A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
“Love calls us to look upon the faces of those different from us as brothers and sisters. Love calls us to weep when their bodies are outcast, broken or destroyed. Love calls us to speak even when our voice trembles, stand even when hate spins out of control, and stay even when the blood is fresh on the ground. Love makes us brave. The world needs your love: the only social, political and moral force that can dismantle injustice to remake the world around us – and within us.”
~Valarie Kaur, from the book “See No Stranger”
Prelude
Welcome
From There to Here: We Gather
¨ Sung Response “Lead Me, Guide Me”
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
¨ The Call
One: Blessed are those who feel the anger, but channel it into the creative energy of change.
All: Blessed are the frustrated, for their determination drives the cause of justice.
One: Blessed are the forgiving, for they keep the bridges between us from collapse.
All: Blessed are the listeners, for they are our last hope.
One: Blessed are the dreamers, for they show us the future is still possible.
All: Blessed are the open-minded, for they show us the diversity of heaven.
One: Blessed are the faithful, for they are our memory.
All: Blessed are those willing to risk love, for without them our vision would reach no farther than our politics.
¨ Sung Response Lead Me, Guide Me
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
¨ Prayer of Confession please respond when invited:
All: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole hearts and have not loved our neighbors as ourselves, through what we have done and left undone. Forgive us when we create boundaries of “us” and “them” and assume scarcity where you offer abundance. Lead us to the waters of healing us as we seek to turn around toward greater love. Lead us to travel in your ways. Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ Sung Response Lead Me, Guide Me
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
¨ Passing the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Announcements
Lighting the Justice Candle
Red Bird Mission, Inc. and Red Bird Clinic, Inc. have been providing ministries in this region of the Appalachian Mountains since 1921. Today the need remains critical in this isolated, rural distressed area of Beverly, Clay County, Kentucky. Chronic poverty, lack of jobs, poor housing, and rugged mountainous terrain provide obstacles to a fuller life for the residents of this area. Red Bird Mission and Clinic strives to meet these needs through ministry in five areas: Education, Health and Wellness, Community Outreach, Economic Opportunity, and Community Housing Improvement.
Support for these ministries come from churches and individuals across the nation. Over the years the Mission has enjoyed wide support in The United Methodist Church as well as from other denominations. Your donations to Red Bird Mission and Clinic will help us continue these vital ministries in this distressed region of Appalachia.
To learn more about Red Bird Mission and Clinic and to donate visit their website at www.rbmission.org.
Word And Worship
Hymn Bless Now, O God, the Journey
Hebrew Scripture Lesson 2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, “Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.” He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.” But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.”
So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his skin was restored like the flesh of a young child, and he was clean.
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Please note that Union Church services are livestreamed, including the Children’s Moment. A “no camera zone” is at the back of the balcony, behind the AV booth.
Gospel Lesson Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, p. 1246
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.”
‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’
The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
Sermon The Courage to Look Rev. Kent Gilbert
Visual Reflection
Responding to God’s Love In Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: The Holy Living God be with you!
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts,
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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.
Communion Prayer
God of Grace, It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you. Your delight filled the skies and land with colors beyond the spectrum of our knowing. Your creation and care up raised up humankind and every creature with such diversity that we cannot comprehend it. Your breath leaves healing in the waters and the power of life in prophetic utterances.
We have often backed away from such promise, denied healing, or sought power over your proclamation: We have been unable to claim your love as ours. So we come humbly. And here you are to meet us – speak to us – once again, always faithful, always present at all our tables, in every common room, in every household where we gather in your name.
And so, we join in the song of all creation, in heaven and earth, praising all you are doing to move us to healing:
Sanctus tune “I Want Jesus”
Holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts! Blest are they who come in your name! Heav’n and earth are full of your glory! Hosanna in the highest!
Words of Institution
One: On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
All: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
All: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the vision of your Reign realized, so that we may be for the world your vision incarnated into deed.
Call to the Table
Serving One Another
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union 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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier.
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Community Prayer
For all the places we have traveled and all the tables where we sit, it is with you, Lord of the Table, with whom we are at home. As we pray for those around your world we remember the peoples of Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda, all of whom are part of your magnificent tapestry of ministry and hope. We hold in your light, the faith communities we know in all places, the ones we drive by and have not connected to, and those who challenge us. We lift to you our neighbors, family and friends at Wallaceton Baptist Church here in Berea, and the communities around the world named now in our hearts…[silence observed]. We reflect in order that we might transform. You have fed us with more than bread in order that might be ONE, rising to justice and joy for all your women, all your men, all your children, all your creatures, all your creation. Send us, in retreat or advance, to be your agents of grace, as love demands. This we pray in the name of the one who taught us to reach out to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
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
¨ Hymn Rooted and Grounded in Love
Words and Music Amanda Udis-Kessler; arr. Bryan T. Johnson
1. In a time of disease, we are called to be healers embodying Love’s holy care. We follow the healer who tended the suffering, restoring the wounded, our work and our prayer. We are joyful and strong as our faith is revealed in the richest abundance of fruit that we yield.
