A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Epiphany January 6, 2013
Meditation
The one who created us is waiting for our response to the love that gave us our being. God not only says, “You are my Beloved.” God also asks: “Do you love me?” and offers us countless chances to say “Yes.”Henri Nouwen
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude As With Gladness Those of Old (Dix) Sue Mitchell-Wallace
¨ Call to Worship
One: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of God has risen upon you.
All: For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; But God will arise upon us, and God’s glory will appear over us.
One: See now the light and glory of God.
All: God within; God without; God behind; God before; God below; God above: God be with us now. Amen.
¨ Opening Hymn #159 Black As with Gladness Those of Old Dix
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession from Seasons of the Spirit
One: Strangers, foreigners, outsiders – Names we give those whose ways unsettle us, Or those we fear for changes they may bring.
All: O God, help us remember that your people were strangers, foreigners, outsiders in Egypt, Canaan, and Babylonia.
One: Strangers, foreigners, outsiders – too often we ignore their wisdom or discount their understandings.
All: O God, help us remember that the magi were outsiders who came to honor Jesus because of their insights.
One: Strangers, foreigners, outsiders – we define them as “others” so that we can keep our distance and withhold our empathy.
All: O God, help us remember there are no strangers, foreigners, or outsiders, for you have made us all, and in you we are all one.
One: Forgive us when we draw our circles in tightly and forget that you are the maker of diversity here on earth, and in the vast cosmos of galaxies and stars.
(Silence is held for reflection)
¨ Words of Affirmation
One: God brings together people of different nations, different languages, different classes, different ages, different viewpoints and replaces division with forgiveness and conflict with love. God forgives and loves you, that you might be one with all.
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the word
Anthem From a Distant Home (Isla del Encanto) Puerto Rican Carol
Union Church
From a distant home the Savior we come seeking, Using as our guide the star, so brightly beaming. (Refrain) Lovely eastern star that tells us of God’s morning, Heaven’s wondrous light, O never cease thy shining! Glory in the highest to the Son of Heaven, And upon the earth be peace and love to all.Glowing gold I bring the newborn babe so holy, Token of His power to reign above in glory. (Refrain) Frankincense I bring the Child of God’s own choosing, Token of our prayers to heaven ever rising (Refrain)Bitter myrrh have I to give the infant Jesus, Token of the pain that He will bear to save us. (Refrain) Trans. George Evans and Walter Ehret
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6 (p. 877)
A new day for Jerusalem.
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 Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room, and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 2:1-12 (p. 1138)
The Wise Men.
Sermon “Ample Oblations” Rev. Kent Gilbert
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One: Friends, we may not have traveled as far as the magi. We may not bring gifts befitting a king or queen. Yet before this sacred feast and within the arresting presence of the Christ, we are left with the same choices: to return to our homes unaffected or to be changed forever by the piercing light of ingathering love.
Let us now still our hearts and sit with mystery and with grace.
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.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Communion Prayer
One: Gracious God, who quickens the faith that brought Magi from the east, who kindles the hope that brought captives from exile, and who inspires the love that brings strangers together, we thank you for the light that guides all who are searching for your way.
One: When we faltered, when we lost that path, you sent prophets and teachers, some poor as shepherds, others wise as Magi to aid us on our journey.
One: We give you great thanks for the light that shines through Jesus, who is true light and the bright morning star, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, to whom we sing for joy.
Sanctus #792 Black Please Join in Singing
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Communion Prayer
One: We give thanks that Jesus dwelled amongst us, and not just those who were ready, or well-to-do, or educated, but spent his life in the company of common folk, seeking and speaking of your love.
One: On the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and, when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,
All: “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
All: “This cup is the new covenant of my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: God of all, awake to the dawning light of this Epiphany season, we gather around your table, mindful of both consequence and conviction.
One: For this unveiling, this seeing, cannot leave us the same as we were. The gods we have clutched, and the dominions of self-service we have built, fall and dissolve into shallow trivialities alongside the deep ways of humility and mercy, that is the gift and ministry of Christ in our midst.
Come then, O Holy One. In the breaking of this bread;
All: be our nourishment and generosity.
One: In the sharing of this cup;
All: be our joy and courage on the hard paths homeward.
One: Claim our vision,
All: enflame our hearts for a renewed and just world
One: and be a true and guiding light for all.
All: Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it. By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit within your tradition. You may remain in your seat, or you may come forward for a blessing, as you wish.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: In your service we arise and shine, O Lord of light and truth. We thank you for this meal together. In all that we seek, in all that we share, may the star of your Christ be our guide. Amen.
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory We Three Kings of Orient Are Alec Wyton
¨ Doxology To God, all glorious, heavenly light; Old Hundredth
To Christ revealed in earthly night;
To God the Spirit now we raise
Our joyful songs of thankful praise. Amen.
