A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday of Easter Good Shepherd Sunday
May 11, 2014, 10:30 am
Meditation
Where do you pasture your sheep, O Good Shepherd, you who carry on your shoulders the whole flock? For it is but one sheep, this entire human race whom you lift onto your shoulders.
Show me the place where there are green pastures, let me know restful waters, lead me out to nourishing grass and call me by name so that I can hear your voice, for I am your own sheep. And through that voice calling me, give me eternal life.
—Gregory of Nyssa
From There to Here
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude Praise! Gilbert M. Martin
Presenting the Fruits of the Spirit
* Call to Worship
One: Out of the fullness provided by God, and seeking the depth of amazing grace we have come to worship and to praise.
All: We bring the needs of our world, the warmth of our hearts, the creativity of our minds, the joy of our spirits, in offering and supplication.
One: Shepherded into fellowship, fed by word and Spirit, let us enter worship with joy!
* Hymn #479 Black God Is My Shepherd Brother James’ Air
* Prayer of Affirmation and Easter Faith
One: Lord, In the laughter of children, we hear the voice of the Gate of the Way, and find our way home.
All: Like the lap of a loving parent, God’s compassion cradles us in the still waters of love.
One: The Shepherd of our lives leads us through that door into life, abundant life, fresh and green.
All: Holy Spirit, Keeper of truth, you are the Light which guides us through every shadowed moment.
One: Be now the Breath of life that stills our worries and fears, and lead us to that
peaceful place of God’s heart in this place.
All: 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.
Breathing in The Living Word
Anthem Yesu Kwetu ni Rafiki Mark Burrows
(What a Friend We Have in Jesus) J. Scriven, C. Converse
Joyful Noise & Jubilee Choirs Eli Hayden & Sayer Kobersmith; percussion, BG Hibbard, piano
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Yesu kwetu ni Rafiki (What a friend we have in Jesus) Maombi asikia (Take it in prayer)
Please sing with the children in English when invited…
Lesson from Acts Acts 2:42-47
Children’s Moment
As the children return to their seats, we sing:
Gospel Lesson John 10:1-10
Sermon Drinking, Dining and Gamboling with the Lord Rev. Kent Gilbert
Sharing The Gifts of Love
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
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: Our Maker, our Mother,
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.
Offering
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 Ave Maria Erin Bailey
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
Going Forth
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 during the hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
* Closing Hymn #443 Black How Like a Gentle Spirit Sursum Corda
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.
* Benediction
Postlude Hornpipe from the Water Music Suite G.F. Handel
____________________________
* Please rise in body or in spirit
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 Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda and our brothers and sisters at Pilgrim Ministries in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* Prayers of thanksgiving for all who have mothered us, both male and female, brought us life, and given us roots and wings
* Travel mercies for Steve & Sandy Bolster, Javier & Lindsey Clavere and the many students on the choir trip to Spain
* Michelle Tooley, with recurrence of melanoma
* Our church family members recovering at home and in nursing homes: Edith Hansen, Klara Welsh, Bernice Robertson, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Virginia Piland, Barbara Frederiksen
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* Jim Wallace, recovering from successful brain surgery
* Congratulations to Susan Doring Zook, who earned her masters degree from UK yesterday
* All those grieving the loss of those they have loved
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. Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Join the Church today! New members will be received today, and every Second Sunday of the month. Every Fourth Sunday of the Month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board. YOU are welcome here!
We’re Springing Forward! Working together, we’re closing the gap. “Spring Forward” is our effort to keep the good work and God’s graces staffed and supported at Union Church. Our goal is to raise $35,000 in new gifts and pledges to close our budget gap for 2014. You can make a gift or pledge any time online or by filling our a form (in the hymnal). Over $13,000 has been received so far and 100% of the Church Council , pastors and staff have contributed. Plus, the first $20,500 will be matched by generous anonymous donors, doubling your gift or pledge. Join us next Sunday, May 18, for a special celebration as we Spring Forward into a lively future!
Intern News: Our former interns have been in touch this week: Chrissy Cataldo recently completed her Masters of Sacred Theology from Chicago Theological Seminary; Steve Sherman stopped by WNL to bring greetings. He is now pastor of First Christian Church of Oak Ridge, TN, and he and Erin are expecting their second child in August. Mark Pettis, and his wife Elena, are expecting their first in July.
Would you like to learn to operate the sound system? We have many friends and members who rely upon it and need a few more people to be trained to operate it for the summer. Nick & Rusti Mullins, who have been so faithful and are much appreciated, will be gone for most of the summer. A person isn’t paid to run the sound system on Sunday mornings, but if you learn it — you can run it for weddings and be paid $100. Call the office and we’ll get you trained!
