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

Second Sunday of Lent

February 25, 2018  10:30 am 

“There are, it seems, two muses: the Muse of Inspiration, who gives us inarticulate visions and desires, and the Muse of Realization, who returns again and again to say “It is yet more difficult than you thought.” This is the muse of form. It may be then that form serves us best when it works as an obstruction, to baffle us and deflect our intended course. ” —Wendell Berry

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 Ride the Chariot arr. B. Ingram
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
¨  Call to Worship
One: We are always on a journey, it seems.
All: On the map and in the heart, we are seeking our true selves.  
One: God is the journey and Christ our companion.
All: The Spirit whispers and we cannot stay where we are.
One: Let us journey together to the place where God covenants with us, where we receive the new names we need.
All: Let us be called “Hope.” Let us be named “Justice.” Let us be known by “Joy!” We journey together to praise the living God!
¨ Opening Hymn #24   The God of Abraham Praise Leoni
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
As we consider what needs to change in our lives we ask our selves hard questions. This Lent you are invited to engage these questions from Kentucky poet, Wendell Berry from his work “Questionnaire.” Both literally and figuratively, in the silence of truth, consider what the Spirit might be calling you to know, change, or acknowledge in your life.
From Questionnaire:
For the sake of goodness, how much evil are you willing to do? Fill in the following blanks with the names of your favorite evils and acts of hatred.
One: We ask for your direction, your patience, your love and the strength to make changes that matter.
All: Forgive us and place a new heart within us.
¨  Words of Assurance
 One: The poet reminds us:
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.”
God is with you, knows the justice and mercy you need, and will help you practice resurrection.
All: Thanks be to God!
¨  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 joy. 

The Living Word among us

Anthem Be Thou My Vision arr. Dan Forrest
Union Church Choir
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart, Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art, Thou my beset thought by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be thou my Wisdom, and Thou my True Word, I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Mother and Father, thou art both to me, now and forever your child I will be.
Riches I heed not, nor one’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always, Thou and Thou only, First in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure Thou Art.
High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’ns Sun, Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler, Be my Vision, Lord.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 17:1-7,15-16 (p. 17)
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 adults) 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.
Sung Psalm 22:23-31 Robert Rorrer, cantor p. 632
The Psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response when invited.
Gospel Lesson Mark 8:31-38 (p.1205 )
Sermon Your True Name Rev. Kent Gilbert

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 Prayer and Prayers of 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.

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        Within the Darkest Night D. Hakes
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
¨  Doxology   

