Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
CHURCH OF CHRIST, UNION

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 10, 2016
10:30 am

Meditation
Compassion is of little value if it remains an idea. It must become our attitude toward others, reflected in all our thoughts and actions. And the mere concept of humility does not diminish our arrogance; it must become our actual state of being.
— The Dalai Lama, An Open Heart

FROM THERE TO HERE

Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “*.”
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!
Prelude
*Call to Worship
One: Justice has a song:
All: Love has a voice.
One:     Compassion has a story:
All: This is what we tell and know in our worship together. Let us sing our story!
*Opening Hymn #611 O Day of God, Draw Near ST. MICHAEL
*Prayer of Approach and Confession
Voices: Do you see me?
All: Holy One, forgive us for the times we have not truly seen our neighbor –whether that neighbor lives on our street, in our city or half-way around the world. Forgive us when we ask someone, “How are you?” but then do not wait to hear their answer. Forgive us when we do not pause to ask, “What can I do to help?”
Slow us down, dear God, so that our hearts and minds might catch up to what our senses tell us. Encourage us, strengthen us, that we might hold our own worries more lightly – and thus be able to see others more fully. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
One: We may miss things, but our God misses nothing. God notes our choices and also our repentance and our turning. There is always room in God’s heart for change, for forgiveness.
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 and joy.

THE WORD IN OUR MIDST

Anthem Hymn of Promise Natalie Sleeth
Union Church Summer Choir
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; Alleluia!
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, in our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Amos 7:7-17
Amos is summoned by God to speak words of harsh judgment to Israel.
Children’s Moment
As the children return to their seats or move to children’s church, 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, children are welcome to visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.
Gospel Lesson   Luke 10:25-37
A man walks up to Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life. In response, Jesus tells the story of the Samaritan who showed active mercy for a man in desperate need.
Sermon        The End of the World Rev. Kent Gilbert

Gifts Given For Love to Flow

Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastors and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to  859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory  
 *  Doxology Avery/Marsh

Praying it Forward

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 Prayers and Prayers for the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: 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

Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
*  Closing Hymn #575 O For a World Azmon
*  Questions of the Congregation and New Members
* Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members 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 & Sending Forth
*  Postlude (please  be  seated)  
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 Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and our brothers and sisters at the Assemblies of God in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ Members of the armed services and reserves and all who are in harm’s way and their families. We pray for the day when war shall be no more.
¨ Refugee families and individuals seeking shelter and safety, and all who are working to provide it: May God magnify our efforts.
¨ For the families of the dead and all affected by the bombings in Bagdad, Bangladesh, Istanbul, and Medina. When our neighbors suffer, we are all diminished.
¨ For all those involved in the tragic shootings this week, black and blue, that we find ways to make all lives better
¨ The family of Michelle Hayden in the death of her mother, in Indianapolis
¨ Travel mercies for our church family and friends attending Passport Youth Camp and the Wild Goose Festival.
¨  Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle
¨ Kelly Ambrose’s family, at his death
¨ Judy Rowell, recovering well at home
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from broken bones at home, and for Shane Wilcher
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Join the church today! This is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy! New members are received every second Sunday of a month. YOU are welcome here!
Chasing the Wild Goose: several members of our church (including Rev. Rachel) have made their way to the Wild Goose Festival, held annually in Hot Springs, North Carolina, which focuses on justice, spirituality, music and the arts. Please hold them in your prayers for deep learning and safe travels.
Youth Depart for Passport Camp: This morning our fearless youth and their leaders made an early departure for their week at Passport Camp in North Carolina. Many thanks to all who helped with fund-raising, support, and encouragement!
Habitat for Humanity volunteers are needed NOW in Berea! You can help two Berea families achieve their dreams of home ownership. You don’t need any prior construction experience. Call (859) 625-9208 or visit habitatmadisonclark. volunteermatrix.com to sign up!
Look around you! The Sacred Threads travelling exhibit is an exhibition of quilts about life’s journeys: joy, inspiration, spirituality, peace/ brotherhood, grief and healing. This biennial exhibition was established to provide a safe venue for quilters who see their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey. It will hang for the whole month of July! Thanks to Ramona Culp for arranging to bring it here, & to John Culp and Bob Boyce for hanging the exhibit.
Help those affected by flood in West Virginia. The Union Church Mission and Service Board is working on several fronts to help provide direct aid and support. You can make  a check payable to Union Church or make an online donation at www.union-church.org/donate (choose either Red Cross or Church World Service from the drop down list), or you can donate directly to these agencies. Union Church will be supplementing with some of our budgeted relief funds as well.
If you can, please bring these items to the Appalachian Center by July 15 for a student to bring to affected areas:
Brooms Mops
Shovels Laundry Detergent
Cleaning supplies, especially bleach
Pet Food Toiletries
Canned food
Crayons/Coloring books/Toys
Psalm Workshop  throughout the summer. Next meeting will be July 13th at 7 p.m. in the classroom at Union Church.  We will reflect on Psalms 52 & 85 at that time.
Take a Stand Against Illegal Dumping of Frack Waste in Kentucky! Join Frack Free Foothills for a Rally in Estill County July 16,  5-8pm at Estill County High School, 397 Engineer Rd, Irvine.
This rally is NOT just for Estill Countians–this is a widespread issue with widespread impacts (Madison and Fayette County’s drinking water intakes are downstream from the Blue Ridge Landfill), Craig Williams of Kentucky Environmental Foundation, attorney Tom Fitzgerald from the Kentucky Resources Council, and others will speak.
Do you have a passion for meaningful worship and the mechanics that go along with it? The Worship Board is in need of one more person to serve out Abby Embry’s term, which ends in 2017.
And — if you are committed to building a Beloved Community of Christ and would like to actually help make that happen, Community Life & Growth is looking for that person to serve the relatively new term of John Stanley, which ends in 2019.
For further information, please contact Nominating Board Chair, Carla Gilbert, or Kevin Burke, at 985-1144 or carla_gilbert@windstream.net. Thank you.
Summer Music Opportunities are wrapping up…
Choir: July 17 – 9:15 am Adults and youth are welcome to participate in Summer Choir. No commitment is expected.  Just show up for rehearsal at 9:15am in the Sanctuary.
We will learn an anthem, which will then be shared as part of the 10:30am worship service that morning. We will rehearse and offer our anthems from the sanctuary floor so that this opportunity is accessible to all.
Handbells: July 17 – 10:00 am On each of these Sundays, anyone interested in ringing along with one of the hymns is welcome to join us in the sanctuary to rehearse.  We will read from chord charts instead of a musical score so that this opportunity may be enjoyed by ringers with any or no music reading experience!
Share-YOUR-Music  Sunday July 31
This is an opportunity for vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles to share the music of their hearts in worship.
Inspired by the Gospel reading for July 31, “The Parable of the Rich Fool,” this year’s theme is: “Heavenly Treasures.”  Songs that speak of love, peace, hope, etc., would fit beautifully into this theme.
If you would like to participate in this special worship service, please contact Gabe by Sunday, July 17, with your name, title/composer, instrument, and whether you need an accompanist or microphones.  We will need this information well in advance so we can craft an inspiring, and smooth-running worship service, as well as an efficient sound-check schedule.
 Baby Shower for Rev. Rachel & Leslie Small Stokes! 3 pm Sunday, Aug. 14, in the Community Room. All are welcome!
BJ Godby, Melissa Neal and Dodie Murphy are coordinating the shower and they need help: setting up, decorating, providing finger foods and desserts, and clean up.
 Save-these-Dates
Hymn Sing 4 pm July 17
Bloodmobile 11-5 July 19
Pool Party & Burger Bash 5:30-9 July 21
Interest meeting for Peace-building Camp 4 pm July 24
Share YOUR Music Sunday  July 31
Baby Shower for Rev. Rachel & Leslie 3 pm Aug. 14
BAZAAR! Sept. 17