Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

First Sunday of Lent

March 5, 2017     10:30 am 

Meditation
“What’s best and worst?” Atkin asked, casually.
“Best makes us long-term happy, worst makes us long-term sorry.”
“How long-term?”
“Years. A lifetime.”
—Richard Bach, One
 

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!
Prelude Prelude on Lonesome Valley (see note: p. 10) Francis Jackson
¨  Call to Worship
One: Come, faithful people, and find that quiet center where God may enter in.
All: We gather as God’s people: hungry for holy presence, ready for the Word to be love.
One: Lent is love on the move; a time of reflection, repentance; a time of risk and renewal.
All: We come to live love. In our worship let us seek and serve the Love of God.
¨  Opening Hymn #205 Forty Days and Forty Nights Silver Spring
¨   Prayer of Approach and Confession 
  [A brief silence is kept after the prayer]
¨  Words of Mercy
“Kyrie eleison” and “Christe eleison” is Greek for “Lord have mercy” and “Christ have mercy.” Through Lent we will sing these ancient Christian petitions as we immerse ourselves in the mercy of God, working for the healing of all.
¨  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

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Despite being warned not to, Adam and Eve, eat from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
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.
Sung Psalm 32 Carrie Jadud, cantor p. 642
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.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 4:1-11
After his baptism, Jesus is led into the wilderness where he fasts for 40 days. He is visited by the tempter and tested.
Sermon The Answer Is Almost Always Love 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                    Meditation on Repton Francis Jackson
¨  Doxology    

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

Invitation to Communion
One: May the God of discipleship be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us begin our Lenten journey with open hearts.
All: We offer them to the One who walks with us.
One:      Let our voices resound with thanksgiving to the One who shows us faithful care.
All:       We rejoice in our God of hope and love.
One:     Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we fear no evil for God is with us. God prepares a table to strengthen us for the journey of faith. The bread is spread with the oil of gladness, and our cup overflows. 
One: This table is not only for those who know the way. This is the table for all travelers, and you need not be a member of this church or any church to be welcomed and fed. We are all on journeys, and we all need strength and to be refreshed.
Communion Song #332 As We Gather at Your Table Beach Spring
One: Let us now still our hearts and prepare for our own walk towards resurrection, mystery and grace. Let us pray.
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
One: Thanks and praise be to you, O God, for you create life out of the dust, and sustain us even in the desert. We thank you that in the face of every temptation and trial, every principality and power, you are present to direct and guide, to renew and revive. We praise you for sending us Jesus, your Suffering Servant, to walk before us the way of the cross, to turn us to you and to one another. Therefore, we join your long procession of pilgrims praising you along the way:
Sanctus please join in singing:
Words of Institution
One: On the night he was betrayed, Jesus sat with his disciples and broke bread. He blessed it, lifted it up, and spoke these words:
All: “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: Then, after supper was over, he took the cup and blessed it, and said:
All: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: Remembering you as we come to the richness of your table, we cannot and we do not forget the rawness of the world and the cry of the poor. We cannot take bread and forget those who are hungry. We cannot drink and forget those who are thirsty. Help us feed others as we are fed, and reject the temptation to self-satisfaction. 
One: In the midst of our emotional and spiritual deserts, you have offered us not just bread, not just a cup, but your very self so that we may be filled and forgiven, healed, blessed, and made new again.
All: Ground us in your love that we may be strong and discerning for the journey to living and loving fully. Bless us, as we open our hearts and hands to receive, celebrating your original blessing and everlasting care. Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it.  We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. 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.
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.
Prayer of Thanksgiving 
From Here to There
¨  Closing Hymn #211 Lord Jesus ,Who Through Forty Days St. Flavian
¨  Benediction & Sending Forth  
¨  Benediction Response We Are Many Parts  M. Haugen
Those who are able & willing are invited to form a circle outside the pews as we sing the Benediction Response together.
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 Ireland, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and our brothers and sisters at First Faith Independent Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.      
Please also 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, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, hospitalized at Central Baptist with a heart infection.
¨ For neighbors in Estill County affected by recent storms, and for all working actively to help restore their homes and family.
¨ In thanksgiving and recognition of women and the gift, wisdom, and strength they are and have been to Christ’s ministry throughout history. We celebrate Women’s History Month and pray with our actions in hope that all women may be respected, healthy, safe, educated, equal and empowered.
¨ Dot Kindel, at home after a series of falls.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, recovering at home after hospitalization for heart infection.
¨ Dodie Murphy, with heart issues.
¨ Students, family, friends, and community members worried about arrest and deportation.
¨ Those undertaking a renewed investment in a spiritual relationship this Lent. May God love us into transformation.
¨ The many suffering from viruses and illness of all kind. May God speed recovery and prevent the spread.
¨ Travel mercies for students, faculty, and staff at Berea College as spring break brings relief from educational pursuits.
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.
Happening today! Meet in the Classroom after lunch to learn about solar eclipses AND talk with astronomer Jeff Hutton about a trip August 21 to view it! The eclipse will center over Hopkinsville, but will be a partial eclipse all over Kentucky.
Join the church next week!  Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy! New members are received every second Sunday of a month. YOU are welcome here!
Lenten lunches begin today! Worship & Nominating Boards will cook together. $5 donation if able. Right after worship in the Community Room. As has become a Union Church tradition, lunch following worship will be served during Lent through April 2. The members of the various Boards collaborate to prepare lunch for each week.
Next week: Nurture & Care and Admin Boards
Help Wanted.  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship reader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
 
