A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost & Father’s Day
June 16, 2013
Meditation
To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kindness that stands behind the action.
–Albert Schweitzer
1875-1965, 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Largo in G from Xerxes G.F. Händel
Call to Worship
One: God’s love and mercy are our inheritance. God’s compassion and teaching help us to grow and flourish.
All: God tends us as a garden. Come, let us gather.
One: Let us worship. Let us seek the teaching, the grace, the love that we need to grow strong in our faith.
All: Come, let us worship God!
¨ Opening Hymn #23 Black There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy In Babilone
1. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, Like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in His justice, Which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows Are more felt than up in Heaven; There is no place where earth’s failings Have such kindly judgment given.
2. For the love of God is broader Than the measure of our mind; And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind.
But we make God’s love too narrow By false limits of our own; And we magnify God’s strictness With a zeal God will not own.
3. There is welcome for the sinner, And more graces for the good; There is mercy with the Savior; There is healing in His blood.
There is grace enough for thousands Of new worlds as great as this; There is room for fresh creations In that upper home of bliss.
4. Mortal Souls! why will ye scatter Like a crowd of frightened sheep? Foolish hearts! why will ye wander From a love so true and deep?
It is God: His love looks mighty, But is mightier than it seems; ’Tis our Father: and His fondness Goes far out beyond our dreams.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Because we have seen pain without being moved, because we forget your love with solemn pride, because we pass by happy before poverty and sadness,
All: Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, have mercy on us.
One: For speaking of love without loving our sister or brother, for speaking of faith without living your word, because we live without seeing our personal evil, our sin,
All: Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy, have mercy on us.
One: For our tranquility in our affluent life, for our great falseness in preaching about poverty, for wanting to make excuses for injustice and misery,
All: Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, have mercy on us. Amen.
Book of Worship, United Church of Christ
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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
Special Music Aubrey Atwood & Elwood Donnelly
God Speaking through the Hebrew Scriptures 1 Kings 21:1-21a (p. 440)
Wicked King Ahab, and his wife, Jezebel, scheme to take Naboth’s vineyard. They are condemned by God’s prophet Elijah.
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 7: 7:36-8:3 (p. 1239)
A Pharisee asks Jesus to dine with him at his home. While there, a woman comes to the table and Jesus teaches about the nature of God’s forgiveness and grace.
Sermon Lots to Forgive Rev. Kent Gilbert
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory Aubrey Atwood & Elwood Donnelly
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
Walking Forward in Faith
¨ Closing Hymn The Summons (opposite) John Bell
¨ Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude Sinfonia from Cantata #29 J.S. Bach
____________________________
¨ All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
This Week at Union Church
TODAY! 10:30 am…………… Morning Worship
Mon. June 17 8:00 am………….. Zen Meditation, Cowan Chapel
3:00 pm…………… Properties Board meets, Conference Room
6:00 pm…………… AlAnon meets, Wayside Room
7:00 pm…………… AA, Room 302
8:00 pm…………… Mens Big Book Study, Room 301
Tues. June 18 8:00 am……… Zen Meditation
8:30 am…………… Church fix-up
Weds. June 19…………………….. 8:00 am Zen Meditation
Thurs. June 20……………………. 8:00 am Zen Meditation
3:15pm……………. Bus to Louisville Creation Care Rally Departs from Union church
Fri. June 21 8:00 am…………… Zen Meditation
Sun. June 23 10:30 am…………. Morning Worship
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 Brazil and our brothers and sisters at Bethel Baptist 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 the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
¨ Prayers of Gratitude for the Fathers and Father figures in our lives who have given us both joy and love.
¨ Rev. Rachel and Our Service Delegation in El Salvador
¨ Stephanie Woodie, recovering from total knee replacement surgery
¨ Jackie Carrier, an enthusiastic participant in Grow Appalachia gardening project, who is suffering from breast cancer
¨ Eric Cooper’s cousin, Christopher Gooden, awaiting a lung transplant
¨ Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Kenwood Nursing Home in Richmond
¨ Krystal Creevy, having a difficult pregnancy
¨ Kevin Burke and family at the death of his mother, Mary Jones, in Idaho. The family thanks Union Church friends & family for the prayers, flowers and loving care
¨ Bill Stolte, recovering at home!
¨ Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
¨ Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Assisting in Worship
Worship Leader today is Betty Hibler
We Welcome Special Musicians Today: Rob Hayden, organist; and Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly. Rob Hayden with his wife Michelle and boys Eli and Ian are integral members of Union Church, with organ being only one of his many gifts. We are so grateful that he can fill in when Larry Brandenburg needs a break! The highly acclaimed husband-wife duo, Atwater – Donnelly, are long-time friends of Union Church (though they live in Rhode Island) and present delightful programs of traditional songs, a capella pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works. For several years they have done a Union Church Benefit concert and we are so very gratetul!
