Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Palm Sunday     March 25, 2018  10:30 am 

Meditation
“You can imprison a man, but not an idea. You can exile a man, but not an idea. You can kill a man, but not an idea.”    — Benazir Bhutto

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!
Gospel Lesson Mark 11:1-11 p.1210
¨  Palm Processional Hosanna Medley trad.
Everyone is invited to join in the Processional. When invited, please move to stand lining the aisles as the pastors, children, and adults process through “the crowd.”  Those processing will begin by the door under the Peace Bell.  All who would like to do so may gather in that hall, or join as the procession passes your pew.
¨  Call to Worship
One: Rejoice! Cry out! The Lord’s work is accomplished before our eyes!
All: Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!
One: Let our fears, our doubts, our faithlessness slip from our lives to fall at Christ’s feet.
All: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
¨  Opening Hymn #216 All Glory, Laud and Honor St. Theodulph
¨  Passing the Peace of 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 Living Word among us

Anthem Hosanna to the Son of David Allen Pote
Union Church Choir
Hosanna to the son of David.  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Crowds of children join in singing, hear the loud hosanna ringing, to the King of Glory bringing songs of praise. He is here, the true Messiah, Israel, rejoice! Hosanna in the highest! Mighty ruler, our defender, coming not in royal splendor, humble King to you we render songs of praise! Hosanna in the highest!
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or adults) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Sung Psalm #118:1-2,19-29  Debbonnaire Kovacs, cantor p. 700
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.
Sermon To See and Be Seen 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        Hosanna J. Krug
Union Church 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 Prayer 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 #224 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Hamburg
¨  Benediction
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 Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and our brothers and sisters at First  Faith Independent Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Dave Wellinghurst, diagnosed with glioblastoma after surgery for a brain tumor, whose cancer is responding to treatment better than expected
¨ Gary Dillon, significant other of Betty Sarafin, critically ill with cancer.
¨ For Luke Woodie, recovering from bile duct cancer surgery at home.
¨ Barb Smith, ill at home
¨ Lauri McVicker’s mother, recovering from hip surgery, in New Jersey
¨ Students who rallied for sensible gun laws at the National March, Saturday March 24 in Washington DC., and around the country. We pray for their voices to be heard, and for ears to hear. Together, we can unite to save lives and live better.
¨ Jennie Kiteck, at home after successful colon cancer surgery.
¨ In thanksgiving for those students, teachers, parents, lawmakers, and citizens who are witnessing and working to end gun violence in our society. May laws that help be passed; may hearts that are broken be healed; may all who are in danger be kept safe.
¨ Alejandra Sanchez’s sister in El Salvador, Marco Amalia Sanchez, suffering the final stages of cancer.  Alejandra would like our prayers for Marco and the family.
Introduction to Union Church today! Come One, Come All!  Each fourth Sunday of the month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members, are invited to come to the Classroom two doors past the church office after worship.
A BIG thank you to all who helped cook, serve, and clean up the Lenten Lunches! In all, $1,283.25 was raised. 
The all-church book study will meet for the final time today at 1 pm.
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering today, Palm Sunday. One Great Hour of Sharing is the special mission offering that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in 138 countries. Churches work with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
Wednesday—last chance to Easter lilies! You can do that online or using the paper slip — $15 each. We’ll pick them up and arrange them, you can take them home after the season.
Help for Easter Week needed!
March 31, 9-12 to decorate for Easter! We’ll have plenty of coffee!
We need captains for these tasks:

• Balloons
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Ushers
• Procession help

