A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 26, 2015, 10:30 am
Meditation
“Once I knew only darkness and stillness… my life was without past or future… but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living.” —Helen Keller
From there to here
Prelude Fantasia J. Pachelbel
* Call to Worship
One: The foolish say, “There is no God! We are alone, on our own.”
All: We gather to declare the glory of God in our lives.
One: The foolish say, “It is your life; you are accountable to no one.”
All: We gather, strengthened by the Spirit, trusting that Christ dwells in our hearts.
One: The foolish say, “Everything I have is mine; I owe nothing to any one.”
All: We gather to praise the One who calls us to serve others in love.
based on Psalm 14, written by Thom Shuman
* Opening Hymn #407 How Firm a Foundation Foundation
* Prayer of Approach & Confession
One: Who among us hasn’t wondered if God really exists? Who among us hasn’t recoiled in revulsion when reflecting upon the loathsome acts we might be capable of?
All: Who among us hasn’t felt the agony of a life lived apart from God’s love?
One: Yet in our emptiness, in the depths of our despair,
All: the Lord seeks us out; the Lord hears our cries; the Lord becomes our refuge and our strength.
One: In you, gentle savior, our hearts are glad; we rejoice in your salvation.
All: We pray to you in spirit and in truth. Guide us in faith toward your fullness. Amen.
based on Psalm 14 and Ephesians 3, adapted from a prayer by Bill Hoppe
* Words of Assurance
One: The love of God is your firm foundation; by faith you are rooted deeply in the Lord. May you know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ, which surpasses all human knowledge. May you attain the fullness of being, the fullness of life that God brings. This is the good news of the one who gives us the Bread of Life.
All: Thanks be to God!
* 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 It Is Good Natalie Sleeth Union Church Choir
It is good to give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, for the bountiful blessings that all can see. It is good to sing praise to Thy name, O Lord, to declare to the people Thy steadfast love. For Thou, O Lord, with a mighty hand hath blessed Thy Creatures through the land, now let hymns and anthems in chorus sound to reach o’er every where around. It is good to rejoice and be glad, O Lord, and to tell of Thy glory evermore.
Epistle Lesson Ephesians 3:14-21
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 return to their seats or follow volunteers to the front entrance of the sanctuary to 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 age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.
Gospel Lesson John 6:1-21
Sermon The Fullness of God Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
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 Meditation arr. G. Evans
* 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 inJapan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers 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 #357 You Are Called to Tell the Story Julion
* Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated) Sonata No. II, Mov. IV F. Mendelssohn
____________________
* Please rise in body or in spirit as you wish
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 Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and our brothers and sisters at Glades Christian Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* Victims of the recent flooding in Johnson County
* Victims of the tragic shooting in Chatanooga
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin, Ruth Butwell
* Joan and all the Bates family, at Bob’s passing on July 5
* Lois Morgan, recovering from surgery at home
* For the Eschbach, Zimmerman, and Freeman families in the sudden death of David Freeman, and also dear friend Russ Meeker.
* Prayers of celebration from the Gravel family: Sophie’s friend Cole is healing more quickly than expected and coming out of casts 3 weeks early! Muse’s Aunt Lib is home now, up and doing. We are holding their sister-in-law Sherri and dear friend Diane Barber in our prayers, both with cancer, and Diane very near her death. May light and love be their path.
* Teri VanPelt, recovering from knee surgery, and her sister Karen Lee, who is moving to Berea
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.
Got a minute? Can you help Gabe carry risers back upstairs to the Choir Room after worship? Meet him up front after the Postlude.
Learn more about the church right after worship. If you’re thinking about joining, but have some questions, come to a new membership info session! 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 office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board. New members are received every second Sunday of a month—next opportunity is August 9.
Sunday Evening Hymn Sing! Tonight! 7:00 pm-8:30 pm ~ Cowan Chapel (All Ages Welcome!) Like to sing, just for fun? Once a month this summer, we will gather for a “traditional” hymn-sing led by the Union Church music staff. Please turn in a list of your five favorite hymns from the Black or Red Hymnbook one week before each Hymn Singing (deadline August 16). One more hymn sing this summer— August 23.
Estate Sale: 202 Forest St, Berea, Friday July 31st from 9am to 3pmand Saturday August 1st from 10am to 2pmAntique Furniture and lamps, College and local Ceramics, African/Latin American Art, Prints, Textiles/Quilts, Tea set and China set, Housewares and more.
