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

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost      June 24, 2018 10:30 am 

Meditation
A wave demands your attention. It is very difficult to be somewhere else, in your mind, when there is such a gorgeous creation of nature moving your way. Just being close to a wave brings us closer to being mindful. To surf them is the training ground for mindfulness. The ocean can seem chaotic, like the world we live in. But somehow we’re forced to slice through the noise – to paddle around and through the adversities of life and get directly to the joy. This is what we need for liberation.
― Kia Afcari, Sister Surfer:  A Woman’s Guide to Surfing with Bliss and Courage

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 Jubilance K. McChesney
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
 The Call     
¨  Opening Hymn #476 Black  My Life Flows On Endless Song
¨  Prayer of Approach & Confession
¨  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 Kyrie Eleison Becki Slagle Mayo Union Church Summer Choir
Kyrie, Lord have mercy on me. When I feel afraid, when I’m all alone, when I’ve lost my way, bring me safely home.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Job 38:1-11 (p. 641)
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 4:35-41 (p. 1197)
Sermon The Float in Your Boat 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
Today as we prayer our common silence is a rare island of reflection in a world of words and chaotic demands. You are invited to soak in this calm; to think of everything–or nothing!–that comprises the sea you sail during the week. Some questions for reflection prayer are provided on a special bulletin sheet. You are free to use or ignore these prompts as you find helpful. This is also a time to remember those who are tossed on seas of their own. In whatever prayer manner you adopt, please hold the concerns of those listed and those you know about in God’s peace-giving light.
Our Offering
Our offering today is meant to be oil on troubled waters, a tangible counter to chaos and trouble. Our offering makes it possible to offer small no-interest loans to church families in trouble so they don’t fall prey to the exorbitant interest of payday loans. Our money is working everyday to keep this building safe and dry and open: a haven to AA, Al-Anon, Depression support groups, and those in need of solace. It also supports our web-ministries so people around the globe can feel the calm of the Spirit, even when they can’t come to a service. Thank you for your generous piece of God’s peace in Christ’s service!
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   Eternal Father, Strong to Save (opposite) Melita
Postlude   Allegro Maestoso from “Water Music” G.F. Handel
For Reflection ….

• Sometimes the chaos and tumult of our world masks our deeper anxieties. We substitute one kind of worry for others. In the quiet, what are the deep waves that you can feel and notice while you pray?
• In your current boat, what “Peace” would you have Christ speak to the wind and waves? What comfort and security do you most yearn for?
• The disciples are saved by their connection to a greater power, the power of Christ’s saving love. How do you connect to that deeper peace, that saving love? Do you have practices or people who help you be in touch with such power? Who and what are they? How do you incorporate your connection into your everyday “sailing?”
• Astonished as they are at Jesus’ power, he will later tell the disciples that they are the peace-makers and healers. What are your calming and healing powers? What fears can you relieve in others close to you?  In the world? In what ways will you put this prayer out onto the waters and winds?

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 Kenya and Tanzania and our brothers and sisters at Wallaceton 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 replacement surgery. Cards can be sent to her at 4 Fairway Dr., Berea.
¨ Judy Rowell, who will have mouth surgery tomorrow for a returned malignancy.
¨ John Dobyns, still recovering from foot surgery at home in Nancy, KY.
¨ Elizabeth Barrett
¨ Roger and Lynn Cook, who moved to Missouri last week.
¨ Prayers of thanksgiving for our church members and friends who attended the national gathering of the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C. yesterday, and thanksgiving for their safe travel.
Tonight: Prayer Vigil In Support of Separated Families, 6:00 pm. You are invited to join with people of many faiths at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Frankfort, tonight at 6:00 pm (311 Washington St, Frankfort, Kentucky). Every denomination has called for Christian support for these children. We will unite in prayer and solidarity.
Thursday noon Bible Study is taking  summer break.
Berea Friends of the Library meeting June 28, 7 pm at the Berea branch. All welcome!
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.
Farewell, Dear Piano! Our piano’s insides are off for repair and will be back at 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 an actual piano key that can be used as a 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!
You’re Invited to make a small quilt based on a favorite book! Join the Friends of the Madison County Public Library Fundraiser today! Contact Rita Barlow at lashleybarlow@gmail.com for details. The quilts will be on display at both library branches and are sold by silent auction.
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.
Many thanks to the far-away Jaduds, for the gift of an iPad for the Community Room sound system!!! We miss you all!
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.