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

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 10, 2020         10:30 am

 
Meditation

Before

Any

Home

Can

Endure,

Love

Must

Be

Its

Cornerstone

      ― Cornerstone of Love, Robert Blankenship

From there to here: we Gather

Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship!  As the Berea community responds to the governor’s suggestion to avoid gathering in large groups, we worship online to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19. We’re delighted to welcome you into this virtual circle of God’s healing love and light.
The Call Sanctuary Carrie Newcomer, used with permission
Teri Thompson, singer; Aaron Beale, guitar
Will you be my refuge, my haven in the storm,
Will you keep the embers warm when my fire’s all but gone?
Will you remember and bring me sprigs of rosemary,
Be my sanctuary ‘til I can carry on?
This one knocked me to the ground. this one dropped me to my knees.
I should have seen it comin’, but it surprised me.
In a state of true believers, on streets called us and them,
It’s gonna take some time ‘til the world feels safe again.
You can rest here in Brown Chapel, or with a circle of friends,
A quiet grove of trees or between two bookends.

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us
The Living Word among us
Special Music Morning Has Broken arr. J. Krug
Pearl Marshall, Handbells; Susie Ritchie, violin
Epistle Lesson 1 Peter 2:2-10       Iris Bailey, Reader
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Children’s Moment
Gospel Lesson John 14:1-14      Colin Perman, Reader
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.
‘Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the
Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.’
Sermon Cornerstones and Keystones 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: www.easytithe.com/union
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!
Offering Music Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
Silent Reflection and Prayer
Center yourself, either now or sometime today, and breathe deeply and peacefully.

• As you sit, try to plant yourself solidly and firmly wherever you are seated. With thanksgiving, think about the foundations you rest upon. What holds you up, gives you a solid sense of self, of God? Name the cornerstones of your spiritual house and give thanks. For a living prayer, if your cornerstones are people you can speak with, make the holy time to share what they mean to you today or very soon.
• Stop and think for a moment about the way: you may think about the way ahead, or the way you want to live, or the way back to something you’ve left behind. In your praying, what might it mean for Jesus to be “the way” to where you are hoping to go? What are the keystones of the faith that help you bridge the distance between here and there? Without judgement, and without the need to act, let yourself rest on the cornerstone of grace. Let the eye of your heart hold a view of the way in truth and in light. Christ is the way, and you are enough. Do not be troubled. Do not be afraid. The way is filled with light for you.

