A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the  Church of Christ, Union

Fifth Sunday of Lent March 22, 2015, 10:30 am

Meditation
God works in hidden spaces: in the inner being, in the secret heart, in the earth. There is work that God needs to do in us in secret; out of sight, away from the glare of day, removed from public view. Yet God has a penchant for revelation, for bringing into the open what is within us. God’s inward work is for the purpose of opening us outward. God draws us deep inside, then draws us back into the world to bear the fruit that comes when our inner lives are congruent with our outer ones.  
–Jan L. Richardson

From there to here

Welcome & Announcements
Prelude     Prelude and Fugue in E Minor           J.S. Bach
*  Call to Worship
One:     And God said, I will put my law in them,
All:      And so we come to worship in search of the Author,
One:     And I will write it on their hearts;
All:      Opening our hearts,
One:     And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
All:      Finding communion.                                                — Katherine Hawker
*  Opening Hymn #204 Black        “Take Up Your Cross,” the Savior Said          Deus Tuorum Militum
*  Prayer of Approach & Confession  
One:     God calls us in our lives to be like the grain of wheat which dies, which lets go of one form in order to be transformed into new, and fuller life. This is a call to one of life’s greatest challenges, the forgiveness of those who have harmed us.   To let our animosity die and be buried in the ground of Christ’s love is to be open to the opportunity to be born anew.  In this moment, let us pray for our enemies.  Let us write on the hearts of our bulletins their names, and then over those write “God’s love.” For God’s covenant is written on our hearts, and so also it is written on theirs.
[silence]
One:     When we resist your call to change our hearts and allow a deepening of relationship:
All:      God have mercy.
One:     When we nurse our wounded hearts and withhold forgiveness which may transform relationship:
All:      Christ have mercy.
One:     When fear for our own security leads us to close our hearts from those who are in need:
All:      God have mercy.
— Adapted from a prayer by Rev. Kathryn Matthews                         Huey and the Rev. Susan A. Blain
* Words of Assurance
One:     God comes to us with a new covenant, saying: “I will write my law on your hearts; I will forgive your wrongdoing and remember your sins no more.” Sisters and Brothers, your sins are forgiven;
All:      be at peace.
– copyright © 2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net  
* 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    For the Beauty of the Earth     John Rutter
Union Church Choir
1. For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies.
Refrain: Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.
2. For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light. Refrain.
3. For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild. Refrain.
4. For each perfect gift of Thine, to our race so freely given, graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of Heaven. Refrain.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       Jeremiah 31:31-34
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-3 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in the chapel.  If this is your child’s first time attending Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form.  Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel after the service.
Psalm 51:1-12                  p. 657 Black
The Psalms were 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                  John 12:20-33
Sermon     Risking the Heart        Rev. Kent Gilbert

Gifts given for Love to flow

Call to Offering
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              Fantasy on Kingsfold  H. Dean Wagner
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
*  Doxology  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;    Old Hundredth
                  Praise God all creatures here below;
                  Praise God above, ye heavenly host:
                  Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.  

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 of 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

