Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

July 23, 2017    10:30 am 

 
 
Meditation  
Up until the parousia, the church will always be a mixed bag of good and evil; it should not play God by trying to justify itself completely thorough purges and Inquisitions. …The definitive separation must be left to the last judgment; it is the church’s part to preach repentance and practice patience.    — John P. Meier

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!
Introit Surely the Presence of the Lord (opposite) Lanny Wolfe
¨  Call to Worship
 One:   Rise up, lift the veil of mourning, and let us gather to worship.
All:     Surely the Lord is in places we do not expect.
One:    Bidden or not bidden, God is present. Let us be present to the author of justice, the maker of life. Let us worship God.
¨  Opening Hymn #2 Glory, Glory Hallelujah Glory, Glory
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
One:      God of all humanity, Your people come to You in prayer. Remind us of Your calling to be your passionate, gracious and faithful servants in the world. When we forget our own history and story,
All: Forgive us.
One:    When we do not welcome the stranger,
All: Forgive us.
One: When we do not honor our neighbor,
All: Forgive us.
One: When we deny the humanity of any person,
All: Forgive us.
One: When our passion turns to persecution, our anger turns to animosity and righteousness turns to wrath,
All: Forgive us.
One: When we repay evil with evil with our minds, hearts or hands,
All: Forgive us. Be with your people in our passionate actions of faith, have mercy on us when we falter and renew our spirits for the journey. Amen.
by Bruce Reyes-Chow, immigration specialist working  with imprisoned children on the US border
¨  Words of Assurance
¨  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 joy. 

The Living Word among us

Anthem Many and Great C. Moklebust
Union Church Summer Handbell Ensemble; Gabe Evans, percussion
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 28:10-19 
Children’s Moment Joseph Jacobs 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, 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, which is NOW downstairs in Room 104 off the playground. Follow the blue butterflies!!!
Gospel Lesson Matthew 13:24-30
Sermon Living the Dream 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                    Voluntary in B R.G. Thompson
¨  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 Prayer and Prayers of 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

¨  Closing Hymn #608 Christ Will Come Again Ida
¨  Benediction & Sending Forth
    Postlude Rigaudon C. Campra
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 Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda and our brothers and sisters at Silver Creek Baptist Church 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.
 
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Susan Doring-Zook, recovering from surgery on her arm, broken in a fall. Meal Train at www.mealtrain.com/trains/wodzge.  Meals needed AFTER July 31.
¨ Laura Robie, recovering at home from a shoulder replacement.
¨ Travel mercies for members & friends here and abroad. 
¨ Andy Blyth, now in Room 310 at Baptist Health Richmond, with congestive heart failure and other heart issues. Check with Sue before visiting—cards welcome!
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.
Our Nursery is now located in Room 104, off the playground!!  Stay after worship today to help decorate if you can.
Hymn Sing TODAY! We will gather in Cowan Chapel for a hymn-sing led by the Union Church music staff. Those attending will have a chance to choose and sing their favorite hymns. You will have an opportunity to share the reason your selected hymn is significant to you. All ages are welcome!
Learn more about joining the church  next week! We’ll be decorating the Nursery after worship today, so come on July 30th if you want to know more about Union Church or want to explore church membership – as well as new members – you are invited to come to the Classroom two doors past the church after worship for conversation with the Pastor and the Community Life and Growth Board.
“Bean There, Done That” potluck July 29. Celebrate the beans grown in the Heirloom Bean Patch at the Berea Urban Farm with special guest, Bill Best. Discussions regarding heirloom beans and Appalachian Food Culture will take place.
Farm tours will be offered at the potluck and there will be the traditional “SB Giant Raffle” with everything from rain barrels and raised beds to plants and art work.
Everyone is invited to bring a dish and a recipe to share if you want to — or just come and enjoy the food and good company.
All welcome, free of charge. The potluck is Saturday, July 29, 6:30 pm at the Berea Urban Farm, 201 Adams Street, Berea.
Waterslide Party at Rev. Kent’s! Friday Aug 4: 11:30-2:30 In honor of their youngest friends and family, Rev. Kent and Rev. Diana would like to invite young people and their adults to a Friday-before-the-Wedding Picnic. We’ll have a 16’ inflatable waterslide, some drinks, and some hot dogs/veggie dogs. You bring anything else you’d like to eat or share, a blanket or chairs, and your swimming suit! Fun will be had by all! 298 Harrison Rd.
Kent and Diana’s Dance Party: You Are Cordially Invited! 7 pm August 5 at Churchill’s.  Please Join Rev. Kent Gilbert and Rev. Diana Hultgren at a special Dance and Reception celebrating their wedding! All invited! Bring a finger food snack to share or a beverage of your choice! Local musicians and callers will help lead the festivities.
August 6 Burger Bash & Pool Party! 5 pm – burgers, hot dogs & drinks provided, bring sides or desserts. Field games follow, then we have rented the pool from 7-9. 
Special birthday reception August 6: Jennie Kiteck is turning 90! On Sunday, August 6, between 12:00 & 3:00 you are invited to celebrate with her and her family in the Community Room.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact her daughter Mary, at marykwhitlock@gmail.com
Celtic Gala Concert at Union Church August 19, 8 pm! For eight years Berea Celtic Fest has produced one great event after the other with absolute quality Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England, Brittany, Galicia and across the North American continent.
This year’s “Celtic Gala Concert” will take place at Union Church and will also be a fundraiser and friendraiser for KEF – Kentucky Environmental Foundation and in cooperation with The Folk Circle Association of Berea.
The event includes a short intermission where you can meet KEF folks and buy CDs from the musicians.
Tickets are $20, $5 children & students,$75 priority seating – available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3000155
Scribes to help our Pastors. You may see a member of the Pastoral Relations Board standing near the pastors as they greet folks on their way out of the worship service. These are scribes—their job is to note  important conversations and details the pastors  might forget in the activity.
Are you a Creative Decorator?  The Worship Board seeks folks to “boldly and creatively” rethink our sanctuary décor.   Do you have some ideas?  Can you help?  If so, please talk to one of the pastors. 
Help Wanted!  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship reader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
Support a Berean in Christian Service: Natalie Warren, a native Berean and recent Yale graduate, is building a team of ministry partners as she prepares to serve university students in Ireland for a year with the campus ministry Cru. If you want to learn more about her work or feel called to support her financially, please contact her at natalie.warren@cru.org or (203) 772-809, or visit give.cru.org/0940688.
Host an International Student: Do you want to learn more about the world outside the USA?  Offer hospitality to someone far from home?   If so, you might enjoy hosting an international student through the Community Friendship Program at Berea College!  Share meals, develop meaningful relationships, and celebrate your cultures together for the 2017-2018 academic year.   Email:communityfriendshipprogram@berea.edu to get an application or to receive more information about the program.