Third Sunday of Advent, 10:30 am

Meditation
I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.
— Rabindranath Tagore

FROM THERE TO HERE

Prelude Christmas Medley
Jane Mecham & Kim Kobersmith
Congregational Introit While We Are Waiting, Come WAITING
Please see insert
Reading from the Prophets Zephaniah 3:14-20
Special Music We Are One arr. Sarah Miller
Sarah Miller & Union Church Choir
Lighting the Third Advent Candle and Prayer of Approach
The Advent Wreath tradition reaches back to pre-Christian northern Europeans, who lit candles awaiting the winter solstice. By the 1500s, both Lutherans and Catholics had adapted the Advent Wreath as a devotional way to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Each week as we wait through Advent, we light a new candle representing an aspect of the light God intends for all people. This Sunday the candle of JOY is lit.
One: Messengers of Hope, messengers of Peace, messengers of Joy… God speaks through so many voices: some lauded as prophets, others obscured, their gold buried in the dross of the world.
One: But the message never dies. God whispers to the world of joy that wells up from the deepest depths and transforms tears into laughter, despair into hope, death into life.
One: The refiner’s fire draws all that is precious to heat and allows the rest to be left behind. In the work of joy, we let all that drags us down bubble away, and find ourselves with a core of gratitude and delight.
One: On this third Sunday of Advent, let us pray:
All: Lord, we confess being too far from the flame too much of the time. Forgive our fear of fire that keeps us from finding our best selves. Forgive our distraction and dissipation. Concentrate and distill us. Warm and refine us by your mercy and passion. We are your people and would be changed.
One: We kindle this flame of joy:
All: In a story passed on through the ages,
One: In a love surpassing all loves,
All: In a God who sacrifices self,
One: Who is born anew from the dross
All: A light unto the world.
One: May God’s peace prevail.
All: Amen.
• Opening Hymn #115 The Baptist Shouts on Jordan’s Shore WINCHESTER NEW
Handbell Anthem Rise Up K. McChesney
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
• Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 WORD IN OUR MIDST

Anthem Celtic Advent Carol M. Barrett
Union Church Choir; Harriet Bromley, piano; Richard Bromley, piccolo
Be not afraid, I bring you good news. The Savior is coming in glory to you. He shall be called “God’s Holy one.” Will you be ready for Him when He comes? Light the candle, Jesus is coming. Open your hearts, prepare ye the way. Sleepers awake, for soon is the dawning. He will turn night into glorious day. Be of good cheer and put away fear, the light is now coming to dry every tear. Love now with us, God’s perfect Son. Veni, Emmanuel. Captivum solve Israel. Jesus is coming. Could He be coming today?
Epistle Lesson Philippians 4:4-7
Special Music Star of Bethlehem trad.
Joyful Noise Choir; Sayer Kobersmith, chimes
See the star of Bethlehem. Where it leads we follow. He is born, the holy child. Where he leads we follow.
Special Music The Gift Most Treasured Hal H. Hopson
Jubilee Choir and Youth friends, Jane Mecham, flute
The wise may bring their learning, the rich may bring their wealth, and some may bring their greatness, and some bring strength and health. We too would bring our treasures to offer to the King. What gift shall we present him? What shall we children bring?
We’ll bring him hearts that love him; we’ll bring him thankful praise, and young souls meekly striving to walk in holy ways. And these shall be the treasures we offer to the King, and these are gifts that even the poorest child may bring.
Venite adoremus dominum. O come let us adore him, our Lord Emmanuel.
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 grades K-5 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in Cowan Chapel. Otherwise, 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. Please pick up your children in the Chapel or Nursery after the service.
Special Music Where the River Meets the Sea
Debbonnaire Kovacs, Sharona Nelson, Robert Rorrer
Gospel Lesson Luke 3:7-18
Sermon A Refining Joy: This is Good News! Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

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 Concerto for Flute, II. Andante J. Ibert
Richard & Harriet Bromley
• Doxology To God all glorious heavenly light; OLD HUNDREDTH
To Christ revealed in earthly night; To God the spirit now we raise Our grateful hymn of thankful praise. Amen.
• Prayer of Thanksgiving

PRAYING IT FORWARD

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.
Musical Meditation Crosses, Crescents and Stars M. Pryor Andy Blyth
Johnny O’Neil in his overalls, loved plowing and hauling the hay. But the best of the farming was open sky, with Dad at the end of the day. He taught by the point of a flashlight beam the planets like Venus and Mars. The zodiac signs and the phasing moon – all the crosses & crescents & stars.
Chorus: There were crosses & crescents & stars out there far as the eye could see, spread out together in quiet white harmony silent, calm and at peace., and every one of them had a name each had a story to tell brightest of all were the shooting stars blazing a trail as they fell.
Ali Ben Saladin far away worked in a shop as a teen. Selling the oranges, apricots, lemons, the olives, the figs and the cheese. But the best part of living was late at night, up on the roof after prayers. His father would point out enchanted lights to all of his sons that were there.
David Ben Joseph that Sabbath night, walked out of Temple Hillel, a shawl on his shoulder, embroidered cap, and a father with stories to tell. They spoke of old Jacob & Joshua, of Moses & Passover night and a promise to Abraham all of his children, would be as the stars of the sky.
Conflict came to every place, three boys went to war, woolen shawls and overalls gave way to uniforms. Each a child of Abraham, gentle to the core. On the sands of Abraham, they gave their all and more. Christopher Simpson, memorial technician crafted life stories in stone. Business was better in carving out letters with all of the boys coming home.
And all round the planet, ‘neath marble and granite in Peace, Salaam and Shalom, young warriors rested in caskets and jars, under crosses, crescents and stars.
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

