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

The Second Sunday  of Lent

March 8, 2020       10:30 am

Meditation:
We move forward one step at a time, Wide-eyed and hopeful, lost and half blind, Mistake by mistake, we all learn to be kind.
—Carrie Newcomer

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 Beneath the Cross of Jesus arr. Anna Laura Page
The Call A Small Flashlight Carrie Newcomer
The way is dark up ahead of me. The way is dark and I cannot see. What I love the most is a flashlight beam, Lighting up the way when I cannot see. The way unfolds like an open hand. The way unfolds like I didn’t plan. And only in looking back do we understand, That the way was true as an open hand. Over trials and trouble I’ve already come. And the net appeared when I needed one. Yes the road is dark and the ground is rough, Most the time a flashlight has to be enough. We move forward one step at a time,Wide-eyed and hopeful, lost and half blind, Mistake by mistake, we all learn to be kind.There is so much to see and to realize. If I could close my mouth and open up my eyes. And the world will tell us more than enough lies, But we’ll find our way with a small flashlight.
Prayer of Confession
One: Before God, with the people of God, I confess to my brokenness: to the ways I wound my life, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
All: May God forgive you, Christ renew you, and the Spirit enable you to grow in love.
One: Amen.
All: Before God, with the people of God, we confess to our brokenness: to the ways we wound our lives, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
One: May God forgive you, Christ renew you, and the Spirit enable you to grow in love.
All: Amen. In your mercy, help us tend to this holy ground.
¨  Hymn #586 Black  Come to Tend God’s Garden King’s Weston
¨  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.
If you are feeling a little unwell, or would just prefer to reduce the possibility of spreading germs, you can still greet and grace those around you. Consider any of these alternatives:

• Cross your arms over your chest (the ASL sign for “love”) as you nod or bow in greeting. If someone has their arms crossed, respond in kind and don’t try to hug them.
• Use a gentle  “elbow bump” to make contact.
• Utilize the Japanese custom of respect and greeting with a deep bow.

The Living Word among us

Anthem Here I Am Daniel Schutte
Union Church Choir
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I who made the stars of night I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart.
I the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my peoples’ pain. I have wept with love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts of love alone, I will speak my love to them.
I the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame, I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide, till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life for them.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 12:1-4 (p.12)
God tells Abram to venture forth from his homeland, promising to make a great nation out of his progeny, a nation that shall be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.
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.
Sung Psalm 121           p. 704
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              John 3:1-17 (p.1282)
A Pharisee and a leader of the synagogue comes to Jesus by night seeking to know more about Jesus and his way.
Sermon Risking the Holy Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
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.
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and are passed among the pews. 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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid 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!
Acts of Reflection and Prayer
Some resources for reflection and prayer are provided. You are free to use—or ignore!—this prompt as you find helpful. In whatever prayer manner you adopt, please hold the concerns of those listed, and those you know about, in God’s peace-giving light.
What risks are you taking to tend holy ground?
Take a moment to reflect on where God might be calling you out of.  Are you being called to go to someplace hard to see right now? As you think about that call, what do you need to get there? In your prayers, consider these risks for holy ground. How will you tend them in this moment? This week?
 In your devotions today meditate on what it might mean to substitute the word “safe” for the word “saved”. How does this change your prayers? What do you need to be safe? Is it different from being “saved” in your thinking? What do you need to risk for such safety? As you pray, breathe in “Risk” and “Safety” until they are in spiritual balance.
Bell Corner: Come to tend holy ground. Trace a path in the sand, wide-eyed and hopeful, to the land God has shown you, from darkness into light.
Prayer Corner focus: Tending Holy Ground
Children’s Corner: There are special activity sheets with coloring and prayer suggestions for children of every age.
Prayer in Action: Today we are invited to make an offering of letters as part of our covenant with “Bread for the World,” a partner in ending hunger across America. In addition to any food you may have brought for the food bank, we invite EVERYONE to make an offering of a letter to our members of congress. We will have a chance to do so during lunch, but for those who cannot stay and for your meditation, please find materials here.
As we make our circles please join in singing:
May my heart bear the deep impression
Of love that Jesus shares with me.
My life become a pure expression
Of all that Christian Love can be:
Each word, each act, a bright reflection
Of joy in Love’s own Resurrection.
Pastoral Prayer and 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
¨  Hymn #605 Black As Moses Raised the Serpent Up Morning Song
Introduction and Invitation to Membership
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, and are welcome to come forward when invited. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨  Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members 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.
—Please Join In Forming Circles—
Please help us form an inner and outer circle in the sanctuary where we will stand for the benediction. (The inner circle will use the two inner aisles, the outer circle forming along the walls. Please help those with mobility concerns to be included as they wish, either standing or seated. Balcony members are invited to line the railing, or come to the floor as you wish).
You may wish to have your bulletin with you for the song words. 
¨  The Blessing and Sending
During the season of Lent,  services conclude here with no postlude. Everyone is invited to a simple lunch in the Community Room (directly below the sanctuary) following the service.
¨  Benediction Response Now Is the Cool of the Day Jean Ritchie
Please Join in singing the chorus:
Now is the cool of the day. Now is the cool of the day. O the earth is a garden, the garden of my Lord. And he walks….in his garden, in the cool….of the day.
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 Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and our brothers and sisters at Holy Pentecostal Sanctuary, 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.
¨ For Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Joyce Henderson, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Tom Warth.
¨ Victims of the recent tornadoes in Nashville, Tennessee. How to help: Donate to Hands On Nashville (hon.org), the Gideons (gideons.org), and Church World Service (cwsglobal.org). The Gideons may be collecting some specific items in the future, we will pass on more info as we get it.
¨ For Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ For Room in the Inn, Berea’s cooperative housing effort. Union Church will host tonight.
¨ George Mountjoy.
¨ Barb Smith, now residing at Berea Health Care Center.
¨ Ed Waters, recently diagnosed with cancer.
¨ Jennie Kiteck’s daughter reports that Jennie would love to hear from church friends. Cards welcome! Call the office for her address.
Let’s Do Lunch: right after service in the Community Room, and all through the season of Lent. Come on down for food and fellowship. Today our Community Life & Growth and Properties Boards have prepared the meal (sugg. donation $5).
Offering of Letters today. Our annual Offering of Letters “letter writing” will take place at Lenten Lunch. Information about this year’s focus and a “sample letter” is included in your Worship Bulletin and on the tables in the Community Room, along with paper, envelopes, and addresses for our Senators and Representatives. It will help if you have a pen/pencil with you. We will collect the envelopes/letters and the Mission & Service Board will cover the cost of mailing. If you want to learn more, visit BFW’s website: bread.org.
Pi(e) Day Fund and Friendraiser! Saturday, March 14. Come on out to the Annual Pi(e) Auction hosted by your local Madison County Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) Chapter! We will have great pies to bid on for Pi day! This annual event is filled with laughter, love, and pie! Rev. Kent will be the auctioneer. All welcome, whether you are or are not a KFTC member.
Union Church’s Annual Meeting will be next Sunday, March 15, after worship and lunch. The Annual Report is available in the vestibule, the office, online at the church’s website (link to be sent in tomorrow’s announcements) and available by email for the asking. New item of business to come before the congregation at the Annual Meeting. As allowed by the Constitution (3.10.4), Church Council will move that the term limit for Financial Secretary be suspended to allow the current serving officer, Patti Smithson, to continue in that position as we continue the search for our new Financial Secretary, or for a maximum of one year.
Movie Musical Singalong March 21!  5:00 The Sound of Music. Hosted by the Community Life and Growth Board, free admission. Cash snack bar available–or bring your own! Join us in the Union Church Community Room (hall below sanctuary)!
In honor of Women’s History Month: Kentucky Sheroes Project: Kim’s posters are on display at the downstairs Pross gallery. Take a look as you go to lunch! She will be the Artist of the Month at the Berea library, and everyone is invited to her artist talk today,  March 8, from 2:00-3:00 pm.
Save the Dates & Watch for Details!

