Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

July 24, 2016            10:30 am

Meditation
All heaven is waiting to help those who will discover the will of  God and do it.
— J. Robert Ashcroft
 

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  Prelude and Fugue in D Minor J.S. Bach
*  Call to Worship
One: Friends, we gather in that time and place where steadfast love and faithfulness meet.
All: As we search now, let us find. As we knock, open the door to us.
One:   We come to be renewed, to learn to pray well, to be inspired to act on God’s prayer that righteousness and peace might kiss.
All: Let us seek and knock and sing and pray in the presence of the living God.
* Opening Hymn #505 Sweet Hour of Prayer Sweet Hour
*  Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Our creator God, Ancient of Days, Holy Mother of all worlds and living souls:
Your arms, that once flung galaxies of stars like grains of sand, are open wide,
and close enough to carry each of us like a father cradles his child next to his heart.
May your sacred name be praised! May your realm extend, a commonwealth of mercy, peace and justice.
Your love knits all created nature into one whole. Your will for us always is love; and so we pray:
All: May your love be done on earth, in time, as it is in eternity.
Give all of us each day the bread we need, and hope to all who hunger for your life.
And as we share our bread along the way, pardon us the times we’ve broken faith.
Forgive our lack of loyalty and love; and move us quickly to forgiveness when wrongs are done to us.
Do not abandon us in the time of hard testing. Save us from evil’s every incarnation,
From the powers that possess our spirits and our structures.
Forever bind us to your liberating joy!
For you alone are God of grace and glory, and Rock of our Redemption.
Let it be so, God, let it be so. Amen.
~ from the New Zealand Prayer Book.
*  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  With Timbrel and Dance
Summer Handbell Ensemble
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Psalm 85
A song of praise for both God’s work, and the work that is in process so that “righteousness and peace may kiss.”
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, 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.
Gospel Lesson               Luke 11:1-13
The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray.
Sermon        Secret Prayers 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 Prayer Song G. Young
*  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

* Closing Hymn  Seek Ye First Seek Ye First

1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you; Alleluia, alleluia
2. Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and the door shall be opened unto you; Alleluia, alleluia.

* Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please  be  seated) Trumpet Tune N. Bowden
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 Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela and our brothers and sisters at Bethel Baptist Church 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.
¨ For the healing of families, communities, and our nation wracked by violence and murder. May we be agents of transformation.
¨ Pearl Marshall and family, at the death of her grandmother, Elizabeth Janosy, who passed away on Thursday.
¨ Rev. Rachel and her family in the death of her step-grandmother, and travel mercies as they attend her memorial service today.
¨ The family of Michelle Hayden in the death of her mother, in Indianapolis.
¨ Gary Dillon, undergoing chemo for lung cancer.
¨  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
Fourth Sunday New Membership Info Today: Come One Come All!  Each fourth Sunday of the Month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church after lunch for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board.
New members will be received each Second Sunday of the month at the close of worship.  Next chance: August 14!
Thanks to our Community Life and Growth Board and volunteers who helps us have a fantastic Burger Bash and Pool Party Thursday. The weather was hot and the pool was cool and our helpers were OUTSTANDING! Thanks especially to Paul Smithson and Bryce Carlberg for slaving over hot coals to the benefit of all!
Next Week is “Share Your Music Sunday” a celebration of talent and gifts among us. Join us for a joyous celebration.
A special Open House of the Sacred Threads quilt display is planned for Saturday, July 30th from 2-4 PM.  Docent Ramona Culp will speak about the display and give a little background on the quilts on display.  Lemonade and cookies will be served on the veranda.
Kids’ Underwear needed for back-to-school! The Family Resource Centers that serve Berea schools has asked No Child Cold/No Child Hungry in Berea to provide boys’ and girls’ underwear in children’s sizes 4 to 10. Donations can be left outside the church office marked to the attention of Dodie Murphy or given to Dodie in church on Sundays. The August issue of Consider will have a list of food the Family Resource Centers need to send home with children on the weekends.
 Berea Celtic Festival is slated for Aug. 19-21. The Sunday service will have a touch of Irish tradition and harp music by Jeni Balcom of Cincinnati. Learn more about concerts, sessions and workshops at www.berea-celtic.com, or call Sune Frederiksen at 859-248-0690. Feel free to become an FB group member as well
While we’ve had heavy rains lately, we can count on a shower in August! The shower to celebrate our moms-to-be, Rev. Rachel and Leslie Small Stokes, will be at 3 PM Sunday, Aug. 14, in the community room. All are welcome and finger foods and beverages will be served.
BJ Godby, Melissa Neal and Dodie Murphy are coordinating the party and are the go-betweens for information to and from Rachel and Les.
Many in our congregation have asked about gift ideas. With the exception of the crib and car seat, gently used baby clothing and items similar to the ones they’ve registered for will delight the moms. (They prefer brighter colors rather than the traditional baby pink and baby blue.) Gift cards also are appropriate, as are books and music.
Another idea is to gift our children’s worship center with toys or books. It would feel “very nice,” Rachel said, “to share the love.” And after the baby arrives they would love meals or non-purchased items!
Donations of finger foods are needed. Please tell BJ or Dodie if you’ll be bringing something.
Melissa Neal, Dana Rousey and Laura Nagle will decorate, so contact one of them if you’d care to help. Kevin Burke will make and set up beverages, and Betty Hibler and her crew have volunteered to clean up — and would welcome help. Everyone’s phone numbers are in the Church Directory.
These are the two registries for guidance:

1. www.target.com (search for Rachel Small Stokes, due date Oct. 8)

2.www.babylistregistry.com has things the moms-to-be