A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost July 7, 2013
Meditation
“God is persistently knocking at those closed doors of our lives behind which we have imprisoned ourselves in our spiritual hunger and thirst, behind which we cower in the nakedness of our horribly deformed caricature of the image of God, behind which we suffer the sickness of our brokenness, behind which we are strangers to God, to ourselves, and to others… God will never leave us or forsake us until our center becomes open at the margins and God becomes the healing, liberating, transforming God of our whole being and, at the same time, moves us in that growing wholeness to the margins of our whole world as agents of God’s grace.
— M. Robert Mulholland, Jr, Weavings,
“Life at the Center, Life at the Edge”, July/Aug 1998
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Peace in Our Time, O Lord (Taylor Hall) Sowerby/Strearns
* Call to Worship
One: Friends, the God who is God of prophets and martyrs, the saints of history and all the stories of scripture is also our God.
All: The God of teachers and questioners; the God of hosts and guests; the God of seekers and doubters, of those in trouble and those made safe.
One: We gather here out of love and yearning, and we are gathered by sure and certain hope: that God hears the cries, reaches the hurt, heals the sorrow, recreates the day, reframes the loss, and speaks justice through joy and loving hearts.
All: Welcome, holy one. Gather us in: Your people in praise and prayer!
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
* Words of Assurance
One: Sing praises to our God, faithful children. God has heard our prayers
and made us whole.
All: We will not be silent, but will sing our joy to the One who has forgiven us and made us a new creation. Thanks be to God. Amen.
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the Word
Message in Song At the River (Hanson Place) Aaron Copland
Robert Rorrer, soloist
Shall we gather by the river, where bright angel’s feet have trod, With its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? Yes we’ll gather by the river, the beautiful, beautiful river, Gather with the saints by the river that flows by the throne of God.
Soon we’ll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease, Soon our happy heart will quiver with the melody of peace. Yes we’ll gather by the river, the beautiful, beautiful river, Gather with the saints by the river that flows by the throne of God.
God Speaking through the Hebrew Scriptures 2 Kings 5:1-14 (p. 451)
Our series of readings from 2nd Kings comes to an end this Sunday with the story of Namaan, a powerful Syrian general, who was healed by God working through the efforts of a Hebrew servant girl.
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, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall. Activity clipboards are available at the altar for older children.
God Speaking through the Gospels Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 (p. 1246)
Jesus sends out 70 followers to announce that the Kingdom of God is near, to heal the sick, and to be signs of the coming Kingdom of God. Then he gives them basic instructions for their mission and ministry.
Sermon The Question of Exclamation: Is God Still Speaking? Rev. Kent Gilbert
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory* Communion Meditation on Foundation Jack Goode
Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below;Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
* Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: The spirit of the Lord is among us!
All: The poor hear good news! The captives are released!
One: The blind see! The oppressed go free!
All: These are the ways of God’s Justice! These are the signs of God’s Jubilee!
One: As we come to this table, we are reminded that this is not the table of this congregation, nor is it the table of any particular denomination. It is the table of Jesus Christ, the family feast of the whole people of God.
One: All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith, and long to live justly and in peace with their neighbor, are welcome here. So come, all of you. Come not because you must, but come because you may. Let us eat and drink together for our strengthening in the faith, and for the sake of the world.
One: Here is bread for the journey. Here is the cup of release and hope. Come all who will: come for self and come for others. Come and let us make ready to be called and sent.
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
Communion Prayer and Words of Institution adapted from United Church of Canada liturgy
One: Thanks and praise be to you, O God, for you create life out of the dust and create community even from calamity. We thank you that you are present to direct and guide, to renew and revive. We praise you for sending us Jesus, your Suffering Servant, to walk before us the way of the cross, to turn us to you and to one another. Therefore, we join your long procession of pilgrims praising you along the way:
Communion Sanctus Please Join in Singing
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Communion Prayer
One: Mighty and tender God, in Jesus of Nazareth we recognize the fullness of your grace: light, life and love, revealed:
All: in words that confront and comfort us, in teachings that challenge and change us, in compassion that heals and frees us.
One: And now we gather at this table to remember and to be filled with such longing for your realm, that we may rise together to turn our worship into witness and to follow in your way.
One: We remember that when Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread and, after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
All: “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.”
One: Then he took a cup and, after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying:
All: “Drink. This cup that is poured out for you is the promise of God, made in my blood. Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
One: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us that this meal may be our communion in the body of Christ. Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve you with the testimony of our lives.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it. By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. 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. As you wait for your turn, you are invited to reflect upon your communion and the music.
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. Elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer with the Nurture and Care Board members or by contacting one of the pastors.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: God, you remake the broken. You call back the forsaken. You send out the followers. You bring peace to disturbance, and disturbance to injustice.
All: We thank you that by this meal, and every meal where your healing mission is remembered, we may be partners at this table with Christ. Strengthened by your holy Spirit, send us now into the world to boldly and creatively embody your message and mission.
One: May the bread we break all week put your peace in houses, and make your love powerful in the world until we reach that day when none shall need or hurt or want for justice. Keep us mindful of all who suffer, and help us do something about it.