From Here to There

¨  Closing Hymn #204  “Take Up Your Cross,” the Savior Said Deus Tuorum Militum
¨  Sung Benediction  Bless the Lord My Soul Taize
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 Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and our brothers and sisters at Emmanuel Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them.
Please 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Judith Singleton, and her daughter, Stephanie.
¨ Toby Todd, recovering from gall bladder surgery in Georgia.
¨ Renee Wellinghurst’s father-in-law, Dave Wellinghurst, diagnosed with glioblastoma after surgery for a brain tumor.
¨ Gary Dillon, significant other of Betty Sarafin, critically ill with cancer.
¨ For Luke Woodie, recovering from bile duct cancer surgery at home.
¨ Carol Shaffer, whose shoulder surgery went very well.  Cards can be sent to her in care of Beth Schlitt, 113 Redman Ave., Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
¨ Steve Boyce, recovering at home.
¨ The family of Gloria VanWinkle, at her passing, and her son, John, recovering from heart bypass surgery. Arrangement announced when firm.
¨ For those affected by violence in every form. May God soothe their spirits and heal them of all that harms them. May we be healed, too, of our complacency, of unhelpful habits of thought, deed, or speech, and of our unawareness so we can become agents of change and grace for a more beloved community.
¨ The family of Dodie Murphy’s uncle, Bill Valelly, at his passing.
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.
Lent Opportunities Brochure and An Illustrated Lent available today. In the vestibule and rear hallway under the signboard screen.
Let’s Do Lunch! Join us for 5 Sundays of lunch after church! This is a chance to get to know that new person you haven’t said hello to; it’s a chance to catch up with younger friends and surrogate grand parents. Lenten Lunches build community and are places for holy conversations. Suggested donation $5, or ½ hour of help cleaning up! Bring a friend!  Today’s Menu: Chili, including vegan, salads, corn muffins, fruit & dessert.
All-Church Read starts today: “An Other Kingdom” 1 pm, Conference Room. “An Other Kingdom” presents an alternative to soul-crushing systems of consumerism and patriarchy that have wounded so many. Walter Brueggeman and 2 colleagues proposes another way drawing on the prophetic imagination of scripture and community.  Copies are available at Robie books, or online (kindle and audio versions available). Rev. Kent Gilbert  will host a weekly discussion Sundays at 1 pm — or read along on your own!
Final Stephen Minister Informational Meeting TODAY! We Need Caring, Committed Members to be Stephen Ministers! New Training Starts Soon! Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one lay caring ministry where trained and empowered lay caregivers- called Stephen Ministers- provide high-quality, confidential, accepting, compassionate care to people who are hurting. 50 hours of training are required, and classes will run  mid-April through early September.  So Grab your lunch and bring it to the Stephen Minister Classroom off the Community Room downstairs.  You can pick up an application at one of the informational meetings, the church office, or contact Jeff From jeff.from@gmail.com. Interviews for applicants will be conducted in March.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Parent Meeting TODAY at 1 pm, Classroom: Our Whole Lives is a comprehensive sexuality curriculum for high school-aged young adults. The weekly sessions will start in March  and finish in May. Led by Carla Gilbert and Chris McKenzie the curriculum explores the science and spirituality of sexuality in its many facets, and hopes to answer questions teens have about sex in a safe and structured environment. Both Carla and Chris have received intensive training on how to deliver the curriculum and are certified to deliver the program to this age group. A parental orientation session will be required (Classroom, 1 pm, after lunch) and youth must commit to the program from the beginning in order to attend the weekly sessions. Families who are interested should contact Chris McKenzie at 205-451-7444. Cost: $60, half scholarships available. 
Rev. Carla Gilbert has been hired to offer part time pastoral care support by the Nurture & Care Board.
Maggie Park has been hired as Youth Assistant to help Chris McKenzie with the Youth Group.
The Admin position will be filled soon. Welcome!!!
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup.com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.
Annual Reports due March 1– EEK -that’s Thursday! If you are the chairperson of a Board, please get your Annual Report to the office as soon as possible. Email is preferred, no need to format it. If you’d like to see a couple of previous years’ reports to use as a guide, just call the office and we’ll send them!
Security Codes Changing March 1: Are you Affected? If you need to use the outdoor key box to get into the building for your group or meeting, drop us an email to request the new code. Changes March 1.
Post Pictures for The Lent Photo-a-day Project! One theme per day, and you can post them and share using hashtag “#UCLent2018”. Use the same code in facebook’s search box to view these visual prayers.
Folk Concert March 3, 7 pm, Cowan Chapel. Singer-Songwriter Melody Youngblood just released her debut album, “Sweet Isolation,” featuring original songs and hauntingly beautiful traditional ballads. Sarah Marie Miller/Rainbow Star records her debut, “Music From The Rainbow Sparkle Palace: Volume I” February 16-19 in Berea, Ky. Come let yourself be taken away by sweet soulful folk music like none you’ve ever heard. Guests will be given a chance to order albums that eve.  Free admission.  An offering for Union Church as a thanks for their hospitality will be taken. 
