A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany and Evolution Sunday Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
February 9, 2014 10:30 am
Meditation
“To the dull mind nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
From there to here
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude Aria Da Chiesa Georg Muffat
* Call to Worship
* Hymn #408 Black All My Hope on God Is Founded Michael
* Prayer of Approach
One: Creator of the world and of every foot on every path,
All: We have come from many places.
One: Redeemer of Humanity, God-with-us,
All: We have come all with gifts that differ, seeking common ground.
One: Spirit of unity, go-between God,
All: We have come from journeys of our own, to a place where journeys meet.
One: So here, in the shelter of this house, let us take time together. For when paths cross and pilgrims gather, there is much to share and celebrate.
All: In your name, three-in-one God, our journey and our home, we seek to live and serve. Amen.
Celebrating reunion and renewal
Today in worship we celebrate the culmination of sabbatical journeys. In October of 2013 the congregation released Pastor Kent Gilbert from his service for a 4 month period of pilgrimage, rest, and reflection. In his absence we welcomed many guest leaders and prospered under the leadership of our associate pastor, Rev. Rachel on our journey here. Rev. Kent has now returned and we mark his return with prayers and thanksgiving.
Acclamation
Moderator: God is at the beginning and end of all our journeys which are ever ongoing. Here we pause to mark our journey and give thanks to God for what is past, for what we have learned, and for all that is yet to come.
All: Bound by Love, we share God’s care and challenge. Offering and receiving welcome, we become Christ to one another. Blessing our path and traveling ever on, we reach beyond ourselves to share the lives of others and touch a wider world.
Moderator: …Today, this community comes together to share what we have learned and recommit to our mutual work as we celebrate Kent’s return, and commemorate the pilgrimage of the congregation during this time.
All: We have come from journeys of our own to a place where journeys meet, cross, and part, seeking common ground amongst our different gifts, always mindful of God with us.
Moderator: Rev. Kent Gilbert, are you willing to return to us now, bringing with you the fruits of your journey, the challenges of your struggles, and the love of God which speaks inside you? Will you speak the truth in love to us, help us grow in our ministry and again minister with us as servant and leader?
Rev. Gilbert: With all my heart, and by God’s grace, I will journey with you.
All: In gratitude and grace, we thank all those who have given of themselves for the responsibilities of pastoral care, leadership and preaching. What we have learned, we will carry forward. We joyfully receive again the service of Rev. Kent Gilbert and welcome his guidance and leadership on our journey of faith. We welcome Kent with our blessings for his ministry, our love and our prayers that our work together will serve the Lord with gladness.
Exchange of Symbols and Gifts
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)
Most Holy God, your Spirit touches us in beginnings and endings. Enter into the life of each one, refreshing and renewing and leading us to the powers of your loving Spirit. Help us to keep our Promises for our continuing journey together, as we seek to walk in faith, serve in truth and live through love. Amen.
* 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.
the Word In our Midst
Anthem Followers of the Lamb arr. Robert Wetzler Union Church Choir
O Brethren ain’t you happy, Ye followers of the Lamb, sing on, dance on, followers of Emmanuel. I’m glad I’m a Christian. I mean to be obedient, Ye followers of the Lamb.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 58:1-12
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 5:13-20
Sermon They Who Delight… Rev. Kent Gilbert
Hymn of Response #294 Black There’s a Spirit in the Air Orientis Partibus
Verses 1, 3, 5
Gifts Given for love to flow
Offertory Diptych on “Orientis Partibus” Robert Hebble
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
Connecting the dots and paying it forward
* Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: This is the table where journeys meet, where stories of life, death, and life again are shared, where common things like bread and cup transform us by uncommon communion with God and with each other. It is strength for the journey, it is a way-stop for the weary. It is the table of Christ in the world. Neither distant or beyond reach, God’s grace is in the story of this place.
One: So, come to this table, you who have much faith And you who would like to have more; You who have been to this table often And you who have not; You who have tried to follow Jesus, And you who have faltered. Come. This table is for you. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.
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
Communion Prayer
One: Hallelujah, thanks and praise, ever-living God, worker of wonders, maker of miracles, author of all life and giver of life eternal! Out of chaos and fear you bring beauty and hope. Out of despair and death you create courage and new life. Known in all ways of knowing, maker of science and mind, heart and meaning, you are immanent and transcendent, the Alpha and the Omega.
One: And so, with all who have loved you with all their heart, and mind, body, and soul, we join in the song of a new day, to sing your praise:
Communion Sanctus #795 Black Please Join in Singing
Communion Prayer
One: …He took a loaf of bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, saying:
All: “Take, eat. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Then, he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he passed it among them, saying:
All: “Drink this. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Through this loaf and cup, Jesus lives within us.
