A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Third Sunday after the Epiphany 10:30 am
Bulletin Cover Art Maestra Peace Mural, 1994, on The Women’s Building in the Mission District, San Francisco, CA
Themes: the healing power of women’s wisdom over time, the contributions of women throughout history, and the making of history by women from all corners of the earth. Audre Lorde, Georgia O’Keefe, and Rigoberta Menchu are some of the figures included in the mural. Fabric patterns from throughout the world are used in the design. Artists: Juana Alicia, Edythe Boone, Miranda Bergman, Susan Cervantes, Meera Desai, Yvonne Littleton and Irene Perez
Meditation
“Peace is this moment. Without thinking it should be any other way, that you should feel some other thing, that life should unfold according to your plans. Peace is this moment.” — Dorothy Hunt
From There to Here: We Gather
Gathering Music Come, Holy Spirit, Our Souls Inspire Wilbur Held
Welcome
The Call
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Lighting the Justice Candle
Today we light the Justice Candle in honor of Chuck Colson, who voluntarily pled guilty to obstruction of justice in 1974 and served seven months in Alabama’s Maxwell Prison for his part in the Watergate scandal and, 1976, founded Prison Fellowship, which is now the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. In recognition of his work among prisoners, Colson received the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1993.
Chuck Colson passed away April 21, 2012. His legacy continues, however, in the work of Prison Fellowship and in the lives of the many people his ministry has touched. After a career in hardball politics, Chuck Colson emerged as one of the most influential evangelical leaders of the past half century, devoting his life to ministering to prisoners and sharing the Gospel’s message of love and hope to millions. Prison Fellowship believes that a restorative approach to prisoners, former prisoners, and all those affected by crime and incarceration can make communities safer and healthier. The ministry is founded on the conviction that all people are created in God’s image and that no life is beyond God’s reach
The Living Word Among Us
Hymn Many Are the Lightbeams Lightbeams Steve Bolster, singer
1. Many are the light-beams from the one light. Our one light is Jesus. Many are the light-beams from the one light; we are one in Christ.
2. Many are the branches of the one tree. Our one tree is Jesus. Many are the branches of the one tree; we are one in Christ.
3. Many are the gifts given, love is all one. Love’s the gift of Jesus. Many are the gifts given, love is all one; we are one in Christ.
4. Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one; servant spirit of Jesus. Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one; we are one in Christ.
5. Many are the members, the body is one; members all of Jesus. Many are the members, the body is one; we are one in Christ.
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Hebrew Scripture Lesson 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Bob Boyce, Reader
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Gospel Lesson Luke 4:14-21
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
Sermon If This Then That Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
Ringing of the Peace Bell Bob Boyce
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.
Offering Music Behold the Heavens K. Wissinger
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4
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Community Prayer Jean Boyce, Reader
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 all those seeking the year of your favor and liberate all people for the sake of your Christ 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 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 How Then Shall We Live? Deborah Thompson, singer
1. Took a walk outside of my walking. Stepped inside another’s shoes. Walked the dusty borders between us. Paths I’d never chosen to choose. Refrain: How then shall I live? How then shall I live? How then shall I live, O God? How then shall I live?
2. Heard a sound outside of my list’ning. Felt the living hum of the ground. Waited on the voice of the spirit, singing with its new old sound. Refrain.
3. Saw the world outside of my looking. Gazed upon the eyes of its soul. Held the hopes and fears of tomorrow, found the pieces making a whole. Refrain.
4. Took a step outside of my walking. Found within a beat that we share. Walked with you the length of a lifetime, and made of life a living prayer. Refrain.
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Benediction
Postlude O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing arr. K. McChesney
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace! -Charles Wesley
Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled, and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory! -Johann J. Schutz
Come to Virtual Coffee Hour!! Zoom link — Join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761
OUR FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLES:
“Union Church welcomes all followers of Christ and works with all who work with Him; respecting each person’s conscience; working by love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”
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