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

Seventh Sunday of Easter May 17, 2015, 10:30 am

Meditation
“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

                                                                                                                                    —Mitch Albom

From there to here

Prelude     Third Sunday Hymn Sing
Allegretto         G. Handel      
*  Call to Worship 
One:     Clap your hands, all you peoples!
All:      Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
One:     For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
All:      A great ruler over all the earth.
One:     Sing praises to God, sing praises!
All:      Sing praises!  Hallelujah!

                                          — from Psalm 47

*  Opening Hymn #260 Black        Hail the Day That Sees Christ Rise     Gwalchmai
*  Affirmation of Easter Faith
One:     As we tear ourselves away from gazing into clouds, God, we hear your call to stretch our gaze out through your world: a call to wait and watch for the Holy Spirit to guide us into service. Whether we come today in sadness or gladness, anger, boredom, or jubilation, we declare what we believe to be your Easter truth:
All:      Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, a new world has broken into ours—
One:     a world in which justice does come for the poor, freedom comes for the prisoners, and healing for the sick.
All:      Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, a new community has been formed—
One:     a community that loves and cares for all members, a family that welcomes all who are abandoned and rejected, a place where all find a place of belonging.
All:      Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, a new creation has begun—
One:     all that was distorted is being restored, all that is corrupted is being renewed, all that was broken is being made whole.
All:      Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, God’s new world has begun.
One:     Hallelujah!
All:      Amen!

–adapted from a litany by Christine Sine  

*   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    Sing to the Lord           Hal Hopson

Union Church Choir

Sing to the Lord. Heaven and earth rejoice, sing praises to the Lord. All heaven and earth rejoice and sing. Hear, O Israel. The Lord is a mighty God. All earth rejoice and sing. Be joyful! The Lord is a mighty God.
Epistle Lesson                  Ephesians 1:15-23
Children’s Moment                                      As the children return to their seats, 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-3 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in the chapel.  If this is your child’s first time attending Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form.  Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel after the service.
Lesson from Acts                        Acts 1:1-11
Sermon     Upward and Onward       Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
The Good News of Generosity
Today we celebrate the conclusion of our “Spring Forward” giving campaign.  We are hoping to raise $20,000 in this time of pledges and gifts, so that we can continue doing the excellent work of justice and joy in our community and the world. Please give generously, and fill out a Spring Forward card if you are pledging a future gift!
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory              Verset No. 1    L. Boellmann
*  Doxology Halleluja         Halleluja 
Praying it Forward
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 Prayers and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
One:     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
*  Closing Hymn #301 Black          Crown with Your Richest Crowns       Diademata
*  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated)         Hornpipe         G.F. Handel
_____________________________
*   Please rise in body or in spirit as you wish.
 
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 First Baptist Church of Berea at Middletown in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* The victims of the earthquake and aftershocks in Nepal, and those who seek to assist them
* Those in harm’s way in service of our country, and those who wait and worry for them.
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin, Ruth Butwell
* Kelly Mehler—we celebrate that his cancer is in remission!
* Michelle Tooley, now on hospice
* Ed Doty, Patty Boyce’s brother, as he continues treatment for bladder cancer
* Our Confirmation Class members and their mentors
* Susie Ritchie, Patty Tartar and their family, at the loss of their 20-year-old cousin, Reed Haga
* Krystin Porter at the loss of her great aunt, to whom she was very close
* Debra Catron and family, at the death of her mother, Katherine Taylor
 
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.
Women and Bees! Today at 2:00 pm, Berea Artisan Center: On Sunday, May 17, nationally-known beekeeping author and Kentucky’s state apiarist Tammy Horn will present “Women and Bees” beginning at 2 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
Today! Family Faith Day down on the farm!  3-5 pm. All are invited to a spring tour of Debbonnaire Kovacs’ four-acre paradise at 773 Big Hill Rd, half a mile down Prospect from the church. There’s plenty of parking. Hike along the creek (possibly play in it, weather permitting), check out new growth in the vegetable, herb, and flower gardens and in the orchard, walk the labyrinth, climb trees, hike the perimeter, and snack on the patio.
Today! Celebrate the Victory Garden Blitz and its sponsors, donors, volunteers, organizers and gardeners! Food, music, and more at the Berea Urban Farm, 199 Adams St.,  5:00 pm. Everyone welcome!
Next Week: Wear RED for Pentecost!  We’ll take an all-church photo at the end of the service, all adorned in red to represent the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit.
Looking for a way to serve?  We need people to provide snacks and service for Lemonade on the Porch this summer (starting next week!).  We’ll need people to help set up and clean up, as well as to provide food.  Call or email Kevin Burke at 859-985-1144 or kevin_burke@wind stream.net
Electronic Newsletter coming in June  May’s can be your last paper newsletter! If you would like to continue receiving a paper newsletter, please let us know by May 20, either by calling or emailing the office. Thanks.
Change of date: Our Newcomers’ Information session will be on Sunday, May 31st after the worship service.  This way, all people can participate in Pentecost activities.
Do you have a volleyball we can use?  Community Life and Growth wants to have one at our all-church Burger Bash and Pool Party on June 20th.  If you can help, contact Kevin Burke (see info above.)
Dodie Murphy would like to resume her volunteer work at Liberty Place in Richmond and needs rides. You would be welcome to stay and have a meal there with Dodie and the residents. Call her at 859-200-7277.
Mugs! The Union Church mugs you ordered at Christmas are finally here, with great apologies from the potter! They look great, though, and are ready for pick up. You can pick up yours in the office.
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 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.
Kroger Rewards and Amazon Smile—two easy ways to give.
     Kroger has been committed to supporting the communities it serves by assisting local charitable organizations through its Rewards Program.  Union Church will earn rewards on all eligible purchases you make using your Kroger Plus Card.  The Kroger rewards will accumulate and be donated quarterly to Union Church.  This is an easy way for all to fund-raise for Union Church.  Check bulletins for info or visit kroger.com/communityrewards
     Amazon Smile will donate .5% of eligible sales to Union Church if you register at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/61-0444677. This is a great way to support Union Church.
Save the Date: June 3 Celebration of Oscar Romero with St. Clare Catholic church… Union Church and St. Clare members have maintained a 20+ year partnership with the community of Valle Verde in El Salvador. Dozens of Bereans have traveled to El Salvador as part of this partnership. Pope Francis recently beatified murdered Archbishop Oscar Romero, and our two churches will celebrate Romero’s contribution to justice and Christian faith. New Bishop of Lexington (RC) Stowe will preach.
Join us June 3 at St. Clare at 5:30 for potluck and a 7:00 pm service. We’ll follow the hour long service with a community Fiesta! Stay tuned for more info!