Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 13, 2016, 10:30 am
Meditation
“In many ways, religion comes from the same place in us that art comes from. The language of the human heart is poetry.”
— Krista Tippett, Speaking of Faith
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 I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger arr. L. Larson
Handbell Ensemble
* Call to Worship
One: People need the hope of restoration.
All: By gathering may we bear the signs of more hope.
One: We bear many fears and sorrows:
All: In communion may there be less weeping and more joy.
One: We know that the power of Christ transforms us, our fears, and fits us for love:
All: More love, is our prayer and purpose! Let us worship God!
*Opening Hymn #456 More Love to You, O Christ More Love to You
*Prayer of Approach and Confession
“Kyrie eleison” is Greek for “Lord have mercy,” and is an ancient petition in prayers of confession. When invited, please sing the refrain through twice, and hum while the worship leaders interweave the prayers between our singing.
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung twice)
One: We confess that we have been hesitant to act on love but swift to move in fear. Protect us, we pray, from the true danger of denying your will, your hope that we may bear your light:
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung once)
One: When we have boasted in order to separate us from others; when we have used power or position to hurt or wound; when even our faith and hope for righteousness have become weapons in our hands:
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung once)
One: In acts of devotion and service may we be lavish indeed! May we find always in you the path and the power to love. May the beauty of our actions declare our passionate worship of you, your Christ, and your way.
All: Kyrie Refrain (sung twice)
* 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 Here I Am, Lord Schutte/Young
Union Church Choir
- I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save.
Chorus: Here am I, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
- I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Chorus
- I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people”s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. Chorus
- I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my words to them. Whom shall I send? Chorus
- I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will send the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Chorus
- Finest bread I will provide, ‘til their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Chorus
Epistle Lesson Philippians 3:4b-14
Children’s Moment
As the children return to their seats or move to children’s church, 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.
Sung Psalm 126 p. 707
The Psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response when invited.
Gospel Lesson John 12:1-8
Sermon What’s it Worth? Rev. Kent Gilbert
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 Nocturne in C Minor M. Helman
Handbell Ensemble
* Doxology
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.
Silent Prayers and Prayers for the Community
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.
* Closing Hymn What Wondrous Love Is This? (opposite) Wondrous Love
* 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
* Benediction Response
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Postlude (please be seated)
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 peoples of Germany & France and our brothers and sisters at Galilee Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ For refugee families and individuals seeking shelter and safety, and for all who are working to provide it: May God magnify our efforts.
¨ Les Pross, at the death of his sister, Margaret “Peggy” Banker.
¨ Teri Mehler, recovering at home from abdominal surgery
¨ Laura Robie, who had knee replacement surgery last week
¨ Andy Blyth, who had surgery last week and recovering at home.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
¨ George Oberst
¨ Sheila Johnson, facing breast cancer
¨ Marlene Payne and her family
¨ Kelly Ambrose and family
¨ Terry Allen Watts, NoraRuth Jenkins’ cousin
¨ Cindy Saylor’s friend Genny Bryant, who has colon cancer.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, who has had pacemaker surgery and is recovering at home
¨ Jerry Cooper’s daughter, Debbie diagnosed with breast cancer
¨ Muse Watson and family in the death of Muse’s sister-in-law, Sheri
¨ For all discerning the way forward in difficult circumstances, may God’s light lead and guide
We hadn’t changed the code to the outside key box in quite a while, and felt like it was time. If you need to know the code, and didn’t get an email with the new one, please contact the office.
Help Beautify the Sanctuary for Easter! Order Lilies by March 22!Easter morning flowers are a glorious way to celebrate the joy of resurrection. Now you can order sanctuary lilies in honor or memory of loved ones for just $15 with a click! Sales will support our Annual Budget, providing loving care in our many ministries. We’ll see that the lilies are delivered to church and they’ll be available to take home after the Easter Service if you wish. All orders must be received by March 22 to have dedications included in the Easter service bulletin — just visit union-church.org.
