A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Third Sunday after the Epiphany 10:30 am
Meditation All the buried seeds crack open in the dark the instant they surrender to a process they can’t see. ~ Mark Nepo
We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call to Worship Melissa Holland
One: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
All: One thing I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
One: For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent: he will set me high on a rock.
All: Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
One: Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
All: “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
¨ Hymn I Will Come to You You Are Mine
¨ 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 Else Do I Need Debbonnaire Kovacs
Scripture Lesson 1 Corinthians 1-18
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ~New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Children’s Moment Alvera Stallared Perman
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 Matthew 4:12-23
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles—
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.”
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. ~New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Sermon We Have Seen a Great Light Melissa Holland
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 Immortal Love, Forever Full Henry Heydinger and Jameson Tuwe
Community Prayer
Giver of all gifts, maker of all the bodies, and holder of every heart, hold us now: connected and whole in your mercy. Help us each in our way proclaim good news. Heal our blindnesses, and break our chains that we may free others from all that binds and oppresses. We who are often weak, are strong united in you. Bless us in our efforts, as we reach to you with the words Jesus taught us…
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 #173 Black You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore Pescador Des Hombres
If desired, you are welcome to sing V.1 & refrain in Spanish, then switch to English for v. 2-4
- Tú has venido a la orilla, no has buscado ni a sabios, ni a ricos, tan sólo quires que yo te siga.
Estribillo (Refrain): Jesus, me has mirado a los ojos; sonriendo has dicho mi nombre; en la arena he dejado mi barca; junto a ti buscaré otro mar.
2. You know full well my possessions, neither treasure nor weapons for conquest; Just these my fishing nets will for working.
Refrain: O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me and while smiling; have spoken my name. Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me; by your side I will seek other seas.
3. You need my hands, my exhaustion, working love for the rest of the weary –a love that’s willing to go on loving. Refrain.
4. You who have fished other waters, you, the longing of souls that are yearning; as loving Friend you have come to call me. Refrain.
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
This week we light the Justice Candle in honor of Jon Stewart: author, comedian, justice-seeker. Since leaving his show, Jon has used his time fighting for the underdog and what he feels is the responsibility of this country. When the 9-11 First Responders bill was due to expire, he went to Congress and spoke passionately about their bravery, and what that cost them and their families, pleading to renew it, which was done.
When Jon received the Mark Twain Award earlier this month, it was presented by two of those first responders whom Jon had helped.
¨ Benediction
One: May the great Spirit of all high places, God of many names, touch you with a wind that keeps you strong for all the days to come. Our worship is over; our service begins. Amen.
Postlude
You are welcome to be seated to appreciate the music following service, and to show appreciation at the end with applause.
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 (Link to World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle. (union-church.org/ministries/prayer/). Let us hold the people of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey and our brothers & sisters at Faith Decision Baptist Church 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.
¨ 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: Jan. 23 – Bob Boyce; 24 – Gail Wolford; 29 – Gwen Hensley
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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