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

Easter Sunday

April 12, 2020     10:30 am

 
Meditation:
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.  And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”      —Albert Camus

From there to here: we Gather

Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship!  As the Berea community responds to the governor’s suggestion to avoid gathering in large groups, we worship online to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19. We’re delighted to welcome you into this virtual circle of God’s healing love and light.
Prelude Until the Day Breathes and the Shadows Flee D. Hakes
Pearl Marshall, handbells; Charles Hoffman, cello; Susan Stephens, piano
The Good News! Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.
But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
The Call
One:  God of life, in gratitude and great joy we laud you for the gifts of Christ’s Resurrection.
All:   Weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
One:  God turns our weeping into dancing and clothes us in gladness. No more do we walk in shadow. Death is swallowed up forever.
All: What was dead shall live; what was dark shall shine; what was forgotten shall be remembered, for the Lord is risen and walks among us.
One: Alleluia!
All: Christ is Risen!
One: He is risen indeed!
Introit/Processional Christ the Lord is Risen Today arr. J. Raney
Dr. Bernardo Scarambone, organ; Susan Stephens, piano; Pearl Marshall, handbells

The Living Word among us

Special Music From a Distance Julie Gold
Al, Alice and Ruth  Vocals and Instrumentals
Children’s Moment   
Sung Psalm 118
The psalms were originally musical compositions. You are invited to sing the response when invited, indicated by the R.
Praise God from the heavens! Praise God in the heights!

R  O give thanks to God, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Let all Israel say, “God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
God is my strength and my might; God has become my salvation.
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The strong hand of God does valiantly; the mighty hand of God is exalted; the strong hand of God does valiantly.”R
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of God.
God has punished me severely, but God did not give me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to God.
This is the gate of God; the righteous shall enter through it. R
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is God’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. R
Epistle Lesson              Colossians 3:1-4
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Sermon The  Easter Inside 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.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid 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!
Offering Music The Stone is Rolled Away, Hallelujah
Pastoral Prayer and Our Lord’s Prayer
You are very welcome to email or phone prayer requests to the office for the bulletin. Please do so by 10 am Thursdays, and be sure you have permission to share the information.
¨ 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 the Church Universal and our brothers and sisters at all Berea congregations in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Joyce Henderson, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Barb Smith, Tom Warth.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ George Mountjoy.
¨ Joyce Henderson, under hospice care after suffering a heart attack.
¨ The family, Berea College community, and many friends mourning the death of Rev. Randy Osborne.
¨ Melissa and Susan Doring-Zook, rebuilding and recovering after a house fire. All people and pets are well.
¨ Michele Rios, prayer request received online, that  her actions may be a blessing to others
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living.
Prayer
God of all being, gift of Light. You reveal yourself, become a real presence for us, in the people who are there for us, who stand by us, encourage us, share our challenges and joys. You are Love, lived out in us, carried by us, shared between us, and multiplied, as one candle lighting another, spreading light, without diminishing the source. To receive and reflect your light, To grow in your light, And to ponder the mystery of light after death. What a wondrous gift! Amen.
Our Lord’s Prayer                     adapted by Jim Cotter, the New Zealand Prayer Book  
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be; Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

