A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Fifth Sunday of Easter May 18, 2014, 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
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude Prelude and Fugue in G Major J.S. Bach
* Call to Worship
One: We are God’s household, crafted by the Architect of creation:
All: our hearts a shelter for the outcast; our hands open to the stranger.
One: We are God’s people, created in the divine image:
All: to tell others of God’s love, to offer mercy as freely as we have
received it.
One: We are God’s children, called to give of ourselves:
All: chosen to serve the lost and lonely, gifted to minister to a hurting world.
One: Welcoming the morning, let us welcome and worship God in our midst.
* Hymn #558 Black O How Glorious, Full of Wonder In Babilone
* Prayer of Affirmation and Easter Faith (unison)
Lord we come not as perfect people. We come to you not of one mind, not of one belief. But imperfect and broken you receive us. Distracted and contentious, you prepare a room—a mansion—of care for us and for all people. We believe that love is stronger than hate, bigger than death, more powerful than willfulness and pride and this unites us with your Holy Spirit. Acting together in love we hope to make real and visible the love and justice you intend for all people. Comforted in the midst of your people, we pray all will find tender mercies and gentle healing when buffeted. Boldly and creatively, Lord, help us be your people. Prepare us and call us to be joyful agents of a loving God. 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 With a Voice of Singing Martin Shaw
Union Church Choir
With a voice of singing declare ye this, and let it be heard, Alleluia.
Utter it even unto the ends of the earth.
The Lord hath delivered his people, Alleluia.
O be joyful in God, all ye lands,
O sing praises to the honor of his name, make his praise to be glorious.
Epistle Lesson 1 Peter 2:2-10
Children’s Moment As the children return to their seats, we sing:
Gospel Lesson John 14:1-14
Sermon Make Room! Make Room! 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 Air in F Major G.F. Handel
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: Let us lift our voices in joy and thanksgiving as we consecrate these gifts to our God:
All: God, who calls us to lives of sacrifice and grace, we consecrate to you these spiritual sacrifices offered in gratitude, faith and hope. Be our courage and strength as we spring forward in faith to build a spiritual house of welcome to all your people, a house that makes room for justice and joy. Remind us always of our call as your people, and lead us forward. Amen.
Springing Forward
* Closing Hymn #556 Black God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens Holy Manna
* Benediction
Postlude Festival Fanfare J.S. Bach
____________________________
* 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 Kenya and Tanzania and our brothers and sisters at Silver Creek Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* 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
* All those grieving the loss of those they have loved
* Susan Doring Zook, recovering at home from gallbladder surgery
* Annie Sims & family, at the loss of her father, who was buried Thursday
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.
You are welcome at Union Church! Every Fourth Sunday of the Month (next week May 25) 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. New members will be received every Second Sunday of the month.
Catch-up “Spring Forward” meeting right after worship, in the Classroom. If you haven’t attended a meeting, you are very welcome to come! We’ll connect as a community and reflect upon what God us calling and empowering us to do as we spring forward together.
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 pews). 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. Today we dedicate all these pledges to God’s work in and through us as we spring forward into our future!
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! Next week is their last Sunday.
Church family members journey for the mountains…Nick and Rusti Mullins and their children, Daniel and Alex, are off May 24th on their six week long journey across the states sharing their story about the mountains. You can follow them on the web through their website/blog and read about their many adventures they encounter along the way. The address for the site is http://www.breakingcleantour.org/. Also, you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter under the name Breaking Clean Tour. They ask that the keep them in prayers as they travel. Follow their progress as they make our way from state to state and city to city.
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.
Thanks to those who baked: The Horizon Prison Initiative asked Union Church for 80 dozen cookies. 98.5 dozen cookies were collected and taken to Ohio! There is no way to express the gratitude that will be felt when these cookies are shared in this beloved prison community. Much thanks to all of those who contributed. — from Jeff From
Budget conversation Wednesday. Union Church’s meeting to consider budget issues has been set for May 21, 7:00 pm. Copies of the revised 2014 budget have been are available by email or hard copy. Childcare and transportation will be provided — call the office before 5 pm on the 21st if you need a ride
This Friday—don’t miss it! 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! We still need about 10 volunteers for ushering, ticket-taking, merchandise selling. Free ticket, contact the office!
Poetry Reading May 28. Steve Rhodes will read from his new collection of poems, What Might Not Be, at Union Church on Wednesday, May 28th at 7:00.
The Mission & Service Board invites you to lunch June 1. Luncheon after church; brief program to highlight programs of Mission and Service Board past, present, and their plans and goals for the future.
Mini-Bazaar Saturday, August 23 Large Yard Sale or Small Bazaar; 10 am until 2 ish; Please bring your treasures, clearly priced, to newly renovated storage area under front porch (formerly known as the Dungeon; now dry and lighted ) “Repurposed Treasures Vault”. More later….. John Payne
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 explore 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 or register, contact Pastor Rachel or visit www.union-church.org/home/vbs2014
Somatic Expressive Therapy Mini-Workshop. Kate Grigg will be facilitating a mini-workshop next Wed, May 21, at Rosegold Cottage in Berea (107 Parkway). The workshop will be from 1:30-2:30 pm. Children and welcome and can be set up in an adjacent room. Somatic Expressive Therapy is a body-centered psychotherapy with roots in mindfulness and creative expression. Kate will invite the group to sense into their physical bodies and then draw what they feel. Participants are invited to bring their own drawing materials and/or journal. Extra materials will be available. All are welcome. Artistic ability is not a requirement. Suggested donation of $10 to support Rosegold Cottage. For more information on Rosegold Cottage, visit rosegoldcottage.com. Contact Kate Grigg at kate.grigg@yahoo.com or (708) 341-0916.
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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