Our Prayers for Others
You are very welcome to email or phone prayer requests to the office for the bulletin. Please do so by 10 am Thursdays, and be sure you have permission to share the information.
¨ 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 Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and our brothers and sisters at Liberty Avenue Full Gospel Outreach in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Cheryl Stone, recovering from back surgery.
¨ John Wylie, recovering from open heart surgery.
¨ Lorilyn Howie-Kipphut, for family members dealing with illness and turmoil.
¨ Tom Warth, who has broken his hip in a fall.
¨ Our graduates! Congratulations to you all!
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Barb Smith, Tom Warth.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ George Mountjoy, living with cancer.
¨ Emily Hoskins, who is pregnant and has gestational diabetes.
¨ Amanda Chao Benbasset and Corey Chao, both of whose families are expecting babies this summer.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living.
Prayers of the People Opal Bailey, Reader
God our builder, we see so many stones in our path. Sometimes we trip and fall. Sometimes we can’t find our way through. So many of our troubles we would cast away.
Take all that we would reject and lay the foundation for a new creation. Make every problem a cornerstone of new solutions. With arches of grace, bridge the distance between ourselves and you, between ourselves and our neighbor, between our way and your life.
Your love for us is the keystone making your people a spiritual home strong to stand and to endure. Bless all of our homes and all who fill them with love. Please care especially for those who are lonely, and those who are sick in body or sick at heart.
You are the Life we need to be healed and we are so grateful for all Jesus taught us about the truth of your love.
We reach to you now in the way he taught us:
Our Lord’s Prayer
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 In the Bulb There Is a Flower Promise
The Sending & Blessing Rev. Kent Gilbert
Postlude Sunflowers Rodrigo Fernando
Announcements
For the latest information regarding COVID-19 visit Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ website:   https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/pages/covid19.aspx (updated daily)  COVID-19 Hotline (800) 722-5725. The City of Berea has information at its website as well: https://bereaky.gov/covid19/
Hymn Sing Wednesday May 13, 7-8! A Facebook Live event! Watch your email for details!
Blood Drive May 19! Appointment only. Call 800-775-2522 or online: https://my.kybloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/71784
Help Needed Prepping Lunches for Berea Kids! A group of hard-working volunteers prepare and hand out bagged lunches from 12 – 2 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Berea Community School. They need help on those days between 11 and 12 to prepare the bags. It’s a labor-intensive job, so any volunteers need to be able to stay physically busy for an hour, and must not fall into any high-risk COVID-19 categories. (Over age 60, compromised immunity, etc). Can you help? If so, contact Laura at joyfulsunflower @gmail.com or 859-358-0106 (text or call).
Calling all graduates! Union Church Family, do you have a high school or college senior who’s graduating this spring? We want to honor them in our services in May, and we don’t want to leave anyone out. If you have a student in your family who’s graduating, please send the details to Joan (office@union-church.org).
Be a part of the Union Church “Share Force!” We are hoping to be a source of light and community to more and more people. You can help by simply reposting worship announcements, sharing that you are watching (or about to watch), or posting clips from Union Church services that were meaningful to you. Post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Thank you!
Thank you to all who have written and commented! We have received so much support and comments on the church work of recent weeks. Union Church viewership is growing substantially, and so are the wonderful comments and notes people are sending. Rev. Kent is trying to get back to everyone just as soon as possible with many apologies for any delay. If you have an urgent need, don’t hesitate to call the church office or put “Urgent” in your email subject line! We want to connect!
Spring is Springing! New Life Abounds! If you would like to visit Debbonnaire Kovacs’ new baby goat and baby chicks, call her at 859-779-0793 to set a time to visit the barn.
More Inclusion of More Union Church Family! To build and support our sense of community with each other we would like to invite you and any other members of your household to be a part of leading worship through video. We would like to showcase as many as 3 households per service. You record a video in your house of a scripture or prayer provided by Rev. Kent, then we will use it in our broadcast! All instructions provided! Use the comment form on the website to indicate your interest and someone from worship board will be in touch! Musicians this can include offerings from you, too! We are all in this together.
Tune in! Union Church is sponsoring the ringing of 10 am bells for Kentucky on 100.7fm the Coyote and 106.7fm the Pinnacle! #teamkentucky!
Thanks for those who are making facemasks! We now have a supply we can make available by mail to anyone who needs them. Please contact the office if you would like to have one or more sent to you, and if you would like to join in making some. We’d love to have pictures of our makers. Please send us a photo to share with and inspire others!
Nightly Live Story! Join Rev. Kent and Rev. Diana on Facebook for a story and song every night. In these hard times, and maybe stuck at home, here’s a chance to gather around a story. They are good for any of us, young or old. So grab your blanket, favorite stuffed animal, and snuggle in!
Use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UCstorytime/
Digital Deacons and Tech Operators needed:  Can you help on Sunday mornings? We need folks to help with our online ministry — audio, video, and to serve as “social media host” – to respond online during the service to people who check in. Also needed – a person with video editing skills. Let Rev. Kent know! kgilbert@union-church.org. Also, with fewer announcements the service begins promptly at 10:30. Tune in early so you don’t miss anything!!!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/UnionChurchBerea/ , unionchurchbereaky on Instagram, and on twitter: @UnionChurchKY This is a great way to get the latest news and inspiration as we care for one another.
Betty Sarafin is looking for an apartment to rent in Berea by mid-May. Please call her if you have a lead! 412-498-7598