From Here to There

Easter Blessing
Benediction Response Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah G.F. Handel
Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth! The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!
Postlude Voluntary William Goodwin
The Justice Candle today is lit in honor of Rev. Alice Graham, Ph.D., the  Executive Director of Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi since 2015 will retire in December 2020, and has led a gallant effort in meeting the needs of the under-served and enhancing the value of the organization in the community which has offered it ministry for 90 years.
Back Bay Mission has a simple mission: to strengthen neighborhoods, seek justice, and transform lives. It strengthens neighborhoods through ministries like our education and empowerment programs and our housing rehabilitation program.
It seeks justice by helping the people we serve become more involved in their communities, educating people about the realities of poverty, and advocating on behalf of marginalized people in our community.
All the programs transform lives, making the lives of those they serve better.
Union Church has actively been a part  this ministry for many years, both monetarily  and through volunteer mission trips, sending folks to Biloxi 2008-2013. https://thebackbaymission.org/
Announcements
For the latest information regarding COVID-19 visit Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ website:   https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/pages/covid19.aspx (updated daily)  COVID-19 Hotline (800) 722-5725
Rev. Kent has left the building…(or he will be for a couple of days). He’s not coming in to the office, and will be trying to stay away from social media and email. He’s feeling perfectly well, but tired & needs a bit of a break. Office closed tomorrow and Tuesday.
 Tune in! Union Church is sponsoring the ringing of 10 am bells for Kentucky on 100.7fm the Coyote and 106.7fm the Pinnacle! #teamkentucky!
 Need some assistance with technology? This might be a good time to explore options of grocery pick-up services, online ordering, e-books, face-to-face video communications, and connecting to Union services remotely. If you are interested in volunteering to help with technology please email Laura Nagle at joyfulsunflower@gmail.com or text at 859-358-0106. If you need help getting technology set up please contact Sharona Nelson at sharonan@gmail.com or (856) 499-4116 (The 856 area code is correct! Her phone will go right to voicemail, she’ll return your message).
Join Rev. Kent and Rev. Diana on Facebook for a story and song every night. In these hard times, and maybe stuck at home, here’s a chance to gather around a story. They are good for any of us, young or old. So grab your blanket, favorite stuffed animal, and snuggle in!
Use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UCstorytime/?source_id=105561509581536
Digital Deacons and Tech Operators needed:  Can you help on Sunday mornings? We need folks to help with our online ministry — audio, video, and to serve as “social media host” – to respond online during the service to people who check in. Also needed – a person with video editing skills. Let Rev. Kent know! kgilbert@union-church.org. Also, with fewer announcements the service begins promptly at 10:30. Tune in early so you don’t miss anything!!!
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/UnionChurchBerea/  and on twitter: @UnionChurchKY This is a great way to get the latest news and inspiration as we care for one another.

Easter Lilies

Today’s sanctuary lilies are offered as a gift from Union Church staff to our beloved church family.
Virtual lilies are given in honor of….
her sister, Grace Behrendes by Betty Hibler
Paul & LaRee Jacobs, and the Stephen Ministry Team by Amy Williams
their grandchildren Grant, Cole, Asa, Eli and their grandchildren’s parents Lisarose & Jason Galloway and Robin Mehler; the Lockwood families in Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne; and Dr. Patrick Kelleher and Debbie Flara by Kelly & Teri Mehler
Nancy Hindman by Doug Hindman
her parents, George & Elsie Hardman by Joan English
Richard & Cheyenne Olson by JoAn Gaines
the amazing Union Church staff by Susie Ritchie
all those, all over the world, who are adversely affected ~ physically, emotionally, spiritually and economically ~ by Coronavirus by Guy and Peggy Patrick
… and in memory of…
Thelma, John, and David Spearen; Stan, Betty, and Greg Bolster by Steve & Sandy Bolster
Glendon Brandenburg by Larry Brandenburg
Walter I. Holbrook; Ethyel L. Ezell; and Brian Colegrove by Wyndee Holbrook
her cousin, Bill Gene Smith and her friend, Joanne Blair Moore by Hazel Morris
Marlene Payne, John Courter, and Lynn Cook by Tom & Dorie Hubbard
Gerry Mills, their grandmothers Helen Lujin & Marie Gilbert; their fathers, Frank Hultgren and Gib Gilbert; and Diana’s mother, Heidrun Hultgren by Kent Gilbert & Diana Hultgren   
Kevin Burke by Kent Gilbert & Diana Hultgren
Rochelle Seals, Yvonda Center, Don Robertson, Dot Kindel, Richard Drake, Charles Maurice Wesley, Judy Rowell and Cornelia Spring by Kent Gilbert
their parents William & Leola Boyce and Benn & Berta Hornbeck, and those from Friday Lunch Bunch: Dorothy Tredennick, Ruth Eschbach, Les & Mary Lou Pross, Jim Orwig, Dick Drake by Bob & Jean Boyce,
Mary Ellen Luzader McNew, sister, wife, friend, and beloved daughter by Eef Fontanez
Eugene Wiese, her deceased spouse; her mother Rebecca Jacobs and brother Dean Jacobs by Mary Lou Wiese
her parents, Louise & Wilmer Ritchie by Susie Ritchie
Kevin Burke, Helen Lujin, and Jane Quinette by Carla Gilbert
Flora Monica Gwendoline Holden by Alison Nurre