A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Seventh Sunday of Easter May 12, 2013
Meditation
As truly as God is our Father, so truly is God our Mother, and he revealed that in everything, and especially in these sweet words where he says I am he; that is to say: I am he, the power and greatness of fatherhood; I am he, the wisdom and the lovingness of motherhood; I am he, the light and the grace which is all blessed love; I am he, the Trinity; I am he, the unity; I am he, the great supreme goodness of every kind of thing; I am he who makes you to love; I am he who makes you to long; I am he, the endless fulfilling of all true desires.
– Julian of Norwich, Showings, Long Text, Chapter 59
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Easter Rondo (Easter Sonata) Robert J. Powell
Melissa Foster, guest flutist
* Call to Worship written by Dante Clavere and Rhiannon Connor, based on Psalms 97 and 103
One: We are all in the presence of God; let us thank our Lord.
All: Let God guide and protect us.
One: We are united under the throne of God;
All: We are all gems on God’s crown.
One: Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind.
All: We worship the Lord and are surrounded by God’s love.
One: Here our hearts are rested and at peace.
All: Thanks be to God, our king that we look upon.
* Opening Hymn #427 Black God Made from One Blood St. Denio
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the Word
Anthem All Things Bright and Beautiful Richard Shephard
Union Church Choir
Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all.
1. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings: God made their glowing colors, God made their tiny wings.
2. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky.
3. The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden: God made them every one.
4. God gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.
Lesson from Acts Acts 16:16-34 (p. 1343)
Paul and Silas, imprisoned for their preaching, convert their jailer and his whole household.
Middle Aged Moment
In lieu of our usual “Children’s Moment,” the youth will invite adults forward to hear a lesson. Children are welcome, too, of course! Children ages 5 and below are welcome to go to the nursery after the lesson. All children are welcome to remain in the service, and our ushers can provide children’s bulletins so that they can follow along. As the adults return to their seats we sing:
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks Donald Fishel
As this is the last Sunday in Easter and our final time using this song, we will sing it through twice, with the choir joining in with a descant on the second time through.
Gospel Lesson John 17:20-26 (p. 1308)
Jesus prays to his Father, promising that “the glory that you have given me, I give to them.”
Sermon From old cabinets to new Volvos and replies Hamrick Walters all pink to the leaves on trees: seeing the thinnest spider’s web of them all.
Hymn #394 Black In Christ There Is No East or West McKee
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Litany to Recognize the Wide Scope of Motherhood
Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
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
Offertory This Eastertide with Joy Is Bright R. J. Powell
(Easter Sonata)
* Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith & Receiving New Members
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. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
* Invitation Hymn #350 Black Now In the Days of Youth Diademata
* 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 and Sending Forth
Postlude The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns J.Clarke/R. Haan
_____________________________
* All are invited to rise or rise in spirit as you are able and willing
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 Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania and our brothers and sisters at New Liberty Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country.
* Bill Stolte, recovering at Cardinal Hill from tearing ligaments in his legs. He is happy to receive visitors and you can email greetings to him at wstolte@roadrunner.com
* Joan Bates, recovering from knee replacement surgery
* Sarah Stopenhagen Broomfield and the family, at the death of her mother Nancy Stopenhagen, in Cincinnati. Sarah is at 511 Center St.
* The family of Betsy MacSwords, who passed away April 28
* The family of Ann Baker, former Union Church secretary, who died on May 2
* Maurice Hibbard, recovering from knee replacement.
* Joan Moore, happily recuperating at home!
* Whitney Louise Wellinghurst, a preemie baby who is improving and growing at home
* Abi Dietz, who continues to recover very slowly from her car accident
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
* Ruth Wesley, at The Terrace
Assisting in Worship
Worship Leader today are Maya Todd and members of the Union Church Youth Group
Announcements…
You Matter! Please sign in on the Pew folders which will be passed in your row, with the last person taking out the sheet and placing it in the offering plate. Thank you.
Congregational Meeting May 15. As a congregation, we adopted a Provisional 2013 Budget at the December 12, 2012, Congregational Meeting with the understanding that it would be revisited in May, 2013. That meeting has been set for May 15, 2013, after WNL supper. At this meeting we will also review the Constitutional changes that have been proposed and circulated, and vote upon their adoption. Copies of the Budget (provisional as presented in December and updated) and Constitution (old versions and updated) are available.
Recital next Sunday—May 19! Alex Dycus, Soprano: Fundraising Recital. Alex has been given the opportunity to travel to Orvieto, Italy, this summer for a vocal intensive program that lasts three weeks. The program is called Orvieto Musica. This will be an amazing experience for her because she recently graduate from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Alex is raising money in two ways, first an online campaign on the website www.gofundme.com/singoutitaly. The second is a fundraising recital at Union Church on May 19th at 3pm. If you are able, please come and enjoy an afternoon of singing. Donations are welcome.
Next week is Pentecost — wear red to church! Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit 40 days after Easter. Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church. Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday held 50 days after Passover. One of three major feasts during the Jewish year, it celebrated Thanksgiving for harvested crops. However, Pentecost for Christians means something very different. Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after him:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.’ John 14:16–18
And 40 days after Jesus was resurrected (10 days after he ascended into heaven), that promise was fulfilled when Peter and the early Church were in Jerusalem for Pentecost: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1–4 All are invited to wear red to church to symbolize the flames!
Union Church is a place where your faith can grow and deepen. We are actively looking for those who would like to explore discipleship with Jesus in this congregation. If you’d like to formally join Union Church, please call the office or either pastor. YOU are welcome here!
Parents Meeting about Camp: All parents of youth who are attending Passport Camp this summer (July 7-13) should attend a meeting at 6:00 on Tuesday May 21st at the church.
Vacation Bible School will be June 2-5th, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm each night, with a Burger Bash following on June 6th at the same time. We are looking for leaders in both children’s and adult programming. The theme will be about planting seeds in the world in and in our hearts. Gardeners and artists especially needed! Contact Rev. Rachel to help.
Food Labyrinth June 2! Please bring non-perishable food to church May 19 to be used in the Food Labyrinth on June 2. All food will be donated to the Berea Food Bank.
Tuesday Coffee, Bagels, and Church Fixes: Come One Come All… Tuesday 8:30-Noon – Come join for whatever time you can in fellowship and helping with minor repairs, etc. There will be job opportunities for people of all skill levels.
Young Writers’ Camp at EKU Writing Project registration open for Young Writers Camps for rising 2nd-8th graders at Model Lab in June. Sign up for the first week of camp to learn with Kentucky author George Ella Lyon. For more information, go to www.ekuwritingproject.org, or phone Tina Parker at 985-8719. She is directing the camps and organizing a Berea carpool.
Leave a Reply