Bloodmobile Tuesday! 11-5, in the Community Room
Do you have one of these in your home? Don’t forget to bring it full of money next week! Our offerings will join what’s given in special offering envelopes to One Great Hour of Sharing — an offering taken next week, Palm Sunday: With a special emphasis on refugees this year, Church World Service is working to alleviate human suffering on a vast scale. See today’s bulletin insert for more info about OGHS.
Please consider a generous over and above gift to reach across borders and provide food, shelter, and hope for the thousands of people in need.
Easter Egg hunt goodies needed! NO eggs needed, thanks to previous years’ generosity! BUT things to FILL the eggs are needed — small candies, toys, stickers. Our Youth Group will stuff eggs on March 23, please bring your contributions by then! Drop off in the office (especially the candy…)
We Need YOUR PICTURE for a New Church Directory! If you’ve got a photo you’d like to use, please send it to the office. Also — if there’s a chance we don’t have your address, phone, email address, anniversary, or birthday(s)—please send that info on as well: office@union-church.org. There will be a draft available at Lenten lunches and WNL for you to check and correct if needed. If we left you out — we don’t mean to!! Please add your info! Also, if you happen to know that someone has moved or attends church elsewhere, let us know that too.
KFTC Fundraiser March 19, 6 pm, Community Room! Join Kentuckians for the Commonwealth for our annual Pie Auction in the basement of Union Church. This year, we invite our community to bring everyone along, including children as we will include fun activities for all ages. We are anticipating an exciting auction filled with laughter, love, and pie! We hope to see our beloved KFTC members and soon-to-be members this evening. Our event will have the wonderful Rev. Kent as our auctioneer for the evening.
Entertainment – Talent show! If you sign up to showcase your talent you get in free. Cost – $5 for adults free for children 12 and under, students $3
We will have pie by the slice (ranging in cost from $2-$5) including savory pies
**Free Admission if you bring a pie
BME Spring Concert at Union Church March 20, 3:00 pm. Change of venue—but it’s here this year!!
Calling All Knitters, Needle-workers, Crafters, Crocheters and More! Sunday mornings of Lent, 9:45am-10:15am, bring your own creative project to work on, and join others for relaxed and unstructured conversation, community-building, and coffee before the church service begins.
Tuesday Evenings in Lent: Walking Meditation Please join us and meet at 5:45 at Alumni Field. Walks will be led by David Bellnier and will be a chance to revel in nature and inspiration, while enjoying exercise and new friends. Listen together to a reading, then walk together in meditation!
Moving Sale at Kelly Kelsey Davis’, 304 Jackson St. #3, 1-5 pm March 13-19. Furniture, household items, craft supplies, artwork & more!
Maternity clothes needed for a friend of the church family — drop off or call the office—thanks!
Holy Week at Union Church
Maundy Thursday, March 24, 7:30 pm service in the sanctuary. “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning “commandment.” On this night when Jesus met with his disciples for his last supper, he gave them a new commandment, “that you love one another.” During this special service we will share communion and recount the story of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, and darken the sanctuary, as we retell the story of his crucifixion.
Our service will begin with hand and foot washing at 7:00 pm (for those who wish).
Good Friday, March 25, 12:15 pm A service is offered by the Berea Ministerial Association. Gather at 12:15, Union Church sanctuary. This midday worship service recounts Jesus’ last hours.
Concert and Community Sing of Jesus Christ Superstar, Sanctuary. Evening of Good Friday. Watch for details,
Holy Saturday, March 26, 8:30 am Gather with Pastors Kent & Rachel as we clean and prepare the sanctuary for our Easter guests. We’ll dust the pews, and prepare the decorations, and spruce up the outside as we welcome a joyful Easter.
Easter Sunday, March 27, 7:15 am Sunrise Service, White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Ministerial Association hosts this all-church celebration of Easter Morning as the sun rises. The service will be held at White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church, and all are invited to stay afterward for a light breakfast. Let’s share worship, song, and prayer with all our neighbors.
9:30 am Easter Activities for kids, beginning in the Chapel and moving on to the Easter Egg Hunt!
10:30 am Celebration of the Resurrection! Join to recall the joy and hope of that first Easter Morning, and to renew yourself by recalling that God’s love is not reserved in that long-ago time. This is a lovely time to invite guests, new neighbors, and any who’ve ever wondered what Union Church is about!
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