A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost June 30, 2013
Meditation
“I will not tire of declaring that if we really want an effective end to violence we must remove the violence that lies at the root of all violence: structural violence, social injustice, exclusion of citizens from the management of the country, repression. All this is what constitutes the primal cause, from which the rest flows naturally.”
—Oscar A. Romero
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Prelude (from Prelude, Fugue and Chorale) Robert Wetzler
* Call to Worship
One: Throughout the ages, disciples have said, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
All: Lord, give us the freedom to follow you in the ways of love.
One: We come from busy homes, filled with little time to consider Christ in our lives.
All: Lord, give us the strength to follow you in the ways of peace.
One: In times of struggle, we look to God for help.
All: Lord, give us the opportunity to follow you in the ways of kindness.
One: Today, we celebrate the Holy Spirit, who shows us the joy of following God.
All: Lord, give us the patience to follow you in the ways of faith. Amen.
Excerpted from MinistryMatters.com
* Opening Hymn #65 Black This Is the Day Este Es El Dia
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We struggle to manifest the fruits of the Spirit, but often find ourselves bound by works of the flesh. We know the whole law is summed up in the single commandment:
All: to love our neighbor as ourselves.
One: Yet we create fences around ourselves to keep neighbors outside and tell ourselves we have no responsibility. Even in our own back yard we “bite and devour” one another.
All: We wish it were different.
One: When Jesus calls us to follow him, we find every excuse to instead go home or to the workplace to finish something more important first.
All: Yet we yearn to be more centered on You.
Silent confession…..
inspired by Galatians 5:13-25, Luke 9:51-62
* Assurance of Pardon
One: Despite our resistance, we can be assured that God’s strong arm redeems the people. God calls us back to God’s realm, and encourages us with a love we can never lose no matter how hard we push back, no matter how often we forget, no matter how far we stray. We need but ask and we are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen.
from Putting on the Mantle: Service Prayers for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, written by The Rev. Catherine Rolling.
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the Word
Message in Song I Want Jesus to Walk With Me African-American Spiritual
James Bonta, soloist arr. Hal Hopson
I want Jesus to walk with me. All along my pilgrim journey, Lord I want Jesus to walk with me. In my trials, Lord, walk with me. When my heart is almost breaking, When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me. When my head is bowed in sorrow,When I am sinking, save my soul, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
God Speaking through the Hebrew Scriptures 2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14 (p. 446)
The older prophet, Elijah, bestows his mantle upon the younger prophet, Elisha, thus enabling God’s word to continue to be spoken to Israel.
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 Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall. Activity clipboards are available at the altar for older children.
God Speaking through the Gospels Luke 9:51-62 (p. 1245)
Jesus sets his face to Jerusalem, resolute to follow his Father’s will, all the way to the end.
Sermon Keep Making that Face And It’ll Get Stuck that Way! Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Hymn #358 Black God of the Prophets Toulon
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory Swing Low, Sweet Chariot arr. Ralph Simpson
* Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn #173 Black Tu has venido a la orilla Pescador de Hombres
* Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude Exultation G. Winston Cassler
____________________________
* All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
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 Bolivia, Peru and Chile and our brothers and sisters at Glades Christian Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* For those who work tirelessly for justice for all people
* Prayers of Thanksgiving for the El Salvador Delegation’s safe return home
* Shirley Carlberg and her family as they mourn her beloved aunt Shirley
* Rachel Kelly, church member who has relocated, at the death of her father
* Stephanie Woodie, recovering from total knee replacement surgery
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Kenwood Nursing Home in Richmond
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Today’s bulletin cover comes from one portion of a triptych that hangs in the Romero Chapel at Universidad de Centro America (UCA) in San Salvador. The artist is unknown, but it is done in a traditional Salvadoran folk art style. The panel depicts Romero’s teachings of liberation for all who are oppressed. At the top is an image of a dove (Holy Spirit) descending onto earth and blooming into a tree of life for all people. Below that are the tree’s foundation – the four Gospels. In the center are the wealthy and poor on equal footing, and Archbishop Romero praying and sacrificing for all the Salvadoran people. At the bottom is the ship of the church, sailing through turbulent waters.
Worship Leaders Wanted and Needed… It’s easy, and you get to see the bulletin before everybody else!! See Carla Gilbert, or sign up on the back wall.
Lemonade on the Porch Volunteers Needed over the summer for Lemonade on the Porch — please sign-up on the Volunteer Bulletin Board on your way out of the sanctuary this morning. Kevin Burke will provide information and/or answer any questions you might have: 985-1144.
Explore Union Church! This is a place where your faith can grow and deepen! We are actively looking for those who would like to explore discipleship with Jesus in this congregation. YOU matter, and so does YOUR faith journey. If you’d like to join Union Church in pursing the way of peace, justice, and hope, please call, email, or Facebook either pastor, or call the church office. YOU are welcome here!
Fairness Picnic July 27 – Save the Date! Bereans for Fairness will host a picnic on Saturday, July 27 from 4-7 pm at Memorial Park on Jefferson St in Berea. Come out to show your support for Fairness and join in the festivities. Watch for more information or contact Kate Grigg at kate@fairness.org or 708-341-0916.
“Instead, speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15)… You are invited to be a delegate to the 2013 Kentucky Council of Churches October 24 & 25. The theme is Civil Dialogue. The place is Kentucky Dam Village State Park in Gilbertsville, KY. Brochures are available in the office if you’d like to consider attending, or you can visit the website at www.kycouncilofchurches.org.
Tuesday Church Fixes: Come One Come All… Tuesday 8:30-Noon – Come join for whatever time you can in fellowship and helping with minor repairs, etc. There will be job opportunities for people of all skill levels. Thanks to our Properties Board for helping organize several projects, including mounting bulletin boards and mulching the playground.
Help a Ugandan Student Fly to Berea! David Nakabaale, son of one of the many women Union Church has supported through Katosi Women Development Trust has been accepted to Berea College! Now he needs to get here. David comes from a single parent family on the shores of Lake Victoria. His mother, a leader in the community, is HIV positive and supports a number of fostered children with her dollar-a-day income. David would not be able to afford a plane ticket without the support of his new Berea family. Please consider contributing to his travel fund through an account set up at the church called “Foreign Student Support.” We’re half way to our $1600 goal!
Back Bay Mission Work Crew Needed We are currently recruiting this year’s Back Bay Mission Work Crew for September 16 – 21. All levels of building/repair skills will be put to use, as well as volunteers for the Daytime Drop-in Center for Homeless or the Food Bank. A tentative commitment is needed by mid-July in order to hold our place. Scholarship assistance is available and there are some plans for a fundraiser, as well. This is Back Bay Mission’s 91st year of serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast area and will be Union Church’s sixth service trip to Back Bay. Please contact Betty Hibler at 859-940-8735 or betty_hibler@berea.edu for more information and to reserve your spot.
Whippoorwill Festival: Skills for Earth-friendly Living, July 11-14 at HomeGrown Hideaways, Berea. Located in the beautiful foothills of Appalachia in Central Kentucky, teaches earth-friendly and sustainable living skills in a joyful, healthy, family-friendly atmosphere. The Whippoorwill Festival features over 75 earth-friendly workshops, tent camping, healthy, home-cooked meals, and guest speakers, plus campfires, three nights of Appalachian music plus contra dancing on Thursday night. Visit www.whipporwillfest.com for info.
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