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

Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 1, 2016 10:30 am

 
Meditation
“O May, sweet-voice one, going thus before, forever June may pour her warm red wine of life and passions–sweeter days are thine!” —Helen Hunt Jackson

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  Cotswold Morris Dance Howard Carlberg & dancers
Morris dancing, an ancient ritual dance of the British Isles is traditional for welcoming spring. We are grateful to our dancers and musicians for helping us “bring in the May.”
* Call to Worship
One: Spring rain and summer weather praises the living God!
All: We gather as part of all creation. The water of life rises in hearts.
One: We rise to spring forward in God’s grace!
All: Let us sing, dance and rejoice, for the healing of the Lord is with us, rain and shine, to gladden our hearts and soothe our sorrows. Come, let us worship!
*  Opening Hymn #597 Shall We Gather at the River Hanson Place
*  Prayer of Approach (unison) 
Holy giver of life, you know the winter of our souls. You have borne with us the stripping of our life’s leaves in storm and freeze. So glad we are for the spring and spring of life in your word! So glad we are that you prepare a flowering of all creation to remind us of irrepressible grace. By the power of Jesus the Christ, may compassions bloom in our hearts, and kindnesses scatter like petals from your people. Amen!  
*  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 I Believe Mark A. Miller
Union Church Choir
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining.  I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God, even when God is silent.
Reading from the Book of Revelation Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
Children’s Moment        
As the children return to their seats or move to children’s church, 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-5 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in Cowan Chapel.  Otherwise, children are welcome to visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel or Nursery after the service.
Gospel Lesson John 14:23-29
Sermon        Troubled Waters 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 A Fanfare for Easter R. Anderson
* Doxology Avery/Marsh

Responding to God’s in Communion

One:     May 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:     Jesus sat with all sorts, the many different colors of humanity, but mainly those excluded, and broke bread.
One:     So along with everyone the world has turned its back on, along with everyone hungry, and everyone hungry for justice and truth, along with everyone abused as stranger and foreigner, along with everyone who does not fit “normal,” along with everyone who questions, doubts, and even denies, along with every prejudice that has ever been flung, along with every one made poor by other’s riches, you, you and I, are welcomed at this table. A place has been prepared.
One:     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: Lord, whose power we see in the rising tide of spring, in the torrent, in the stillness: we know you by many names and meet you in many rooms.
One: We remember that the arc of your hope is for the healing of the nations and each heart in every place. Your prophets preached grace, your teachers showed us ways in the wildernesses of our fears, and your Christ broke even the bars of death to give life to our living, dying, and living yet more in your light.
One: For this and for the many wonders particular to each of us, we give you thanks and join our praise with the eternal chorus singing always:
Communion Sanctus              Please Join in Singing
Words of Institution
One:       Here at this table of grace and wonder, where the simple gifts you have prepared are set aside for sacred use, your Spirit is poured out upon them and your children gathered in this place of prayer.
One:    We remember that when Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread and, after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
All:    “Take, eat.  This is my body, given for you.  Each time you do this, remember me.”
One: Then he took a cup and, after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying:
All: “Drink.  This cup that is poured out for you is the promise of God, made in my blood.  Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
One: As we eat of the bread broken for us, we feast on the promises that, one day, pain will be no more, that our tears will mingle with the waters of life.
One: As we drink deeply from the cup of peace, we are filled with the joy of your grace, and hearing the cries of those around us, we go forth to serve them with your hope and justice.
All:     By this meal, remind us how to love the things you love, to serve the peoples of your heart. Amen.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it.  By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. 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. As you wait for your turn, and as you reflect on your communion, you are invited to sing with us.
Communion Hymn #334 Graced with Garments of Great Gladness Schmucke dich
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. 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 one of the pastors.
Prayer of Thanksgiving

