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

Pentecost Sunday          May 20, 2018 10:30 am 

Meditation
“The dove descending breaks the air
With flame of incandescent terror
Of which the tongues declare
The one discharge from sin and error.
The only hope, or else despair
Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre-
To be redeemed from fire by fire.
Who then devised the torment? Love.
Love is the unfamiliar Name
Behind the hands that wove
The intolerable shirt of flame
Which human power cannot remove.
We only live, only suspire
Consumed by either fire or fire.”
― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

From there to Here

Welcome & Announcements

Welcome to this service of worship!  During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “ ” .”
Please sign in using the pew folder, passing it back down the row so all can greet one another by name, and place the sheet in an offering plate. We’re glad you’re here!
Recognizing our Graduates and Educational Milestones
Today we’re recognizing graduations and educational milestones in the lives of our immediate and extended church community. Congratulations to our graduates and proud family members! See page 11 for the list.
Prelude Pastorale Alexander Guilmant
¨  Call to Worship 
 One: When the day of Pentecost had come, wind from heaven blew and filled the house!
All: Lord, send the winds of change and renewal.
One: Tongues of flame, like fire, danced on their heads.
All: Lord, send the fire of your justice, send the fire of your love!
One: On the day of Pentecost, the disciples became the church and the church became incandescent with purpose and joy!
All: Lord, rekindle on us the fire of such love. Send us as a wind   of your hope. Call from us all holy gifts to accomplish all holy work.
One: Come, Holy spirit!
All: Come and dwell in your people!
¨  Opening Hymn #267 Black  Come, O Spirit, Dwell among Us Ebenezer
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
All: Generous God, you give us the gift of your Spirit, but we confess that we have not known how to use it You send us the Spirit of courage, but we have been afraid. You send us the Spirit of truth, but we cling to our illusions.You send us the Spirit of healing, but we cannot let go of our hurts. Holy Spirit of forgiveness, come to us again: shake our hearts,set our souls on fire with your love: send us out into the world rejoicing in your power.We hold out to you all our particular burdens of guilt and sin, and we ask for your help to live the way of your justice and love.  Amen.
¨  Passing the Peace of 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 Living Word among us

Anthem Spirit, Come Down Mark Hayes Union Church Choir
Spirit, come down like the days of old. Spirit, come down and fill my soul. Lord, I want to be used by You, to feel Your power in all I do.
Now on the day of Pentecost the disciples of the Lord were in one place when suddenly from heaven on high came the sound of a mighty wind.
That mighty wind then filled the place, and the Spirit appeared like tongues of fire. It took control of everyone, filling them with power.
There were people there from every land, yet they heard God’s word in their native tongue, for the Spirit had helped them understand the mighty word of the Lord.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson               Ezekiel 37:1-14 (p. 1018)
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or adults) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.
Lesson from Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-21 (p. 1318)
Sermon Before the Driving Wind Rev. Kent Gilbert

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 Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer 
In observance of Pentecost, you may wish to pray in another language.  Several translations are printed.  Apologies for any inaccuracies.
One: Our Maker, our Mother, and …
Spanish
Padre nuestro que Estás en los cielos:
Santificado sea tu nombre,
venga tu reino,
sea hecha tu voluntad,
como en el cielo Así también en la tierra.
El pan nuestro de cada Día, Dánoslo hoy.
Perdónanos nuestras deudas,
como también nosotros perdonamos a nuestros deudores.
Y no nos metas en Tentación,
mas Líbranos del mal.
Porque tuyo es el reino, el poder
y la gloria por todos los siglos. Amén.
German
Vater Unser im Himmel,
Geheiligt werde Dein Name,
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe,
Wie im Himmel, so auf Erden.
Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute,
Und vergib uns unsere Schuld,
Wie auch wir vergeben unseren Schuldigern.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
Sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.
Denn Dein ist das Reich und die Kraft
und die Herrlichkeit, in Ewigkeit.  Amen.
Swahili
Baba yetu uliye mbinguni,
Jina lako litukuzwe,
Ufalme wako uje,
Mapenzi yako yatimizwe,
       hapa duniani kama huko mbinguni.
Utupe leo riziki yetu.
Utusamehe deni zetu,
kama sisi nasi tuwasamehevyo wadeni   wetu.
Na usitutie majaribuni,
lakini utuokoe na yule mwovu.
Kwa kuwa ufalme ni wako, na nguvu, na utukufu, hata milele.
Amina.
Japanese
Ten ni orareru watashi-tachi Chichi yo,
minna ga sei tosaremasu yo ni.
Mi kuni ga kimasu yo ni.
Mi kokoro ga ten ni okona wareru tori chi ni mo okonawaremasu yo ni.
Watashitachi no hi goto no kate o kyo mo   oatae kudasai.
Watashitachi no tsumi o yurushi kudasai.
Watashitachi mo hito o yurushimasu.
Watashitachi o yuwaku ni ochi irasezu, aku kara o sukui kudasai.
Amen.

