A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany February 3, 2013
Meditation
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
—Lao Tzu
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Your Love, O God, Has Called Us Here Alice Jordan
* Call to Worship
One: Love is patient.
All; God is love.
One: Love is kind.
All: God is love.
One: Love is not jealous.
All: God is love.
One: Love is not conceited.
All: God is love.
One: Love is not proud.
All: God is love.
One: Love never fails.
All: God is love.
One: Come, let us worship God.
All: Let us dwell in the heart of love.
* Opening Hymn #43 Black Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Beecher
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We are proud of ourselves, God. We have accomplished many things. We have overcome many obstacles. We have fought many hard-won battles. We have defended the weak and chastised the strong.
All: And we know that you are proud of us, too. You rejoice in our growth. You celebrate our victories. You delight in our joy.
One: Except. Except for those times when love does not make it into the process. Except for those times when our pride, or self-assurance, or even self-loathing have blocked love from taking its rightful place at the heart of things.
All: When that has happened, God, we have almost assuredly strayed from your will. Forgive us. Right us. Center us once again in your love.
(Silence is kept.)
* Words of Assurance
One: There is good news. God is love, and love is more powerful than our sins of pride. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It can even restore us to wholeness and new life.
All: Thanks be to God.
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the word
Anthem I Give You a New Commandment Peter Nardone
Union Church Choir
I give to you a new commandment, A new commandment I give to you,
That you love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34-35
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 Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room, and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
Epistle Lesson 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (p. 1396)
Sermon The Answer Is Almost Always Love Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory Air and Canon on “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether” James Biery
* Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
One: Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ invites to this table all who love him, who desire to lead a life worthy of God’s name, and who seek to love themselves and their neighbors. As we come to this table, may we be refreshed to work for peace on earth and justice and righteousness for all humanity; let us work for honor and dignity for the poor and the oppressed until Christ’s coming again. If this is your joy and desire, join me now in 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 Prayers of the Community
Communion Prayer
All: Where there is discord, let there be love. Where there is anger, let there be love. Where there is fear, let there be love. Where there is hurt, let there be love. Let love reign over all. Amen.
One: And so, with gratitude for this love, we say:
Let us lift up our hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for you are a safe haven and a tower of strength and your love will never end. From the womb of creation you brought forth the earth and before any of us were born, you chose us and loved us into life. You put words in the mouths of your prophets that we might glimpse your truth, if only in part.
Fulfilling the words of the prophets, your child Jesus came, and in him we have seen you face to face. When his passion would not be tamed, his own people were filled with rage and handed him over to be killed, but you raised him back to life. Now and forever, his love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and in his love the wholeness of all things is coming.
So today, believing that your Word has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we join our voices with those who now know you fully, offering our songs of grateful praise:
Sanctus Please Join in Singing
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Communion Prayer
One: Holy are you, Anchor of our hearts, and blessed is Jesus Christ, graced Word of joy. The Fullness of your hope came so the famine of our spirits might be fed; the faithful son of Joseph knew rejection, so we might find refuge in your kingdom; the epitome of your love endured hate and terror that we need not fear death and sin.
While we can only dimly understand the mysteries of your faith, hope, and love, we celebrate the One who came to reveal them to us.
All: Christ died, so we might have faith; Christ rose, so we might see hope; Christ will come again, so we will be with you in love.
One: Holy Spirit, may the bread which is broken become the means of our healing; may the cup which is poured become the fountain of our servanthood. Touch us with faith, that we might believe your justice and peace are to be shared with all people. Fill us with hope, so we could dare to bear the burdens of those around us. Grace us with love, so we could be that healing which the hurting and lonely need. And when we are rescued from the bonds of time, when we find refuge with our sisters and brothers around the feast prepared for us in glory, we will join our voices in singing to you our faith, our hope, our love forever, God in Community, Holy in One. Amen
(adapted from prayers by Thom M. Shuman and Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources)
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it. By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. 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. As you wait for your turn, and as your reflect on your communion, you are invited to sing with us.
