Church of Christ, Union 10:30 am
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Meditation “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr
We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call to Worship
One: Perfect Light of revelation, as you shone in the life of Jesus, whose epiphany we celebrate, so shine in us and through us, that we may become beacons of truth and compassion, enlightening all creation with deeds of justice and mercy.
All: Amen.
¨ Hymn #85 Black I Woke Up This Morning Woke Up This Morning
- I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus, Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus, Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus, Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah!
- Singing and praing with my mind stayed on Jesus, Singing and praying with my mind stayed on Jesus, Singing and praying with my mind stayed on Jesus, Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah!
- Working and loving …
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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 Oh Freedom
Kasey Crockett, Henry Heydinger, Jeremy Sturgill, Jameson Tuwe
Scripture Lesson Psalm 40:1-11
Pease read psalm responsively, left side (organ) and right side (Peace Bell)
Organ side: I waited patiently for God; who inclined to me and heard my cry.
Peace Bell side: God drew me up from the desolate pit out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Organ: God put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in God.
Bell: Happy are those who make the God their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
Organ: You have multiplied, O God my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Bell: Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Organ: Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
Bell: I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O God.
Organ: I have not hidden your saving help within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
Bell: I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness, I Have not concealed them from the great congregation.
Organ: Do not, O God, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
~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 John 1:29-42
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.
One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). ~New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Sermon Pointing to the Light Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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: 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!
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community
Offering Music
Community Prayer Jennifer Elam , Reader
Lord of all light and love, you know the places we are fractured and fraught, the ways we are tangled in convoluted complexities, and you know our yearning to unknot the binding snares that tie your people. We would point to the light, walk closer in the light, go where you are staying, show insight and wisdom borne of your light, and follow you in all we do. We humbly pray for such grace as we come to you now.
Heal us now of the warring madness that creates enemies of family. Restore our bodies and broken minds with gentle healing, and open our eyes to see the light in our midst. Cover those who are ill with your care and call them close to you for the comfort only you can offer. In the complex work of unthreading injustice, please help us find persistence: When the work is hard, when the days are long, when the mountain seems too high.
Help us move the mountain, hew the stone, and plant the seeds that others may shelter under in the days to come. You call us, Lord. You walk with us in the word and work of Jesus, whom you sent to be Emmanuel, God with us. Hold us close, then send us forth great God of arcing justice, as Love Demands.
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.
Hymn I Will Come to You (opposite) You Are Mine
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
We are becoming increasingly aware that the history we learned in school lacks significant information about minorities. The stories of people of color have been omitted from the records. Now there is an organization in the mountains of Kentucky that is dedicated to telling these stories. Today we recognize the Southeast Kentucky African-American Museum and Cultural Center established last year in Hazard, Kentucky.
The purpose of the center is to:
• explore, recover, and preserve the rich history and culture of African-Americans in Southeast Kentucky;
• to display and share their stories through displays of artifacts, exhibitions, and media presentations; and
• to host workshops and discussions on anti-racism and cultural diversity.
More about the work of the center is found at sekyaamcc.org
¨ Benediction
¨ Sung Response I Have a Dream Barbara Hamm
Postlude We Shall Overcome
Kasey Crockett, Henry Heydinger, Jeremy Sturgill, Jameson Tuwe
You are welcome to be seated to appreciate the music following service, and to show appreciation at the end with applause.
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 (Link to World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle. (union-church.org/ministries/prayer/). Let us hold the people of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen and our brothers & sisters at Church on the Rock 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’s dear friend in NJ, Barbara Keiffer, whose 51-year-old daughter, Ellen, died unexpectedly in her sleep.
¨ Dodie Murphy’s granddaughter Caroline, who’s taking her RN licensing exam next week.
¨ 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!! January 15 – Hattie Parks (100!); 16 – Kent Gilbert; 21 – Sally Hindman, Iris Brandenburg, Ella Sutherland
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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