Call the office if you can help—thanks!!
Community Sing based on An Other Kingdom March 27, 7 pm, sanctuary, led by Ana Hernandez, a composer, singer, author, and songwriter who will visit Berea College for three days, sponsored by the Campus Christian Center and Union Church. All welcome! 
Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters at WNL This Week: Please plan to be at this week’s WNL. Following the meal, we will write letters for BFW’s 2018 Offering of Letters: For Such a Time as This. Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Each year, thousands of churches from many different faith traditions take part in the Offering of Letters.  All materials will be provided.
If you cannot participate this Wednesday, please pick up a flyer next to the coffee in the parlor this morning. It includes a sample letter and directions for mailing.
Our Offering of Letters coordinates with the campus Empty Bowls event at Woods-Penniman Commons and we will have bowls hand made by Berea College students available for purchase, as well. The money raised from the Empty Bowls event supports Food Banks in our area.
Mark your calendars now and join these efforts on March 28.
At the Church Council meeting on March 19, Sharona Nelson was elected to Finance Board, for the Class of 2019. Thank you!
The office door code will change April 9. If you need it, please call or email the office.
Post Pictures for The Lent Photo-a-day Project! One theme per day, and you can post them and share using hashtag “#UCLent2018”. Use the same code in facebook’s search box to view these visual prayers.
Older iPad Needed: Do you have an older generation iPad you no longer use? The AV system we use in the Community Room would benefit from a dedicated iPad  for church and rental use. It must have the older, wider power connection to work, but other than that, any iPad  will be more than enough to power the system. Contact the office or Rev. Kent if you can help!
Stone Soup Uke Group meets WEEKLY! Looking for some community joy? The Stone Soup Uke Group is now meeting at Union Church every Sunday from  1:30- 3:30 in Room 101 on the lowest level – handicap accessible.
Official Record Book Still Missing :(. Have you seen the sign-in book we use to record new members’ joining dates and attendance at meetings? Did you look in your car? What about at home? It’s been missing since November and maybe some-one accidentally took it home or tucked it somewhere for safe keeping? It’s black padded leather, about 8 1/2 x 11. Help!
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup.com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.
Berea Leadership Experience for Youth, July 16-20. Registration opens April 15. Berea Leadership Experience will hold its camp for kids to learn skills of conflict resolution, media literacy, mindfulness, and appreciation of nature the week of July 16th -20th, 9 am – 2 pm for kids in incoming grades 2-8. We are also seeking sponsors for scholarships and other financial donations to make this camp possible for as many people as possible. Sponsorships are $60 to cover one student. Checks can be made or online donations can be designated to Union Church, memo line “Berea Leadership Experience.” Thank you!
Holy Week at Union Church
Our Palm Sunday Worship Service recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. In our worship service we include a procession of the faithful carrying palms, representing the cloaks and small branches of trees the celebrating people scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and the people sang part of Psalm 118 … Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord….
Maundy Thursday, March 29, 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 30, 12:15 pm This service is offered by the Berea Ministerial Association. Gather in the Union Church sanctuary. This midday worship service recounts Jesus’ last hours.
Saturday, March 31, 9 am—noon. Help spruce up and clean up in the sanctuary and around the building and grounds. Plenty of coffee provided!
Easter Sunday, April 1, 7:00 am  Sunrise Service, White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Ministerial Association hosts this all-church celebration of Easter Morning as the sun rises. Let’s share worship, song, and prayer with all our neighbors. Light refreshments served afterwards.
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! 
We buy our palms from Eco-Palms, which sells palms sustainably gathered in the forests of Mexico and Guatemala.

• Gatherers receive a higher price for their “fair trade” palms, improving their income.
• Palms protect valuable natural forests because they provide income to forest communities.
• Palms are sustainably harvested and managed, protecting the palms and the forests they need for shade.
• Fair trade practices improve income and living conditions for the communities gathering the palms.
• Palm purchases for Palm Sunday may be worth up to 4.5 million dollars per year.
• Palm gathering actually protects valuable natural forests.
• At least half of the farmers in central Guatemala earn additional income from harvesting fronds and more than a quarter of household heads support themselves exclusively by collecting fronds.
• Each palm plant produces 2 to 5 harvestable leaves over a 2 to 4 month