A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
10:30 am Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Meditation
Though lovers be lost love shall not; and death shall have no dominion. ~Dylan Thomas
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
The Call Gail Wolford, Reader
One: Friends, we enter this time to stand a little apart from the other times and duties of our lives. In worship we connect to a deeper relationship with God’s nature, purpose, and will, and we seek to release our hold on that which harms us, or which is counter to the good needed in our lives. In Psalm 69, the author speaks about how making those new and different connections doesn’t always bring praise from peers, or admiration from family. Zeal for the house of the Lord can bring ridicule, even insult. But in the times of distress, and despite the opposition of some, the psalmist asks:
All: But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.
One: In this time set apart, and whenever the need is great, it doesn’t matter what others in the world “think.” We come to acknowledge the help we need, and pray to be ready with the help we can offer. God’s steadfast love is good, and in this hour let us turn to God even as God’s mercy turns to us. In confusion, in challenge, in sickness, or in seemingly unbearable difficulty, God doesn’t hide from us. If insults have broken our hearts, and despair has torn our lives, here we have transforming love to move us through. So come, one and all, set aside the world and the worries so we may worship and heal as love demands.
All: Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021), Ps 69:16.
¨ Hymn #475 God’s Eye Is on the Sparrow Sparrow
1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, When God is ever my portion? My constant friend will be: God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
2.“Let not your heart be troubled,” Christ’s tender word I hear, and resting on God’s goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path God leads me, but one step I may see; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
3.Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I then draw the closer to my Savior, from care I am set free; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me; God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Scripture Lesson Romans 6:1b-11
What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
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.
Scripture Lesson Matthew 10:24-39
“A disciple is not above the teacher nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
“Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven, but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.
For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,
and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.“
Sermon The Price of a Sparrow Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
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.
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Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Prayer Reflection Questions
Think and pray for a moment about if and when you have “lost your life.” In what ways do Jesus’ paradoxical words “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it” have a place in your story?
What is “living to God” in this age? What actions or features of your life would you identify as “living to God”? Are there ways in which you feel death has too much dominion? What are those and what is the source of their power right now? As you pray, try to remember that you are of great worth and your living and thriving is God’s hope. Pray for all the ways “death shall have no dominion,” and let yourself experience some mercy as you seek that.
“Peace” and “Quiet” are not the same thing. Call to mind a conflict that is both important and divisive for you right now. Are you engaging for the right purpose and outcome? Even in conflict, how are you caring for those who don’t agree? What could you do to be “full of peace” even when you are directly opposing someone else’s position? Pray for whatever you need in order to hold fast to what is important AND to hold fast to caring for all involved.
Offertory
Silent Prayer & Prayers of the Community Gail Wolford, Reader
God of the Sparrow and numbered hairs, help us when cruelties and division drive us to the wilderness of loss. Help us find the deep wells of compassion to reshape and sustain our future. Stand beside us in our fear and strengthen us in our commitment to a loving justice, even when it may disturb the peace for a greater good. In the palm of your hand are we all held. Every day we pray to lose those parts of our lives that are killing us. Stay the forces of violence and protect us from harm, the harm we do and the harm done by others. May we lose ourselves in loving you, and gain the grace you intend for all as your greater love demands.
Lord’s Prayer
All: 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: We Depart
¨ Hymn Now Let Us From This Table Rise
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
As June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, we want to recognize work of Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at University of Kentucky where scientists are working collaboratively with colleagues around the world to improve the health of the older through research dedicated to understanding age-related brain diseases. The center provides education, outreach, and clinical programs that promote healthy brain aging.
The cause and treatment of this devastating disease is still not clear bur research is making progress. (Progress on Treatment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_clRHd-T2Hg ).
Because early detection is important, Sanders-Brown offers free memory screening for anyone concerned about memory loss. They recommend it for those over the age of 65.
Here is the link to schedule an appointment for screening. https://medicine.uky.edu/centers/sbcoa/memory-concerns
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response Woyaya (We Will Get There)
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Please sing as you form our larger circle. We will sing it twice so that we may fully see each other and sing at the same time.
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 Kenya and Tanzania; and our brothers & sisters at Galilee Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ Prayers for 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 seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Doug Hindman, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Tom & Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Loyal Jones, in hospice care. His daughter, Susan, reports he’d love to hear from friends. His address is 200 Tabernacle Rd. L-205; Black Mountain; NC; 28711.
¨ Dottie Lovell, struggling with a case of Bell’s Palsy.
¨ Patsy Boyce, sister-in-law of Bob and Jean Boyce, undergoing chemotherapy.
¨ Rita Barlow, receiving care at home.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Angela Anderson, beginning treatment at Dana Farber Lynch Syndrome Center. Keep in touch at her Caring Bridge site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/angelafaithanderson
¨ Betty Sarafin’s family. Her brother-in-law, Thomas Aquinas Cook, Jr. Esq, has ALS and is declining.
¨ John Stanley & Heather Lundy former Union Church members & still beloved friends, as John recovers from a stroke.
¨ Lorilyn Howie-Kipphut in her move to Cynthiana.
¨ Prayers for the Evans-Quigley family at the death of Marty Quigley, Rev. Kent’s cousin/Carla Gilbert’s nephew from liver cancer.
¨ Joyce Mosher, due to start chemotherapy in a couple of weeks.
¨ Doug Hindman, now back at The Terrace from a hospital stay, awaiting shunt surgery.
¨ Debbonnaire Kovacs’ great nephew Silas is at almost four and a half pounds. Thank you for all your prayers!
Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today –June 25 – Stephanie Woodie; 30 – Patty Boyce; July 2 – Delores Carpenter, Lauri Eiselt
Anniversaries: June 27 – Greg & Rachel Lakes
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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