A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Second Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
Jesus tries to change the idea of the Sabbath from being an oppressive ogre, which denies food to the hungry and healing to the sick, to what it was originally: a reminder that we belong to God and not to our labor, money, or to products [we buy] . ~ Nibs Stroupe
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
Call To Worship from Psalm 138 Sally Hindman, Reader
One: We gather to give thanks to You, O God,
All: with all our hearts!
One: We will sing Your praises before all creation,
All: and rejoice in Your steadfast love!
One: You have created us O God, and made us for Yourself,
All: In You we become everything You have made us to be!
One: In peace and in pieces, broken and whole, seeking you and finding ourselves: O Christ, we have come.
All: Amen!
¨ Opening Hymn #70 God Is Here Abbot’s Leigh
- God is here! As we your people, meet to offer praise and prayer, May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share. Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
- Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace; here are table, font, and pulpit, here the cross has central place. Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech, here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.
- Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold; here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old. Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore what it means in daily living to believe and to adore.
- Sovereign God, of earth and heaven, in an age of change and doubt, keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out. Here, in this day’s celebration, all we have to give, receive: we, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Gracious God, we confess what seems always with us:
All: Broken things that seem never to mend, empty places within us that seem always to ache, things like buds within us that seem never to flower.
One: O God of love and grace, help us accept ourselves; lead us to do those good and true things that are not compromised by anything within us. As much as can be, mend us, fill us, make us bloom.
All: For all these things, we will give you the glory, our creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: How we love to hang on to the past! We get all tied up remembering, keeping count, bearing grudges. God doesn’t. Your past is accepted and can be transformed. Let it go. Live in the forgiveness God hands to you afresh!
All: Thanks be to God!
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Scripture Reading 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.
For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading Mark 2:23-3:6
One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?”
And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Sermon Love and Anger on the Sabbath Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
One: Jesus sat with all sorts, the many different colors of humanity, the broken of body and spirit, and all who were excluded. With us all he broke bread.
One: So along with everyone the world has turned its back on, along with everyone hungry and everyone hungry for justice and truth, along with everyone abused as stranger and foreigner, or withered with illness and fatigue, along with everyone who does not fit “normal,” along with everyone who questions, doubts, and even denies, along with every prejudice that has ever been flung, along with everyone made poor by other’s riches, you, you and I, are welcomed at this table.
One: Let us pray…
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.
Communion Prayer
One: Great God, who sits with us at table, break this bread with us once more in the retelling of the story of our hope, the world’s salvation, and journey with us into life.
All: You who created all, created all with love and in love.
One: We remember how you offered bread to the prophets as they cried for justice.
One: We remember how you refreshed even those who had sinned with new life and new hope and new purpose.
All: In our time we would love the things you love, we would be a people of love and compassion.
One: Great God, may these acts of breaking and sharing be the act of your reigning, bringing all people to your grace, gathering every disciple in every time and place, every follower no matter how hesitant, to the place of grace and service.
One: So we remember your presence in our own story and with the people of all times and places, we lift our voices in song:
Sanctus
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Words of Institution
One: So many times Jesus fed us: In pastures, in houses, at banquets, while teaching…in the boat, at the well, in the upper room, on the road when we didn’t know him, and in the room when we were afraid…
One: and now we gather at this table to remember and to be filled with such longing for your realm that we may rise together to turn our worship into witness and to follow in your way.
One: We remember that when Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread and, after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
All: “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.”
One: Then he took a cup and, after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying:
All: “Drink this, all of you. This cup that is poured out for you is the promise of God, made in my blood. Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
One: Therefore, Holy God, we remember, and we cry for your Spirit. Enliven this bread, awaken this body, pour us out for each other. Transfigure our minds, ignite your church, nourish the life of the earth.
One: Make us, while many, united. Make us, though broken, whole. Make us, despite death, alive.
All: Come, Holy Spirit! Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher.
All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit and all people, within your tradition.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Prayer of Thanksgiving Sally Hindman, Reader
One: God of the table, thank you for all this meal represents. We pray that as this bread is changed in into us, that we may be changed into love, and that such love as we have may be changed into loving action to heal brokenness of every kind.
All: May this bread here become the bread of life & living everywhere you send us, and every time your spirit inspires us. Hear us in this thanksgiving and call us now to the feast in the world. Amen.
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
¨ Hymn #360 Thuma Mina Thuma Mina
1 Thuma mina. Thuma mina, thuma mina, thuma mina, Somandla.
2.Seng’ya vuma. seng’ya vuma, seng’ya vuma, seng’ya vuma, Somandla.
1. Send me, Lord. Send me, Jesus, send me, Jesus, send me, Jesus, send me, Lord.
2 Lead me, Lord. Lead me, Jesus, lead me, Jesus, lead me, Jesus, lead me, Lord.
3 Fill me, Lord. Fill me, Jesus, fill me, Jesus, fill me, Jesus, fill me, Lord.
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
This week we recognize the Sky Hope Recovery Center for Women which provides hope to homeless women suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction. The program promotes overall wellness and recovery for the individual, family, and community. The facility is located in Somerset, Ky. and is a non-profit organization.
Folks attending the mission trip on June 2 to the Recovering Arts and Joy Nature Center will have the opportunity to hear from the women of Sky Hope how important the two programs are in their lives.
¨ Benediction The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
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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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini and our brothers and sisters at First Baptist Church of Berea in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Barb Taylor, recovering well at home from a stroke.
¨ NoraRuth Jenkins, recovering from two recent surgeries.
¨ David, a friend of Claudia Munson-Schrumpf, struggling with a rare autoimmune condition.
¨ Debby Gray, recovering from emergency surgery. MealTrain: mealtrain.com/trains/k0yrvr
¨ For all those caring for others in their illnesses and needs: may God give them both strength and encourage-ment in this work of costly love.
¨ Erikke Meadows’ mom, Prudy Meadows, who has COPD and is a possible lung begun cancer diagnosis.
¨ Lance, grandson of John and Peggy Coyne recovering from a severe COVID infection.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ The family of Rev. Tony White, Rev. Joe White’s father and long-time colleague of the ministers in and around Berea. He died on May 23 at home surrounded by family after a long illness. May comfort be theirs and well-deserved rest be his.
¨ Steve Boyce, recently taken to UK Hospital with heart issues
¨ Frank Jenkins & Deborah Thompson and all the family, at the death of Frank’s nephew, Zach Jenkins.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today, June 2 – Jane Mecham; 4 – Rhonda Edwards, Laura Menefee-Greene, Loretta Reynolds, Eef Fontanez; 5 – Ethan Connelly; 6 – Mim Pride, Luke Woodie, Deborah Payne; 7 – Adria Sutherland
Anniversaries: June 8 – Jenny & Richard Bromley; 9 – Jean & Bob Boyce
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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