A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
First Sunday after the Epiphany 10:30 am
Youth Sunday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday
Meditation
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
From there to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call to Worship
One: Good morning! Please join by rising in body or spirit for the call to worship!
In our past, women and men who saw the hurt and hate in this world put their faith into motion to make God’s impartial love something people could see.
All: We give thanks for the families and friends who bound themselves to this work. We give thanks for those who made a church in the wilderness praying for the freedom of all.
One: We live from strong light:
One: From Matilda and John Fee who worked their whole lives to end slavery and unite all children of in God’s love, to the pastors and people here who saw the effects of racism and poverty break God’s heart;
One: From the youth group in the 50s who worked to integrate our town that laws had segregated, to the faculty and deacons who marched in Selma, and rode the southern highways to proclaim better;
One: From loving members who knew that Love is Love is Love and that Love was from God, to those who put their faith in motion here and everywhere once again to welcome ALL of God’s children in their infinite expression of affection and identity:
All: We gather in that holy light, and ask for God’s help to live into the light still shining from God’s vision of hope and release.
One: Now here in our day, in our time, let us put our faith into motion each and every time we gather.
All: Now in these days, may we rise and rest to renew the light and hold the hope. Now in these days, may we live into the light of God’s grace. Amen.
¨ Hymn #350 Now in the Days of Youth Diademata
1 Now in the days of youth when life is filled with choice, when hope and doubt touch every hour, when all thoughts find a voice, we turn, O god, to you for guidance and for grace, in all out days, in all our ways, help us to seek your face.
2 Teach us to use our lives with purpose and with power for visions of a better world and for decision’s hour; to choose the way of life, reject the way of death, until the radiant force of God fills mind and strength and breath.
3 Teach us to love in truth, to give and to receive with joyful and with open hearts, with all that we believe; to seek another’s good, to honor what is right, to let our will and our desire be held in holy light.
4 Teacher, Creator, God, enfold us in your arms; be with us as we try our wings, and keep up safe from harm. All good and perfect gifts come to us from your hand. O help us use them carefully and live by love’s command.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We know that life is full of challenge. On good days we meet the challenge and offer something to the movement of living light. On other days, we need the help and restoration to help us mend that which has been broken in ourselves and in others when we have mis-stepped. Let us pray:
One: God, when life is hard for us and on us we are not always at our best. So we come together to find reminders of your love, inspiration and forgiveness. Be with all who carry brokenness, for you mend worlds. Help us turn around if we are going the wrong direction, for you are a guide to any who are lost. Help us, young and old, to live with compassion, integrity, and passion, for you are all about justice and joy.
All: God of all, forgive us and help us live better in the Light of your way. In Jesus’ name we pray: Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Anthem We Shall Overcome arr. Scarambone
Scripture Lesson Micah 4:1-5
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s temple shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.
Elder’s Moment Courtney Parrish
as our beloved elders return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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 Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Sermon Cadence Perman
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
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.+
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
¨ Doxology Old Hundredth
To God, all glorious heavenly light; To Christ, revealed in earthly night; To God the Spirit, now we raise Our joyful songs of thankful praise. Amen.
Community Prayer Maxton Ponnie, Reader
Love is divine only and difficult always.
If you think it is easy you are a fool.
If you think it is natural you are blind.
It is a learned application
without reason or motive
except that it is God. ~ Toni Morrison
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
¨ Hymn #526 Siyahamb’ Siyahamba
2. We are singing in the light of God ….
3. We are dancing …
4. We are praying …
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community evens, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we light the Justice Candle to honor The King Center, thekingcenter.org/ an organization committed to making Martin Luther King’s dream of beloved community a reality. The center provides education and training in nonviolence, maintains an archive for research and scholarship, downloadable lesson plans for schools and teachers www.facebook.com/thekingcenter and hosts community talks and summits.
¨ Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated) Can You Feel It The Jacksons, arr. Scarambone
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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of , Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates; and our brothers and sisters at Ransom Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ 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 affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ If you’d like to donate to those affected by the recent earthquakes in Japan, this is the most direct way to do so: Japan Red Cross: jrc.or.jp/english/
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Sally Zimmerman.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Jeannette Davidson, having health problems.
¨ Dorie Hubbard, now living in New York. Her new address is Vista on 5th; 1261 5th Ave.; Apt #510;New York; NY; 10029
¨ The family and friends of Betty Wray. A service in celebration of her life will be held January 20, 2 pm.
¨ The family, friends and classmates of Abdullahi Hamdy, young Berea Student, who died suddenly on New Years Eve.
¨ The family, friends and students of Dianne Sykes, former Berea College professor and Union Church member, who died on December 11.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today, Jan. 14 – Gaige Biggs, Levi Broadbridge; 15 – Terry Beishline, Hattie Parks; 16 – Kent Gilbert; 21 – Sally Hindman, Iris Brandenburg, Ella Sutherland
Anniversaries: Jan. 14 – Deb & Terry Beishline
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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