Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 10, 2018      10:30 am 

Meditation
A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.                                      — Abraham Lincoln, 1858
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 Prayer in B Flat Alexandre Guilmant
¨  Call to Worship   
 One: Who are your mothers and your brothers? Who are your sisters and fathers and beloved aunts, uncles, cousins? Who has been to you the mother of invention, the father of your mercies? Some family we are born of. Some family we are born to. Some family chooses us. Who are your mothers and brothers, sisters and fathers of blood? To whom do you belong now?
All: God makes of one blood all peoples of the earth. In change,   in stasis, in turmoil, in peace, God makes a home for us all.
One: This day we stand with sisters and brothers. This day we follow where God leads.
¨  Opening Hymn #391 Black             In the Midst of New Dimensions    New Dimensions
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
 One:     In this time, as we gather, we lift all that has fallen short of our holy call. In silence let us acknowledge anything that has broken covenant, that has harmed ourselves or others, that has caused us to grown numb to the cries of those around us.
[Silence is observed for prayer]
One: Lord, let us never grow deaf to the cries to be closer, stronger, better. For our shortcomings we are truly sorry. Forgive us our trespasses and give us the courage to acknowledge, grieve, and change.
All: Heal our divisions, O Lord. Amen.
¨  Words of Assurance
 One: God of judgment and mercy, when we hide ourselves in shame, you seek us out in love. Grant us the fullness of your forgiveness, that as one people, united by your grace, we may stand with Christ against the powers of evil in us and around us. Amen.
¨  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 and joy. 

The Living Word among us

Anthem Cantate Domino Becki Slagle Mayo Union Church Summer Choir
Sing to the Lord a new song, Sing to the Lord all the earth.  Cantate Domino. Worship the Lord with music, Worship the lord with song.  Cantate Domino, sing unto God! Serve the Lord with gladness, Cantate Domino!
Hebrew Scripture Lesson 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15 (p. 331)
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to stay in the service or visit the Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary, which has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or adults) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Gospel Lesson Mark 3:20-35 (p. 1195)
Sermon A Division of the House Rev. Kent Gilbert

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 Prayer 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.

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  Old-Time Religion with Swing Low, Sweet Chariot arr. Mark Hayes  
¨  Doxology               Avery/Marsh

