A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
May 10, 2026 10:30 am Sixth Sunday of Easter
Meditation
Instead of flailing in time, let us trust in what is without time: the steadfast presence of the sacred in the midst of our struggle. ~ Steven Charleston
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
¨ Call to Worship Deb Beishline, Reader
One: Bless the Holy One, O peoples; let the sound of God’s praise be heard.
All: For God who claims us, tests us, and sustains us comes and invites us to come to them.
One: Bless the Holy One, O peoples; let the sound of God’s praise be heard.
All: Blessed be God, who has not rejected our prayer or removed their steadfast love from us.
One: Bless the Holy One, O peoples; let the sound of God’s praise be heard.
All: Come as we proclaim, witness, and testify to all God has done. Bless the Holy One!
¨ Hymn What Love Demands Mark Hayes
Dedicated to the public health workers, medical personnel, chaplains, and front-line essential workers who answered love’s demands in a time of national pandemic.
Dedicated to them by the people of Union Church, Berea, KY, in memory of Mr. Tom Warth, Dr. Richard and Ms. Judy Drake, and Ms. Mary Lou and Dr. Lester Pross.
1. What does it mean to love my neighbor? How can I live in harmony? Are you my brother or are you just another? When I look in your eyes, who do I see? I see you’re made in the image of God, uniquely gifted with the right to be loved. Neighbor or stranger, how may I serve you? What does love demand?
Chorus: Love is listening with heartfelt compassion, holding the lonely, wiping a tear. Love demands that I live in the moment to live in the question when the answer’s unclear. Love demands I seek what unites us releasing fear and whatever divides us. With God as my strength I will be the change I want to see. For that’s what love, that’s what love demands.
2. What can we do to stand for justice? What can we do so all are free? What can we do to end oppression, so all have the same opportunity? We will be God’s hands and welcoming arms. We’ll keep you safe from danger and harm. Homeless or helpless, how may we serve you? What does love demand? Love demands we do what we can. Take a stand. Lend a hand.
Chorus: Love is listening with heartfelt compassion, holding the lonely, wiping a tear. Love demands that we live in the moment, to live in the question when the answer’s unclear. Love demands we seek what unites us, releasing fear and whatever divides us. With God as our strength we will be the change we want to see. For that’s what love, that’s what love demands.
¨ Passing the Peace
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
¨ Prayer of Approach & Confession Box Breath Prayer (3x)
As we pray, we slow our breathing and our lives in order to attend to God. The leader will guide this meditation three times, and you are invited to pattern your breath with each phrase as indicated below.
Inhale: Lord,
Hold: I love you,
Exhale: all my heart
Hold: soul, and strength.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: The world may feel suffocating, but the breath of the Almighty gives life. As long as we are breathing, we are not defeated.
All: Our soul breathes and our hearts sing for we have seen the Lord at work! Amen!
Word and Worship
Anthem The God of Second Chances David Haas Union Church Choir and Orchestra
1. Come now, O God of second chances; open our lives to heal. Remove our hate and melt our rage. Save us from ourselves.
2. Come now, O God, release our demons; open our eyes to see the shame within our guilt and pain. Mend us; make us whole.
3. Come now, O God, and still our anger; open our minds to peace. Embrace our fear, and hold us close. Calm the storm within.
4. Come now, O come now, O God, shake our resentment; open our way to choose the way of love over revenge. Show us a new way.
5. Come now, O come now, O God, and grant compassion; open our hearts to love. May we let go of hurt. Help us to move on.
6. Come now, O God of second chances; may we forgive ourselves, may we become your living sign: Children of God’s love.
Scripture Reading Psalm 66:8-20
Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of God’s praise be heard, who has kept us among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid burdens on our backs; you let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place. I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will pay you my vows, those that my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. I will offer to you burnt offerings of fatted calves, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah.
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what God has done for me. I cried aloud to God, and God was extolled with my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; God has heard to the words of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or removed god’s steadfast love from me.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading John 14:15-21
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon What Love Demands Rev. Christina Ryan Perkins
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
One: We offer our gifts so that others may not feel alone, eat alone, live alone, be alone, but that they may be surrounded by your grace and love through us and the lives we offer to the. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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. Next week, let us hold the people of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; and our siblings at Big Hill Pentecostal Holiness in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Ringing 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.
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
For Reflection
Christ Breathes Peace-Do We?
So-called “Box Breathing” is an ancient prayer practice now credited with deep neurological benefits. Slowing your breathing settles nerve responses and increases oxygen uptake. More oxygen feeds and frees the brain. It lowers blood pressure. It resets the vagus nerve stem. With our thoughts clear, our heart settles, and the space opens to receive what God is offering in each moment. Here is prayer meditation to center and ground you for this week:
Breath Prayer for The Week:
Inhale (count of 3): Lord,
Hold (count of 3): I love you,
Exhale (count of 3): all my heart,
Hold (count of 3): soul and strength.