*  Closing Hymn #300  Black         Jesus Shall Reign        Duke Street
*  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please remain seated)   Toccata Pontificale   G. Young
———————————————
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 Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and our brothers and sisters at River of Life Foursquare 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 service of our country, and those who wait and worry for them.
* For the victims of violence everywhere, and especially under the influence of racial prejudice and simmering fear. Peace to those everywhere our madness reigns.
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin, Ruth Butwell, Kim Woolridge
* Kelly Mehler
* Mary K. Kauffman
* Jack Carraway
* Michelle Tooley
* Evelyn Myers and family at the death of her uncle  
* We mark the passing Dr. Klara Welsh, at 94.  A memorial service will be held here at 11:00 am Thursday the 26th
* Tom and Dorie Hubbard, at the death of their dear friend, Alice Donahue
Announcements 
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Annual Meeting today in the Community Room, after worship & lunch. The Mission & Service and Faith Development Board will feed us a tasty brunch! There are vegetarian and gluten free options too!  Suggested $5 or $15 for a family.
Leaf raking next week. Help is needed to clean up the leaves around the church. Saturday, March 28^th from 9 am to Noon. Bring rakes. Brownies and coffee for those in attendance – in the Conference Room! Many hands make light work!
Learn more about the church next Sunday, March 29. If you’re thinking about joining, but have some questions, come to a new membership info session!   Anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board. New members are received every second Sunday of a month—next opportunity is April 12.    
One Great Hour of Sharing to be received next week, Palm Sunday: One Great Hour of Sharing is the Lenten offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of money and time. Today, projects are underway in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. One Great Hour funds make possible disaster relief, refugee assistance, development aid and more.
      History:  In 1949, church leaders from several denominations formed an ad hoc committee to organize an appeal aimed at supporting the separate campaigns of American churches. While the post-war language seems a bit stilted, their joint statement in support of this effort is still remarkably contemporary:
This nationwide united effort by America’s Christians has an importance far beyond the practical goal of fund raising. For this great joint program will not only strengthen the vitally important relief and rehabilitation work of the churches overseas, but will also prove to all the world how great is the power generated when Christians unite in a common cause.
Can you bring someone(s) to church with you? A few Liberty Place women would like to start attending our Sunday worship. They need a ride from Richmond and back. Please be in touch with Dodie Murphy (859-2007277) if you can help.
The Faith Development Board needs your help! We are seeking donations of that can go in Easter eggs (no eggs needed). Stickers, erasers and stencils…. Please bring them to the church office by Palm Sunday (29th). The youth group will be stuffing and hiding the eggs in the days before Easter. Thank you!
Lilies for Easter! 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 or call! Sales will support our Annual Budget, providing loving care in our many ministries.
All flowers will be delivered to the church and will be available to take home after the Easter Service if you wish. Order online if able. All orders must be received by April 1 to be included in the Easter service bulletin
To pay by check, please call the church office at (859) 986-3725 to let us know how to designate your plants, then mail your payment to “Union Church, CPO 2105, Berea, KY 40404″. Please designate “Lilies” in the memo line.
Bluegrass Opera to perform here in Union Church’s sanctuary  on March 29, 7:30 pm !  Bluegrass Opera is thrilled to welcome the Easter season with the beautiful and uplifting oratorio King of Glory.  They promise to leave you with a tune in your head and a song in your heart, so reserve your tickets today! (Online at http://www.bluegrass opera.org/tickets.htm or call  859-940-9379). $20 adults, $10 students)
Easter Egg Hunt & Potluck at Joan Moore’s April 4! Joan will have an outdoor Easter egg hunt at her house, 100 Wildflower Ln. Easter eggs will be provided by the Easter bunny and are sure to be hidden throughout the woods…as they are each year.  Be sure to dress for the weather and for tromping through the woods!!  Bring a bag or basket to collect your eggs! Potluck dinner afterwards, so bring a dish to share and a beverage of your choice. All welcome!
Habitat House dedication. April 4, 12:00 noon, 129 Washington Ave.  You won’t want to miss the moment when Heather and Joey Reynolds are finally handed the keys to their home! Please come welcome the Reynolds family home and celebrate with those who worked shoulder to shoulder in partnership with this family!  A potluck lunch will be served after the ceremony!
 
 

Save-the-Dates!

April 2 7:30 pm Maundy Thursday Service
April 3 Good Friday Service
April 4, 8:30—noon Churchwide Easter cleanup, inside & out  
April 4 at noon “Our” Habitat House will be dedicated !
April 4, 4:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt & Potluck at Joan Moore’s
April 11, 9– 2 Board Orientation Session for New and Returning Board Members
April 11 Andy Blyth & friends-Benefit Concert for Habitat for Humanity, Berea Arena Theater
April 11, 5-8 pm  Bark for Life — fundraiser involving dogs for the Madison County Relay for Life. To pre-register and for a schedule of events go to www.relayforlife.org/barkmadisoncountyKY.
April 17 SaraCare Celebration, Union Church
April 19,  3-5 pm The Next Family Faith Day will be down on the farm!
June 14-18 Vacation Bible School
July 31-August 2 Church-wide Intergenerational Camping Trip
August 29 Union Church BAZAAR!
Details will follow….