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

Transfiguration Sunday

February 23, 2020    10:30 am

 
Meditation
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”  — Desmond Tutu

From there to here: we Gather

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 Come Away to the Skies Michael Larkin
The Call Rainier Maria Rilke
God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night. These are the words we dimly hear: You, sent out beyond your recall, go to the limits of your longing. Embody me. Flare up like a flame and make big shadows I can move in. Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final. Don’t let yourself lose me. Nearby is the country they call life. You will know it by its seriousness. Give me your hand.–Rainer Maria Rilke, Book of Hours: Love Poems to God
¨  Hymn #182 Black  We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding Hyfrydol
¨  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 Go Up to the Mountain of God Michael Helman
Union Church Choir
Go up to the mountain of God where Christ transfigured shines as the morning star. Gaze in awe and wonder upon the beauty of Jesus the Lord: alleluia. Go up to the mountain of God and speak with prophets Moses, Elijah. Join with all the angels and saints in praising the incarnate Word: alleluia.
Go up to the mountain of God and hear the loving God proclaiming: this is my beloved Son. Hear his word and follow his way. Alleluia. Go up to the mountain of God and there renew your faith in the Son of God. May your life of faith reflect the light of Christ to the world. Alleluia.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Exodus 24:12-18 (p. 93)
“Come up to me on the mountain,” says God to Moses. So Moses goes up on the mountain, with some of his assistants. There on the mountain, in a cloud, Moses is given a privileged vision of God.
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 17:1-9 (p. 1165)
Jesus takes three of his disciples up on a mountain. There he is miraculously transfigured before them and a voice declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!” The disciples, upon seeing the vision and hearing the voice, were overcome with fear.
Sermon Internal Incandescence Rev. Kent Gilbert

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.
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat. 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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external agencies.
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)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Acts of Reflection and Prayer
Some resources for reflection and prayer are provided. You are free to use—or ignore—these prompts as you find helpful. In whatever prayer manner you adopt, please hold the concerns of those listed, and those you know about, in God’s peace-giving light.
Hope and Help: What is worthy of your beloved life? What help do you need, what affirmation do you seek? In prayer, open yourself to this assistance. Thanksgiving and awe are good starting places as you tend the flame of your spirit. What in you is ready to ignite? What purpose is too holy to ignore in you, even if it is hard, terrifying in its beauty? As you breathe, try to breathe in the affirmation of God’s call. Exhale imagining the breath of God within you clearing the path. What is your next step down the mountain?
Who Are You? Where are you Going? Today’s readings are deeply tied to issues of identity and community. In the quiet, meditate on your identity in your communities. Try to hold in the palm of your heart dreams that expanded and became your life, and the dreams that have not been (and perhaps cannot be) realized. Through any satisfaction, and through any pain these thoughts may bring, listen also for God’s call to you, and the incandescent reminder that you are beloved.
Immensity of purpose; dreams that get expanded and dreams that collapse…
Prayer Corner (Front Left): Candles are our symbol of living light, a prayer against the night. They represent the light of God shining in us and for us. As you pray standing, kneeling, or sitting allow the light to shine. You are welcome to light a candle for yourself or someone you are praying for.
Service Table (Rear, Bell Side):  A good job with a living wage can transfigure individuals and families. As a community we are praying in action so all people can have meaningful work in safe conditions. Materials on the service table describe KY House Bill 330 Job Security for Crime Victims, and additional prayer resources.
Bell Table (Front Right): Jesus, having been to the mountain, returns to the people and work below. To embody whatever holy work you are called down from the mountain for, you are invited to move a stone from the “mountain” and place it on the “plain.” If you like, take a stone with you to be a reminder this week.
Children’s table (Rear Corner, Piano Side): Masking sight, then seeing clearly? Mask removed so you can be authentic?  Light inside: how could we deal with that? How does the light come out?
As We Draw Back to Our Seats, Please sing when invited: 
We shall overcome, we shall overcome,  shall overcome some day.
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome some day.

