A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Second Sunday after Pentecost   June 14, 2015, 10:30 am

Meditation

Justice is the grammar of things. Mercy is the poetry of things.

                                                                                                   —Frederick Buechner

From there to here

Prelude     Prelude and Fugue in C Major           J.S. Bach        
*  Call to Worship 
One:     The church is the place where all may be gathered!
All:      Visitors, friends, long-time members, those with community elsewhere, those who have never yet had a welcome. All are welcome here.
One:     Human standards don’t apply here, for here God sees and calls to the heart. Christ’s gifts were for us all, saint and sinner, and we gather in the joy of that love.
All:      Open the door to hearth and heart, and let us worship the God of our salvation! 
*  Opening Hymn #303      Rejoice, Give Thanks and Sing           Darwall’s 148th
*  Prayer of Approach & Confession
One:     Holy One: you anoint us with living water, so we may go to serve the world in these troubled days. You open our eyes so we will see everyone as our sisters and brothers.
One:     Seed Planter: you place faith deep within us, so we can bear witness to your just and loving kin-dom. Your love regulates our hearts, so we can welcome all in your name.
One:     Gentle Spirit: when we cannot see the way, you take us by the hand so we can step forward, in faith, into the kingdom. You fill us with hope, so we can sing God’s joy all of our days.
One:     God in Community, Holy in One, hear us as we confess that we have not always served, welcomed, or stepped forward rightly. Hear us as we ask forgiveness for the mistakes we’ve made, and shape us anew, restored and whole:
All:      We confess, God of Faith, that we ask about someone’s background to see if they are like us, while you look at where their heart is grounded. We examine another’s good looks or athletic prowess, while you take notice of how they reach out to those who are different. We gaze at the size of another’s house or car or portfolio to judge how successful they are, and you observe whether or not they have faith the size of the smallest seed.
            Forgive us, Lord, for looking at those around us with human eyes, and not seeing them as created in your image. As you shape us into new people, give us new eyes, new hearts, new lives to follow in the way of Jesus the Christ.
*  Words of Assurance 
*  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    Bell Song         A.L. Page

Handbell Workshop Ensemble; Gabriel Evans, flute

Epistle Lesson                  2 Corinthians 5:6-17
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                  Mark 4:26-34
Sermon     Grains of Paradise            Rev. Kent Gilbert

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              Thou Shalt Bring Them In       G.F. Handel
*  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 in Japan 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

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 #425        For the Fruit of All Creation   Ar Hyf Y Nos
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.
*  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated)         Toccata in G   W. Smith
_____________________________
*   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 Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland and our brothers and sisters at Grace Community Church 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 service of our country, and those who wait and worry for them.
* The victims of recent flooding in Texas and Oklahoma
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin, Ruth Butwell
* Kelly Mehler—we celebrate that his cancer is in remission!
* The family and many friends of Michelle Tooley, who entered the wider life on May 26. Her life will be celebrated at a service this coming Tuesday, June 16, at 11 am.
* Susie Ritchie, Patty Tarter and their family, at the death of their aunt, Jean Ritchie
* Randy Osborne and wife, Melissa. Randy has been diagnosed with tonsil cancer
* Annie Sims’ sister,  suffering from breast cancer
Announcements 
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.
You can join this movement! New members will be welcomed today! New members are received the second Sunday of every month. Come, be part of this family working for Christ’s justice and joy!
Vacation Bible School starts tonight June 14-17, 5:30-8:00 each evening! We will begin with a snack supper, then kids will learn with hands-on activities about Under Construction: Building a Community, from Habitat for Humanity. Teens and Adults will explore Images of Home: A Writing Project.
All are invited to a Pot-luck following the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service at Union Church for Michelle Tooley on Tuesday, June 16.  The main dish, which will be provided, is beans and rice, in honor of Michelle’s work in Latin America. It was also a favorite dish that she served in her home on many occasions.
Items suggested to go with the beans and rice are cornbread, salads or toppings for the beans and rice, or desserts. Please bring any food items to the kitchen in the Community Room prior to the service.
If you have flowers in your garden, you are also invited to bring a bouquet. These will be used around the sanctuary and on the tables in the Community Room. It will be very helpful if bouquets are dropped off Tuesday morning by 9:00 a.m. to the classroom two doors past the church office.
Many thanks for flower and/or food contributions.
June 20 Burger Bash/Pool Party: Everyone is invited to celebrate VBS and enjoy fellowship at the Burger Bash/Pool Party, Saturday, June 20th, 5-9 PM at the Berea pool and nearby pavilion. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share and you swim suit!
Just a little bit of Office Help needed: Joan English, Office Administrator, is going away June 18-23. The only time we need filled for office staffing is Monday morning (June 22, 9-22). Thanks Dodie Murphy, Jan Hamilton and Jane Warth!!!

Summer Choir – No Robes ~ No Stairs ~                             No Commitment! Sundays:  June 21, 28, July 5, 12 & 26,  9:15 am , Sanctuary

     Adults and youth are welcome to participate in Summer Choir for any or all of the Sundays we sing.  No commitment is expected.  Just show up for rehearsal at 9:15 on the days you wish to participate.
We will rehearse a new anthem each of these Sundays which will then be shared at the 10:30 am worship service that morning,  from the sanctuary floor so that this opportunity may be accessible to all.
Properties Board has scheduled a work morning, 9:00 – noon, for Saturday, June 27. Projects include weeding, spreading topsoil and mulch, trimming shrubs. Many hands make light work. Coffee and cookies provided.
Sunday Evening Hymn Sing! June 28 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 (deadlines: June 21, July 19, August 16).  Hymn sings will be Sundays – June 28, July 26, Aug. 23.
You will have an opportunity to briefly share the reason a particular hymn is significant to you.  It is not necessary to submit a sign-up form in order to participate, however it will increase the chances that your favorites will make the list of hymns to be sung. They can be found in the ivory pamphlet—or just make a list & place in the offering plate.
Many new items have been added to the Medical Supply Closet!
· 1 unused female urinal
· 1 unused male urinal
· Humidifier
· Thick-it (product for assisting in swallowing liquids)
· Cervical collar
· Washable and disposable bed pads
And we still have walkers, wheelchairs, bedside commodes and shower chairs. Call Dana Rousey, 582-1767 for more information.
Free Lunch at the Public Library through August 11!! Monday—Saturday 12—1 for those 18 years old & under. Super Snack Sundays from 1-2 pm, all ages. No sign up required, just come and eat!
Church Bazaar, Sat. August 29!Mission and Service Board NEEDS:
1.   Stuff to sell; priced and brought to bazaar closet (no clothing or old tvs, please)
2.   Good people to again volunteer to HELP. (many ways to help)
3.   DO NOT NEED: EXCUSES when someone from MSB calls.  Important event to support lot of good causes! (Being dead or out of town are acceptable excuses)  Thanks, from the Mission & Service Board
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.