Walking Forward in Faith
¨ Closing Hymn #164 Black Arise, Your Light Is Come Festal Song
¨ Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright Michael Burkhardt
_____________________________
¨ Those who wish to may stand
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 Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran and Iraq and our brothers and sisters at the Berea Church of the Nazarene in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
¨ Those in harm’s way in the service of our country
¨ The families of those killed in Connecticut, and victims of violence everywhere
¨ We recently welcomed new members into the Union Church family: Kate Grigg, 304 Jackson St., Apt. 4; Chelsey Lloyd, CPO 1013; and Maggie Park
¨ Joy and Tom Frazier have moved to 5044 Dundee Dr., Richmond, KY 40475. New phone is 859-353-5054.
¨ Barb Taylor at the death of her father, Russell Thayer
¨ Renee and Billy Wellinghurst at the birth of Whitney Louise, born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces. Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges. Her weight has increased to 1 lb., 13 oz., as of January 2.
¨ Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038
¨ Edith Hansen, recently hospitalized, but now back at The Terrace nursing home
¨ Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
¨ Ruth Wesley, very ill at home. Cards welcome, to 215 Peachbloom Hill
¨ Hamdy Kemp’s family, at her death on Christmas Eve
Worship Leader today is Ashley Cochrane Next week: Susana Lein.
Announcements
Union Church is now able to accept credit cards for contributions. Please see Rev. Kent after the service.
Nurturing Healthy Relationships – Parenting Sunday School Class Do you wish you could have more cooperation in your family? Do the challenging feelings of your children bring out your own challenging feelings? Do you want some practical tools to help you set limits or handle conflicts between siblings?
Join other parents who share the same struggles and joys in this class. Our guest leader is Schuy Roop of Growing Peaceful Families. She works with children as a Montessori teacher and approaches her parenting classes with a gentle compassion for both children and parents.
All classes will emphasize experiential learning and provide practical tools you can start to use in your own family setting right away. Sundays in January from 9:30-10:25 am, Union Church Please call Kim Kobersmith, 985-0185, with questions. Class started today, but you’re welcome to join them next week!
Calling Young Adults and College Students! We’ll be gathering next Sunday, January 13th, from 4-9pm for a Progressive Dinner. We’ll meet at the church and travel to four different peoples’ homes, where we’ll have a course of a meal (appetizers, salads, main course, and desserts). At each house, we’ll also have a chance to experience a different kind of prayer (walking a labyrinth, dancing, centering, and praying with scripture). It will be a great time to connect to other young folks and to experience new ways of entering the world of faith. If you have a car that can carry several people, please bring it!
De-decorating today — Stay after church today and help us return the Christmas decorations to their homes for another year, as we prepare the church for the season of Epiphany. Many hands make light and fun work!
Wednesday Nite Live to Resume January 16 in the *NEW* Fellowship Hall The Community Life and Growth Board announces the return to our beloved Fellowship Hall for the first WNL of the New Year on January 16. We have had wonderful attendance and interesting programs during the fall in our borrowed space, but are very happy to be back home. The first program of the year will feature Debbonnaire Kovacs, Faith Development Board member, who attended was a conference on forgiveness and reconciliation, given by Dr. Miroslav Volf of Harvard Divinity School.
We on the CL&G Board know that many of you will want to try out the new kitchen. So to accommodate all of you, we will reinstitute the practice of inviting volunteer cooks to prepare a meal. You will be reimbursed for the cost of the ingredients — moderation, please — and you will have the assistance of our regular WNL helper, Loriel Warren. We look forward to many sign-ups at our first WNL.
The Healing Power of Writing: Debbonnaire Kovacs will offer a class on The Healing Power of Writing at the new Paint Lick Community Arts Center (in the old bank building in Paint Lick—you can’t miss it unless you miss Paint Lick altogether!) She will teach a six-week class that includes journaling, writing prayers, letters (that you do or don’t send), and more. There are two times: Monday nights from 6:30-8 beginning Jan 7, and Thursday afternoons from 2-3:30 beginning Jan 10. Class fee is $60. Call 859-925-2741 to register.
Shake Your Soul! Kate Grigg is teaching Shake Your Soul: The Yoga of Dance on Fridays, January 11 – February 8 from 7:00-8:00 pm at Cedar Haven (925 W. Jefferson St) in Berea. Move your body from within in this expressive, empowering class. Appropriate for all levels of movement/dance experience and fitness. Special Offer! Attend 2 classes and the 3rd is free. Contact Kate at (708) 341-0916 or kate.grigg@yahoo.com.
Consider erroneously announced that Debbonnaire Kovacs recently attended a workshop on small groups in churches. What she attended was a conference on forgiveness and reconciliation, given by Dr. Miroslav Volf of Harvard Divinity School, and that is what she will be reporting on at Wednesday Night Live, January 16. She does hope to run a several-week small group study on one of Dr. Volf’s books many books on this topic—book to be chosen together by the group.
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