Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

July 15, 2018    10:30 am 

Meditation
I cannot dance, O Lord,
unless You lead me.
If You wish me to leap joyfully,
let me see You dance and sing—
then I will leap into Love—
and from Love into Knowledge,
and from Knowledge into the Harvest,
that sweetest fruit beyond human sense.
There I will stay with You, whirling.
—Mechtild of Magdeburg

From there to Here: We Gather

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 Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 557 J.S. Bach
 The Call      
¨  Opening Hymn #28 Black  For the Beauty of the Earth Dix
¨  Prayer for Approach, Confession & Release
¨  Passing the Peace of 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 hospitality.

The Living Word among us

Anthem Praise the Lord Natalie Sleeth
Union Church Summer Choir
Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet, praise the Lord with the harp and lute, praise the Lord with the gentle sounding flute. Praise the Lord in the field and forest, praise the Lord in the city square, praise the Lord anytime and anywhere. Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine, praise the Lord in the dark of night, praise the Lord in the rain or snow or in the morning light. Praise the Lord in the deepest valley, praise the Lord  on the highest hill, praise the Lord, never let your voice be still.
Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal, praise the Lord with the pipe and string, praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing. Praise the Lord on a weekday morning, praise the Lord on a Sunday noon, praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon. Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow, praise the Lord in the time of joy, praise the Lord in the every moment, nothing let your praise destroy. Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet, praise the Lord in your work or play, praise the Lord every where in every way!
Hebrew Scripture Lesson  2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 (p. 373)
David brings the ark to Jerusalem, making that city the center of worship for Israel. Steeped in liturgical language, these words focus on the power and presence of the holy.
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to stay in the service or visit the Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary, which has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or adults) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Gospel Lesson Mark 6:14-29 (p. 1200)
Herod, hearing of the deeds of power done by Jesus and his disciples, wonders if John, whom he beheaded, has been raised from the dead. The disturbing story of John’s martyrdom is recounted as a reminder to all of the dangers that lie ahead for those who are faithful.
Sermon Habeas Corpus, Habeus Animan Meam Rev. Kent Gilbert
(Bring Out the Body, Bring Out the Soul)

Living Prayer

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.
Acts of Reflection and Prayer
 “Centering” is the practice of understanding where you are, what is at your core, and how to balance body, mind, and spirit. You are invited to use this time for the holy work of centering yourself.  Some questions for reflection prayer are provided on a special bulletin sheet. You are free to use or ignore these prompts as you find helpful. This is also a time to remember those whose body or soul are endangered, distressed, and in need of healing. You are invited to name them and hold them in the light of God. In whatever prayer manner you adopt, please hold the concerns of those listed and those you know about in God’s peace-giving light.
Our Offering 
Our offering today is meant to be oil on troubled waters, a tangible counter to chaos and trouble. Our offering makes it possible to offer small no-interest loans to church families in trouble so they don’t fall prey to the exorbitant interest of payday loans. Our money is working everyday to keep this building safe and dry and open: a haven to AA, Al-Anon, support groups, and those in need of solace. It also supports our web-ministries so people around the globe can feel the calm of the Spirit, even when they can’t come to a service. Thank you for your generous piece of God’s peace in Christ’s service!
When invited, please join in singing the familiar chorus: Alleluia!
Community Prayer & 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

¨  Closing Hymn #438 Black  When Peace, Like a River Ville du Havre
¨  The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated) Festivity on Holy Manna Douglas Wagner

