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

Baptism of the Lord

January 13, 2019      10:30 am

Meditation
“All I want from you is to trust me with what little you can, and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you. It’s not your job to change them, or to convince them. You are free to love without an agenda.”  ― Wm. Paul Young, The Shack

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 Sinfonia from Partita 2  J.S. Bach
The Call Joan Baez
¨  Hymn #168 Black  O Radiant Christ, Incarnate Word Hesperus
Words only, we will be singing to a different tune.
¨  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 Circle of Love Pepper Choplin Union Church Choir
A circle goes ‘round and ‘round again. It has no beginning and has no end for it will be spinning eternally. A circle was drawn by God’s hand. Filled with love, it will expand to welcome all who will hear the call to join in love, circle of love. God gives love  and there’s enough for all who need a holy touch of love and care open hearts can share.
God will touch many hearts, make us one from many parts and we will be joined in unity. So come together and gather ‘round, God is the center and God surrounds us with His holy love. The circle of love goes ‘round again and its power shall never end, for love will be living eternally. Love is strong, love is great. Come together and celebrate and welcome all as we hear the call, to share the love, the circle of love. Filled with love, it will expand. Share the circle of love we’ve found.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson               Isaiah 43:1-17(p. 856)
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  Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (p. 1230)
Sermon Fire and Water Rev. Kent Gilbert

Remembering God’s Love

Today, with many other Christians, we celebrate a renewal of our 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. 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 all who will to recommit to service in the way of Jesus. All God’s children are beloved.
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.
Asperges Hymn #407 How Firm a Foundation Foundation
Prayer in Action and Reflections
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat.
During the prayer time, you are invited to come to the “river” that runs through the sanctuary. 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. Some suggested prayer direction is printed in the bulletin on page 8 and at the tables you visit. The Call read in worship today is on page 8. You are also free to choose to rest in private prayer, remaining with our own thoughts and in your pew.
Prayer in Action Reflections
Close your eyes and remember your baptism, confirmation, or perhaps some other spiritual experience.
What blessings and responsibilities has that sacramental action brought to your life?
In what ways do you wish to reconfirm or reorient yourself into God’s kin-dom today?
In your heart or on a slip of paper or card at home, write the words, “You [your own name] are my beloved child; I am well-pleased with you.”
Our Offering
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.
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!
As we draw back to our seats, you are invited to join in singing:
                     Holy Spirit, Come to Us             Taize

From Here to There

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 during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨  Hymn  God the Creator (opposite) Bunessan
¨  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.
The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated) Allegro from Sonata 5 Giustini
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, Yemen and our brothers and sisters at Calvary Apostolic 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.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin.
¨ Emily Spires, daughter of Randy Stone, continuing treatment for breast cancer.
¨ Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, Shelton Dean Jacobs, receiving treatment for glioblastoma.
¨ Andrea Wescott, diagnosed with cervical cancer
¨ Barbara Frederiksen, recovering from  intestinal surgery.
¨ Those who are without homes and safe places.
¨ Gabe Barlow, awaiting tests and results for cancer in Seoul, South Korea.
¨ For our newly elected and returning lawmakers at the city, state, and national level: that they, too, may be wise in which stars they follow, and bear the gifts of just and good governance to their respective places of service.
¨ Barb Smith, recovering from brain surgery.
¨ The family of Teresa Gowler in the unexpected death of her sister, Suzi, in Anderson, Indiana.
New members welcomed today! 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 have the opportunity to covenant together. No prior action on your part is required, but if you have any questions at all, we’d like to help. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
Poinsettias — please take yours home. They’re in the back hallway. Thank you!
What Next Union Church? Help Discern and Decide, this afternoon, 1:30 and Weds. the 16th at 6:30. Last summer our congregation met in homes to ask, “What is God calling and empowering us to do next?” The ideas were collected and in September Church Council appointed a vision group to discern values expressed and propose possible actions. Today form 1:30-3:00pm will be the first of two chances for a church “Family Meeting” to hear what the Vision Team found, see where we are, where we are feeling called, and prayerfully craft some 1-3 year goals. An additional opportunity will be held Wednesday, Jan 16, 6:30-8:00pm, following our regular dinner. Childcare available at the Weds. meeting.
Thursdays — our Music Director, Bernardo Scarambone, will teach a very basic music reading class right before choir (6:00 pm). Everyone is welcome to join them — no pressure to stay for choir – but you’d be welcome!
Everyone is invited to the January 18th SongFarmer Gathering in the Community Room.  A community supper will begin at 5:30.  Sign up to perform by 6:00 PM.  A “SongFarmer” is any musician, songwriter and fan who use their music to make their families, hometown and lives better. The event runs from 5:30 – 8:30.
Beyond: Encaustic Sculpture. Exhibit by Michelle Hayden at Mill & Max Contemplative Arts Gallery, 385 S. Mill St. Lexington. January 18, 5-9 Gallery Hop opening, January 19 at 1 pm artist talk.
Union Church is participating in Room in the Inn! Room in the Inn is:

• an opportunity to directly intervene in homelessness
• a way for churches and community groups to welcome in small groups
• a chance for both guests and hosts to change
• about serving without prejudice or pride and about accepting everyone

Union Church will participate as one of the “Inns,” every Sunday night until the end of the season (likely March 10)  and we are looking for volunteers who can help with things like

• cooking a meal or cleaning up afterwards;
• moving supplies from one location to another;
• spending the night at church with our guests on the nights they are here.

Whether it’s just once, once a month or once a week, we can use your help.  Contact Shirley Carlberg (985-5501 or nonesuch1998@yahoo.com), Mary Lou Wiese (260-571-4959 or wiesemary911@gmail.com),  or John Payne 859-986-8100 or johnvpayne@yahoo.com) if you’re interested in being trained as a volunteer.
MISSING: Madison Co. Public Library book, Women of Vision in Berea, checked out for the memorial service reception of Ruth Butwell on January 5.  This small book was last seen on the table with the family’s memorabilia  in the church basement.  Please call Susana Lein at 859-893-3360 with any leads.  Thanks!
A Midwinter Night’s Dream. January 25. Concert of original music by Rainbow Star and Jesse Wilhite in Cowan Chapel, 6:00—7:45 pm. No charge, donations welcome.
Have a Heart For Fellowship, Communication and Welcoming New Members? We Need 3! The Community Life and Growth Board of the church helps “outsiders” become “insiders” by helping Rev. Kent welcome new members, get people acquainted with each other for ministry and spiritual support, and oversees our website, social media, and media outreach (advertisements, banners, webcasts, etc). We need three people to help fulfill this vital work with our pastor. Is one of them you? Please contact Carla Gilbert of the Nominating Board: carla_gilbert@ windstream.net or call the church office!
LOOKING AHEAD:
Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center is seeking volunteers to support survivors of sexual violence. Volunteers answer a 24-hour hotline, meet survivors at regional hospitals, give out information and referrals, and are trained in crisis intervention and advocacy. Training held at Union Church in January & February. Applications due by Jan. 17. Visit www.ampersand.org/volunteer.
 
The Call 
You are
Amazing
Grace.
You are a
Precious
Jewel.
You–
Special,
Miraculous,
Unrepeatable,
Fragile,
Fearful,
Tender,
Lost.
Sparkling
Ruby
Emerald
Jewel
Rainbow
Splendor
Person.
—Joan Baez