Communion Hymn
One Bread, One Body (next pages) One Bread, One Body
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn #50 Black I Sing the Praise of Love Almighty St. Petersburg
* Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude Trumpet Tune in A Michael McCabe
_____________________________
* Those who wish to may stand
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 Ireland and the United Kingdom and our brothers and sisters at the Liberty Avenue Full Gospel Outreach in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country
* Wilma Barrett, client of Hope Hounshell, who has had very invasive surgery & reconstruction to address cancer in her nose
* Barbara Frederiksen, healing at home. Her doctor anticipates that she can return to work in mid-April
* Paul Wells, facing heart valve replacement surgery in the near future
* Mary Miller, longtime member and friend of generations of Union Church’s children, has moved to a nursing home in Indiana. She would love to hear from Union Church friends: Rm. 111; Waters of the Dune Lands Nursing Home; 110 Beverly Dr.; Chesterton; IN; 46304
* Renee and Billy Wellinghurst at the birth of Whitney Louise, born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces. Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges.
* Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
* Ruth Wesley, very ill at home. Cards welcome, to 215 Peachbloom Hill
Announcements
You Matter! Please sign in on the Pew folders which will be passed in your row, with the last person taking out the sheet and placing it in the offering plate. Thank you.
Coffee & Fellowship in the Parlor! All are invited to stay after worship and enjoy fellowship and coffee or juice in the Parlor.
Strike Up the Band for Mardi Gras! Sunday, Feb. 10 at Union Church, right after worship! All are invited to a scrumptious Pancake Br/Lunch and Fixins’ right after church services, with the proceeds going to provide scholarships for a service team to go on a Mission Trip to El Salvador. The team will help build an internet center to serve four schools near La Mora in the Municipalidad of Suchitoto. We will renew our long-term relationships in the area. The food will be good, the company great and some fun activities going on. Suggested donation: $15 for adult lunch, $5 for children or $20 per family, as you are able. College students are welcome and may donate as you are able.
Looking to send some toys to a good home? The preschool Sunday School class is in need of families’ outgrown preschool toys. Please leave donations in Room 102. Contact Tina Parker at 985-8719 with questions.
WNL — Call to Letter Writing Please join us on Wednesday, Feb. 6, for dinner and for some letter writing to state and/or federal legislators. Many important issues face our state and nation as our legislative bodies get to work in this new year. Paper, envelopes, addresses and faith-related talking points on a range of legislation will be provided. Write 1 letter or 10 — or take the information home with you to make phone calls. Our voices are important.
New, New-ish, Potential member of Union Church? Come to Betty Hibler’s home, 314 Prospect St., at 7:00 pm, after Wednesday Nite Live supper on February 6 to visit and explore membership. Please give her a call to let her know you’re coming — you are welcome!! 859-940-8735.
Coffee, Bagels, and Church Fixes – Tuesday 8:30-Noon – Come join for whatever time you can in fellowship and helping with minor repairs, etc. There will be job opportunities for people of all skill levels — from cleaning organizing old bulletins to building shelves.
Interested in the Mission Trip to El Salvador? The Mission Board invites you to give it some thought. Fill out the interest form and bring or send it to the office, along with your deposit of $100, and a delegation member will be in touch! Then, be sure your passport is up to date. If you need a form, ask Jenny Bromley or we can email you one from the office.
Need to get into your attic? Need some spring cleaning? Having problems understanding your new phone? Need someone to get your flowerbed ready for the Spring? A youth can do it! In the upcoming months the youth will be working hard to raise money for their trip to Passport Choices in Wyngate, NC. If you need assistance with any task, no matter how big or small, call Chris (678-982-1731) or Grace Mckenzie (205-451-7444). Be ready to estimate the number of youth you will need, what supplies you have and if you need us to bring any, and how long the project will take.
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