Repeat the pattern until you are deeply at peace. Ten times is a good start, but do more if you need or have time. Do this anytime you find your anxieties on the rise, or you need the spiritual support of Christ’s love.
Christ Lifts Our Hearts…
Easter is the sure sign that joy is part of God’s plan. Far from condemnation and guilt, Christ seeks to lift the hearts of everyone he touches. What would lift your heart? What makes it sing? Stopped because what you want or need feels preposterous? Well, is it more preposterous than a risen Christ appearing in a locked room… TWICE? Even if only in this prayer relax your judgement and offer up what would free your heartsong. Hold the vision and allow Christ to breathe peace over it. Pray for what you need to lift your heart.
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”).
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Doxology Lasst Ens Erfreuen
For death-defying hope, we praise;
for love that conquers all, we raise
alleluias! Alleluia!
For justice here on earth we sing
and righteousness as if a stream.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community Deb Beishline, Reader
Gracious and Eternal One, we proclaim that you breathe life into us and know us fully. Yet, sometimes, you remain unknown to us. Sometimes we search for you and sometimes we fumble about for you. There are times when we refuse to seek, refuse to search, refuse to fumble. There are times when we rather keep you in compartments so that you will not fully impact our lives. There are moments when we close ourselves off from your revealing word, guiding hand, and nudging Spirit. We rest in the assurance that when we seek you, we will find you as we pray Our Maker, our Father…
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.
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
In the wake of the tragic US Bank robbery in Berea, Kentucky on April 30, 2026, we light the justice candle in memory of the two tellers whose lives were taken and in prayer for every soul forever changed by that day. Even in moments of deep suffering, God calls His people to stand together in compassion, reminding us that community is one of His greatest blessings.
As the surviving employee struggles and the families of the victims grieve unimaginable loss, may we answer sorrow with faith, generosity, and love through every prayer, every meal shared, and every act of support. May this candle lead us forward—not only seeking justice, but carrying hope, healing, and the promise that no one walks through darkness alone.
¨ Hymn #522 I Love to Tell the Story Hankey
1 I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus’ radiant glory, of Jesus’ endless love. I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain: I love to tell the story; and when I am in glory I’ll tell the old, old story of Jesus’ endless love.
2 I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems than all the golden visions of all our golden dreams. I love to tell the story, I tell it now to you because I want to share it, because I know it’s true. [Refrain]
3 I love to tell the story; it’s pleasant to repeat what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. I love to tell the story, for some have never heard the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word. [Refrain]
4 I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest. And when I sing in glory, I know the new, new song will be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
From Here to There
¨ Benediction
One: Go forth from this time and place but never from God’s presence. Go forth to witness and minister in the world. Go forth knowing that as you go…the Holy One comes to you with strength and courage for the journey.
Go, in peace to love and to serve the Holy One and God’s good creation.
¨ Benediction Response I’m Goin’a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing trad. Spiritual
1. I’m goin’a breathe…
2. I’m goin’a sing…
3. I’m goin’a love….
Our Prayers for Others
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ Those in mortal danger in the war in Iran. For the leaders of nations to set aside assassination and warfare in favor of just, diplomatic solutions to conflict.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness and food insecurity.
¨ Our neighbors killed or affected by the bank shooting on Thursday, and all impacted by gun violence.
¨ Susan Doring Zook has learned that a victim of the April 8 accident she was so badly injured in died a few days after the accident. She asks prayers for his family; and for Susan herself, whose concussion symptoms are getting worse.
¨ The family, friends, and many others whose lives were touched by Jane B. Stephenson, at her passing on May 2. Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington will host her visitation (9:30a) and the celebration of her life (11a) on June 27. Jane’s family: c/o David & Angie Stephenson , 1265 Kastle Rd. , Lexington
¨ Mothers who have been blessings to their children, that their work and memory might give life through us in new ways! For all who, with a Mother’s grit and grace, are forging families of every kind. And for all for whom “mother” is a difficult word today and brings mixed feelings with shadows of pain or sorrow. May God’s hand reveal every blessing that can be wrought from trial or tragedy and protect each heart with care and compassion.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Hattie Parks, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today – May 10 – Lothar Baumann, Mandy Connelly; 11 – Linda Parsons; 12 – Karl Holland, Denis Burton, Felix Reyes, Simeon Coppola; 14 – Steve Rutledge, Matt Willis, Andrew Garrett; 15 – Betty Hibler; 18 – Ruth McLain Smith
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Leave a Reply