Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Pentecost

June 4, 2017      10:30 am 

 
 
Meditation  
“The church exists by mission, just as the fire exists by burning. Where there is no mission, there is no church; where there is neither Church nor mission, there is no faith. ”
                                                —Emil Brunner

From there to Here

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     Prelude in Classic Style          G. Young
¨  Call to Worship
One:     Then I will pour out my spirit on all flesh, thus says the Lord.
All:     Send down the fire of your justice!
One:      Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
All:     Send down the rain of your love!
One:     Your old shall dream dreams, and your young shall see visions.
All:      Send down your Spirit, breathe life in your people!
One:     In those days, I will pour out my spirit.
All:      And we shall be people of God.
¨  Opening Hymn #272      On Pentecost They Gathered  Munich
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
          If you’ve brought chimes, please sound them gently until a pause is indicated.
One:     Spirit of God, your power blows in the world, across the Earth, and into our lives.  
All:     Forgive us when we do not receive your Spirit with gratitude. Spirit of God, you bring light to the world, energize the Earth, and inspire us with goodness.
One:     Forgive us when we quench your presence with our uncaring ways. With wind and flame, with water and power, cleanse now our hearts and heal our souls. Forgive us and help us change.
¨  Words of Assurance
Please begin to gently sound the chimes now, and continue through the Words   of Assurance.
One:    Jesus said, “Peace be with you,” and then breathed out his spirit. Receive the Spirit of God and may the fresh winds of forgiveness blow freely within you.
¨  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    Spirit, Come Down     Mark Hayes
                  Union Church Choir
Spirit, come down like the days of old. Spirit, come down and fill my soul. Lord, I want to be used by You, to feel Your power in all I do.
Now on the day of Pentecost the disciples of the Lord were in one place when suddenly from heaven on high came the sound of a mighty wind.
That mighty wind then filled the place, and the Spirit appeared like tongues of fire. It took control of everyone, filling them with power.
There were people there from every land, yet they heard God’s word in their native tongue, for the Spirit had helped them understand the mighty word of the Lord.
Epistle Lesson                  1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
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, children are welcome to visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.
Lesson from Acts of the Apostles                      Acts 2:1-21
Sermon     Conspicuous Abundance        Rev. Kent Gilbert
Sermon Response #327   Jesus Loves Me           Jesus Loves Me
                        Verses 1 & 3 in English, verse 2 choose a language

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

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 good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory                          Joyous Morning          G. Peterson
¨  Doxology                                     Avery/Marsh

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

Invitation to Communion
One:     May the Spirit of Pentecost touch you this day!
All:      And touch you, as well.
One:    May the fresh breeze of love fill your hearts!
All:      We open them to the Spirit who would overflow from our hearts.
One:     May the words of Pentecost offer you new songs!
All:      We will sing praise and thanksgiving to our God.
One:     The Lord makes all things new with the rush of the wind. In communion with each other we seek communion with God. Passions and possibilities mingle, gifts and needs meet. In communion we are moved by the Spirit and tempered for work and word.
One:     This is the table of meeting. It is the table of welcome and risk. It is the table of hearing and doing. All who seek God are welcome to receive strength from this meal. All who are broken like bread are called to find wholeness here. And all who come will be poured out like joyous wine at a wedding for the world in Christ’s name.
 One:    Come let us pray and prepare. We are called by a new spirit moving among us. Let us pray in silence and with words that we may follow in the way of Christ, and join all who seek compassion as their path.
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.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Communion Prayer
One:     O God, who in smoke and fire upon Mount Sinai gave the law to Moses, and who this day revealed the new covenant in the fire of the Spirit: grant, we pray, that kindled by that same Spirit which you wondrously poured forth upon your apostles, we too may commune with you and follow with joy your commandment of Love. 
One:     We join with all those whom you have inspired throughout the ages and we sing our blessing to you:
Words of Institution
One:     Spirit of Joy — come like the wind, swirling among us; fill us with enthusiasm and energize us to do your work and your will.
All:      Thank you, God for the Spirit of Joy! Fill us anew.
One:     Spirit of Truth — come as the flame of Christ’s light among us, illuminating our hearts, our minds, our lives.
All:      Thank you, God for the Spirit of Truth! Enlighten us!
One:     Spirit of Life  — come as the breath of life, pouring energy and power into our dry bones, rekindling all who are weary, that they may have life and know God.
All:      Thank you, God, for the Spirit of Life! Enliven your people!
One:     Spirit of Hope — come from the four winds, O breath, O restless searcher; breathe upon your people, that creation may be renewed with hope.
All:      Thank you, God, for the Spirit of Hope! Blow through us and refresh our souls.
One:     Spirit of Love — come as our Comforter and Consoler, that all who are broken or wounded may be healed, that all who grieve may be consoled by the power of your love and grace.
All:      Thank you, God, for the Spirit of Love. Warm us gently.
One:     Spirit of Wisdom — come as the light of understanding, that diversity in all its forms may be respected and may be understood as gifts to cherish.
All:      Thank you, God, for the Spirit of Wisdom! Make us wise in your ways.
One:     Spirit of Peace — come as the winds of truth, that our hearts may be kindled by the passion for justice and peace.
All:      Thank you, God, for the Spirit of Peace! Grow our spirit within your own.
One:     As we celebrate the birthday of the church on this day of Pentecost, may we—Jesus’ followers in this time and place— use these gifts and all the gifts of the Spirit, to work for and serve the church and each other.
All:      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.
 Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. The elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer.
Prayer of Thanksgiving 
One:     Holy God we thank you for the gift of your Spirit in the church and in all who love you and try to keep your commandments. Without the power of your Spirit, we would faint and die, but in your Spirit all things are possible.
One:     We thank you that we have been stronger than we knew, better than we believed we could be: you have given us the courage to forgive, despite our anger, peace, in the midst of confusion and grief, and the grace to carry on, when we were sure we had reached the end.
All:      You have given us laughter and love and beauty: we are fed from your hand.  Amen.

