A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany 10:30 am
Meditation “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 journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded spring is the one that sings.” ~Wendell Berry, Standing by Words: Essays
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call to Worship
One: We come into the presence of God and one another:
Organ: Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in God’s commandments.
Bell: Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Organ: Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
Bell: They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Organ: It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Bell: For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
Organ: They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Bell: Our hearts are steady, we will not be afraid; in the end we will look in triumph on their foes.
Organ: When we distribute freely, when we have given to the poor; that righteousness endures forever; honor sounds like a horn.
Bell: Though the wicked see it and are angry; they will gnash their teeth and melt away. Nothing comes from hurtful intent; it melts in the light of God.
One: And so we come, Lord, fasting from all that is hurtful and seeking all that binds us to you. Renew and restore us as we worship together.
All: Amen!
~ from Psalm 112:1-9(10) adapted
¨ Hymn #311 Black Renew Your Church All Is Well
1.Renew your church, its ministries restore:
Both to serve and adore.
Make us again as salt throughout the land,
And as light from a stand.
’Mid somber shadows of the night,
Where greed and hatreds spread their blight,
O send us forth with power endued,
Help us, God, be renewed.
2.Teach us your Word, reveal its truth divine,
On our path let it shine;
Tell of your works, your mighty acts of grace,
From each page show your face.
As you have sent your Christ to save,
And in love to triumph o’er the grave,
O let our hearts with love be stirred,
Help us, God, know your Word.
3.Teach us to pray, for you are ever near;
Your still voice let us hear.
Our souls are restless till they rest in you,
This is life, full and true.
Before your presence keep us still
That we may find for us Your will,
And seek your guidance every day,
Teach us, God, how to pray.
4.Teach us to love, with strength of heart and mind,
Each and all, humankind!
Break down old walls of prejudice and hate,
Leave us not to our fate.
As you have loved and given your life
To end hostility and strife,
Your grace we must be mindful of:
Teach us, God, how to love.
¨ Prayer of Approach & Confession
One: O God of mystery, we confess that, more than deep questions, we love easy answers; explaining away miracles, disarming the Good News, we domesticate your wild ways.
All: Teach us to love our questions, O God. Teach us to struggle with faith.Teach us to live with your holy mysteries.
One: Gentle God, mend our broken lives, forgive, restore, revive, repair.
All: Recreate us in your image. Renew your creation and make our bones strong. Let your people be a watered garden of right thinking and right action repairing the breaches of our hearts.
¨ Words of Assurance
~Prayer of Confession and Words of Assurance: United Church Publishing House, Celebrate God’s Presence (United Church Publishing House, 2000).
¨ 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 Minuet J.H. Buttstett Union Church Orchestra
Scripture Lesson Isaiah 58:1-12
Shout out; do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they want God on their side. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day and oppress all your workers. You fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.” If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.
~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021),
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 5:13-20
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
~New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Sermon On Permanence and Perdition Rev. Kent Gilbert
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you!
All: And also with those you cherish!
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift our them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise!
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 of the Community
Communion Prayer
One: God, you who are in the breaches and in the broken places, we gather in the hopes of drawing close to you. In mighty acts of creation, in the minute details of beauty, in all the blessings of this world we see your hands. You have imbued artists and prophets to teach us your ways and show us the beauty of a repaired world. Through them you have proclaimed that we cannot draw close to you without drawing close to one another both love and justice. In the fullness of time you sent us your son, Jesus, who calls us to be the very salt of love and the light of compassion, a city built on a hill “chesed” (embracing love) and everlasting life. And so we gather now, here and in homes, now and in all times and places to join the seraphim singing Holy, Holy, Holy is your name!
Sanctus Please Join in Singing
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
One: Holy one, you who are in every gathering where joy is spread and hope is kindled, we remember the words of the one who came to us in self-giving service. Even on the brink of betrayal and death, we remember that Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it among those gathered and said,
All: “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Not just the daily bread, but also the cup of celebration is passed to us: new life, flowing like joy, and looking like company. Amongst those same friends, he took a cup, and giving thanks, said,
All: “This cup is a new covenant of my life and blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord until he comes.