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.
Thursday June 20: Free Bus to Clean Energy & Healthy Communities March The march begins at 3rd and Market Streets in Louisville, Thursday, June 20, 6pm with a rally at the Belvedere. Free bus transportation will be available from Berea, leaving at 3:15pm from Union Church. For more information about the rally click and to reserve your seat on a bus visit, www.kentuckyipl.org/062013.html.. Speakers include: Unitarian President Rev. Peter Morales, Wendell Berry, Tim DeChristopher (environmental activist and subject of the documentary “Bidder 70”) along with; interfaith and community leaders with song, speeches, and practical ways for how you can make a difference in your life and in your community.
Wheelchair Needed…The church is looking for a wheelchair or two to assist our members in need at the church or loan to folks when a wheelchair is needed. After construction we could not find the ones we had. Please contact the office or Dave Kobersmith if you can help out.
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!
“Instead, speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15)… You are invited to be a delegate to the 2013 Kentucky Council of Churches October 24 & 25. The theme is Civil Dialogue. The place is Kentucky Dam Village State Park in Gilbertsville, KY. Brochures are available in the office if you’d like to consider attending, or you can visit the website at www.kycouncilofchurches.org.
Are you interested in seeing a Mountaintop Removal site? Or finding our what can be done to seek justice in the prison systems that are often built on such sites? We are considering a possible overnight Union church family trip to Wise County VA to explore issues of mountaintop removal and/ or issues of prison justice at the end of July or early August, but we need to know if there is any interest. Please contact Willie Dodson appalachian.always@gmail.com or 540-250-5718 or Austin Godden austinmcintosh2010@live.com or 417-593-3191 As Austin and Willie gauge interest, they will be able to schedule an interest meeting to discuss further details, such as dates and possible itineraries.
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.
Help a Ugandan Student Fly to Berea! David Nakabaale, son of one of the many women Union Church has supported through Katosi Women Development Trust ihas been accepted to Berea College! Now he needs to get here. David comes from a single parent family on the shores of Lake Victoria. His mother, a leader in the community, is HIV positive and supports a number of fostered children with her dollar-a-day income. David would not be able to afford a plane ticket without the support of his new Berea family. Please consider contributing to his travel fund through an account set up at the church called “Foreign Student Support.” We’re half way to our $1600 goal!
No paper Consider in June & July. Church Council has decided that we won’t produce a paper newsletter in June & July this year. We’ll save money on paper, labels, postage and wear & tear on the copier. News will be published in the bulletin—The Community Life & Froth’s report is below—and in the weekly email updates and the website.
Community Life and Growth Board News:
Wednesday Nite Live – Many thanks to all who cooked, ate, washed dishes and presented or attended programs during the 2012-2013 WNL season. We had a very successful year in both attendance and volunteers. Many hands make light work and that was certainly true. WNL is a collaboration among the CL&G Board (meals and keeping the calendar), Faith Development (Youth and Adult Classes), and Mission and Service Board (speakers and special programs related to M&S in our community). We are currently on a summer break.
Burger Bash/Pool Party – In spite of weather jitters, the evening of June 7 couldn’t have been more beautiful for the cook-out and swimming party to celebrate a very inspiring Vacation Bible School. Thanks to everyone who turned out for the food, fellowship, and fun in the pool. What a wonderful group of enthusiastic kids and the adults who came with them!
Cake Walk – The Second Mile Stewardship Lunch, followed by the Cake Walk, turned a rainy Sunday into a barrel of fun! Thanks to everyone who contributed a mouth-watering cake (or other baked goody), to the musicians, and to all who purchased tickets, won a dessert, and then shared it with all. And the proceeds went toward the Second Mile Campaign.
Coffee in the Parlor and Lemonade on the Porch – For the past month or so, we have invited everyone to stop by the newly-purposed Church Parlor for coffee/tea/cookies following worship and during the summer, all are invited to the front porch for lemonade. It’s a perfect time to introduce yourself to someone new or catch up with old friends. Also: Want to do a nice thing? Volunteer to host and help! Call Kevin Burke at 985-1144.
Tune in to WEKU 88.9 – Beginning later this month and running through mid-December, CL&G is sponsoring a Union Church “ad” on WEKU. If you have ideas for “spreading the word” about Union Church, please let us know. — Kevin Burke, Betty Hibler, Susie Ritchie, Alice White
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