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

Baptism of the Lord

January 12, 2020      10:30 am

Meditation
“To be baptized, to be initiated into this way of love, is to be given our true name, Beloved of God. Challenges can no longer defeat us, not because we are suddenly competent and unafraid, but because we are no longer our own. We rise from our small selves as offerings, intended for the common good of our world.”
 
 
—Kayla McClurg, Passage by Passage: A Gospel Journey

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 Meditation in the Rain Tim Brown
The Call Oscar Romero
Each one of you has to be God’s microphone. Each one of you has to be a messenger, a prophet. The church will always exist as long as there is someone who has been baptized…Where is your baptism? You are baptized in your professions, in the fields of workers, in the market. Wherever there is someone who has been baptized, that is where the church is. There is a prophet there. Let us not hide the talent that God gave us on the day of our baptism and let us truly live the beauty and responsibility of being a prophetic people.
¨  Hymn #564 Black We Are Not Our Own Yarnton
¨  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 On Eagle’s Wings arr. Mark Joncas
Union Church Choir
Chorus: And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide His shadow for life, say to the Lord “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!” The snare of fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear: under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield.
You will need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day; though thousands fall about you near you it shall not come.
For to His angels He’s given a command to guard you in all of your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 42:1-9 (p. 855)
Isaiah speaks of the divinely sent “servant” who will “bring forth justice to the nations.” The servant will execute justice but in a way different from our expectations of a Messiah.
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 3:13-17 (p. 1140)
Jesus is baptized in the Jordan and, rising up out of the water, the Spirit descends upon him and a voice declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Sermon Fluid Dynamics Rev. Kent Gilbert

Remembering God’s Love

All God’s children are beloved. Today, with many other Christians, we celebrate a renewal of Baptismal Vows, using both words and water. During the readings and music, a branch from a Christmas tree will be used to sprinkle water over the congregation as a reminder that like the rain, the grace of God falls on all people.
Whether baptized or not, we invite all who will to join in prayers for grace and wholeness, and for strength to resist the powers of harm in this world. May this be a way to recommit to service in the way of Jesus. If finding your own path in the way is of interest, and you would like to know more about this ancient way to show such commitment, speak with the pastor for more information and conversation.
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.
Waters of Blessing Litany
One: God calls us to the water to find a new way:
a new grace,
a new hope,
a new faith,
a new life.
All: God calls; we come.
One: Come to the water and let go of the outworn:
outworn habits,
outworn pains,
outworn angers,
outworn burdens.
All:  God calls; we come.
One: God blesses the water and it
heals us,
cleans us,
renews us,
refreshes us.
All: God blesses; we praise.
One: Come to the water and receive
blessing,
freedom,
mercy,
love.
All: God blesses; we praise.
One: Bless to us this water with your presence, Lord. Amen.
Receive this water, gift of God, and hear for yourself how God names you: Beloved.
All: By the waters of baptismal grace we promise to love and  serve God by following the Christ.
We pray to boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus by celebrating the transforming power of God, the compassion of Christ, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
Hymn #351 Black I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry Borning Cry
Following the hymn, offering baskets will be passed. After they have come to you, you are invited to move to the prayer stations or continue private meditation in your pew.

Living Prayer

A Chance for Generosity: Offering Is The Empowering of Ministry
Offering baskets will be passed and are also placed in the aisle.
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 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.
 
