A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost July 21, 2013
When we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of people we are.
— Cesar Chavez
Gathering to Worship
Hymn Sing Choose Your Favorites!
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Be Thou My Vision (Slane) arr. Daniel Pinkston
Processional Come, All You People (opposite) Uyai Mose
Call to Worship
One: We come, we open, we reach.
All: Listen!
One: We listen, we sing, we pray.
All: Act!
One:Act with joy, act with justice, act like we care, and care how we act!
All: Become!
One:Let us become the body of Christ: hands and ears, feet and heart. In God’s Presence:
All: Together!
* Opening Hymn #609 Black Now Is the Time Approaching Webb
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: In the silence, you are invited to listen to the wounds you may carry in yourself or on behalf of others. Affronts, offenses, resentments keep us from being and becoming, and the treatment of the external often is a shadow of how we view ourselves. Grip these broken pieces of the week in these moments. Then release them into a better way. Let us seek restoration to the self and people God calls us to be.
* Words of Assurance
One: Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel! Before we were distracted by many things. Now, in the holy presence of the redeeming love, we are restored to be and become; to learn and to serve; to forgive and be forgiven. By Christ’s grace we are known, loved, and sent forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God!
* 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
Gift of Music We Walk by Faith (Dunlap’s Creek) arr. Michael Hassell
God Speaking through the Hebrew Scriptures Amos 8:1-12 (p. 1085)
The prophet Amos announced a time of terrible judgment for the people because of their injustice.
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 Fellowship Hall. Activity clipboards are available at the altar for older children.
God Speaking through the Gospels Luke 10:38-42(p. 1248)
Jesus is received as guest at the home of tow sisters, Mary and Martha.
Hymn #607 Black We Would Be Building Finlandia
Sermon Ready and Available Rev. Kent Gilbert
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Call to Offering
Offertory Praise and Thanksgiving (Bunessan) Dale Wood
* Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below;
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn #530 Black God Our Author and Creator Jefferson
* Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude Toccata on Darwall’s 148th Gordon Young
____________________________
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 Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico and our brothers and sisters at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 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 and all those who wait and worry for them.
Teri Van Pelt, experiencing pain from stenosis in the cervical vertebra
Nancy Jones, at The Terrace for therapy after being hospitalized with lung problems
Gloria Johnson, retired Berea College campus minister, who has suffered a stroke. She is currently in a rehab facility in Georgia, making progress. She’d appreciate cards, to UNI Acute Health; 7560 Butner Rd; Fairburn, GA; 30213
Ilmars and Faith Birznieks, at the death of their daughter, Laura Joy Birznieks Ewing, of viral encephalitis on June 29th. She is also survived by her husband, Dan Ewing, and son, Andrew Ewing.
Jerry Cooper, recovering from shoulder surgery on July 11
The father of Debbonnaire Kovacs, hospitalized with serious health issues
Ed Poston’s sister, and the family, at her serious illness
Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Kenwood Nursing Home in Richmond
Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Explore Union Church! This is a place where your faith can grow and deepen! We are actively looking for those who would like to explore discipleship with Jesus in this congregation. YOU matter, and so does YOUR faith journey. If you’d like to join Union Church in pursing the way of peace, justice, and hope, please call, email, or Facebook either pastor, or call the church office. YOU are welcome here!
Bereans for Fairness Picnic! July 27, 4-7pm, Berea Memorial Park. Everyone is invited! Come out and show your support for Fairness. Celebrate the victories for lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender equality across the country and other major grassroots actions for Fairness this year! Music, main dish and water will be provided. Bring a side dish to share, plates/silverware, lawn games and chairs or blankets to sit on. FEATURING MUSIC BY MITCH BARRETT! Special appearances by Union Church Members and Rev. Rachel. Contact: Kate Grigg at kate@fairness.org or 708-341-0916.
Jennie Kiteck thanks Union Church for the use of the Community Room for Summer Strings, a camp for youth. It was a great time for all, and they played a lot of wonderful music!
Berea Faith Community Outreach, Inc. (BFCO) is in need of your financial help. While our supply of food is in good shape, funds for utility and rent relief, the transient fund, and liability insurance are at a low point. Any monetary donations will be greatly appreciated at this time. If you can make a contribution, please make your check to Union Church with “BFCO” in the Memo line. This allows the BFCO Board to allocate funds where they are most needed. Thank you from the BFCO Board.
Quilt Extravaganza, August 2 and 3! Union Church will be having a quilt display again this year! This year we want to show your quilts—quilts you own as well as quilts you have made. We need you quilts by next Sunday, July 28. You may bring them to church then or leave them in the church office prior to that time. We’ll take any size quilt and it’s o.k. if you’ve shown your quilt before. We’ll also need the following information: Your name, owner’s name, quilt maker (if known) and the story behind the quilt. If you can provide that information via email it will be helpful. Please send it to ramonaculp@roadrunner.com. If you have questions, contact Ramona Culp at 986-0521 or Carla Gilbert at 985-1144.
Wild Goose Festival August 8-11! You are invited to a festival that provides space for courageous, imaginative, and participative social justice work, creative expression, spiritual practice and astonishing music. The Wild Goose Festival will be August 8-11 outside of Asheville, NC. The Faith Development Board wants to encourage people to consider going this year. To get more information, check out www.wildgoosefestival.org or call Kim Kobersmith, 985-0185. Scholarship money is available through the Board for those who have a need.
Jennie Kiteck thanks Union Church for the use of the Community Room for Summer Strings, a camp for youth. It was a great time for all, and they played a lot of wonderful music!
Berea Faith Community Outreach, Inc. (BFCO) is in need of your financial help. While our supply of food is in good shape, funds for utility and rent relief, the transient fund, and liability insurance are at a low point. Any monetary donations will be greatly appreciated at this time. If you can make a contribution, please make yourcheck to Union Church with “BFCO” in the Memo line. This allows the BFCO Board to allocate funds where they are most needed. Thank you from the BFCO Board.
Quilt Extravaganza, August 2 and 3! Union Church will be having a quilt display again this year! This year we want to show your quilts—quilts you own as well as quilts you have made. We need you quilts by next Sunday, July 28. You may bring them to church then or leave them in the church office prior to that time. We’ll take any size quilt and it’s o.k. if you’ve shown your quilt before. We’ll also need the following information: Your name, owner’s name, quilt maker (if known) and the story behind the quilt. If you can provide that information via email it will be helpful. Please send it to ramonaculp@roadrunner.com. If you have questions, contact Ramona Culp at 986-0521 or Carla Gilbert at 985-1144.
Wild Goose Festival August 8-11! You are invited to a festival that provides space for courageous, imaginative, and participative social justice work, creative expression, spiritual practice and astonishing music. The Wild Goose Festival will be August 8-11 outside of Asheville, NC. The Faith Development Board wants to encourage people to consider going this year. To get more information, check out www.wildgoosefestival.org or call Kim Kobersmith, 985-0185. Scholarship money is available through the Board for those who have a need.
Leave a Reply