• March 21, Sound of Music Movie Singalong (note change)
• April 5, Palm Sunday, One Great Hour of Sharing
• April 12, Easter Sunday
• April 24, SaraCare Celebration
• May 1, Youth Group Talent Show
• May 8, Classic Chorale Concert

Of Interest and Around Town:
Refugee Welcome Day at the KY Legislature is Tuesday, March 17. Rev. Kent will lead prayers and all are welcome. For more information visit their website: KYRM.org
Reproductive Rights Faith Forum at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 28, at the Cozy Corner Bookstore in Whitesburg. All are welcome to this evening of food, fellowship, and dialogue on the intersection of faith and reproductive rights.  please RSVP to liztate94 @gmail.com by March 21. You are encouraged to invite anyone you know who would be interested in joining this conversation! We’ll be joined by Carol Savkovich, co-chair of KRCRC’s board.
The Board of Directors of the Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO) is looking for new board members. This board oversees the following programs, Berea Food Bank, Bereans United for Utility & Rent Relief (BUURR) and the Frank Gailey Transient & Emergency Assistance Fund. The board meets six times a year. If you are interested contact Dave Kobersmith by email, kdkobersmith @gmail.com or call 859-302-0575.
Victory Garden Blitz, April 3-4, 2020 Order your raised garden beds at: sustainableberea.org/garden-blitz And contact Sustainable Berea to volunteer!Cell/Text – 859-893-4590
Office – 859-985-1689
Rachael White photo exhibition at Saint Joseph Berea through April 15. 21 of Rachael’s photos will be exhibited and sold. The 15 16″x20″ canvas prints are selling for $65 and the 6 8″x10″ prints are $45.  Exhibit located in the Physical Therapy Department—stop by!! anyone wanting to purchase a print should contact Alice White at adwhite@windstream.net.
Free tickets available for Woodsongs live radio show at the Lyric Theater in Lexington. The show is taped live on Monday nights, so you have to be seated no later than 6:45 pm. The show runs until approx. 8:15 pm. Dates available through the spring and summer. Contact Sune Frederiksen for availability, 859-248-0690.