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

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  Prayer Song Paul Taylor
¨  Doxology               Avery/Marsh

From Here to There

¨  Closing Hymn #265 Black Come, O Spirit, with Your Sound Boundless Mercy
Benediction
Today we pray God’s blessing as Ben, Chloe, John Henry, and Ellis Groth follow Christ’s call to a new parish in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ben, who has served as Berea College Campus minister these last two years, is taking a call to an historic Lutheran parish to be their pastor and teacher. Please keep the Groths in your prayers and sign the Prayer Cloth near the peace bell. We pray we will always be connected by our service by our love.
Blessing the Way
With deep feeling, we commend you to your life and work in other places, taking with you our strong support and sincere prayers.    
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano Side: In peace!
Bell Side: In love!
Piano: To teach!
Bell: To learn!
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano: To preach!
Bell: To pray!
Piano: To heal!
Bell: To comfort!
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano: To build!
Bell: To plant!
Piano: To grow!
Bell: To thrive!
All: Go forth into the world to love and serve the Lord.
Benediction Response In God’s Hand Deborah Payne
Postlude (please remain seated)         Now Thank We All Our God     arr. Virgil Fox
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 Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal and our brothers and sisters at Grace Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin
¨ Dan Rohrer, who is suffering from a severe liver disorder.
¨ Dave Wellinghurst, receiving treatment for glioblastoma.
¨ Betty Sarafin and the family and friends of Gary Dillon, who has passed away after a long struggle with cancer. A memorial for Berea family and friends is scheduled for May 27th at Union Church.
¨ For Luke Woodie, recovering from bile duct cancer surgery at home.
¨ Alejandra Sanchez’s sister in El Salvador, Marco Amalia Sanchez, suffering the final stages of cancer, and her family.
¨ Loyal Jones, recovering at Arcadian Cove.
¨ Tennant Kirk, recovering well at home from extensive ankle surgery.
¨ Jimmie Lewis’ sister, undergoing cancer treatment.
¨ Dana Rousey, recovering from hip replacements surgery. Cards can be sent to her at 4 Fairway Dr., Berea.
¨ Debbie Brown, recovering from complications of a stomach ulcer.
¨ Sue Goldsmith, Kim Kobersmith’s mom, who will have eye surgery next week.
¨ Graduates and their families!
What Next, Union Church? Following the report from the Needs Assessment Committee about Lay Leadership at Union Church, we are now ready to begin Appreciative Inquiry listening groups for the whole church family, which are scheduled between May 23 and June 16.  Groups will be announced and YOU are asked to choose your group and let the host know that you will attend.  Sign up at church, or call the host to indicate which group you will join. Presently we have 12 meetings scheduled with more to come. 
Week 1

• Wednesday, May 23 at 10 am at Mim Pride’s home (217-827-1505).
• Wednesday, May 23 at 6:45 pm in the Classroom past the office with Susan and Stanley Kramer (408-420-4066) as hosts.
• Friday May 25, at 6:30 pm. Debbonnaire Kovacs (859-779-0793) will host at group at her home.
• Saturday, May 26 at 6 pm. Donna Abner(859-409-6101) will host at her home.

Week 2

• Thursday, May 31 at 7:00 pm at Bill and Annriette Stolte’s home (859-986-9032).
• Saturday ,June 2 at 1:00 pm at Shirley and Howard Carlberg’s (859-985-5501) (who have 21 steps to their entrance).