All: In Christ’s name we pray: Amen.
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn #538 Black Standing at the Future’s Threshold Lux Eoi
* Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude Fanfare (Opus 85) C.S. Lang
____________________________
* All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
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 Berea Church of Christ in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* In thanksgiving for the many blessings afforded us in this country on its 237th birthday; and prayers that we may overcome with grace and compassion our many challenges. With God’s help, may we sustain the land of the free with liberty and justice for all.
* Our youth and youth leaders, who are away this week at Passport Camp in Wingate, NC.
* Krystal Creevy, who is having a difficult pregnancy
* Jerry Cooper, facing shoulder surgery on July 11
* For our Muslim brothers and sisters who enter their holy fast of Ramadan on Tuesday
* Georgia Wartman, Alice White’s niece, participating The World Race Mission Trip. She begins in Guatemala, and will serve in 11 countries in 11 months.
* The father of Debbonnaire Kovacs, hospitalized with serious health issues
* Ed Poston’s sister, and the family, at her serious illness
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Kenwood Nursing Home in Richmond
* Bill Stolte, recovering well
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Assisting in Worship
Worship Leader today is Sarah Broomfield
Announcements…
You Matter! Please Sign In, Check in on FB/Twitter and Try a Name Tag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church. Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed, and whether you are a first time visitor or a long-time member, a name tag helps everyone connect the dots. Mobile phone users can also check in on FaceBook and Twitter.
Worship Leaders Wanted and Needed… It’s easy, and you get to see the bulletin before everybody else!! See Carla Gilbert, or sign up on the back wall.
Lemonade on the Porch Volunteers Needed over the summer for Lemonade on the Porch — please sign-up on the Volunteer Bulletin Board on your way out of the sanctuary this morning. Kevin Burke will provide information and/or answer any questions you might have: 985-1144.
Explore Union Church! This is a place where your faith can grow and deepen! We are actively looking for those who would like to explore discipleship with Jesus in this congregation. YOU matter, and so does YOUR faith journey. If you’d like to join Union Church in pursing the way of peace, justice, and hope, please call, email, or Facebook either pastor, or call the church office. YOU are welcome here!
July 9 – Ramadan begins (Islam) Muslims believe that during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, the Holy Qur’an was sent down from heaven. It was revealed to the prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel as “a guidance for mortals, a declaration of direction, and a means to salvation.”
The month of Ramadan is a time of worship and contemplation during which Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of everyday life. Daylight hours are spent in fasting, prayer, and study of the Qur’an.
At the end of the day, the fast is broken, but it is resumed the next morning. Ramadan ends with the holiday of Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of the Fast Breaking), three days of celebration with gifts, meals, and prayers.
July 11 – St. Benedict St. Benedict, who lived from approximately 480–550 CE, was the founder of the first Western monastic order. The “Rule of Benedict” was noted for its great spiritual and human wisdom to guide abbots and monks in daily living, viewing the monastery as a family. Benedict taught that “The care of the sick shall come before and above all else, so that in every deed they may be served as Christ.”
Whippoorwill Festival: Skills for Earth-friendly Living, July 11-14 at HomeGrown Hideaways, Berea. Located in the beautiful foothills of Appalachia in Central Kentucky, teaches earth-friendly and sustainable living skills in a joyful, healthy, family-friendly atmosphere. The Whippoorwill Festival features over 75 earth-friendly workshops, tent camping, healthy, home-cooked meals, and guest speakers, plus campfires, three nights of Appalachian music plus contra dancing on Thursday night. Visit www.whipporwillfest.com for info.
Fairness Picnic July 27 – Save the Date! Bereans for Fairness will host a picnic on Saturday, July 27 from 4-7 pm at Memorial Park on Jefferson St in Berea. Come out to show your support for Fairness and join in the festivities. Watch for more information or contact Kate Grigg at kate@fairness.org or 708-341-0916.
Tuesday Church Fixes: Come One Come All… Tuesday 8:30-Noon – Come join for whatever time you can in fellowship and helping with minor repairs, etc. There will be job opportunities for people of all skill levels. Thanks to our Properties Board for helping organize several projects, including mounting bulletin boards and mulching the playground.
Back Bay Mission Work Crew Needed We are currently recruiting this year’s Back Bay Mission Work Crew for September 15 – 21. All levels of building/repair skills will be put to use, as well as volunteers for the Daytime Drop-in Center for Homeless or the Food Bank. A tentative commitment is needed by mid-July in order to hold our place. Scholarship assistance is available and there are some plans for a fundraiser, as well. This is Back Bay Mission’s 91st year of serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast area and will be Union Church’s sixth service trip to Back Bay. Please contact Betty Hibler at 859-940-8735 or betty_hibler@berea.edu for more information and to reserve your spot.
Habitat for Humanity of Madison & Clark Counties is currently seeking two full time AmeriCorps members, including one Construction Assistant and one Women Build Coordinator. Interested or know someone who may be interested? Go to www.habitatmadisonclark.org for a full description of this service opportunity. Call Wendy at 859-625-9208 to learn the application process.
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