From Here to There

*  Closing Hymn #243 Alleluia, Alleluia, Hearts to Heaven Weisse Flagen
*  Benediction
* Benediction Response Let Union Be in Every Heart  
Please sing when invited:
Let union be in all our hearts,
Let union join our hearts as one.
We’ll end the day as we begun,
We’ll end it all in pleasure.
Right-folla-rolla-rolla, too-ra-lie-doh
Right-folla-rolla-rolla, too-ra-lie-doh               
Right-folla-rolla-rolla, too-ra-lie-doh…
While we are together!
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 Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan and our brothers and sisters at Harvest Missionary Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ Refugee families and individuals seeking shelter and safety, and all who are working to provide it: May God magnify our efforts.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
¨ The family and friends of George Oberst, at his death
¨ Sheila Johnson, facing breast cancer
¨ Marlene Payne and her family
¨ Kelly Ambrose and family
¨ Terry Allen Watts, NoraRuth Jenkins’ cousin
¨ Cindy Saylor’s friend Genny Bryant, who  has colon cancer.
¨ Jerry Cooper’s daughter, Debbie diagnosed with breast cancer
¨ Jillean McCommons, feeling a lot of stress and anxiety
¨ Alvera Perman’s new niece, Avery Stallard
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from broken bones at Brookdale Richmond Place, and for Shane Wilcher, holding down the house in her absence with the help of many Union Church family members
¨ The family of Les Pross, in his death.  A service is planned for May 14, details will follow
¨ Loyal Jones and all the family of Nancy Jones, in her death. A service will be held Friday
¨ Myrna Davis, back in the hospital with complications from surgery
¨ Steven Bailey, Rhonda Edward’s son, who has had a stroke
¨ For students and staff at the college…surviving!
¨ Students taking final exams and blessings for those graduating this season
¨ For all discerning the way forward in difficult circumstances, may God’s light lead and guide
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.
May Day!  The dancers who began our service will perform a Maypole dance after church for all to see. Refreshments will served on the porch for maximum enjoyment! “Summer is a’comin’ in!”
A Memorial Service for Nancy Jones will be held on Friday, at 3:00 pm, in the sanctuary. All are invited to the Community Room afterward for a reception. Please bring fingerfood desserts if you’d like to contribute.
Electronic Directories also available—just email office@unon-church.org.
Concert Tonight! As part of the 2016 Union Church Concert Series, we welcome Zachary Klobnak to Union Church! This free program is a very exciting organ recital that will showcase the abilities of our Steiner-Reck Organ!
Zach serves as College Organist and teaches harpsichord, organ, and piano at Centre College. He is also Director of Music and Organist at the Presbyterian Church of Danville. A native of Iowa, he earned an undergraduate degree in music from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville. He is a doctoral candidate in organ performance and literature at the University of Illinois. Zach is an active recitalist, a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and studied French organ literature and design in Paris and in the Alps region of France during Summer 2013. He has held church music positions in Illinois, Florida, and Iowa.
Wednesday Nite Live is a Potluck this week—first Wednesday of the month! Yum! If you’re able, bring generous portions of a favorite dish and share in the food and fellowship!
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!
National Day of Prayer May 5. All are invited join in prayer at noon on the front lawn of City Hall, 212 Chestnut St.
“When fighting cancer, sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.” Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable breast forms, made with love by volunteers, fro women who have had mastectomies. Placed into most regular bras, thy can proved a suitable alternative to traditional prostheses. They are beautiful, lightweight, and available free to anyone who requests them. Patty Boyce is the Berea Knockers Facilitator, and Fiber Frenzy has joined her in this worthwhile endeavor. Yarn and patterns are available online at fiberfrenzy.net, ravelry.com, knittedknocers.org. Contact Patty for more info at boycep@berea.edu
Where There’s a Will There’s a Way! Please come to lunch and a brief presentation on planned giving on Thursday, May 26, 2016 from Noon until 2:00 p.m. in the Classroom next to the Conference Room. Berea attorney Charlie Hoffman will be discussing ways to benefit Union Church in your Last Will and Testament and estate plan.
No Child Cold/No Child Hungry in Berea needs cereal donations (dry cereal—not the kind that needs to be cooked.). Please bring cereal—not the super-sugary kind – to church at Wednesday Nite Live or on Sundays. Cash/check donations welcome as well. Dodie Murphy  859-200-7277 or dodiemurf @yahoo.com