Donate ONLINE or by TEXT, Now or Anytime! For online giving, Union Church uses EasyTithe, a completely secure contribution system. You can use Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express Credit and Debit Cards, or an E-Check from your checking account. Scan the code here to go right to the website on your smartphone, or visit www.union-church.org and click on the Donate button for instructions. You do not need to register to make a donation (just choose “Quick Give” ). If you do register, your information will be securely stored making future visits faster and giving you full control of your giving reports. Credit card processing does cost the church about 3.1% of your transaction. ACH (E-Checks) only incur a 1% fee. Please use whichever is best for you, but if you can, consider adding a little additional to help cover the bank fee!
Give By Texting 859-448-3403: Yes! You can give using your web-enabled phone. Text any amount to 859-448-3403. The first time you do–and just the first time–you’ll get a link to associate your phone and enter your securely stored credit or debit card. It doesn’t go on your phone bill, but only to a card you specify. After that, all you need to do is text the number with an amount and any designation. It’s fast and easy! Of course, like every credit card transaction the church pays a 3.1% fee. If you can include that little extra bit, it will make a big difference!
Examples: Text “$50.00” to contribute to today’s offering. Text “$200.00 Capital Campaign” to contribute to a building pledge, or substitute the designation of your choice (youth, missions, BFCO, etc. Amounts texted without a designation will automatically go to the Annual Ministry Budget and all giving will be included in your annual giving records.
WNL Grand Finale before a summer break! May 14: Cook-out on the lawn!
Congregational Meeting set. Union Church’s meeting to consider budget issues has been set for May 21, 7:00 pm. Childcare and transportation will be provided — call the office before 5 on the 21st if you need a ride
Union Church is proud to host and sponsor a once-in-a-lifetime concert honoring world-renowned singer-songwriter Jean Ritchie. National folk icons Kathy Mattea, John McCutcheon and Susie Glaze will perform songs in honor of more than 75 years of Jean Ritchie’s contributions to American Folk music, and previewing the release of a special new album by these and other major artists celebrating her work. May 23, 7:30 pm. General Admission is $25, VIP tix are $75 (with signed CD, orchestra seating and after-party with performers). Tickets sold online only, visit Union Church’s website and follow the links! 20 volunteers are needed for ushering, ticket, merc seller. Free ticket, contaqct the office
It’s almost time for Vacation Bible School, “Living Waters for the World,” June 8-11! Vacation Bible School will be held the evenings of June 8-11 for those in pre-school – grade 5 and there’s also an adult class. Youth can volunteer to help with younger kids or join the adults. We will continue with a theme that has arisen this year – how we understand the gift of water in our faith with a mission focus on the world water crisis. We need lots of people to make this a special event for our young people – cooks, musicians, shepherds, storytellers…to volunteer, contact Pastor Rachel!
Energy Healing offered! Joan Moore would like to offer energy healing sessions for any of those in the congregation who are dealing with a chronic illness. Joan has practiced as a family nurse practitioner and has also been trained in and practiced energy healing for several years. She continues to teach qigong which is another form of energy healing. Energy healing has been used throughout the ages in cultures all over the world. This “energy” has been given many different names (ie. qi, prana, universal energy or god energy). Whatever the name, it all comes from the same source. The healer simply acts as a conduit for the energy to flow. In a session one leaves their clothes on and is encouraged to be in the most comfortable position possible. Joan may touch you lightly on different parts of your body or she may not touch you. She may also teach you ways that you could help yourself to relax and assist in your own healing. Generally people find sessions very relaxing. Reach Joan at joan.smilingheart1@gmail.com or 986-2773 to schedule a session. Suggested donations: 15.00 at her home, 20.00 in yours.
Are you a Wild Goose? Rev. Rachel is gathering a group of people interested in exploring the boundaries of contemporary Christian thought and experience at the Wild Goose Festival in Hot Springs, NC, June 26-29th. Register at wildgoosefestival.org, but we will organize caravanning and housing if you don’t want to camp. Wild Goose is a mostly outdoor combo of music festival, worship convocation, and intellectual and spiritual mind-blowing speakers. It’s a community gathered at the intersection of justice, spirituality, music and art. Tickets for the four-day event are $250 for most people if you sign up by May 31. Seniors , students, and children get major discounts, and if you volunteer, you get in free! Talk to Rev. Rachel or to one of the folks who went last year: Dave and Kim Kobersmith, Carla Gilbert, and Anna Kate McWhorter. Then, register at www.wildgoosefestival.org, and let Rachel know you did!
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