Chorus: We are rooted and grounded in love. Like a tree by the river, we’re planted so deep. We are rooted and grounded in love with each gift that we bring and each promise we keep. As we birth a new world where we all have enough, we are rooted and grounded in love.
2. In a time of distrust, we are called to be teachers embodying Love’s holy grace. We follow the teacher who welcomed the stranger, enlarging Love’s realm with each sacred embrace. We are joyful and strong as our faith is revealed in the richest abundance of fruit that we yield. Chorus.
3. In a time of despair, we are called to be prophets, proclaiming all people as one. We follow the prophet who cried out for justice, our lives offered up so Love’s will can be done. We are joyful and strong as our faith is revealed in the richest abundance of fruit that we yield. Chorus.
¨ Benediction
¨ Sung Response Lead Me, Guide Me
Lead me, guide me, along the way, for if you lead me, I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Postlude
(you are welcome to be seated and enjoy the Postlude)
Reflection Questions:
· Recall an experience that “decentered” you. What values, expectations, opportunities were challenged in you? In retrospect, what if any spiritual gift or insight has come of the encounter?
· When challenges surround and you cannot control external sources of encounter or distress, what can you draw upon to remain strong, safe, and loving? Do you have a favorite song, scripture or prayer? How have you connected to God’s creation and creative spirit in you?
· How could a “retreat” help you “advance?” What step could you take give yourself a “retreat?”
· What tools of resilience will you teach your best friend when they are in need?
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda and our brothers & sisters at Wallaceton Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 16,100 Kentucky residents, and 284 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty, and especially those in the city of Nikolaev where the family of former Berea International student daughter of Kevin and Carla, Yulia live. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ In sorrow for the lives lost in the Afghanistan Earthquake with prayers that God may ease the suffering, and God’s people respond to the need.
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Dorie Hubbard, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Sharona Nelson, facing a long recovery after surgery to repair a broken shoulder.
¨ Hazel Morris, being treated for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
¨ In sorrow for the lives lost in the Afghanistan Earthquake, with prayers that God may ease the suffering, and God’s people respond to the need.
¨ Samuel Mugabi, director of Samuel’s Kid’s Orphanage in Uganda, who is critically ill in the hospital. Financial support can be given directly for his care and for the orphanage at https://paypal.me/samuelskidsuganda.
¨ Michelle, beloved nurse at Morning Pointe, undergoing treatment for cancer.
¨ Former Berea resident Kamela “Kayy” Popiwaczk, recovering from surgery for a life-threatening brain infection.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays: Today, July 3 – Susie Ritchie; 4 – Phyllis Hughes; 5 – Sune Frederiksen; 7 – Jessica Gowler; 8 – Kelly Mehler, Bernardo Scarambone; 9 – Amy Williams, David Bellnier, Gwen Castillo
Announcements
Children are welcome in the service, or you can stay with them in the nursery
· There will be a nursery assistant available in the nursery space to provide support for families who are supervising their own children there,
· The nursery and playground will be open for families to use if you supervise your own children,
· There will be a device for listening/watching the service in the nursery,
· We anticipate adding full nursery services once under 5s can be vaccinated,
· The children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary will have activities for our youngest members
· Please note that Union Church services are livestreamed, including the Children’s Moment. A “no camera zone” is at the back of the balcony, behind the AV booth.
Lemonade in the Shade
The Community Life and Growth Board is looking for volunteers to assist in our weekly Lemonade in the Shade after our morning worship running through the summer. If you can help on a particular Sunday this summer, please go to our News page at union-church.org/news and click on the form labeled Volunteers for Lemonade on the Porch. We need folks to help with set up and take down as well as people to donate snack items like cookies or other kinds of snacks.
Opportunities to Serve
The Nominating Board is looking for members of the Union Church community to serve on three Boards:
· Faith Development
· Mission & Service
· Pastoral Relations
Please call/email the church office or email/text Rachel Lakes (859.582.6646, rachel.robertslakes@gmail.com) for more information or to express interest.
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