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

Celebration of the Resurrection

April 21, 2019         10:30am

Meditation
“Spiritual vision brings us to a place of decision: do we believe what we have seen or not? Do we acknowledge that we have had a vision, or keep it to ourselves? Do we try to understand how our reality has shifted, or do we doubt that any change has occurred at all?… Some have turned their visions into paintings or poetry; some have been trying to understand the meaning of vision for their whole lives, and by doing so, have become deeply spiritual persons who have made a great difference in the world.”       — Steven Charleston, The Four Vision Quests of Jesus
 
Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are a hundred ways to kneel and kiss the ground.   ― Rumi

Early At the Tomb

Prelude Sing, Sing Now Miriam Therese Winter, adapted
The Good News! Luke 24:1-12 (p. 1275)
The women coming to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body for burial discover that he has risen.
Scripture response The Three Women Carla Gilbert, Diana Hultgren Grace McKenzie
Call to Worship
One: The day that dawns in darkness reveals true light.
All: We come mourning all that we have lost, seeking all that can be salvaged.
One: But why do you seek the living among the dead? We are called to walk from the darkened hill to the light-filled empty tomb! The stone has been rolled away! Christ has risen and is here among us! The bonds of sin and death are broken forever! He is Risen!
All: Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
 Choral Introit & Easter Processional
Sing Hosanna in the Highest Eugene Butler
Please remain seated as the introduction to the hymn is played and the elements of celebration are processed and the sanctuary is transformed. When invited, please rise and sing:
¨  Hymn #233 Black  Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Easter Hymn
Caleb Chambers, Trumpet
¨  Welcome and 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 Let all the People Praise S. Boersma, C. Courtney
Union Church Choir
Sing praise to the Father, sing praise to the Son, sing praise to the Spirit, our God, Three in One. Let all the people praise the name of the Lord. All voices and instruments praising together; the people are many, the body is one. In singing and dancing, in writing and painting; one in the Spirit, the old and the young. The Lord has been faithful to all generations, walking beside us through smoke and through flame. In sunshine and shadow, protecting, providing; in all times and seasons, ever the same!
Scripture Lesson Isaiah 65:17-25 (p. 883)
“I am about to create new heavens and a new earth,” the Lord announces through the prophet Isaiah.
Children’s Moment       
Easter Acclamation Allelu, Alleluia, Praise Ye The Lord Trad.
Allelu, Allelu, Allelu, Alleluia! Praise Ye the Lord! (2x)
Praise Ye the Lord! Alleluia!(3x)  Praise Ye the Lord!
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 are invited to stay in the service and are welcome to visit The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary, which has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service.
Epistle Lesson 1 Peter 1:21-2:10 (p. 1485)
We are being built into a spiritual house of living stones.
Sermon      Throwing Rocks & Rolling Stones       Rev. Kent Gilbert

Gifts Given for Love to Flow

Our Offering
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Every gift helps power love: love for kids who have few other places to go, shelter in the storms of life provided by pastors and caring Stephen Ministers, and love in the form of physical spaces offered for overnight housing for those who have no homes, as well as education workshops, blood drives, recovery meetings, and many other community endeavors. Your gift today makes ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. A portion of every contribution flows out to aid those in need in disasters and emergencies around the world, as well.
Thank you for  your gift and for all you are doing. Together we are rolling away the stones.
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)
Offertory Crown Him with Many Crowns
Union Church Handbell Ensemble