Introduction and Invitation to Membership
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, and are welcome to come forward during the Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
• Hymn #107 Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn REJOICE
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
• Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
• Benediction & Sending Forth Mary Had a Baby trad.
Heather Lundy, Abigale Embry, Sarah Miller
• Postlude (please be seated) Go, Tell it on the Mountain R. Elliot
• Please rise in body or in spirit as you wish
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 Liberia and Sierra Leone and our brothers and sisters at West Side Church of Christ in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin
George Oberst, undergoing cancer therapy
Elizabeth Long’s brother, Jay, whose cancer has metastasized
Cassandra Jaggers, with aggressive breast cancer
The Coynes’ neighbor, Sheila Johnson, fighting breast cancer
Marlene Payne and her family.
Kelly Ambrose and family at the death of his father
George Hardman
John Hillman
SaraKatherine Manning-Beavin and the family, at the death of her father
Nancy Shinn and family, at the death of Nancy’s mother, Elizabeth Albright
NoraRuth’s Jenkins’ cousin, Terry Allen Wattts, facing serious medical procedures
Rochelle Seals, undergoing treatment for breast cancer
Dexton May, undergoing a bone marrow transplant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Judith Faulkner, in St. Joseph Berea Hospital
Stephanie Runyan, graduating from Berea College today
Christmas Baskets: Mission and Service Board is partnering again with St. Clare Catholic Church for their local Christmas Basket Project. Starting TODAY, there are ornaments on the tree with the option for people to take to shop for baskets or toys for families. If you’d rather write a check to MSB to handle the shopping, feel free to do so. All items and/or checks need to be brought back to church by Sunday Dec 20th.  If you have any questions, please contact MSB chair Jessica Holly at jessicadholly@hotmail.com
Christmas Caroling: Wed, Dec. 16th Ride the trolley and spread good cheer! We’ll start Wednesday Night Live early
(5:30) with a soup supper. Then we’ll split up into groups and go caroling to our neighbors who have trouble getting out. Come back to church for cookies and hot chocolate. (Please bring cookies, by the way…) Join us for one of the highlights of the year!
Widows’ Group. We are starting a new group for widows/widowers. If you are interested, you are invited to a planning group Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7:00 pm in the Wayside Room. Contact 859-779-0793.
Want to Help Usher? Read? Light Candles? Wash Dishes? Help with Food? VOLUNTEER SPOT! Signing up for service is easy using volunteer spot at Union Church. Here’s the link to the new page for Christmas Volunteering! Sign-ups on VolunteerSpot https://www.volunteer spot.com/login/entry/977303128029
Danish-American Christmas Cele-bration today, 5:30—8:00 pm, Russel Acton Folk Center – all welcome, no charge!
Thank you to all those who contributed to the Emergency Assistance Fund, bringing in an extra $500 this past week! This fund provides needed relief to church members throughout the year. There is always an opportunity to give this gift of relief, simply mark your check “EAF”.
Alternative Christmas Market: THANK YOU to all those who made this event such a success! Due to your support and alternative giving this year, the event raised over $6,500 dollars for projects locally, nationally and internationally. Huge thanks to Gina Chamberlain for organizing this event and to Peace Craft for handling the check disbursement.
Refugee Relief: We’ve raised $1000 in donations for Refugee Relief, which Mission and Service Board will match. The total ($2000) being split between UNICEF and Church World Service, a portion going towards First Christian’s project for Church World Service’s hygiene kits for Refugee Relief. Thank you to all who made this possible!
Gifts for Liberty Place still needed—To help, call Dodie Murphy, 859-200-7277
“Black Lives Matter” yard signs.  Union Church, in our ongoing commitment to our history and work for justice, has “Black Lives Matter” yard signs available for $10 You can pick them up at the church office.
Come to the National Festival of Young Preachers January 2-5, 2016 in Lexington, at the Hilton Downtown and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Abby Embry, Della Walters and Abi Woodie will attend, thanks to our Faith Development Board! YOU can volunteer at this event and hear preachers from all over the country.
Volunteers are an essential in making the National Festival of Young Preachers a success. The best part is that volunteers have the opportunity to hear some of the best and brightest Young Preachers who will be the leaders of tomorrow’s Church.
Please contact Festival Manager Debbie Moody at 859-494-1000, debbie@academy ofpreachers.net to volunteer.
Festival information: www.academyof preachers.net/festivals/2016-national-festival/