From Here to There

Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨  Closing Hymn  They’ll Know We Are Christians (opposite) St. Brendan’s
¨  Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨  Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that  you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
 Postlude (please be seated)
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 Botswana and Zimbabwe and our brothers and sisters at Pilot Knob Missionary Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
Assisting in Worship
       Worship Leaders today are Rhonda Edwards and Jennifer Hale Stafford, ‘92.            Next week: Donna Eder.
       Thank you to BG Hibbard, for playing the Offertory this morning. BG is playing to honor her fellow graduates on the 60th anniversary of their graduation.   
We Welcome You To Join Today! Each month we open our hearts to those who are seeking a church home, a family of spiritual exploration, of challenge, and of service. Membership at Union Church is not a declaration of uniformity. We do not all conform to one line of thought, nor one Christian pattern or tradition. Instead, membership is a pledge to be in partnership with those seeking and serving God, each in their own way. It is a willingness to learn from all that God has created, and a pledge to support a community of service. If you are looking for companions on your journey and a place to live out your faith, we want to serve with you. Please come forward on the last hymn and join this work, this love, this ministry.
Welcome to Berea College Alumni, Alumnae and Friends! Union Church is proud to support Berea College and to welcome you home!
“Let there be Light!”  You may notice that the lighting is improving. Over the next several weeks new brighter LED bulbs will replace the original 14-yr old CFLs. Thanks to our crew of volunteers who are lowering, cleaning, and relamping each chandelier.
Poor Peoples’ Campaign tomorrow,2 pm, State Capitol, Frankfort. We will show up strong to support the people’s access to our government–our very halls of government, and by lifting up the week’s theme: Everybody’s Got the Right to Live: Education, Jobs, Income and Housing.
Carpool to the Speak OUT event -12:30 from the Artisan Center.
Immediately following the 2 pm Speak OUT, there is an optional nonviolent direct action. Everyone participating in the nonviolent direct action MUST attend a training at 11 am. Registration  required: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pAfJtvo EXXv83pRluKYAsCWGISgm8nwlrHzVc7tHiTQ/viewform?edit_requested=true. Carpool to the training is available from the Artisan Center at 9:30.
This event will be historic in our movement here in Kentucky. This is an opportunity to come together across issues and geography to put our bodies on the line for the issues affecting us all. See you there!
Hymn Favorites on Handbells Sunday, August 12, 2:00pm. Please help select the repertoire for this informal concert.  Simply write down your own favorite hymn on the provided voting slip and drop it in the offering plate.  Ringers will prepare arrangements of our congregation’s top ten favorite hymn tunes for this fun, informal concert.
Ringers: Whether you are a current ringer with UCHE, or you have rung bells in another time or place, we would love to have you join us for this performance.  We will ring arrangements of our congregation’s ten most-requested hymns.  There are four scheduled “full ensemble” rehearsals. June 27, July 11, 25, and August 8, at 7pm in the sanctuary.  Small groups may practice as schedules allow.  Please contact Pearl (pmarshall@union-church.org) if you’d like to participate in the full ensemble and/or a small group so we can find the best arrangements for us. 
Sanctuary Piano Fundraiser. Throughout its 33 wonderful years, our sanctuary piano has served Union Church in many capacities; accompanying the choir, playing in our worship service, enhancing weddings, various concerts, etc.  The time has come that the piano needs some extra love and care. We need to refurbish the action (insides) of the piano and we need your help!!
To help fundraise for this project, we are giving you the chance to “Buy a Key” to help go towards the refurbishment of our piano.  Each of the 88 keys will cost $50. You will be buying a actual piano key that can be used as decoration or an ornament.
If you wish to contribute more, you could endow one of the 33 years of the piano’s use by donating $130.00.  We’ve had several donors already — thank you!! Our piano will be out of commission for up to 8 weeks, and we need to get going fast! All donations, no matter how big or small, will be greatly appreciated!
SongFarmers Gathering June 15, Community Room, 5:30 pm. SongFarmers of Madison County is focused on creating opportunities for musicians and artists to play and jam together and for all to benefit from the love of live music. This event will include an acoustic open mic for singer/songwriters doing original work and covers plus a jam (play and singalong) section, all intermingled with poetry (original or inspired). Do join us for an evening of community and music. Come early for chili and an opportunity to build community. If you want to perform, please sign up by 6 pm.
Tomorrow — Volunteers Needed: The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation’s 29th Annual Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, June 11, 2018 at the University Club of Kentucky in Lexington. Volunteers make this event a successful raising critical funds for the foundation! Volunteers receive a complimentary lunch and dinner at the event, along with a free t-shirt.
Contact Meredith Herald at the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation (Laura Meredith Herald@sjhlex.org ) or 859-313-1704) with questions or to sign up.
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup.com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.
Help Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) provide safe, warm, dry, and accessible housing for children, their families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities living in poverty.
BuildUP is a one-day service blitz (August 4) with Christian Appalachian Project in Floyd, Johnson, and Rockcastle counties. Volunteer groups serve (primarily) on construction projects and though skilled volunteers are welcome, no prior experience is necessary. You provide your hard work, and we provide meals, materials, tools, and jobsite leadership. Call Betsie at 606-887-3114 or email groups@chrisapp.org for info.
Older iPad Needed: Do you have an older generation iPad you no longer use? The AV system we use in the Community Room would benefit from a dedicated iPad  for church and rental use. It must have the older, wider power connection to work, but other than that, any iPad will be more than enough to power the system. Contact the office or Rev. Kent if you can help!