A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 2, 2014 10:30 am
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude
* Call to Worship
One: Jesus, our Teacher, this is what you want us to learn
All: Not the world’s wisdom, but God’s.
One: Awaken us to our need of you in our lives
All: And you will give us your life.
One: Move us with sorrow for the sorrow of the world
All: And you will make us strong through our tears.
One: Give us the humility to admit our failures
All: And you will bring treasure out of them.
One: Make us hungry for justice
All: And you will give us food that lasts.
One: Help us to see others through your eyes
All: And you will show us ourselves with love.
One: Show us how to practice what we preach
All: And we will see God in everyone.
One: Support us in standing firm for truth, even when it costs
All: And the truth will also make us free.
* Hymn #180 Black Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit Annika’s Dance
Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We have heard it said:
Piano Side: Look after number one…
Bell side: Get them before they get you…
Piano: Better be safe than sorry…
Bell: What’s someone else’s problems got to do with me…?
Piano: Only the strong survive…
Bell: Money makes the world go round…
Piano: Revenge is sweet…
Bell: Avoid pain at all costs…
One: May God forgive us when we, as Christ’s own people, believe these words to be life giving when Jesus has shown us a better way.
* Words of Assurance
One: When we feel soiled by our own selfishness we are brought close by Jesus, who gathers us still, who turns to listen to our voices, who reaches out to touch us with hands he is not afraid to get dirty, to embrace us; who, in moments of accepting us for who we are shows us that we are forgiven and worthy of love and respect.
All: Thanks be to God.
* Passing the Peace of Jesus 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.
Anthem Come You Who Are Blessed by God Anne Krentz Organ Union Church Choir
When Christ comes in glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of glory and say, “Come, you that are blessed by God, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.
Then the righteous man will answer him, “Lord, Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you? Or naked and give you clothing? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”
And Christ will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these you did it to me.”
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Micah 6:1-8
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, Little Church for children Preschool & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church, for grades K-3, takes place in the chapel. If this is your child’s first time attending Little Church or Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form. Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon Godspotting Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Hymn of Response #498 Black Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love Cheriponi
Offertory
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
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
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: Our Maker, our Mother,
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.
* Closing Hymn What Does the Lord Require of You? Moon
1. What does the Lord require of you?
2. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.
3. To seek justice and love kindness and walk humbly with your God.
* Benediction
Postlude
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 Rocky Mountain Holiness Church 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 and all those who wait and worry for them.
* Harry Piland, hospitalized with pneumonia
* Alice Jeannette Heckman, back in the hospital
* Jean Ritchie Pickow, hospitalized with pneumonia
* Bill Baker’s cousin Bruce Baker
* Shirley Dean’s family, at her passing
* Charles Sisson, at Myrna’s death
* Ashley Cochrane’s mom, Mary Ellen Cochrane, recovering from double knee replacement
* Alison Szewczyk, who is very ill
* Sandra Bastinelli, friend of Joan English, gravely injured in a skiing accident
* West Virginians facing the water crisis, and all companies whose practices affect human health and safety
* Peggy Coyne’s daughter’s future mother-in-law, Jan Dailey-Hosp, awaiting a lung transplant
* Teri VanPelt and Christine Ward
* Dick Drake, recovering from a fall at home
* Ethan Hamblin’s grandmother, Geraldine Sandlin, very ill with COPD
* Ruth Butwell, recovering well at home after hip replacement
* Judy Rowell , beginning cancer treatment
* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, fighting cancer
* Linda Parsons, recovering at home
* Michelle Tooley, awaiting cancer treatment
* Dawn Manor, recovering from cancer treatment
* Naomi Brandenburg, Larry’s mother, recovering at home after hip replacement
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Berea Health Care Center
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Klara Welsh, at Berea Health Care Center
* Bernice Robertson, at Berea Health Care Center
Assisting in Worship
Worship Leader today is Deborah Payne.
Many thanks to Rob Hayden for serving as organist today and to Jenny Bromley for accompanying on piano.
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign in, 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. Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
If you are interested in serving as Worship Leader, please contact Carla Gilbert at 859-985-1144 or carla_gilbert@windstreamn.net. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated. The pastor(s) will help you get comfortable with the duties, and you’ll receive the bulletin on Friday so you can get familiar with the order of worship and your part in it.
Just FYI—Joan English, Office Administrator, will be away until February 7 visiting family.
(Almost ) Last Call! We need a new Directory! If you’d like to update your info (cell phone numbers and email addresses change fairly often) or add your photo, email it to the office — office@union-church.org. Some of those photos are getting mighty dated….a couple of young people pictured as kindergartners are about to drive J Thanks!! Or, if life has taken you elsewhere and you think it’s time we removed your info, please let us know that too.
Clean Water for West Virginia! Willie Dodson in his truck, two Berea College vans and an untold number of vehicles from Lexington will be loading up and driving to WV tomorrow. If you can bring clean water from your tap in jugs to church, it will be put to good use and very welcome!
WNL February 5 – Rusti Mullins, Nick Mullins and Willie Dodson will speak about Keepers of the Mountains (KOTM), the recent recipient of water and monetary donations from Union Church. KOTM is a grassroots organization fighting mountaintop removal and standing up for clean water and other human rights for Appalachian people. In the wake of the recent chemical spill into the Elk River in WV, KOTM has been at the center of efforts to distribute free, clean water to residents whose water is still toxic, weeks after the spill.
Youth Group Movie Night! Feb. 7 from 6:45—9:30 pm in the Youth Room!
Family Fun Potluck and BINGO Sunday February 9 Remember the Sunday evening all-church Potlucks of the past? Well then, come on out on Sunday evening, February 9, at 6:00 p.m. Bring a generous dish to share and help welcome Rev. Kent back to Berea and Union Church. Following dinner we’ll have a fun evening of family BINGO for all ages. Don’t worry if you’ve never played BINGO, you’ll catch on quickly!
And if you don’t remember the Sunday evening Potlucks of the past, here is your chance to form a new memory. All are welcome! Brought to you by your Community Life & Growth Board.
FREE Tax Preparation!!!! Did you know that families and individuals who make under $52,000 are eligible to get to get their taxes done for FREE? There is a location for this service on Berea’s campus open to students, staff and the community. To schedule an appointment call Tracy Featherly at (859) 985-3276 and if you have any questions, ask Grace McKenzie. (P.S. This site can also help you complete your FAFSA if you are interested in going to college.)
I Love Mountains Day Wednesday February 12! Kentuckians for the Commonwealth invite everyone to the 9th Annual I Love Mountains Day rally and lobby day has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at the state capitol building in Frankfort, KY. Register at kftc.org/love.
Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light will provide bus service from Berea to Frankfort for the I Love Mountains Day march and rally. Please do register as it helps determine how many buses to order. The easiest way to register is to go to Union Church’s Facebook page and follow the instructions on the I Love Mountains Day post. If you don’t have internet access, call the office and we’ll help.
The bus ride is free, but the buses are not, so we are happy to accept any donations to help cover costs!
The timeline for the day is:
10:30 – Meet at Union Church where you can park your car and board the bus
10:45 – Bus leaves for Frankfort
12:00 – Gather at the Kentucky River
12:30 – March to the Capitol
1:15 – I love Mountains Day rally (ends at 2:00 PM)
2:00 – Buses leave
3:00 – Buses arrive back at Union Church
Leave a Reply