A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Second Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
Beginning a journey involves leaving “home” – either leaving a physical place to explore another part of the world, or changing a mindset that is keeping us from expanding our spiritual capacity.
Welcome
Madison County has moved into the YELLOW Zone regarding Covid infection rates. Masks are required.
From There to Here: We Gather
Video “Why We Travel”
For more educational materials like this video clip please visit www.ricksteves.com.
¨ Leaving Home
One: Sojourning God, your Spirit exists everywhere, on every path
All: Inviting us to move with curiosity and compassion toward each other.
One: Sojourning God, give us courage to leave the familiar, to venture out beyond our walls
All: Your Spirit exists everywhere, on every path, inviting us to move with curiosity and compassion toward each other.
One: Sojourning God, give us courage to leave the familiar, to venture out beyond our walls
All: Taking leave so that we will see with wider vision, know with deeper appreciation, exist with expanded perception.
One: Sojourning God, nudge and guide us,
All: Journey with us as we leave home. Amen.
¨ Hymn In Christ There Is No East or West
1 In Christ there is no east or west, in Christ no south or north, but one community of love throughout the whole wide earth.
2 In Christ shall true hearts ev’rywhere their high communion find. God’s service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
3 In Christ is Neither Jew nor Greek And neither slave nor free; For men and women live in God, and all are kin to me.
4 In Christ now meet both east and west, in Christ meet south and north. One joyous true community throughout the whole wide earth.
¨ Passing the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Announcements
Lighting the Justice Candle
In 2021 Ms. Opal Lee finally achieved her life long quest when President Biden signed legislation establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. Ms. Lee, called the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” finally witnessed the moment she had worked and walked to achieve. She had collected more than 1.6 million signatures on a petition to support the holiday. For many years she traveled to different cities building support for this federal holiday. At each spot, she strode 2½ miles in the morning and in the afternoon, paying homage to the emancipated enslaved people in Texas who didn’t know they were free for that many years. She was 94 years old when her dream became a reality. She never let hate stop her.
Today we light this candle for Opal Lee. May we all strive to tell the truth and give an honest account of history. This is what love demands.
Word And Worship
Music In the Name of the Lord Jason Krug Union Church Orchestra
Lesson from Psalms Psalm 42 & 43
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?” As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Please note that Union Church services are livestreamed, including the Children’s Moment. A “no camera zone” is at the back of the balcony, behind the AV booth.
Epistle Lesson Galatians 3:23-29
Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
Video “The Road as Church”
Video clip used with permission from GBHEM, UMC. Full webinar available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ3sL-RKnTM
Sermon “Leaving Home: Stepping In and Stepping Out” Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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.
Offering Music
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union 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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier.
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Community Prayer
As we step out of this door, and any other door, this week, may we be aware of your very movement as a spiritual act of expanding our horizon, traveling beyond our preconceptions, and embracing the infinite delight of this earth and its beings. May the Creator continue our unfolding, the Christ accompany our deeper knowing, and the Spirit enliven our growing, until one day we all gather in the Kin-dom of Love, praying as Jesus taught us:
Our Lord’s Prayer
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
At Union we agree to abide by these Fellowship Principles:
“Union Church welcomes all followers of Christ and works with all who work with him, working by love, respecting each one’s conscience, and endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit within the bond of peace.” (1853)
If this is the time and if this is the way forward for you, then let us join company to boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus together. You are welcome to come forward during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨ Hymn Bless Now, O God, the Journey
¨ 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
Postlude (you are welcome to be seated and enjoy the Postlude)
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 & 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.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 16,000 Kentucky residents, and 283 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty, and especially those in the city of Nikolaev where the family of former Berea International student daughter of Kevin and Carla, Yulia live. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ The victims of the most recent shooting at a house of worship: St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Vestavia Hills, Alabama, where two were killed and many injured. The number of mass shootings like this to date in 2022: 268. Please join in both prayer AND ACTION to make a safer world. Moms Demand Action (https://momsdemandaction.org/) and the Gun Violence Archive (https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/) have helpful resources
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Dorie Hubbard, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Sharona Nelson, facing a long recovery after surgery to repair a broken shoulder.
¨ Charlie Hoffman’s uncle, Richard Merrill, diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
¨ Hazel Morris, being treated for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
¨ Our Youth and their leaders, off to Passport Camp!
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
¨ Linda Parsons, struggling with severe back pain.
¨ Chris McKenzie and family, at the serious illness of his grandmother, in Tennessee.
¨ Dodie Murphy’s friend, Ron Wagner, recovering from a stroke at home.
¨ David Duffee, recovering well from surgery.
¨ Jane Mecham, and all the family, at the death of her mom.
¨ Michelle, beloved nurse at Morning Pointe, undergoing treatment for cancer.
¨ Joan English’s niece, Christina Hardman and David Harris, to be married today in Vermont.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays: Today, June 19 – BJ Godby, Charles Hoffman; 20 – Dave Kobersmith; 21 – Deborah Thompson; 22 – Alida Schuler, Teri VanPelt-Ward; 23 – Eva Sutherland; 25 – Stephanie Woodie
Anniversaries: Today, June 19 – Steve & Patty Boyce; Sune & Barbara Frederiksen; 23 – Steve & Sandy Bolster
Announcements
Children are welcome in the service, or you can stay with them in the nursery
· There will be a nursery assistant available in the nursery space to provide support for families who are supervising their own children there,
· The nursery and playground will be open for families to use if you supervise your own children,
· There will be a device for listening/watching the service in the nursery,
· We anticipate adding full nursery services once under 5s can be vaccinated,
· The children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary will have activities for our youngest members
· Please note that Union Church services are livestreamed, including the Children’s Moment. A “no camera zone” is at the back of the balcony, behind the AV booth.
Today: new members welcomed!
As a family of faith committed to boldly and creatively embodying the life and ministry of Jesus, we would like to join with YOU. We’d like to be a context and inspiration for your own spiritual path, and work with you to make your heart, your world, your life more peace-filled and joy-full.
Today we have an opportunity to covenant together — whether you are a member of the community who worships online, in-person, or both! No prior action on your part is required, but if you have any questions at all, we’d like to help. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
Reminder!
Union Church pays royalties to benefit the Berea College Black Music Ensemble when the congregation uses Negro spirituals and other traditional uncredited music.
Lemonade on the Porch
The Community Life and Growth Board is looking for volunteers to assist in our weekly Lemonade on the Porch after our morning worship running through the summer. If you can help on a particular Sunday this summer, please go to our News page at union-church.org/news and click on the form labeled Volunteers for Lemonade on the Porch. We need folks to help with set up and take down as well as people to donate snack items like cookies or other kinds of snacks.
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