A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
March 15, 2026 10:30 am
Fourth Sunday of Lent Pretzel Sunday
Meditation
“May the song you sing in your heart keep you humming God’s tune of love” ~ Marsha McFee
From There to Here: We Gather
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
Introit Roll Down Justice Mark A. Miller
There’s a voice strong and clear ringing out far and near,
“Let justice roll down! Let justice roll down!”
Like the rush of a stream comes a powerful dream,
Let justice roll down, justice rolls down!
Let the earth be restored, every soul be reformed
Let the healing renew, creation reborn!
Here in this sacred space, with the strength of God’s grace
Let justice roll down, justice rolls down!
Roll down! Roll down, justice!
Roll like an everflowing stream.
Roll down, justice!
Roll like an everflowing stream, roll down!
¨ Call to Worship Stephanie Ryan, Reader
One: When it would be easier for Jesus to appease the powerful
All: Jesus chose love.
One: When his friends disappeared and the shouts of “hosanna” turned to “crucify him”
All: Jesus chose love.
One: Even after betrayal and humiliation, even as he was dying
All: Jesus chose love.
One: Holy and Living God, to choose You is to choose love.
All: May peace flow. Let justice roll.
One: Nudge us toward the reconciliation that ushers in right relationship.
All: May peace flow. Let justice roll.
One: Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
All: We Choose Love. May peace flow. Let justice roll.
¨ Hymn #223 What Wondrous Love Is This? Wondrous Love
1. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul
What wondrous love is this, O my soul
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul
To bear the heavy cross for my soul!
2. To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing
While millions join the theme, I will sing
3. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on
And through eternity, I’ll sing on
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Special Music I Choose Love Mark Miller Union Church Choir
In the midst of pain, I choose love. In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again, I choose love. In the midst of war, I choose peace. In the midst of war, hate and anger keeping score, I will seek the good once more, I choose peace. When my world falls down, I will rise. When my world falls down, explanations can’t be found, I will climb to holy ground, I will rise.
Scripture Reading Ephesians 5:8-14
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly, but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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 #23 p. 633
The psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form. You are invited to sing the response when invited, at the “R” if using the hymnal.
Scripture Reading John 9:1-41
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.”
Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the he.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.
Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”
The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind, but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.
Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”
The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.”
And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Of What Do the Blind Dream? Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
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. Next week, let us hold the people of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden; and our siblings at Berea United Methodist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Ringing 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.
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
For Reflection
I Choose Love: Communities of Forgiveness
· Close your hand, making a tight fist.
· What do you need to give up during Lent to let justice roll down and prevail in your life, in your world?
· Think about your fist as a symbol of the people and acts you find it hard to forgive.
· Take a closer look at the bricks in the wall you’ve built to distance yourself from others.
· Slowly open your hand, letting go of your resentment. Open space for choosing love.
We come before you, O Grace Itself, knowing that we hold onto resentment, distancing ourselves by a wall of fear or anger. In doing so, we cut off the lifeblood that flows between us. Forgive us and open us to your refreshing water of life.
When we are faced with a choice, help us choose a love that moves us closer to compassion and courage to speak up and stand up for what is right and good. Amen.
Offertory Let There Be Peace on Earth trad. Union Church Orchestra
A Chance for Generosity: easytithe.com/union
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¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering an amount and a click.
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¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”).
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
¨ Doxology Kyrie No. 7 Taize
The words “Kyrie Eleison” are Greek for “Lord, Have Mercy.” Often also paired with the words, “Christe Eleison” (“Christ, Have Mercy”), they are some of the oldest known Christian prayers and have been said or sung in worship services of every tradition for nearly 2000 years. There are many musical settings of the Kyrie. This one is from the community of Taizé, France.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community Stephanie Ryan, Reader
Though we walk in the shadows, your light shines. Though we fear death, you set a table before us. Though we are buffeted and shaken, a cloak of light you wrap around our every trouble. Here in this moment, shepherd us through our fears and lead us beside the still waters of a peace not dependent on the affairs of the world. With your healing hand, restore us who are ill and heal those who are broken. We pray to be in the light amidst present darkness; to BE light, made so by your grace.
When we are tempted to despair, help us walk as children illuminated and incan-descent with your love. Following your Christ, serving your people, make us better than we feel and lighter despite our heavy burdens. For in you, with you, and because of you, we will walk and fear no evil. Our cup overflows with blessings still, O holy one, O guardian of our blessings. Open our tired eyes and be our vision that we may see clearly the beloved community you call us to cherish and build. As always, we are moved by Christ to reach to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, Our Mother, and Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn #451 Be Now My Vision Slane
1 Be now my Vision, O God of my heart Nothing surpasses the love you impart You my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, your presence my light.
2. Be now my wisdom, and be my true Word Ever within me, my soul is assured Mother and Father, you are both to me, now and forever your child I will be.
3. Riches I need not, nor life’s empty praise, you, my inheritance, now and always; You and you only are first in my heart, great God, my treasure, may we never part.
4. Sovereign of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Georgia Davis Powers, of Springfield, Kentucky, served as the first African-American woman – and the first woman – to be elected to the Kentucky State Senate. Powers was an influential member of the Civil Rights Movement and a confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout her life, Sen. Powers was committed to equal rights and fought for causes to prohibit discrimination in schools, workplaces, and housing based on race, sex, and age. She supported legislation to improve education for the physically and mentally disabled and urged younger generations to participate in the democratic process and stand up for what they believe in.
The Joy of Welcoming New Members
Partnership & Purpose
Today presents an opportunity to covenant together! All who would like to are welcome to join the church family – you will be received in joy.
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends 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
¨ Benediction Response Hold On Heidi Wilson
Our Prayers for Others
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ Those in mortal danger in the war newly started in Iran. For the leaders of nations to set aside assassination and warfare in favor of just, diplomatic solutions to conflict.
¨ The victims of recent violence at churches and synagogues, that we may learn the better way of Jesus’ example, Lord, in your mercy.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Hattie Parks, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Pam Chabora, recovering from a badly broken arm and other injuries.
¨ Bob Boyce recovering from intestinal surgery in Tennessee.
¨ Curtis Hughes, Paula White’s brother, recovering from heart surgery.
¨ Brenda Chapman, recovering from surgery
¨ Randy Stone, recovering from surgery.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: March 16 – Peter Campbell, Peter Haik, Sarah Vaughn; 18 – Landen Doring-Zook; 19 – EJ Stokes, Laura Bellnier; 22 – Carla Gilbert, Jennifer Melton
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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