Gracious God, by this meal we recall Jesus’ birth, his ministry to all on the margins, and his promise of eternal life and light. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup, that we who eat and drink at this holy table may share the life of Christ, our Lord; his passion for service and shalom. Pour out your Spirit upon all who remember that each moment may be salted with your grace, lit with your love, fashioned for the good of others. Gather us together from the ends of the earth and the limits of our understanding; gather us into your kingdom where peace and justice are revealed in all; gather us that we, with all your people of every language, race, and nation, may share the banquet you intend. Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it. By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit within your tradition. You may remain in you seat, or you may come forward for a blessing, as you wish.
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!
Offering Music
Community Prayer Debbonnaire Kovacs
Great restorer, we feel your blessing in the permanent blessing of impermanent and improbable collaborations: the blessing of bread and wine in communion with strangers made friends, the crocus breaching snow and ice to pierce winter with hope, the apology that melts enmity, the love that heals nations. They, and this, are but a moment in the lives you give us, but the light of such blessings cannot be hid. We pause to thank you for this meal, this salt, this light, this company, this work. We remember those who are not with us, not eating, not safe, not well, and not at peace and ask that our blessings might help repair the breach. May this meal and every meal strengthen us for such work. May this meal and every meal be a chance to welcome the stranger. May this moment and every moment fulfill your hope in us, Lord. May we be strong to serve, and joyful to be just, rejoicing in all you have given. In great thanksgiving we pray in the name of Jesus, 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
Today we honor Martin Richards, who serves as the Executive Director of the Community Farm Alliance (CFA) which was founded in 1985. He has served in this role for 26 years. During this time, he has led CFA in some amazing accomplishments. Over the years the organization started a credit hotline which helped thousands of Kentucky Farmers stay on their land, worked for passage of the Agricultural Credit Act, distributed 5400 bushels of seed corn to needy Kentucky Farm Families, spearheaded a state wide campaign to stop construction of a landfill and medical waste incinerator for out of state waste, persuaded the Kentucky General Assembly to adopt House Bill #557 to provide loans to farmers, and used the Community Reinvestment Act to negotiate with Kentucky National Bank to increase capital for Kentucky farmers.
Martin has dedicated himself to exploring, learning, and working on how humankind can create a sustainable existence.
Hymn #181 You Are Salt for the Earth, O People Bring Forth
1 You are salt for the earth, O people: salt for the reign of God! Share the flavor of life, O people: Life in the City of God! Refrain: Bring forth the reign of mercy, bring forth the reign of peace; Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the City of God
2 You are a light on the hill, O people: light for the City of God! Shine so holy and bright, O people: shine for the City of God!Refrain
3 You are a seed of the Word, O people: bring forth the reign of God! Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice, grow in the City of God! Refrain
4 We are a blessed and a pilgrim people: bound for the reign of God! Love our journey and love our homeland: love is the Kingdom of God!
¨ Benediction
Postlude
You are welcome to be seated to appreciate the music following service, and to show appreciation at the end with applause.
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain &Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and Vatican City and our brothers & sisters at Big Hill Pentecostal Holiness 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.
¨ Dodie Murphy’ granddaughter, Caroline, passed her licensing exam! She starts her position as a children’s psych nurse on Feb. 6. Both of us are grateful for all of the prayers.
¨ J.R. & Kelly Anderson, at the death of JR’s father
¨ Andrea Wescott, at the death of her step-mother.
¨ Those recovering from recent Covid Infections
¨ Love and comfort for the family and friends of Leah Pillsbury, colleague and friend of Corey Chao who died of her depression and long Covid. May God give her peace and rebuild the broken hearts of those missing her.
¨ Lisa Shroyer and all the family, at the passing of her mom. Lisa & Dave are at 113 Seal Dr.; Arabi; LA; 70032
¨ Hazel Morris’ niece-in-law, diag-nosed with cancer
¨ Ally Nurre’s sister hospitalized in Wales
¨ Sharona Nelson, recovering at home from shoulder and arm surgery. She asks that you send her good thoughts and prayers while she recovers. This is (she hopes) the final installment regarding the bones she broke in January 2022.
¨ Sandy and Evan Bolster, both with Covid again.
¨ Rita Barlow
¨ 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: Today—Feb. 5 – Lisa Bosley; 6 – Joy Frazier; 7 – Jean Boyce; 8 – Henry Basham; 9 – Sage Jodock; 10 – Betsy Whaley; 11 – Cora Livingston; 12 – Ashley Cochrane
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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