A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
Shake it off, I shake it off. ~ Taylor Swift
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship Steve Gowler, Reader
One: Welcome friends. As we get ready for worship, bringing with us both hopes and burdens, I’d like to gather us in with these words from the episcopal priest and native elder Steven Charleston. He once wrote:
“What would I give you if it were mine to give? I would give you quiet courage, the steadiness beneath your feet when you face whatever lies ahead on your course through life. I would give you a glad heart, the center of joy, the sense of balance in all you say and do. I would give you the bright vision, the clear view of what you hope, the invitation to keep drawing closer to what you dream.
“I would give these for they are what I need as well. Quiet courage, a glad heart, a bright vision. These three gifts I will keep praying for: for me, for you, for all of us who have set sail on this timeless sea together. May we each have these gifts of the Spirit, in just the right way we need them, at just the right moment we need them most. And may they empower us to sail on, sail on toward the light of dawn.”
In that spirit let us unite our voices as we open ourselves to the holy. If you wish, please rise in body or spirit and sing our opening hymn.
¨ Opening Hymn Gather Us In Marty Haugen
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¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
All: As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until God has mercy upon us.
One: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
All: for we are too full of contempt. We have offered it too often; and we who have had our fill of ease, have scorned those who remain unfilled of what they need.
One: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us
All: as we turn again to you and ask that we might find our way to you again; might find our footing in right action and community care. We seek your wisdom and forgiveness in Christ’s name. Amen!
~ based on Psalm 123:1-4
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Scripture Reading 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.”
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading Mark 6:1-13
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Sermon Shakes and Stakes for the Kin-dom Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One: Gathered in the light of God’s care let us open ourselves to hope and healing. Friends at home, if you have a candle with you let’s light it now.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
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
One: You, who breathe the world into being each day, have done so for all of history. We are made of your will and nurtured by your creation.
One: Woven into the web of life, you set human beings to steward your care. Men and Women more able to hear and remember this call become our prophets. As you guided Abraham and Sarai, Moses and Miriam, and all the wise of our past, so you call to some now with words of challenge and blessings.
One: As we gather, we gather in the presence of those who have gone before, and in anticipation of the word that is yet to come, breaking forth in communion with you.
One: We, imperfect students and holy seekers, were fired in the kiln of love until we shined with your light. Susceptible to shattering, we find ourselves broken, unable at times to remember your promise of repair. You remind us time and again that, though broken, we are held in your presence and made whole by your grace. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
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Words of Institution
One: On the night he was betrayed, Jesus sat with his disciples and broke bread. He blessed it, lifted it up, and spoke these words:
All: “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Then, after supper was over, he took the cup and blessed it, and said:
All: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: Remembering you as we come to the richness of your table, we cannot and we do not forget the rawness of the world and the cry of the poor. We cannot take bread and forget those who are hungry. We cannot drink and forget those who are thirsty. Help us feed others as we are fed. Help us drink deep of joy that we might be purveyors of grace. Having nothing with us but your help, show us how to mend the world so all may be whole.
All: Come, Holy Spirit, rest in and among us for good. Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher.
All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit and all people, within your tradition.
Offertory Mighty Lord of All Creation Bach
Olivia Puckett and Christian Snyder
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Prayer of Thanksgiving Steve Gowler, Reader
Remembering the struggles of all people to be free and to be counted whole, our prayer this day to you, O God, is humble and simple. Help us be worthy in your sight. Help us live rightly, love rightly, act rightly, speak rightly, and care for others in ways not just acceptable, but honorable to the way of your Christ.
Where we have forgotten compassion as people or as nations, transform us.
Where we have blinded others so they could not see our own faults, restore right sight and just practice.
Put a new heart within us as we praise you for the gifts of our living. You have blessed us all and your blessing is magnified with your name when blessings are shared. So as one nation, one people, one faith, one beloved community: help us be worthy in your sight. That all our actions in public squares and private homes might sing of your unending impartial love, and all people of the earth may share the life-blood of justice and joy as love demands.
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 The Summons Bell, Maule
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Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Celebrating American Independence and Ideals This past week we celebrated American independence from England, with parades, fireworks, cookouts and general holiday cheer. It also behooves us to reflect on the ideals of the new American State, how well we have lived up to them, and how far we still must go to fulfill those ideals.
As of July 4, 1776, one-fifth of our nation’s people were enslaved, one-third of the Declaration’s signers and nearly half of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were slaveholders. This wrong would not be righted for 90 more years, and we still struggle today with racism. All the signers and delegates were men, and women were little more than a husband’s property for well over a century thereafter. Native Americans were displaced over and over, many treaties broken, children stolen and “Christianized”, with lingering effects to this day.
We have come a long way since then, but inequities still abound, and we must be vigilant in defending our democracy and our freedoms from those who would rescind those rights and impose their will on us. The loud insistence that we must be a “Christian nation” flies in the face of the founders’ intent that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…”. We should all strive to continue the progress we have made in achieving our ideals.
¨ Benediction The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
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Our Prayers for Others
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