A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday of Lent March 10, 2013
Meditation
After you board the train, you sit and wait, to begin your first real journey alone. You read to avoid the window’s awkwardness, knowing he’s anxious to catch your eye, loitering out in never-ending rain, to wave, a bit shy, another final goodbye; you are afraid of having to wave too soon.
And for the moment you think it’s the train next to you has begun, but it is yours, and your face, pressed to the windowpane, is distorted & numbed by the icy glass, pinning your eyes upon your father, as he cranes to defy your disappearing train. Both of you waving, eternally, to each other.
—Leavetaking by Greg Delanty in Southward
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude I Will Arise and Go to Jesus (Arise) Donald P. Hustad
* Call to Worship
One: From far-away places, from close at hand; with hearts troubled, with minds at rest, welcome your people, Holy One.
All: For we come to worship you.
One: Carrying heavy loads, travelling light; walking in fear, living in faith, welcome your people, Holy One.
All: For we come to worship you with all that is good in our lives with all that hurts and hinders us with past and present in us and the future before us. We come to worship you and find our way home.
* Opening Hymn #23 Black There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy In Babilone
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
Here are questions for silent reflection, meant for grace. We will read them silently, and you are invited stand or sit, whichever feels most prayerful to you.
Loving God, in life we play so many parts: one day the wayward child, another the strict parent; sometimes jealous and confused, other times open and kind; some days determined to go our own way, at other times open to your leading.
Who am I today, at this moment? Is it who I want to be?
In the mix of who I am, in the ups and downs of my life, in my triumphs and failures, be the one who calls me back, who reminds me of home and sets my feet towards a world of welcome. I have wandered, and done what is not right at times. Hear my wish to change.
In what direction is “home?” What is the next step to take in order to move that way?
When so much is left undone, where so much is left behind, when so many gifts lie unused, when too few tears have been shed, move my heart and mind to seek forgiveness and the reconciliation love brings to point me in the right direction.
Through Jesus the Christ.
Amen.
* Words of Assurance
One: Even as we walk slow and unsure of foot God runs to greet us. Even as we cling to being in the right God forgives what is left unspoken. Loved and held in God’s arms we are made a new creation. Everything old has passed away everything has become new. Amen.
* 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
Anthem O Lord, Give Thy Holy Spirit Thomas Tallis
Union Church Choir
O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, And lighten our understanding, That we may dwell in the fear of thy Name, all the days of our life. That we may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus whom thou hast sent..
Epistle Lesson 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (p. 1406)
We become new in Christ.
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 Community Room, and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
Psalm 32 (Sung) p. 642 Black
The Psalms were all originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response at the “R” when invited.
Gospel Lesson Luke 15:1-3,11b-32 (p. 1257)
The story of the prodigal son.
Sermon Connecting the Separated Rev. Kent Gilbert
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 Prayers & 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
Offertory Devotional on a Modal Theme (#31) Paul Benoit
* Doxology (Sung in English) Laudate omnes gent
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith & Receiving New Members
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. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
* Invitation Hymn #583 Black Like a Mother Who Has Borne Us Austin
* 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 and Sending Forth
* Benediction Response Blessing Round Jonathon Jensen
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* All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
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 Myanmar and Thailand and our brothers and sisters at the Grace Baptist 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.
* For our campus community in the loss of Yohance Fegan, a sophomore Berea College student, who died on Wednesday
* Joan Moore, recovering from her auto accident at a friend’s home in Winchester and for her father, Bob, being cared for by Joan’s sister.
* Paul Wells, recovering from heart surgery at home.
* For Pastor Rachel and her wife Leslie on their belated honeymoon in Puerto Rico.
* Dr. Dorothy Gates, a long-time Union Church member and physician at Berea College Health Service from 1965-1984, has died at 98 in St. Petersburg, Florida, her home since 1987.
* Jan Hamilton, recovering well from knee replacement.
* Carol Shaffer, recuperating from shoulder surgery at daughter Beth’s.
* Whitney Louise Wellinghurst, who was born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces, now weighs over 5 pounds! Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges.
* Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace * Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
* Ruth Wesley, now at The Terrace
Today is Pretzel Sunday. The pretzel is an ancient bakery item, which traditionally was eaten only during Lent. It appeared each year on Ash Wednesday and disappeared on Good Friday. It goes back at least to the fifth century: there is a Roman manuscript in the Vatican Library dating from that period which shows a Lenten pretzel. As to the shape: It is made in the form of two arms crossed in prayer. The word bracellae, “little arms,” became in German Bretzel, then Pretzel. These early Christians ate no dairy products during Lent, so the pretzel was made only of flour, salt and water: It was a simple as it could be.
Join Reconciliation Book Study — If anyone still wishes to join the Miroslav Volf book study on reconciliation, there are still a couple of extra books. It meets at 1-2:30 Sunday afternoons in the Wayside Room, however this week we will meet at 6-7:30 pm so that some of us can do the ropes course. Note time change. Info, call Debbonnaire at 859-779-0793.
Union Church’s Annual Meeting next Sunday, March 17, 2013… Members will be elected to Boards and Committees, the Annual Reports are presented, and other special business of the church conducted, including reports on our constitutional revision process, capital campaign, construction, and Rev. Kent’s upcoming Sabbatical. The meeting will be right after worship and a special St. Patrick’s Day Lenten luncheon of corned beef and cabbage, served up with a little Irish music.!
Casualty of moving — has anyone seen the church’s Crown of Thorns lately? It’s almost too big to lose – made of iron, and nearly three feet across….if anyone has any ideas, please call the office—thanks.
3rd Annual Berea Deep Clean-Up on Saturday, March 23rd In the past two years combined, we’ve collected over 4,000 pounds of waste from all around our community, and HEAL is ready to do it again! Meet down at Brushy Fork Park at 9:30 am on Saturday, March 23rd with a water bottle, brightly colored clothes, and be prepared to get dirty and wet. We’ll provide trash bags, gloves, and shuttles to clean up all over Berea. Then stick around after for a warm lunch at noon along with live music and fun activities for all ages!
Tuesday Coffee, Bagels, and 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.
Youth Working to Earn Money for Church Camp…They Can Help! Need to get into your attic? Need some spring cleaning? Having problems understanding your new phone? Need someone to get your flowerbed ready for the Spring? A youth can do it! In the upcoming months the youth will be working hard to raise money for their trip to Passport Choices in Wyngate, NC. If you need assistance with any task, no matter how big or small, call Chris (678-982-1731) or Grace Mckenzie (205-451-7444). Be ready to estimate the number of youth you will need, what supplies you have and if you need us to bring any, and how long the project will take.
Craft and School Supplies for Big Ugly. Last semester The Berea College Crafts Education and Outreach Program traveled to Big Ugly, WV, to demonstrate weaving on a loom, broom craft, bowl turning on a wood lathe and making pottery on a wheel in addition to leading craft workshops for the after school program. They collaborated with the local non-profit Step by Step to be able to share the love and knowledge of Berea and our crafts to a community that has little exposure to the arts. The Big Ugly community is located in the Appalachia mountains of WV, in a very economically depressed area. The community is almost an hour from the nearest city including any sort of grocery store, library or movie theater. The director of Step-by-Step expressed a need for art and school supplies for the kids — Pens, Pencils, Crayons/marker, Paint brushes/paint, Backpacks/string packs, Construction/notebook paper, Lunch boxes, Scissors, Rulers. If you’d like to donate, items can be brought to the office and we’ll take them over to Student Crafts. If you are interested in learning more about the community and Step by Step Programs, please visit: http://www.stepbystepwv.org/
Adopt a Potato! Sustainable Berea is sponsoring a project to test 10 potato varieties under Berea’s growing conditions. Potatoes are a nutritious, high-yielding staple crop that adapts well to back yard gardens and provides a measure of food self-sufficiency. Sustainable Berea will provide you with two pounds of seed potatoes if you agree to grow the potatoes, keep some simple management and yield data, and report the results back to Sustainable Berea. Information on the available varieties and a sign-up form are in the vestibule. For more info: PO Box 1302, Berea KY 40403, email info@sustainableberea.org or call 859-985-1689.
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