A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Transfiguration Sunday 10:30 am
Meditation “Awake, O my soul, to the beauty of the divine deep within you.” ~ John Philip Newell, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
”Call to Worship
¨ Hymn #182 Black We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding Hyfrydol
1 We have come at Christ’s own bidding
to this high and holy place,
where we wait with hope and longing
for some token of God’s grace.
Here we pray for new assurance
that our faith is not in vain,
searching like those first disciples
for a sign both clear and plain.
2 Light breaks through our clouds and shadows,
splendor bathes the flesh-joined Word,
Moses and Elijah marvel
as the heavenly voice is heard.
Eyes and hearts behold with wonder
how the Law and Prophets meet:
Christ with garments drenched in brightness,
stands transfigured and complete.
3 Strengthened by this glimpse of glory,
fearful lest our faith decline,
we, like Peter, find it tempting
to remain and build a shrine.
But true worship gives us courage
to proclaim what we profess,
that our daily lives may prove us
people of god we bless.
¨ Prayer of Approach & Confession
One: God of Transfiguration,
All: you meet us in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary moments of life.
One: We seek you in the valleys
All: and on the mountaintops.
One: Yet we admit that too often our eyes are blind to your presence,
All: too often our ears are deaf to your call. When you reach out to us through the cries of the hungry and homeless, the vulnerable and the rejected, too often our hearts shrink from your touch. Forgive us, we pray. From the mountain top help us see clearly. In the valleys, set our hearts right and set us free to love and serve.
One: In your Christ’s way we pray:
All: Amen.
~ adapted from United Church Publishing House, Celebrate God’s Presence (United Church Publishing House, 2000).
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Special Music Hark, A Thrilling Voice Is Calling arr. Roger Price Union Church Choir
Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding, “Christ is nigh,” it seems to say; “Cast away the works of darkness, O ye children of the day.” Wakened by the solemn warning, let the earthbound soul arise; Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling, shines upon the morning skies. Lo!
The Lamb, so long expected, comes with pardon sown from heaven; let us all, with tears of sorrow, pray that we may be forgiven; that when next he comes in glory, and the world is wrapped in fear, with his mercy he may shield us, and with words of love draw near. Yea, amen!
Let all adore thee, high on thine eternal throne; Savior, take the power and glory, claim the kingdom for thine own: Honor, glory, might and blessing to the Father and the Son, with the everlasting spirit, while eternal ages run Amen, amen.
Scripture Lesson Exodus 24:12-18
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there; I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up onto the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come back to you. Look, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the Israelites. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. ~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition
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.
Scripture Lesson Matthew 17:1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition
Sermon Up to See, Down to Live Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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, pastor 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 ministries.
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. Baskets are placed at the head and foot of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation. Electronic donations can be made very simply and easily at: https//: www.easy tithe.com/union
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community
Offering Music Antiphonal Prayer A. Petker
Community Prayer Charles Hoffman, Reader
Maker of light, lighten our hearts. Mover of mountains, help us transcend ours. Sender of prophets, help us speak your truth. Helper of the fearful, remind us of your presence and protection. Builder of beloved communities, set us to work. Your vision and your care change us every day, Lord. As Christ was renewed for his purpose, so renew the light inside each one here. Build in our hearts the resolve to build the relationships that would make your beloved community a reality. When we cannot see the way, take us up the mountain. And when we have seen the way, send us down to walk the walk with your Christ.
This we pray in the name of the Beloved, your Christ, sent to be Jesus our brother, who taught us to reach to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
All: 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: We Depart
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Sixty-one years ago this month, on February 1, 1961, the “Friendship Nine” – a group of African American college students at Friendship Junior College – adopted an unorthodox tactic termed “Jail, No Bail” during their appearance on trespassing charges in a Rock Hill, South Carolina court. The group had been arrested the previous day for trying to get service at a segregated lunch counter in the city (in other words, they staged a “sit-in”). Rather than paying a fine for violating a public ordinance, as was the norm, they chose instead to serve out their sentence of thirty days of hard labor on a county chain gang.
¨ Hymn #177 Black God of Change and Glory Katherine
- God of change and glory,
God of time and space,
When we fear the future,
Give to us your grace.
In the midst of changing ways
Give us still the grace to praise.
Refrain: Many gifts, one Spirit,
One love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing,
From diversity we praise
One Giver, one Word,
One Spirit, one God
Known in many ways,
Hallowing our days.
For the Giver, for the gifts,
Praise, praise, praise!
2.God of many colors,
God of many signs,
You have made us different,
Blessing many kinds.
As the old ways disappear,
Let your love cast out our fear.
Refrain
3.Freshness of the morning,
Newness of each night,
You are still creating
Endless love and light.
This we see, as shadows part,
Many gifts from one great heart.
Refrain
Partnership and Purpose
Today presents an opportunity to covenant together! All who would like to are welcome to join the church family – you will be received in joy.
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨ Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends 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
Postlude Antiphonal Fanfare A. Petker Union Church Handbell Ensemble
You are welcome to be seated to appreciate the music following service, and to show appreciation at the end with applause.
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 (Link to World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle. (union-church.org/ministries/prayer/). Let us hold the people of France, Germany and Monaco; and our brothers & sisters at the Dixie Park Cornerstone Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ For the survivors of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria that help will arrive and that lives may be spared. Hold them in their grief and empower all those who can help to lift their hearts to the aid needed.
¨ Hazel Morris’ niece-in-law, diag-nosed with cancer
¨ Ally Nurre’s sister hospitalized in Scotland.
¨ Sharona Nelson, recovering well at home from shoulder and arm surgery. She asks that you send her good thoughts and prayers while she recovers.
¨ Those recovering from recent Covid Infections
¨ Rita Barlow
¨ Melissa Zook and family, at the death of her mom
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Doug Hindman, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Patsy Boyce, sister-in-law of Bob and Jean Boyce, undergoing chemotherapy.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy! Birthdays: Feb, 21 – Rhonda Cardwell; 22 – Ramona Culp; 23 – Steve Boyce; 24 – Heather Hammond; 26 – Triss Holland
Anniversaries: Feb. 19 – Lauri Eiselt & Susan Schmied
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Leave a Reply