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

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

June 17, 2018                10:30 am 

Meditation
“On many an idle day have I grieved over lost time. But it is never lost, my lord. Thou hast taken every moment of my life in thine own hands. Hidden in the heart of things thou art nourishing seeds into sprouts, buds into blossoms, and ripening flowers into fruitfulness. I was tired and sleeping on my idle bed and imagined all work had ceased. In the morning I woke up and found my garden full with wonders of flowers.”    — Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941)

From there to Here: We Gather

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    Praise Him! Praise Him!        Mark Hayes
 The Call  “What I Have Learned So Far”         Mary Oliver
¨  Opening Hymn #417 Black       This Is the Day of New Beginnings     Beginnings
¨  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 and joy. 
The Living Word among us
Anthem          Hymn of Promise        Natalie Sleeth  Union Church Summer Choir       
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, in our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Epistle Lesson                  2 Corinthians 5:6-17 (p. 1406)
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 4:26-34 (p. 1197)
Sermon     Seeds of a Mighty Kindness    Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

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.
Acts of Reflection and Prayer
Our prayers today are embodied in our acts of reflection. During this time you are invited to visit any or all of the prayer stations in the sanctuary. You are further invited to visual and silent prayer when and while you are seated, as you are led.
Our Offering
At any time during the reflection you are invited to bring your offerings to the large potting vessel at the altar. (If you prefer not to come forward, ushers with baskets will cheerfully come to you!).
Every act of generosity, exercised here or anywhere, is a seed of hope. It is a watering of graces. It is the blossoming of an idea in action. Funds received today will help embed the seeds of peace in our upcoming children’s Leadership Experience, make this space open for the prayers of all people, pay for gas for our pastor and youth leaders to minister far and near. So thank you for every gift, large and small. May the seeds of your generosity bear fruit in you and in our work together.
When invited, Please join in singing the familiar chorus: Alleluia!
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

¨  Closing Hymn  #540 Black        We Plant a Grain of Mustard Seed    New Beginnings
¨  Benediction
Postlude   Toccata           Douglas Wagner
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 Malawi and Zambia and our brothers and sisters at Liberty Avenue 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Dave Wellinghurst, receiving treatment for glioblastoma.
¨ Jimmie Lewis’ sister, undergoing cancer treatment.
¨ Dana Rousey, recovering from hip replacements surgery. Cards can be sent to her at 4 Fairway Dr., Berea.
¨ Judy Rowell, with a recent cancer diagnosis.
¨ Elizabeth Barrett
¨ For fathers who have been blessings to their children, and for all for whom “father” is a difficult word today.
“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.
2000 biblical passages outline God’s care for the Poor. Join Rev. Kent tomorrow in Frankfort to see which one the Governor likes best! Rev. Kent and the Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign: A national Call for Moral Revival will gather at 2 pm for speakouts on the steps of the state capitol, and at 3 pm at the doors to ask entrance to the rotunda to redress grievances based on the Bible against the more than 2 million underserved and poor Kentuckians. A training at 11am in Frankfort is mandatory for those wishing to take part in any direct action. Our way is non-violence, Gospel based, with and on behalf of the 47% of our population living in poverty.
Thursday noon Bible Study is taking  summer break.
Farewell, Dear Piano! This is the last day – for a while –  that our piano will be played in worship. We will be shipping off the action (the insides) on Thursday and it will not be back until the end of July.  We are still seeking donations towards this project. “Buy a Key!” 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!!  All donations, no matter how big or small, will be greatly appreciated!
The Berea Leadership Experience needs your help. Camp is a month away and we only have enough counselors for one quarter of our 45 campers. Invite someone you know to join us! Who: Folks 17 and over. What: Guide day campers. When: July 16-20, 8:30-2:30. How much: Stipend of $150 for the week provided. Contact us through our Facebook page or email mary.kniskern@gmail.com. Thank you!
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.
Birthday celebration! Amy Williams is hosting a concert on July 7 at 7 pm at the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center to celebrate her 50th birthday! Come hear Sam Gleaves, Deborah Payne and Judith Ann Anderson and join her friends and family from near and far for this wonderful occasion.
Dodie Murphy is looking for the loan of a bike to get her biking skills back. Call her at 859-868-9622.
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.
Pool Party August 1, 7-9 at the Berea City Pool. Pizza provided, please bring salads and desserts.