From Here to There

¨  Closing Hymn #177        God of Change and Glory      Katherine
¨ Benediction
¨ Postlude    Trumpet Tune  N. Bowden
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 Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland and our brothers and sisters at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 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, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Prayers of love and support surrounding the Carlberg and Park families in the loss of Steve Park.
¨ BJ Godby, in the loss of her mother.
¨ Family and friends of Roger Oliver, mourning his death.
¨ Susan Pross Kramer, recovering at home from knee replacement.
¨ Laura Robie, recovering at home from a shoulder replacement.
¨ Mim Pride, recovering well at home from hip surgery.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, struggling with several health issues
¨ Families in difficulty
Join the church next week!  Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy! New members are received every second Sunday of a month. YOU are welcome here!
Stay for Lunch, a Pupusa Party for Pentecost! Come join us for good food to support a good cause – a pupusa (stuffed corn tortillas) party! Alejandra Sanchez de Rosales will cook! Tyler Thompson will play music & there will be a short presentation about CoCoDa (Companion Community Development Alternatives). Suggested $10 donation.
Stephen Ministry interest meeting TODAY!
Are you interested in finding out more about the caregiving ministry at Union Church? There will be two Stephen Ministry information sessions coming in the next few weeks. The first Stephen Ministry info session will be at 1 pm TODAY, June 4^th, and the second info session will be on Thursday June 15th at 7 pm. Both sessions will be held in the conference room. If you are interested and absolutely cannot make one of these sessions please email Jeff From at jeff.from@gmail.com.
Today is Pentecost! Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter. Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church. Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after him:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16–18
And 40 days after Jesus was resurrected (10 days after he ascended into heaven), that promise was fulfilled when Peter and the early Church were in Jerusalem for Pentecost:  “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1–4
Berea Leadership Experience – A Camp for Building Bridges of Peace and Resolving Conflict.  Registration for The Berea Leadership Experience is open!  It’s a weeklong camp for kids ages 6-13 that is designed to help kids develop skills of transforming conflict into community.
We’re using a curriculum that helps kids learn to build peace through Mindfulness, Connecting with Nature, Media Literacy, and Conflict Resolution.
Here are the details: Berea Leadership Experience will be July 24th-28th, 9am-3pm at the Berea Friends Meeting House. Kids ages 6-13 are invited to be campers, and teenagers older than 13 are invited to be Junior Counselors. The cost is very low: $75 per student, and up to half of the campers can receive scholarships of $50 to make it even more affordable. Register them here: www.union-church.org/ble
     Want to help?  

• Could you sponsor a kid through a donation? $10 pays for a t-shirt; $50 will pay for a scholarship; $100 pays for a Counselor; $200 pays for a teacher; $500 pays for the curriculum! (Go to www.union-church.org/donate, click on “Give Online” and choose “Berea Leadership Experience” in the drop-down box.)

Questions? Please contact the camp director, Kim Kobersmith kim.kobersmith@gmail.com.
    Thanks for helping this dream come true!
    Your BLE Steering Committee: Jeff From, Jenny Hobson, Rachel Small Stokes, and Kim Kobersmith
June 6, 4 pm, Psalm Study The Psalms have guided the work and prayer of people in all manner of situations, from desperation to exaltation, from religious ritual to personal searching for life’s meaning. 
So we will come to these as a way of prayer, and to that end we will read and consider and listen to them speak to us individually and collectively. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. This week we will focus on Psalms 49 & 106. 
Scribes to help our Pastors. You may see a member of the Pastoral Relations Board standing near the pastors as the greet folks on their way out of the worship service. These are scribes—their job is to note  important conversations and details the pastors  might forget in the activity.
 House Concert Saturday June 10, with award-winning singer-songwriter Tret Fure at the home of Barbara Prairie, 314 Jackson Street. Doors open at 7:30 pm, showtime 8:00, suggested donation $15. 
We are sad to report the impending demise of our copier/printer (it’s limping along now but the prognosis is grim). If you need copies, the public library has a copier and we’ll have a new one soon-ish.
Help Wanted.  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship reader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
2017 Summer Music Program: Ready to try something new this summer?? Union Church has some wonderful musical opportunities for you to do so! We have crafted yet another wonderful summer program geared at those who want to make music!  Please check out our link (https://union-church.org/the-arts/summer-music-program/) to find out all of the great things we have! Programs include:

• Summer Choir
• Beginning Handbell Opportunities
• Handbell Workshops
• Community Hymn Sing
• Share-YOUR-Music Sunday
• Beginning Music Theory Bootcamp
• August Guest Musicians
• Music Ministries Picnic

June Summer Music:

• June 11: Summer Choir, 9:30am
• June 18: Summer Choir, 9:30am
• June 21: Handbell Anthem Rehearsal, 7:00pm, Sanctuary
• June 25: Handbell Anthem in Worship, 9:30am