The National Danish Performance Team will perform rhythmic gymnastics, tumbling and vaulting Tuesday, March 7, 7:00 pm at Madison southern High Scholl. Tickets at the door ($10, $3)
Lunch Bunch Thursday – Cooking for One or Two? Join the Lunch Bunch, March 9. Several members cooking for just themselves or one other decided to create a fellowship lunch with the opportunity to share new recipes and swap techniques for good eating. Everyone, young and old, cooking for just a few are invited to lunch on March 9, 12:00 pm in the Community Room. Bible Study will be at 1 pm on Lunch Bunch days. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday.
RSVP is needed so we can cook the right amount! Please call the church office (986-3725) by Tuesday to let us know how many are coming. Bring friends and recipes!
March 10 Kenyon College Chamber Singers in concert at Union, 7:30. Round off your week with touches of sweet harmony! The Chamber Singers are a nationally recognized ensemble of 53 voices performing entirely a cappella, with repertoire ranging from Palestrina to Brahms to South African protest songs. This concert is free and open to all.
March 12 Bach to Now Chamber Music Series concert at Union, 5:00  The Bach to Now Chamber Music Series is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high quality chamber music performances in central Kentucky . Concerts include a a unique mixture of instrumental and vocal music, from the sacred arias of J. S. Bach to works by contemporary composers. This concert is free and open to all.
Rev. Kent’s Journey to the Pot of Gold You are all invited Friday, March 17th at 6 pm to – an Irish dinner/dance to celebrate Rev Kent’s 20th Anniversary at Union Church (and 25th in ministry). To honor Kent, we are doing this as a fundraiser in support of Berea Home Village – an elder housing project here in Berea which Kent has been actively working on for several years. 
     Tickets/reservations/donations can be obtained in the narthex. $15 a person, $25 a couple, and $2 for kids, or online (visit the website, check under “Events” and click the link.)
 
 
Women’s Creative Sewing and Crafts (formerly Industrial) will sell crafts, quilts and other items they’ve been working on at a sale on Saturday, March 18 in the Community Room—10-3. Check out their Facebook page for photos.
Berea College Empty Bowls will take place on Wednesday, March 29^th at 5:30 in the Woods-Penn Commons. More info as the date approaches.
Thank you, Union Church family! The Project Graduation event held here on February 24 netted about $1300! Many thanks to the Union Church family for allowing the building to be used for this great cause!

Coming up … Special Events in March

March 10—Kenton College Chamber Singers concert

March 12—Bach to Now concert

March 14 – KFTC Pie Auction, Comm. Rm.

March 17 – Irish Dinner/Dance to celebrate Rev. Kent’s 20 years at Union Church!

March 18 – Woman’s Industrial Craft Sale (10-3)

March 19 – Union Church’s Annual Meeting

March 21 – Bloodmobile

March 25 – Board Members’ Orientation

March 31 – April 1 – Healing Arts Retreat