Week 3

• Sunday, June 3 at 4:00 pm Tom and Joy Frazier (859-582-4084) will host a group in their Richmond home.
• Tuesday, June 5 at 1:00 pm Shirley Carlberg (859-985-5501) will host another group (don’t forget the steps).
• Tuesday, June 5 at 7:00 pm Kelly and Teri Mehler (859-582-2085) will host at their home.
• Thursday June 7 at 10:00 am Mim Pride (217-827-1505) will host another group.
• Saturday, June 9 at 1:00 pm Sally Zimmerman (859-358-4617) will host a group (cat in residence there).

Week 4

• Monday, June 11 at 2:30 pm Dorie and Tom Hubbard (859-986-0839)will host a group at their home.

    Please watch announcements and emails from the office for more opportunities to participate in shaping the future of Union Church!  And remember to sign up! Updates as we get them!
Today is Pentecost! Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter. Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church. 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
We celebrate our graduates and educational milestones today!

• Cora Livingston, a junior at Berea Community School, will be a 2018 Governor’s Scholar.

Our local graduates are:

• Shelley Mecham, from Berea Community High School.  
• Madeleine Graham Hoffman, from Madison Southern High School.
• William Cole Carr, from Berea College with a degree in Philosophy

Graduates in our extended church family are:

• Alexandra Culp, granddaughter of John & Ramona, with a Bachelor’s degree in Middle School Math Education from Stevenson University in Owen Mills, MD.
• Rachel Morgan, daughter of Wes and Lanette Morgan of Midway, KY, and granddaughter of Lois Morgan, earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from University in Nashville, TN.

The Union Church Choir & Handbell Ensemble Presents: Make Me an Instrument of Peace: Songs on the Prayer of St. Francis. Today, 2:00 pm, in the sanctuary. Both ensembles have prepared various selections that illustrate this beautiful prayer. The carefully crafted program will allow you to read the prayer line by line and be moved deeper into a more profound experience with a musical response to the violence in our world.
During the concert, the music program will collect a love offering for the Berea Leadership Experience. The money raised will help fund scholarships, support camp programs, and help BLE expand beyond its one-week summer camp. Please join us for this wonderful event! Admission is free, open to the public!
Union Church seeks nursery subs! We need your help this summer for occasional subbing in our nursery when our regular workers (Hope, Shelley, and Elly) are away. Can you help? We are currently looking for subs who are over the age of 18. Subs earn $12 an hour and must complete a background check and Safe Sanctuaries training. Interested? Call the church office (986-3725) or email office@union-church.org and leave your contact info as soon as possible. Questions? See any member of our Faith Development Board.
May 22 is Election Day for Kentucky’s Primary races. Polls open 6 am—6 pm.
Baby Shower June 3, after worship! Come celebrate baby Ahnat, the foster daughter of Deborah Payne!! Gift registry info: https://smile.amazon.com/baby-reg/deborah-payne-june-2018-berea/2KOF12RKFHN6R (this link will also be in the emailed announcements tomorrow, so you can just click on it).
Bring a potluck dish to share! Drop off in the kitchen before church.
May 31—June 2, The Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ is offering 3 days of workshops specially related to church transition, revitalization, and relevance. Rev. Kent is attending but thinks we will gain so much more if other Board members could also attend. The dates are May 31-June 2 in Indianapolis. Costs are $125 + housing. Topics include areas of interest for Stewardship, Worship, Spirituality, Budget and Mission Planning, etc. If you are interested in making a Union Church team to bring back information with the pastor, please contact him or the church office as soon as possible. Some financial assistance may be available.
Official Record Book Still Missing :(. Have you seen the sign-in book we use to record new members’ joining dates and attendance at meetings? Did you look in your car? What about at home? It’s been missing since November and maybe someone accidentally took it home or tucked it somewhere for safe keeping? It’s black padded leather, about 8 1/2 x 11. Help!
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup.com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.
UPDATE. Fewer than 10 spots left! Berea Leadership Experience for Rising 2nd-8th graders. Berea Leadership Experience will hold its camp for kids to learn skills of conflict resolution, media literacy, mindfulness, and appreciation of nature the week of July 16th -20th, 9 am – 2 pm.
There are also openings for several staff members. Training and a reasonable stipend are provided; contact the director at kim.kobersmith@gmail.com if interested, or to register your kids. Thank you!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Postlude (please remain seated) Now Thank We All Our God arr. Virgil Fox