Official Record Book Still Missing :(. Have you seen the sign-in book we use to record new members’ joining dates and attendance at meetings? Did you look in your car? What about at home? It’s been missing since November and maybe some-one accidentally took it home or tucked it somewhere for safe keeping? It’s black padded leather, about 8 1/2 x 11. Help!
In the community:
HB326 Targets Trans Kids Kentucky’s transgender kids are under attack again–but this time it’s serious. 19 Republican State Representatives introduced House Bill 326 to prevent transgender students from using restrooms in which they feel safe. Fact: Transgender kids are far more likely to be the target of violence or abuse than any other kids. This will bill will not keep them safe, will not make other children safe, and will be an expensive imposition on schools in both time and money. We don’t need it and it’s mean-spirited, expensive, and divisive.
What can you Do? Don’t hesitate–make the call right now to leave a simple message with the operator for your State Senator, State Representative, and both Senate and House Leadership–OPPOSE HB326! Call 1-800-372-7181. It’s easy and will only take a few seconds. A considerate receptionist will simply take your message and ask who should receive it. 
To learn more about bills under consideration and their progress try the free Bill Tracker from KY.GOV. You  can read the actual bills, track in which committee they will be heard, see changes and amendments, etc.  https://secure.kentucky.gov/BillWatch/
Berea United Methodist Church invites everyone to their Lenten Lunch series, Wednesdays at noon a their Parish House on Fee St. Lunch & a speaker, no charge. Schedule on the back bulletin board.
Berea Leadership Experience for Youth, July 16-20. Berea Leadership Experience will hold its camp for kids to learn skills of conflict resolution, media literacy, mindfulness, and appreciation of nature the week of July 16th -20th, 9 am – 2 pm for kids in incoming grades 2-8. We are also seeking sponsors for scholarships and other financial donations to make this camp possible for as many people as possible. Sponsorships are $60 to cover one student. Checks can be made or online donations can be designated to Union Church, memo line “Berea Leadership Experience.” Thank you!
Kentucky Council of Churches
Prayer in Action at the Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort,          Tuesdays, 9:30 am
On Tuesday,  Rev. Kent and several members of Union Church put their faith into action. They need your help, too, and here are ways you can advocate for sensible gun safety in light of the ongoing bloodshed here and across the country.
Gun violence affects every American and has already taken more than 2,015 lives in the first 50 days of 2018. That includes deaths from 34 mass shootings in just January and February alone.   Along with our partners, the Kentucky Council of Churches and Moms Demand Action for Sensible Gun Laws, we ask you to take action to oppose these bills:
OPPOSE:
SB103: “School Marshal” Bill: This bill would allow guns in K-12 Kentucky Schools, with only 6 hours of training for teachers and administrators. This bill is widely opposed by teachers and by law enforcement because the presence of more guns is likely to cause more danger and confusion, especially if there were an active shooter. Police can’t tell who is the enemy is, and teachers are not there to be combat trained. Research proves that school marshals have not been a very effective strategy against school shootings.
HB210: “Allows Guns to Be Carried on College Campuses.” This bill would permit concealed carry on all college properties, including sporting events, college-operated day care centers, classrooms and dorms. This bill was defeated last year but has again been brought forward. It is widely opposed by law enforcement and by many Kentucky college and university students, administrators, and faculty.
HB36: “To Eliminate Concealed Carry Permitting in the Commonwealth.” This bill would eliminate the need for a permit to carry a concealed weapon. It would eliminate the current registration and training process. If passed, anyone could carry a concealed weapon with no questions asked. This bill is Priority Number One for the NRA lobby who have tried to get it passed in every state.
Put your prayer into action!

• Moms Demand Action have a fast, easy way to express yourself on these bill! Text the word “Kentucky” to 64433 on your phone. You’ll receive talking point information and a link to directly call KY legislators who can stop these bad bills. In particular we need are asking that you leave messages for the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. These bills can be stopped there by your efforts.
• Call 1-800-372-7181 to be connected to the Kentucky Legislative Message line. Ask to leave a message for your Senator and House Representative (if you don’t know who that is, they will help you find out!) AND leave a message for the House and Senate Judiciary committee members. The operator can take your one message and supply it to all of those parties in one phone call.
• Speak up in Churches, At Work, With Neighbors and Friends: those who profit from weapons rely on your silence and on fear. Speak about your faith and your opposition to violence, and especially about the need to speak FOR sensible laws that will keep us all safe:

Þ Strong background checks for ALL gun sales, private and public.
Þ Limits on semi-automatic weapons, assault-style weapons, and large capacity magazines.
Þ “No Firearm” lists: for those whose history, mental health, age or other condition make them unsuitable for ownership and access.
Call Today, next week, and the week after! Until the beloved community of Christ’s calling is visible and available to all, our work is not yet complete.