A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
May 17, 2026 10:30 am Seventh Sunday of Easter
Meditation
Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking. ~ Kahlil Gibran
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
¨ Call to Worship Pam Chabora, Reader
One: Let God rise up! Sing to God; lift up a song to the One who rides upon the clouds–the Holy One– be exultant before God.
All: Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!
One: Let God rise up! Ascribe power to God, full of majesty and power.
All: Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!
One: Let God rise up! Awesome is God in the sanctuary, who gives power and strength to the people.
All: Let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy! Blessed be God!
¨ Hymn Lord, You Give the Great Commission Abbot’s Leigh
¨ 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: God is alive.
Hold: And God’s breath is freedom.
Exhale: Liberation comes in a body.
Hold: I will honor mine.
¨ 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 None Like You Williams, Courtney Union Church Choir
Creator of the moon and stars, of mountains reaching high, Creator of the galaxies who hears a baby’s cry, eternity, with all its years, stands present in Your view. Alpha and Omega, Lord, there is none like You.
You make the wilderness to bloom and in the desert sand, provide the gentle, soaking rain, refreshing thirsty land. You send the warming of the sun, the fragile snowflake too. We bow in gratitude, O Lord, there is none like You. You paint the rainbow on the storm and tell the wind to cease, You reach out with tender hand, creation is at peace. You speak Your Word and it is done, the universe obeys, but we are free to choose, Your children sing Your praise.
Scripture Reading John 17:1-11
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
~ 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 Acts 1:6-14
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Now What? Rev. Christina Ryan Perkins
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
One: Holy Love, our Companion and Source, shower us with your presence, shelter us in your sanctuary, shield us with your peace. Open our receptivity to your word, wisdom, and way. May our worship honor your name and draw us nearer to you and to our neighbors. Be glorified in our midst as we exalt your Many Names. 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 Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal; and our siblings at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 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): God is alive.
Hold (count of 3): And God’s breath is freedom.
Exhale (count of 3): Liberation comes in a body.
Hold (count of 3): I will honor mine.
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 Prelude J.S. Bach Union Church Orchestra
A Chance for Generosity: easytithe.com/union
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¨ 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 Pam Chabora, Reader
One: Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and the world was changed forever. Teach us to keep faith with them, that our witness may be as bold, our love as deep, and our faith as true. Just as Jesus taught us to pray…
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
Kentucky’s primary election is this Tuesday May 19, and exercising your right—and responsibility—to vote is ever more important. Minority voting rights enshrined in the 1965 Voting Rights Act have been eroded by the Supreme Court for over a decade. Their latest ruling striking down Louisiana’s electoral map that included majority-Black districts has resulted in a flurry of (mostly Southern) States rushing to redraw Congressional districts that dilute the minority vote. Without expressly proving racial discrimination, challenges to racial Gerrymandering will now be extremely hard to win.
Use your voice at the ballot box on Tuesday to be an active participant in our political process.
¨ Hymn #436 God of Grace and God of Glory CWM Rhondda
1. God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power. Crown your ancient church’s story, bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
2. From the evils that surround us, and assail the Savior’s ways, from the fears that long have bound us, free our hearts for faith and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
3. Cure your children’s warring madness, Bend our pride to your control. Shame our reckless, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, make our broken spirits whole, make our broken spirits whole.
4. Set our feet on lofty places, gird our lives that they may be, armored with all Christ-like graces, in the fight to set us free. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, in the quest for liberty, in the quest for liberty.
5. Save us from weak resignation, to the evils we deplore; let the search for your salvation, be our glory evermore. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore, serving your whom we adore.
The Joy o f Welcoming New Members
Partnership & Purpose
Today presents an opportunity to covenant together! All who would like to are welcome to join the church family – you will be received in joy.
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends 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.
From Here to There
¨ Benediction
One: We ask, now what… All: We wait…
One: Now what? All: We breathe…
One: Now what? All: We sing…
One: Now what? All: We hope…
One: Now what? All: We share...
One: Now what?All: We love…
One: Now what? All: We tell…
One: Now what? All: We go—unto all the world.
¨ 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 tell…
4. I’m goin’a go…
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.
¨ Rev. Kent & Diana, continuing their travels on Iona in Scotland.
¨ Rhonda Edwards’ daughter, Erin Bailey, awaiting biopsy results.
¨ 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: May 18 – Ruth McLain Smith ; 19 – Courtney Dillon Riddell, Courtney Parrish, Carla Baumann; 20 – Lisa Vaughn; 21 – John Wernegreen, Steve Gowler; 22 – Ann Rhodes; 23 – Rachel Lakes; 25 – Al White
Graduates: Sayer Kobersmith from York College of Pennsylvania; Iris Bailey from Model Laboratory School.; Emy Lovell with her Masters in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the University of Kentucky; Keith Hardin from Madison Southern High School
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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