Breathe deeply and try to feel where you really are: physically and spiritually. In what are you immersed? As you breathe, try to connect to God’s voice in that river.  What do you hear?
 Our choices call into and out of communities of all kinds. What communities does your faith put you into? With a trusted friend, share how that faith formed and forms you.
Meditate on what is needed for the common good of our world. What is the next step you will take? In your prayers, ask for what you need to take them.
Justice & Service Corner: (Rear, Bell Side) “Justice is love made visible,” said the prophet. Here find ways to put love into action!
Bell Table (Front Right) During the prayer time, you are invited to come to the water placed here. If you wish, take up a stone to represent some intent in your life that needs the love and blessing of the Holy Spirit. You may “baptize” it by passing it through the water and carry it back to  your seat with you.
Prayer Corner (Front Left) Stand, sit or kneel here in meditation and prayer. Candles are available to light the way for you or someone you are praying for.
Children’s Corner (Rear Corner, Piano Side)
As We Draw Back to Our Seats, Please sing when invited: 
We shall overcome, we shall overcome, We 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 For Everyone Born (opposite)
Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward when invited. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨  Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨  Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that  you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
¨ Blessing the Way of Lois Morgan
With deep feeling, we commend you to your life and work in other places, taking with you our strong support and sincere prayers.    
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano Side: In peace!
Bell Side: In love!
Piano: To teach!
Bell: To learn!
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano: To preach!
Bell: To pray!
Piano: To heal!
Bell: To comfort!
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano: To build!
Bell: To plant!
Piano: To grow!
Bell: To thrive!
Postlude (please be seated) Wade in the Water
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 Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen and our brothers and sisters at Calvary 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.
¨ 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.
¨ Carla Gilbert, who will be in the Tucson area for a couple of weeks working in a migrant shelter at the US/Mexico border.
¨ 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, Tom Warth.
¨ For Room in the Inn, Berea’s cooperative housing effort. Union Church will host tonight.
¨ Mary Lou Wiese and all the family, at the death of her brother, brother, Dean Jacobs, who died on January 2.
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering well at home from surgery on her fibula and ankle.
¨ George Mountjoy
¨ Barb Smith, recovering from arm surgery.
¨ Peggy Coyne, recovering from knee surgery.
¨ Dodie Murphy, with the concern of a return of cancer.
¨ The family of John Capillo, who died on New Year’s Eve.
¨ Myrt Wilson, raffle winner of the Union Church Sesquicentennial quilt, made by Ramona Culp, is very ill and has donated the quilt back to Union Church.  Notes appreciation as well as words of  comfort would be kind. Her address is 192 Laurel Drive.
¨ The husband and entire family of Jennie Wicker Weill, Sarah Belanger’s sister, at her death.
¨ Dennis Jacobs, anticipating kidney surgery.
¨ Bob Boyce, who will have shoulder replacement surgery Tuesday.
¨ Lois Morgan, soon moving to Somerset to be nearer her daughter. Please sign a prayer cloth for Lois by the Peace Bell.
Announcements
Today –  new members welcomed! As a family of faith committed to boldly and creatively embodying the life and ministry of Jesus, we would like to join with YOU. We’d like to be a context and inspiration for your own spiritual path, and work with you to make your heart, your world, your life more peace-filled and joy-full. Today we’ll have an opportunity to covenant together. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
Saturday Movie Sing-along! January 18, 5 pm, in the Community Room. Our Community Life & Growth Board has come up with a great idea for getting through the winter doldrums. Sing along together with the movies Frozen and Mama Mia! There will be a cash snack bar available.
Can you set up for Coffee Hour after worship? It’s a joy to gather and reflect on the service, catch up with friends and visit BUT – we need someone to help with that by setting up treats (which the church will purchase) and making coffee (we’ll show you how). Sign up at the website—union-church.org, under the Volunteer tab. Thanks!!
Volunteer for “Room in the Inn,” a warm place to sleep, which operates through the winter. Room in the Inn provides dinner, a warm place to sleep and breakfast to those without shelter in the winter months. Inns rotate locations in Berea during the week and Union Church is the Sunday Inn.  Registration is every evening between 5 & 6 p.m. at 138 Mary Street. After 6 p.m. there will be no one accepted into the program for that evening. You do not need a photo ID or any ID to register. If you would like to volunteer with RITI,  you can do so at union-church.org under the “Volunteer tab.” If you would like to make a contribution to RITI for the 2020 season, please make your check out to “Union Church” and write “RITI” in the memo line. Contributions of any amount gratefully accepted. Mission and Service Board.
Beautiful 2020 Calendars for a Donation: By a lucky accident, Jennifer Melton has extra copies of the gorgeous 2020 calendars she makes using her own photographs. She’d like to offer them to any who’d like them – for a donation to Union Church (sugg. $10). Pick up in the vestibule or in the office.
Union Church’s Annual Meeting will be March 15, 2020. Board chairs, please start thinking about your Annual Reports. They’re due in the office February 26 and we plan to have them available at worship on March 8. Thank you! If you need copies of previous years’ reports for reference, I can them send to you. Joan English, Office Admin. PLUS if you have any photos of church life in 2019, send ‘em along. We’d love to include them.
From our Nominating Board: Its that time again! Union Church can only be the church with the excellent leadership of its members. The Nominating Board is seeking to fill positions on  all Union Church’s Boards to be elected at our Annual Meeting in March. Worship, Faith Development, Nurture and Care, Finance, Properties, Mission and Service, Administration, Community Life and Growth, and Pastoral Relations all have space for you. Job descriptions are printed in the front of our directory. Regular terms are three years, but there are many which are less due to persons unable to fill their term. Please consider where God may calling you to serve and let that be known to Carla Gilbert, Kim Kobersmith, and/or Rachel Lakes who are seeking your gifts.
Congratulations! Pearl Marshall has been named Associate Conductor for the Handbell Musicians of America’s Spring Festival in Louisville March 6 & 7.
Group Hikes! On Fridays. 12:30 – Meet at the fountain by the Alumni Building to hike at Brushy Fork. On Saturdays Meet at the Forestry Outreach Center to hike the Pinnacles from 1-3:30 pm. More info on the poster in the back hallway.