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

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany February 12, 2017        10:30 am 

 
Meditation
“It cannot be denied that too often the weight of the Christian movement has been on the side of the strong and the powerful and against the weak and oppressed—this, despite the gospel.”
― Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited

From there to Here

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 Voluntary in A Major W. Selby
¨  Call to Worship
One: We have so many things on our plates.
All: The choices overwhelm us.
One: Loud noises, competing voices, difficult decisions, contentious times, obscure the way, cloud our judgement.
All: We seek the still, calm center. We seek the truth of God and the Lord’s Way.
One: Friends, let us share our burdens for this hour, and center in God’s light. Together let us make a way to walk closer to the one in whom we live, and move, and have our being.  
¨  Opening Hymn #599 Steal Away Steal Away
¨   Prayer of Approach and Confession 
¨  Words of Assurance
¨  Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 joy. 

The Word in our Midst

Anthem Keep Your Lamps! Andre Thomas Union Church Choir
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, the time is drawing nigh. Children, don’t get weary ‘til your work is done. Christian, journey soon be over, the time is drawing nigh.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Deuteronomy 30:15-20
The Lord God speaks to the Israelites in the wilderness, saying to them that he has set before them the way of life and the way of death in giving them the commandments.
Children’s Moment  
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.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 5:21-37
In his sermon on the mount, Jesus commends a higher righteousness, saying, “You have heard it said of old, but I say it to you.”
Sermon Crossing Over Rev. Kent Gilbert

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

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.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory               Joyous Morning           G. Peterson
¨  Doxology                New Doxology
Praying It Forward
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 Prayers and Prayers for the Community                  
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
¨  Closing Hymn #598 On Jordan’s Banks I Stand Promised Land
¨  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.
¨  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated) Tuba Tune C.S. Lang  
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 Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, and our brothers and sisters at The Holy Pentecostal Sanctuary in your hearts, and pray for them.      
Please also 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.
¨ The healing of families, communities, and our nation and world, wracked by violence; may we be agents of transformation.
¨ Prayers of solidarity and support for those made most vulnerable by the recent elections. May the people who follow Jesus follow him to the refugee, the stranger, the outcast, the foreigner, and the destitute.
¨ Abby Embry’s brother, Adam, a kidney cancer survivor. Spots have been detected in his lungs, and the family is awaiting biopsy results.
¨ Reid Singleton and Stephanie Singleton, children of Judith Singleton, both facing difficult medical procedures
¨ BJ Godby’s mother, who is very ill in Georgia, and her father, who is caring for her
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, who is now home but still very ill.
Three ways to pray in action this week

• Tuesday, Feb. 14, 9:30am Kentucky Council of Churches will be praying and meeting legislators about Gun Violence Capitol Annex.
• Can’t go? Read the KCC statement: http://www.kycouncilofchurches.org/s/KCC-Approved-Gun-Policy.docx and then call the Legislator comment line (1-800-372-7181) and ask to leave a message for :
• Sen. Jared Carpenter, Rep. C. Wesley Morgan (East Ridge neighborhood),
• Rep. Marie Rader (most of the rest of Berea), or simply
• “House Leadership” or “All legislators”, as you pick.

We are very concerned with Senate Bill 7 (SB7) that would allow concealed carrying of weapons without a permit or license or training. Call your legislator and leave a message expressing your opinion.

• Wednesday, Feb. 15, Rally for Fairness. Car pools will leave the Artisan Center at 7:15 am
  8:30 a.m. Group Meetup in Capitol Education Center (506 Capital Ave., 40601) *free parking in adjacent Capitol Garage
  9:00  a.m.-1 p.m. Group Lobbying
  1:30 p.m. Rally in Capitol Rotunda (700 Capital Avenue, 40601)
• Can’t go? Call the message line (1-800-372-7181) and let all legislators know whether you support equal treatment for all Kentuckians under the law. Ask them to support fairness for all.
• Thursday, Feb. 16, Rally for Refugees 1pm-4pm behind the capitol (outside on the terrace).
• Can’t Go? Call the LRC line (1-800-372-7181) and leave a message for Gov. Bevin and legislators calling on them to welcome these vulnerable families to a new life in Kentucky. There has never been a violent crime committed by a resettled refugee. They pay taxes and contribute in vital economic and social ways within 90 days of arrival.

Announcements
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.
Join the church today! 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! New members are received every second Sunday of a month. YOU are welcome here!
Sue Blyth from the Worship Board will help people sign up to volunteer for ushering and/or as worship leaders after service under the Peace Bell.  Or you can go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
Valentine party TODAY Could you use a little sweetness and beauty in your life? Faith Development is hosting an All Y’all Faith Day Valentine party after church. We’ll have chocolate, poetry, and art making. All ages are invited!
Just fyi, Joan English, Office Administrator, will be away visiting family from Feb. 14 –20. The office will be open usual.
“Being Mortal’s Villages: The value of Community and Choice as We Grow Older.” A webinar at Berea Public Library, Monday Feb. 13; 5-6:30 pm with Dr. Atul Gawande, public health researcher. The event will be simulcast to some 150 communities with “Villages” that assist persons who wish to age in their own homes as long as possible. Sponsored by Berea Home Village.
Planning Meeting on Feb. 15, 5:00 pm to plan the St Patrick’s Day Dinner/Dance scheduled for March 17th in the Community Room. This dinner is a special event to honor Rev Kent’s 20th Anniversary at Union Church (and 25th in the ministry). 
To honor Kent, the event will be a special fundraiser for elder housing, with ticket sales starting end of February.  If you can’t make the meeting, but would like to help you can email Sue Peterson Blyth at sweetsue49@gmail.com or call her at 859-328-3805.  Thanks. We will need help in decorations, food and clean up. 
Feb. 24 Hasan Davis to present The Long Climb to Freedom: The Story of A.A. Burleigh Friday, February 24, at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public, sanctuary. Following the show, join Project Graduation for coffee, dessert and a silent auction in the Community Room.
Feb. 25 Saturday Festival of Spirituals Concert 7:00 pm, sanctuary.
Hosts & Cooks needed March 10! The Kenyon College Chamber Singers will be performing a concert at Union Church on Friday, March 10, as part of their spring tour. Hosts would house at least 2 singers overnight (they are willing to share beds), give them breakfast, and return them to the church Saturday morning.
We will also be serving dinner to the choir before their concert, and food contributions to supplement soup and bread would be welcome. If you can help, please contact Carrie Jadud (440-334-6686; cjadud@gmail.com).
Sustainable Berea Gathering February 21, 6:30 pm. First Christian Church. A gathering of members and others to celebrate the accomplishments of 2016 and fine-tune our plans for increasing Berea’s resilience in 2017. Hear updates on the Berea Urban Farm, Victory Garden Blitz, Bee Friendly Berea, and Urban Agriculture District, then discuss the way forward in a small planning group. Bring your ideas for making Berea a more sustainable community, and your appetite for home-baked pie. Everyone welcome.
Woman’s Industrial needs some new crafts and new blood! You’re invited to come join them on Friday mornings at 9 am in the Community Room.
Free tax prep by IRS certified volunteers! For more information or to register please call  800-378-3778.  
The Sunday bulletin is available at the church website, union-church.org, the farthest right blue button. Read along as you watch the service!
Coming up …
March 1 – Annual Reports due in the office
March 14 – Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC)     Pie Auction, Community Room, 6-8 pm
March 17 – Celebrate Rev. Kent’s 20 years at Union     Church!
March 19 – Union Church’s Annual Meeting
March 25 – Board Members’ Retreat
March 31—April 1 – Healing Arts Retreat