Pastoral Prayer and 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

¨  Hymn #181 Black You Are Salt for the Earth, O People Bring Forth
¨  The Blessing and Sending
Postlude (please be seated) Deep River arr. Calvin Taylor
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 Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and our brothers and sisters at Dixie Park Cornerstone Baptist Church, in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ 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: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Joyce Henderson, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Tom Warth.
¨ For Room in the Inn, Berea’s cooperative housing effort. Union Church will host tonight.
¨ George Mountjoy.
¨ Barb Smith, recovering from surgery at Berea Health Care Center.
¨ Dennis Jacobs, recovering from successful kidney surgery.
¨ Betty McWilliams, John McWilliams’ mom, with recent health concerns.
¨ Sally Zimmerman, who had a fall and has a broken shoulder and arm.
¨ Ed Waters, recently diagnosed with cancer.
¨ Judy Rowell’s great-grandson, Joseph, 35, who is anticipating surgery for a brain tumor.
¨ Jennie Kiteck’s daughter reports that Jennie could use a meal and a visit  occasionally (nothing fancy). Call the office for details.
¨ Joan Bates & family, at the birth of two new great grandchildren.
The Justice Candle today is lit in honor of W.E.B. Dubois, born on this day in 1868 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  He was a sociologist, historian, author, editor, and activist who was the most important black protest leader in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. DuBois shared in the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 and edited The Crisis, its magazine, from 1910 to 1934. His collection of essays The Souls of Black Folk (1903) is a landmark of African American literature.
“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”
Looking for A Special Servant-Leader with a Trustworthy Heart   The “Financial Secretary” is an elected member who works with Pastor Kent and the Finance Board to help members with their generosity. This “mission critical” position oversees the recording of contributions and pledges.
He or she also helps members with any contribution questions. Our Union family depends on the ministry the Financial Secretary provides and we are in immediate need. Training is provided and more information is available. Please let Rev. Kent know if you think God could use your gifts for this work!
Learn more about the church today! 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 Class-room, past the office at the end of the hall, and join in conversation after worship.
Children’s Church seeks teachers for the 2020-2021 school year. Teachers commit to leading activities one Sunday per month during the school year. Interested folks should contact Laura Nagle.
Let’s Do Lunch: Lenten Lunches begin March 1, right after service in the Community Room, and continue through the season of Lent. Come on down for food and fellowship—lunch is prepared by our Boards (sugg. donation $5).
Potluck & Game at First Wednesday Potluck March 4! The annual Week of the Young Child is coming up in April. To help us think about the importance of good life experiences for young children in Berea, Jenny Hobson will be here to play the Brain Architecture Game at our Wednesday potluck on March 4th. The Brain Architecture is a group activity which will help us understand more about brain development in the early years through building with pipe cleaners and competing in teams. Come prepared to have fun!
Offering of Letters March 8. Our annual Offering of Letters “letter writing” will take place at the March 8 Lenten Lunch. Information about this year’s focus and a “sample letter” will be included in the Worship Bulletin, as well as on the tables in the Community Room, along with paper, envelopes, and addresses for our Senators and Representative. It will help if you have a pen/pencil with you. We will collect the envelopes/letters and the Mission & Service Board will cover the cost of mailing. If you want to learn more in advance, visit BFW’s website: bread.org.
From our Director of Music: I firmly believe that feedback is important for growth and as before, I welcome any comments, music requests, ideas, and criticism you’d like to share – towards me, the choir, orchestra and the music program in general. My email is bernardo.scarambone@eku.edu and I would love to hear your thoughts.      Thanks — Bernardo
Save the Dates & Watch for Details!

• February 26, Ash Wednesday Service, 7 pm
• March 1, First Sunday of Lent
• March 4, First Wednesday Potluck
• March 8, Bread for the World Offering of Letters
• March 14, KFTC Pie Auction
• March 15, Union Church Annual Meeting
• March 28, Sound of Music Movie Singalong
• April 24, SaraCare Celebration
• May 1, Youth Group Talent Show
• May 8, Classic Chorale Concert

Around Town:
Rachael White photo exhibition at Saint Joseph Berea through April 15. 21 of Rachael’s photos will be exhibited and sold. The 15 16″x20″ canvas prints are selling for $65 and the 6 8″x10″ prints are $45.  Exhibit located in the Physical Therapy Department—stop by!! Anyone wanting to purchase a print, please contact Alice White at adwhite@windstream.net.
Host families needed for Danish students March 22-26. 23 boarding school students from Skals Efterskole in Mid-Jutland will visit Berea, including Berea College & Community School. They are 16-17 years old and speak English.  The tour leader is Peter Sloth, who worked with the Danish American Exchange Program at Berea College and the Folk Circle Association around 2005-06. Contact Sune Frederiksen, 248-0690.