Have extra luggage, backpacks or tote bags? Bring them to Union between now and the first weekend of August to donate as part of the Luggage of Love charity event for NECCO. The donated luggage goes to a foundation which will fill each piece with necessities (clothing, shoes, personal care items) and then distributed to children in the foster care system. Many times children in the Foster Care system come in to care with only the clothes they have on or a small amount of things in a trash bag – this event is a chance to give these children something they can call their own and they can take wherever they may go. If you have questions, contact Mission and Service Board chair Jessica Holly at jessicadholly@hotmail.com
The Faith Development Board invites you to Rekindle the Spirit Day on Sunday, August 16th (following worship service) to join the conversation. We want to take time to share our vision for the future and hear where you want to go. Together, we will go boldly in to future of our faith development! The discussion will take place in the Community Room downstairs, and a snack lunch will be provided. Topics to be discussed will include, but will not be limited to: changes to children’s church, family faith days and opportunities to further the mission of the Faith Development Board. We look forward to seeing you and hearing what you have to say!
Achieving and Building Life Equally Are you interested in joining together to create a Berea support group for those of us who self-identify as differently or uniquely able, or identify as disabled? This includes anyone who may be coping with a chronic or long-term illness, or dealing with an injury or illness that impacts daily life. If interested, let’s meet on August 19 at 6:00pm in the Community Room at Union Church. This could become a regular get together, an opportunity for friendship and sharing in a confidential setting.
We, in ABLE (Achieving and Building Life Equally), work hard to be strong and fearless. We succeed in life with creativity. We are not ‘less than;’ we are equal in the world.
Share-YOUR-music Sunday! August 30 ~ Sanctuary This is an opportunity for vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles to share the music of their hearts in worship.
If you would like to provide music for this special service, please fill out the sign-up sheet in the ivory brochure and turn it in by Sunday, August 16 or sooner.
We will need this information well in advance so we can craft an inspired, and smooth-running worship service, as well as an efficient sound-check schedule.
Please contact Gabe to coordinate additional practice times.
Alzheimer’s Education at Madison County Public Library, Richmond location Session 1: Living With Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Early Stage. In the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, families face new questions as they adjust. Tuesday, August 4, 2:00 pm
Session 2: Living With Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Middle Stage. In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, those who were care partners now become hands-on caregivers. Tuesday, August 11, 2:00 pm
Session 3: Living With Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage. In the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving typically involves new ways of connecting and interacting with the person with the disease. Tuesday, August 18, 2:00 pm
If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s time to learn the facts. To register, call 1-800-272-3900
Church Bazaar, Sat. August 29!
Special Call to Help Feed Our Neighbors — Did you know that many Bereans will face an extra challenge in feeding their families this August and September? As Kentucky’s EBT system (formerly known as “food stamps”) makes changes to its calendar, some families will have to find ways to feed their children for a week longer than usual.
Berea Community’s Family Resource/Youth Service Center is able to help meet the need during those weeks, but needs your help to do so. You can make a financial contribution to the FRYSC, and staff will convert your dollars into filling meals for families who are facing food shortages. Your donation is tax deductible.
Write a check to Berea FRYSC and be sure to mark “family meals” in your memo line. You can mail that check to Berea FRYSC, 3 Pirate Parkway, Berea, KY 40403. Call Jenny Hobson at 893-1075 or email jenny.hobson@berea.kyschools.us
Donate ONLINE or by TEXT, Now or Anytime! For online giving, Union Church uses EasyTithe, a completely secure contribution system. You can use Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express Credit and Debit Cards, or an E-Check from your checking account. Scan the code here to go right to the website on your smartphone, or visit www.union-church.org and click on the Donate button for instructions.
You do not need to register to make a donation (just choose “Quick Give” ). If you do register, your information will be securely stored making future visits faster and giving you full control of your giving reports. Credit card processing does cost the church about 3.1% of your transaction. ACH (E-Checks) only incur a 1% fee. Please use whichever is best for you, but if you can, consider adding a little additional to help cover the bank fee!
Give By Texting 859-448-3403: Yes! You can give using your web-enabled phone. Text any amount to 859-448-3403. The first time you do–and just the first time–you’ll get a link to associate your phone and enter your securely stored credit or debit card. It doesn’t go on your phone bill, but only to a card you specify. After that, all you need to do is text the number with an amount and any designation. It’s fast and easy! Of course, like every credit card transaction the church pays a 3.1% fee. If you can include that little extra bit, it will make a big difference!
Examples: Text “$50.00” to contribute to today’s offering or substitute the designation of your choice (youth, missions, BFCO, etc. Amounts texted without a designation will automatically go to the Annual Ministry Budget and all giving will be included in your annual giving records.
Kroger Rewards and Amazon Smile—two easy ways to give.
Kroger has been committed to supporting the communities it serves by assisting local charitable organizations through its Rewards Program. Union Church will earn rewards on all eligible purchases you make using your Kroger Plus Card. The Kroger rewards will accumulate and be donated quarterly to Union Church. This is an easy way for all to fund-raise for Union Church. Visit kroger.com/communityrewards
Amazon Smile will donate .5% of eligible sales to Union Church if you register at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/61-0444677. This is a great way to support Union Church.
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