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.
Silent Prayer and Prayer of the Community
One: O God for whom there are no barriers, no stones too big to remove, roll away our resistance to you.
All: Let your words fill us with new life and bring us out from the tomb of indifference, alive again in you.
One: Come to us, God, like fresh water, softening the soil of a parched and weary land.
All: We confess that hurts and disappointments harden our hearts, frustrations and failures dry us out.
One: Come to us, God, with life-giving power. Free us from resentment, reluctance, and reserve.
All: Remind us that in your forgiveness we are free. Forgiven, may we be forgiving.
One: Confronted with life in the presence of death, may you help all here to be and become people of grace, of purpose, and of compassion. Make us into a spiritual house for the wellbeing of all, a sanctuary of living stones to shelter the hope of the world. Christ has gone before us. Hear us as we reach to you in the way he taught us to pray…
Our Lord’s Prayer adapted for the New Zealand Prayer Book
by Jim Cotter (1988)
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
¨  Closing Hymn #245 The Day of Resurrection    Lancashire
If you would like to join the choir in singing the Hallelujah Chorus, please make your way to the choir loft, if able, as the hymn begins.
¨  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 Prelude on “The Strife is O’er” Healey Willan
___________________________
¨ You are invited to rise in body or in spirit
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 Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia and our brothers and sisters at Liberty Avenue Full Gospel Outreach 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.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ For Victims of Disasters around the country and around the world, that God’s people may be angels of mercy to them.
¨ For Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Shirley Carlberg’s sister in her treatment for cancer.
¨ Judy Rowell, recovering at home from heart valve replacement surgery.
¨ For Michelle Hayden’s sister-in-law in her treatment for cancer.
¨ Marie, great-great niece of Dorie Hubbard, battling cancer at 4 years old.
¨ Tonya, Judith Singleton’s daughter-in-law, sick with a bacterial infection.
¨ Michelle Hayden, as she heals.
¨ Paul Jacobs, recovering from arm surgery.
¨ Jerry Cooper’s daughter, Deborah, recovering from a blood clot in the lung.
¨ Robert Rorrer and the family, at the death of his father, Robert Wayne Rorrer.
¨ David Duffee, recovering from spine surgery.
¨ Don Jiskoot, friend of the congregation, who has had a stroke.
¨ Charles Wesley, recently hospitalized with an infection and recovering well.
¨ Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, Dean Jacobs, having pain and seizures associated with new clinical trials.
¨ The Landry family, prayer request received online
¨ Thomas Chapman and all the family, at the death of his brother, Charles.
Announcements
Learn more about the church next week! Come One, Come All! Each fourth Sunday of the month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, are invited to come to the Classroom and join in conversation with the Community Life and Growth Board after worship. Meet in the Classroom, past the office at the end of the hall.
Tomorrow, April 22: Memory Keepers Support Group, 7:30 in the Wayside Room. Memory Keepers, a support group for care partners of those with memory loss, meets every 2nd and 4th Monday. Plan to attend and learn how we can best minister to each other – whether we are the person suffering memory loss, a care partner, or a caring member of our congregation and community. Call Doug Hindman at 859-582-5806 for more info.
We want to celebrate our graduates!! We will recognize our college graduates on April 28, and our high school graduates on May 12. Please let us know if you are graduating so we can be sure to honor you! (Contact Laura: joyfulsunflowergmail.com or 859-358-0106 — call or text).
Friday, April 26: SaraCare Celebration SaraCare is a memorial fund in honor of Sara Elizabeth Kennedy, the daughter of Eddie and Norma Kennedy who, with tremendous hope, fought Rhabdomyo-sarcoma (an aggressive childhood cancer) from June 16, 2004 until March 23, 2005 when the battle was lost. This fund was established in order to support the work of  her wonderful health care providers (Kentucky Children’s Hospital and The Pediatric Oncology Clinic). The SaraCare Fund is also dedicated to providing assistance and comfort to young patients and their families. Spaghetti supper starting at 5:30 pm in the Community Room ($5) with raffles all evening, followed by a concert in the sanctuary at 7:30 (donations accepted).
The Properties Board would like to thank Donna Abner and Mary Lou Wiese for their time and effort in beautifying the flower bed outside the Office Entrance.  The Board has also had the southeast entrance and stairwell repainted and replaced a thermostat for the water heater.
April 23, 6:30 pm.  RITI Volunteer celebration! All volunteers who contributed their time, resources, and/or gave financial support to Room in the Inn Berea this season are invited! At Berea Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall, 310 Chestnut St.
WNL Speaker on April 24 – “Pay As You Save” Energy Efficiency Programs For Berea – Now Is The Time (Steve Wilkins) On-bill financing is an innovative strategy that allows both businesses and households of ALL income levels to vastly improve the energy efficiency of structures by financing upgrades through their electric utilities. With this strategy, which some refer to as “pay-as-you-save,” investments in energy efficiency are funded through very low-cost loans from the utility. The upgrades are paid back on electric bills via the energy savings realized through the improvements. Steve’s presentation will explore this strategy in more detail. He will also describe next steps for bringing pay-as-you-save programs to Berea.
May 8 Author Talk and Lunch with Derek Penwell. Outlandish: An Unlikely Messiah, A Messy Ministry and the Call to Mobilize.  May 8, 11am-1pm. First Christian Church, 206 Chestnut Street, Office wing, basement level. RSVP to 859986-4533  to order lunch or bring your own brown bag. Rev. Derek Penwell is a colleague and friend of Rev. Mark and Lisa Caldwell-Reiss from seminary days. With his congregation, Douglas Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Louisville, KY, he engages in activist and prophetic ministries that fight injustice in their city and in our state. He speaks and writes in plain language while working from an extensive academic foundation.

Every Week—you’re invited!

Zen Meditation every weekday, 8:00 am. Join us for 20 minutes of unstructured quiet meditation in beautiful Cowan Chapel, on the Scaffold Cane Road side of the church.
Zen Teaching Mondays at 6:30 pm, Cowan Chapel. David Parks will offer Zen teaching: Meditation, Koans, Conversation, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Cowan Chapel.
Wednesday Nite Live: The Union Church community gathers for a simple supper at 5:45 pm, September through May, in the Community Room (basement level, handicap accessible by ramp near the playground).  After a few announcements, recognition of birthdays and prayer, it’s supper time! No need to call ahead – you, your friends, neighbors, college students, visitors to Berea, are welcome to come for food and fellowship – whether once, once in a while, or every week.
· Youth Group (grades 6-12), 6:30 pm. Want to know more? Contact Chris McKenzie, Youth Director at mckenziec@berea.edu.
· Handbell Choir rehearsal, 7 pm. Want to know more? Contact Pearl Marshall, Handbell Director at pmarshall@union-church.org.
Occasional presentations & discussions around mission work and hot topics. Watch bulletins and email announcements for info.
Thursday Noon Bible Study. Meet with Rev. Carla in the Classroom at noon to reflect upon the Scripture for the week and issues of the day.
Thursdays — our Music Director, Bernardo Scarambone, will teach a very basic music reading class right before choir (5:45 pm). Everyone is welcome to join them — no pressure to stay for choir at 6:30 pm – but you’d be welcome!
Fridays – Bridge Club, 1:30 pm in the Classroom. Call Doug Hindman, 582-5806 if interested.