All: In word and deed, Jesus lives among us.
One: Send your Holy Spirit, God, on us and what we do, that as we break this bread and drink this cup, we may be united with Christ and in Christ.
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. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling 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 your seat, or you may come forward for a blessing, as you wish.
Communion Music For Everyone Born Shirley Erena Murray
Union Church Choir
For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead,
For woman and man, a place at the table, revising the roles, deciding to share, with wisdom and grace, dividing the power, for woman and man, a system that’s fair, Refrain
For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong, Refrain
For just and unjust, a place at the table. abuser, abused, with need to forgive, in anger, in hurt, a mind-set of mercy, for just and unjust, a new way to live, Refrain
For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work, to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free, Refrain
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. The bread and juice from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer with the Nurture and Care Board members or by contacting either the pastor.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: For the roots of our community and all communities where the Spirit may feely speak:
All: we thank you, living God
One: For what we have shared together here, and for the life we share with others;
All: we thank you, living God.
One: For the wonders, insights, and grace of science, and for all the ways that we journey toward greater knowledge of you and your creation,
All: we thank you, living God.
One: For the path that lies before us now, and the paths that lead us home: our futures in your hands:
All: we thank you, living God.
From here to there
* Closing Hymn #181 Black You Are Salt for the Earth, O People Bring Forth
* Benediction
Postlude Sortie Toccata Th. Dubois
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 Liberty Avenue Full Gospel Outreach 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.
* Jerry Cooper, recovering from a broken hip in Fort Lauderdale, FL
* Harry Piland, hospitalized with pneumonia
* Alice Jeannette Heckman
* 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, showing some improvement
* 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 , undergoing cancer treatment and doing well
* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, gravely ill with cancer
* Linda Parsons, recovering at home
* Michelle Tooley, with recurrence of melanoma, and waiting to begin radiation
* 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 Chelsey Lloyd.
Many thanks to Rob Hayden for serving as organist today and to Jenny Bromley for accompanying on piano.
Dancers: Carla Gilbert and Kate Grigg. Movement has always been a part of the early Shaker movement which originated in England, with worshippers moving in ecstatic, even jerking movements, hence the name Shakers….As their worship style progressed, and the religion moved to America, the movements became geometric lines, squares, and circles, though often retaining the “shaking off sin” for some of the hymns. The choreography for this dance is based on the “square shuffle” which was a very common form, incorporates the “shaking off sin” for the chorus, and uses another familiar movement “to bow and to bend” in the last verse to express the desire “to be obedient.”
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.
Today is Evolution Sunday Evolution Sunday events first took place in 2006, on the weekend closest to Charles Darwin’s birthday, February 12. Evolution Sunday events seek to be an opportunity for serious discussion and reflection on the relationship between religion and science and are an effort to elevate the quality of the discussion on this critical topic, and to show that religion and science are not adversaries. Religious people from many diverse faith traditions and locations around the world understand that evolution is quite simply sound science; and for them, it does not in any way threaten, demean, or diminish their faith in God. In fact, for many, the wonders of science often enhance and deepen their awe and gratitude towards God.
Sign the giant card for Michelle Tooley!
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.
(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.
Family Fun Potluck and BINGO tonight! 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.
February 12 at Wednesday Nite Live…Rev. Kent will offer a presentation about his sabbatical experiences and travels.
Come see “The Other Wise Man” — The Wednesday Night Epiphany group invites one and all to a showing of the movie “The Other Wise Man,” 7:00 pm, Feb. 12 at church.
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.)
Disaster Preparedness class TOMORROW. The county Extension Office is offering Disaster Preparedness classes Feb 10 at 1:00 and 6:00. Classes will cover family planning, emergency “go kits”, financial planning, and restoring electricity after a disaster. Classes will be at the extension office, 230 Duncannon Lane and will last about 2 hours. Classes are free but seating is limited. Reserve your place by calling 623-4072.
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
Carpool to Fairness Rally, Wednesday, February 19! Join us in Frankfort to advocate for the passage of a statewide anti-discrimination Fairness law that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Jump on the bandwagon! There will be a carpool leaving from the church parking lot at 7am on the 19th. Please let us know you plan to come by signing up on the church’s website. Contact Kate Grigg (kate@fairness.org or (708) 341-0916) with any questions. The schedule of the day includes lobby training at 8:30am, meeting with legislatures from 10 to noon and a rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 1:30pm. WHETHER YOU CAN GO OR NOT, please call (800) 372-7181 to leave a message for your elected officials and Judiciary Chair John Tilley, saying that you support Statewide Fairness House Bill 171 and want a hearing!
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