A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
10:30 am
Meditation
When the world is at its worst—when grief clings to my bones, when fear eats at my confidence, when loneliness moves into my house— God sets the table, turns on the lights, and invites me to dance. –Modern paraphrase of Psalm 27 by Rev. Sarah Speed
From There to Here: We Gather
Gathering Music
Welcome
Pastoral Call to Confession and Release
Singing Together We Are Listening, Lord
This time is Yours. We are Yours. We are listening, Lord. You are here. We are here. We are listening, Lord. You are love – You will speak. You are wise; We are weak. Lord, Your will is our will. We are listening, Lord.
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Prayer for Illumination Steve and Teresa Gowler, Readers
One: Holy God, this life of ours is full to the brim. Our days are overflowing with emails and to-do lists, schedules and notifications, assignments and deadlines. We wake up feeling behind, we go to sleep worrying about tomorrow, and we know—there has to be more than this.
One: So we pray: bend down and show us the way. Leave breadcrumbs in the street. Point us toward awe and wonder. Guide us to intimacy and trust. Gift us with laughter that will make us cry and hope that will make us feel alive. We want a new kind of full to the brim. Show us the way. We are listening for your cues. Gratefully we pray, amen.
Singing Together We Are Listening, Lord
This time is Yours. We are Yours. We are listening, Lord. You are here. We are here. We are listening, Lord. You are love – You will speak. You are wise; We are weak. Lord, Your will is our will. We are listening, Lord.
Passing the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Lighting the Justice Candle
Today we light the Justice Candle to honor the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization. Founded in 1933 as the International Relief Association, at the request of Albert Einstein, and changing its name in 1942 after amalgamating with the similar Emergency Rescue Committee, the IRC provides emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution, or natural disaster. The IRC is currently working in about 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities where it resettles refugees and helps them become self-sufficient. It focuses mainly on health, education, economic wellbeing, power, and safety. In 2016, 26 million people in about 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities benefited from IRC programs.
The current President and CEO of the IRC is David Miliband (2013–present), who previously served as the British Foreign Secretary.
Hymn #212 O Jesus Christ, May Grateful Hymns Charterhouse
1. O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising in every city for your love and care, inspire our worship, grant the glad surprising that your blest Spirit rouses everywhere.
2. Grant us new courage, sacrificial, humble, strong in your strength to venture and to dare; to lift the fallen, guide the feet that stumble, seek out the lonely and God’s mercy share.
3. Show us your Spirit, brooding o’er each city, as you once wept above Jerusalem, seeking to gather all in love and pity, and healing those who touch your garment’s hem.
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The Living Word Among Us
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Steve Gowler, Reader
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. Then he said to him, ‘I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.’ But he said, ‘O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?’ He said to him, ‘Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.’ He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire-pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Sung Psalm 27
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, indicated by R.
God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? God is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and foes—they shall stumble and fall.Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. One thing I asked of the God, that will I seek after: to live in the house of God all the days of my life, R
to behold the beauty of God, and to inquire in God’s temple. For God will hide me in God’s shelter in the day of trouble; God will conceal me under the cover of God’s tent; God will set me high on a rock.
Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in God’s tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the God. Hear, O God, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! R
‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek God’s face!’ Your face, O God, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation! If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up. R
Teach me your way, O God, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence. I believe that I shall see the goodness of the God in the land of the living. Wait for God; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for God! R
Gospel Lesson Luke 4:1-13
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’
Sermon Under God’s Wing Rev. Kent Gilbert
Kyrie Ukrainian Orthodox Monondy of the XVth Century
Come Rain or Shine Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed
“I will keep on.” That’s what I heard him say. I will keep on driving out demons and healing people, speaking the truth and loving endlessly, searching for the lost sheep and crying for the brokenhearted, feeding the hungry and welcoming the outcast.
“I will keep on.” That’s what he said, right after he said my name, right after he called me beloved, right after he welcomed me home and saved me a seat.
And I knew, there was no stopping him. I was under his wing. Come rain or come shine, today and tomorrow, this love keeps on.
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
Ringing of the Peace Bell Steve Gowler
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.
Offering Music In the Cross of Christ I Glory arr. C. Moklebust Union Church Handbell Ensemble
In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’re the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story, Gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o’re-take me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy, Never shall the cross forsake me: Lo! It glows with peace and joy.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union 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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier.
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Community Prayer Teresa Gowler, Reader
Together we pray as Jesus taugHope beyond all human hope, shelter us under the shadow of your wing, even as you weep over our cities, over our hearts. We pray that you would gather us to yourself in tenderness and transformation. We pray that we might claim our faith in you with bold joy, with subversive hope, the kind that is overflowing in the service of compassion and a Kin-dom united for the good of all. But when we cannot, and do not, heed or act or even open our ears, have mercy on us and all who feel weak and lost. Teach us to live confident in your promise and as proclaimers of your grace. As once you made covenant with your servants Abram and Sarai, make new the covenant that will sustain the well-being of all your created beings. For this we pray in Jesus name…
Our Lord’s Prayer
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
Hymn #292 Breath on Me, Breath of God Trentham
1. Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew, that as you love, so I may love, and do what you would do.
2. Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours to do and to endure.
3. Breathe on me, breath of God, fulfill my heart’s desire, until this earthly part of me glows with your heavenly fire.
4. Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life of your eternity.
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Benediction
Union Church’s Annual Meeting is March 20, 3 pm!!
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 Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden; and our brothers and sisters at the Holy Pentecostal Sanctuary in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty, and especially those in the city of Nikolaev where the family of former Berea International student daughter of Kevin and Carla, Yulia live. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason and respect for their own people’s lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those feeling the oppression of depression and isolation. May God strengthen us all and build bridges to grace.
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Dorie Hubbard, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 14,200 Kentucky residents, and 25 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Sharona Nelson, facing a long recovery after surgery to repair a broken shoulder.
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
¨ Dorie Hubbard and daughters, at Tom’s death March 5.
¨ The family of George Hardman, Joan English’s dad, who passed away March 3.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays: March 15 – William Madden; 16 – Peter Haik, Sarah Vaughn; 18 – Landen Doring-Zook; 22 – Carla Gilbert, Jennifer Melton
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