A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
January 18, 2026 10:30 am
Second Sunday of Epiphany
Meditation
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
“Only when it’s dark enough can you see the stars.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
From There to Here: We Gather
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
¨ The Call Deb Beishline, Reader
One: We come from the cold of the world to find the warmth of welcome and hope.
All: We come to seek the presence of God.
One: We come in the chaos and confusion of the world to find clarity of purpose in service to others;
All: We seek the source of Compassion and Grace.
One: Come all who seek, enter in all who wonder and wander. We gather to heed the Lord’s call, to seek where the will of God is lodging, and to be touched by spirit and fire.
All: All are welcome in this work. All are welcome in Christ’s way. Here we stand. Here we pray. Here we worship the God we love.
¨ Hymn All Are Welcome Marty Haugen
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession ad. from Psalm 40
One: You are faithful, Patient God, even as we continue to live in the shadows of life.
All: We could delight in your hopes for us, but choose to do things our way.
One: We could serve the most vulnerable around us, but long to pal around with the powerful.
All: We could share the glad news of deliverance, but prefer to swap stories and gossip.
One: In your mercy and for the sake of your world, help us be better.
All: There is none like you, Redeemer of all your children. You lean over to listen to our prayers, and whisper forgiveness to our souls. You lift us out of the holes we dig for ourselves, and set us on hope’s solid ground. You strengthen our weak faith with the life, grace, and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior. Amen.
~ adapted from a prayer by Thom M. Shuman
¨ Words of Assurance
One: Let the God of all creation put a new song in you. Sacrifices and flagellation God does not desire. God has given us open ears and hopes we will use them to hear the deep need; strong hearts to do the heart-work. We are forgiven in order that we might help others survive and thrive.
All: Thanks be to God for the mercy that heals the world. Amen!
¨ 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 What Love Demands Mark Hayes Union Church Choir
Dedicated to the public health workers, medical personnel, chaplains, and front-line essential workers who answered love’s demands in a time of national pandemic.
Dedicated to them by the people of Union Church, Berea, KY, in memory of Mr. Tom Warth, Dr. Richard and Ms. Judy Drake, and Ms. Mary Lou and Dr. Lester Pross.
1. What does it mean to love my neighbor? How can I live in harmony? Are you my brother or are you just another? When I look in your eyes, who do I see? I see you’re made in the image of God, uniquely gifted with the right to be loved. Neighbor or stranger, how may I serve you? What does love demand?
Chorus: Love is listening with heartfelt compassion, holding the lonely, wiping a tear. Love demands that I live in the moment to live in the question when the answer’s unclear. Love demands I seek what unites us releasing fear and whatever divides us. With God as my strength I will be the change I want to see. For that’s what love, that’s what love demands.
2. What can we do to stand for justice? What can we do so all are free? What can we do to end oppression, so all have the same opportunity? We will be God’s hands and welcoming arms. We’ll keep you safe from danger and harm. Homeless or helpless, how may we serve you? What does love demand? Love demands we do what we can. Take a stand. Lend a hand.
Chorus: Love is listening with heartfelt compassion, holding the lonely, wiping a tear. Love demands that we live in the moment, to live in the question when the answer’s unclear. Love demands we seek what unites us, releasing fear and whatever divides us. With God as our strength we will be the change we want to see. For that’s what love, that’s what love demands.
Scripture Reading Isaiah 49:1-7
Listen to me, O coastlands; pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born; while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord and my reward with my God.” And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength- he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, “Kings shall see and stand up; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Children’s Moment as the children 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 Reading 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
Sermon Lambs, Fire and Rocks Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
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 Next week we pray for: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen and our siblings at White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Ringing 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.
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
For Reflection
Too Light a Thing…
In the reading from Isaiah the prophet is asked if it is too light a thing, this work God calls him to. This might be because God fears Isaiah isn’t taking the work seriously, or it might be that Isaiah is ignoring the work he knows is important.
· Breathe in and out slowly 3 times to center yourself and bring your attention to this question in your life: Is there anything you are taking too lightly? Not paying attention to? Allow your mind to wander over the needs and rest on the best next right step. Ask for whatever help you need as you heed the call.
OK, Be From Missouri…
Missouri is the “Show Me” state, and as you consider your relationship with the Divine, you might yourself worthy of residence there. “Show me” is what each anyone who has dipped their toe into spiritual teaching, service, or vocation has said at some point. “Fair Enough!,” says Jesus to his disciples: come and see.
· What do you wish you could see? It’s ok to dream here. Put that into the air as you breathe out in your prayers.
· What do see around you that calls to you? This might be something that sustains or something that jars you.
· What is being asked of you by this awareness?
· What do you need in this moment to be your best self. Show yourself…. and God… then come and see if you can get a little closer.
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: 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 easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering 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.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community Deb Beishline, 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.
This we pray in the name of the one who taught us to reach to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, Our Mother, and Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn #593 Lift Every Voice and Sing Lift Every Voice
1. Lift every voice and sing,
till earth and heaven ring,
ring with the harmonies of liberty.
Let our rejoicing rise
high as the listening skies,
let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the harsh past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
Facing the rising sun
of our new day begun,
let us march on till victory is won.
2. Stony the road we trod,
bitter the chastening rod,
felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
yet with a steady beat,
have not our weary feet
come to the place for which our people sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered.
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
out from the gloomy past,
till now we stand at last
where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
3. God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
God who has brought us thus far on the way,
God, who by your might
led us into the light,
keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met you;
lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, forget you;
shadowed beneath your hand,
may we forever stand,
true to our God, true to our native land.
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Andrew Baskin, Associate Professor Emeritus at Berea College, was recently honored as a notable Berea graduate. He taught African American Studies and General Studies at Berea College for 36 years, and instilled in his students a sense of discipline and dedication to learning. He was famous for locking the door to his classroom at the appointed start time of the class.
He has been, and still is active in, teaching and in a number of social projects. He is rightly honored for his dedication to students and lifelong learning. He has received many awards at Berea College, too numerous to list in this short paragraph.
The Joy of Welcoming New Members
Partnership & Purpose
Today presents an opportunity to covenant together! All who would like to are welcome to join the church family – you will be received in joy.
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends 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.
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response #570 We Shall Overcome We Shall Overcome
- We Shall Overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday.
- We’ll go hand in hand, we’ll go hand in hand, we’ll go hand in hand someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we’ll go hand in hand someday.
- We are not afraid, we are not afraid, we are not afraid today. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we are not afraid today.
- Our God will see us through …
- The truth will make us free …
- We shall live in peace …
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Dave Reilly’s nephew, Herb Post, ill with kidney cancer that has spread to his lung.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ 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.
¨ That the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East may hold; and those suffering receive the aid they need.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Sara Parker, Hattie Parks, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ The Mehler family, at the passing of Robin Mehler’s father, Kelly Raulerson, in Asheville, NC. Asa and Eli have lost two grand-fathers in three months.
¨ A local family, Jasmine Ratliff and Warren Blackburn, whose little boy, Bennett, has a cancer related tumor and faces chemo and related treatments.
¨ Joy Gritton and Black Bear LaBoueff. Bear is hospitalized with lung issues.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: January 19 – Elan White; 21 – Sally Hindman, Iris Brandenburg, Ella Sutherland; 23 – Bob Boyce; 24 – Gail Wolford, Ali Beishline; 28 – Corey Hester
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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