Dance is the Inevitable

           Result of Body and Soul…

There are many questions of balance. What are you balancing in your life right now? What things are you trying to balance in and with your body? And with your soul? What elements are involved in keeping centered. Make a list of even the most mundane actions that keep you in balance.
Meditation: balance is never stillness. It is a dance of opposing forces, the shifting of weight from one place to another. Think of a time of imbalance, a time when you are or were not centered, whether from internal or external forces. Now think of the characters in the gospel story. Over what were each of them trying to balance? Are the imbalances in any of the characters similar to any you experience? If so, physically shift your weight, either seated or standing, and ask God to help you center in the best and deepest way. 
As you pray, in silence, word, or body, center on what love or loves you have leapt into. Connect with those feelings if you can. As you breathe in thinking of such leaps, where do you feel that “inspiration” in your body?  Now, imagine that area expanding with each new breath. In your mind’s eye see and with your body feel the connection spread and increase. Feel this love and let it power you. Let it be a plumb line in your very core to keep yourself upright in the dance. 
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 Djibouti and Somalia and our brothers and sisters at first Baptist Church of Middletown in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Leaders with authority to make the lives of the poor less burdensome; that they may be generous and loving in all they undertake.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Dave Wellinghurst, receiving treatment for glioblastoma.
¨ Jimmie Lewis’ sister, undergoing cancer treatment.
¨ Judy Rowell, continuing to recover.
¨ Jennifer Shelton, injured in a car wreck July 3. She has had surgeries on both ankles and her left wrist at UK Hospital
¨ Baby Vera Stevens Garrett, born July 11 at 8:01 am. She weighed 9 lbs, 7.5 oz. and was 21.5 inches long at birth. Congratulations to her parents Mary Robert and Andrew, and big sisters Claire, Page and Ella.
¨ There’s a new baby in the VanPelt/Ward family! Many blessings to all. 
¨ Welcome to new member Emily Hoskins, who joined last week!
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.
Learn more about the church next week! Come One, Come All! Each fourth Sunday of the month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, are invited to come to the Classroom and join in conversation with the Pastor and the Community Life and Growth Board after worship. 
Brrr! Why am I chilly at worship? Why are we spending so much money on air conditioning?! Our Sanctuary and Chapel organs both suffer when it’s damp, and the Sanctuary organ loses its tuning when it gets too hot (or very cold). Fluctuating temperatures wreak havoc with our delicate instruments. Paying a bit more on the electric bill is much thriftier than paying for more organ services throughout the year.
The Properties Board will lower, clean and change lights for the remaining fixtures in the Sanctuary on Tuesday, July 17 beginning at 8 am.  Please contact Dave Kobersmith if you can assist.
Summer Choir meets for the last time July 22. No commitment beyond showing up in the sanctuary at 9:45!
Refugee Needs! Can you help? Union Church is responding to an emergency call from Kentucky Refugee Ministries to partner with a 7 member Congolese family relocating to Lexington. The Ngabwema family is Mom, Dad, and 5 children ages 2, 4, 7, 12 and 16. We’re working with Bluegrass United Church in Lexington to help gather what they need. Money is definitely helpful: it will take about $5000 to support them for 2 months, including things like first and last month’s rent, utilities, food, etc. You can donate by designating: “Refugee Family” on a portion of your offering. Also there is a Google Doc where you can sign up if you have household items the Ngabwema’s will need. If you aren’t computer fluent, just call the church office (986-3725). Here is the link:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pKjTXoi8gHoGu9pAddoth0Jgxybj4-pS2OCWUgQ-pLs/edit
Habitat Foundation Blessing July 28, See Page 10.
Rescheduled — Community Hymn Sing August 5, 2:00 pm, Cowan Chapel. Did you know that singing with others releases endorphins in our brains that promote a sense of well-being and community connectedness? Come see, hear, sense, and feel for yourself! All ages welcome! 
Hymn Favorites on Handbells Sunday, August 12, 2:00 pm. Whether you are a current ringer with UCHE, or you have rung bells in another time or place, we would love to have you join us for the August 12, 2:00 pm, performance. There are three more scheduled “full ensemble” rehearsals.  July 25, and August 8, at 7pm in the sanctuary.  Please contact Pearl (pmarshall@union-church.org) if you’d like to participate.
Handbell Anthem in Worship July 22. Rehearsals July 18, 7:00 pm & July 22, 9:00 am. Adults and youth are most welcome. Please contact Pearl Marshall (pmarshall@union-church.org) as soon as possible if you are interested in ringing the handbell anthem this summer.
Laura Howard’s sister is in need of a reliable used car under $5,000. Please contact howard.laura.p@gmail.com if you have one you are interested in selling.
You’re Invited to make a small quilt based on a favorite book! Join the Friends of the Madison County Public Library Fundraiser today! Contact Rita Barlow at lashleybarlow@gmail.com for details. The quilts will be on display at both library branches and are sold by silent auction.
Kentuckians For The Commonwealth Annual Membership Meeting “Claiming Our Commonwealth: Creating Kentucky’s Beloved Community” August 3-5 at Berea College. To register: kftc.org/events/2018-annual-membership-meeting
Pool Party August 1, 7-9 at the Berea City Pool. Pizza provided, please bring salads and desserts.
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup.com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.