basket on the giving table at church, or send it to Dodie Murphy, dodiemurfmsw@yahoo.com or call 859-868-9622.
Many thanks for helping make the season brighter for those most in need!
Have a Heart For Fellowship, Communication and Welcoming New Members? We Need 3! The Community Life and Growth Board of the church helps “outsiders” become “insiders” by helping Rev. Kent welcome new members, get people acquainted with each other for ministry and spiritual support, and oversees our website, social media, and media outreach (advertisements, banners, webcasts, etc). We need three people to help fulfill this vital work with our pastor. Is one of them you? Please contact Carla Gilbert of the Nominating Board: carla_gilbert@ windstream.net or call the church office!
LOOKING AHEAD:
On Jan. 22, the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy will hold their annual conference from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at Embassy Suites Lexington, 1801 Newtown Pike.   It will be a full day of presentations and discussions about the issues facing Kentucky during the 2019 General Assembly and beyond.  Keynote speaker will be Mehrsa Baradaran, author of How the Other Half Banks and The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap.  For more information, go to https://kypolicy.org/events/Registration fee is $25.  Scholarships are available by contacting Sarah Zeller at sarah@kypolicy.org.
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system at union-church.org, and click on “Volunteer.” You can pick a date that works for you!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.