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

Transfiguration Sunday

March 3, 2019          10:30 am

Meditation
“Every once and so often, something so touching, so incandescent, so alive transfigures the human face that it’s almost beyond bearing.” — Frederick Buechner, Transfiguration

From there to Here: We Gather

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 Moderato Angela Marshall
The Call
One: In the midst of hunger and war
All: We celebrate the promise of plenty and peace.
One: In the midst of oppression and tyranny
All: We celebrate the promise of service and freedom.
One: In the midst of doubt and despair
All: We celebrate the promise of faith and hope.
One: In the midst of fear and betrayal
All: We celebrate the promise of joy and loyalty.
One: In the midst of hatred and death
All: We celebrate the promise of love and life.
One: In the midst of sin and decay
All: We celebrate the promise of salvation and renewal.
One: In the midst of death on every side
All (stand): We celebrate the promise of the living Christ!  
¨  Hymn #181 Black  You Are Salt for the Earth, O People x
¨  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 hospitality.

The Living Word among us

Anthem Go Up to the Mountain of God Michael Helman
Union Church Choir
Go up, go up to the mountain of God where Christ transfigured shines as the morning star. Gaze in awe and wonder upon the beauty of Jesus the Lord: alleluia. Go up to the mountain of God and speak with prophets Moses, Elijah. Join with all the angels and saints in praising the incarnate Word: alleluia. Go up to the mountain of God and hear the loving God proclaiming: this is my beloved Son. Hear His word and follow his way. Go up to the mountain of God and there renew your faith in the Son of God. May your life of faith reflect the light of Christ to the world. 
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Exodus 34:29-35 (p. 106)
Moses comes down from the mountaintop after speaking with God, his face shining.
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 parents) 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.
Gospel Lesson  Luke 9:28-43 (p. 1244)
Jesus takes two disciples with him up on the mountain and there he is transfigured before them.
Sermon Elevation Rev. Kent Gilbert

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

¨  Invitation to Communion
One:      God be with you!
All:       And also with you!
One:      Lift up your hearts.
All:       We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One:      We gather around this table to reclaim our memories and to ground ourselves in the story—a story knit into the fabric of our beings-about the abundant gift and sufficiency of God’s creation.
One: We are invited to pause in our wondering, to seek for ourselves Jesus’ clarity of vision and passionate resolve, to feel for ourselves the Spirit’s ever-present offering of life, and find in ourselves a remembrance and a readiness to work toward a world restored.  Who is welcome here? All who seek and serve the love of God, all who hunger and thirst for righteousness, all who are weary and long for strength in the struggle for justice and peace.
One: Let us together prepare and gather at the table of blessing, to be open to the Presence on the mountain of the Holy One.
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
Communion Prayer
One:     Through your abundant creation and the awesome gift of your son, you have come into our lives, teaching us, cajoling us, calling us back to you … forever suffering our pain and renewing our hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We come before you, the fed and the starving; the self-satisfied and disturbed, all seeking you within the madness of how your creation is plundered and your people suffer. The earth is a table, and the table is a gift  meant to provide for all: we are partners with you in its care, and beneficiaries of your creation and care. For your constant love and unceasing labors to heal, we sing your praises for this mighty work, raising our voices to proclaim:
Sanctus Please join in Singing:
Words of Institution
One: Lord Jesus, Always seeking transformation in love, we who follow remember how you were transfigured and empowered by all that was divine, and how you returned from the mountain to pitch your tent among the plight of the people.
One: We remember that even when you were in mortal danger you broke bread with the disciples, calling them in the upper room before you were betrayed. You took bread, blessed it, and broke it and gave it them saying:
All: “Take this and Eat, all of you. This is my body, broken for you. Whenever you eat of it, remember!”
One: In the same way, you took the cup and giving thanks offered it, too, to the disciples and said:
All: “This is my blood poured out in a new covenant for you and for many. Drink this and remember me!”
One: Lord, by this meal and the power of your holy spirit, may we walk in the paths made by the strong and faithful who have come to you before us. May we take in with this bread and this cup the blessing and love you offer. As these elements are changed into us, may we in turn be changed into agents of your holy work. Guide, bless and send all who seek this bread for their journey.
All: Amen.
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
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.
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)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Receiving Strength for the Journey: The Bread and Cup
We will share the elements today by intinction, which means dipping the bread in the cup. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. Children of every age are welcome and encouraged to come forward, too.
Prayer in Action and Reflections
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat.
Some suggested prayer direction is printed here.You are also free to choose to rest in private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts and in your pew.

1. While you walk toward whatever tasks you may have, walk in the footsteps of your mentors and prophets.

3. While working, remember that you are beloved and capable.
4. As you move away from that task, carry with you insights into the chaos you are called to heal.

As we draw back to our seats, you are invited to join in singing:
Holy Spirit, Come to Us Taize
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. The elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer with the Nurture and Care Board members or by contacting the pastor.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: Let us Pray together:
All: Change and challenge, light and dark, storm and fair weather all come to us, Lord. In every time and place, though, you have been faithful to strengthen and feed us. Thank you for all that sustains us for the heart you place in our heart. Help us, always, to seek the strength that is your love. In Christ’s name we pray: Amen.
From Here to There
¨  Hymn #182 Black We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding Hyfrydol
¨  The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated) Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land arr. W. Walker