A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of Church of Christ, Union
Trinity Sunday May 26, 2013
Meditation
Why do you complain that the proposition God is three in one is obscure and mystical and yet acquiesce meekly in the physicist’s fundamental formula “two P minus PQ equals IH over piwhere I equals the square root of minus 1” when you know quite well that the square root of I is paradoxical and piis incalculable?
— Dorothy L. Sayers, Current Religious Thought, 1947
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Fantasie on “Holy Holy Holy” Piet Post
* Call to Worship
One: In mystery and grandeur
All: we see the face of God.
One: In earthiness and the ordinary
All: we know the love of Christ.
One: In heights and depths and life and death:
All: the spirit of God is moving among us
One: Let us praise God.
— from the World Council of Churches 1991: In Spirit and in Truth Posted on the http://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/ website
* Opening Hymn #273 Black Praise with Joy Lauda Anima
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Loving, delighting God: we do not always remember who you are or whose we are. We seek wisdom in the wrong places; we miss her voice in the world’s noise; and when we do hear her voice, we turn away. We forget to celebrate the simple joy of being, as we fret over our doings. We forget your delight in your Creation and instead focus our energies on undoing it. Forgive us our narrow vision, our distracted focus, and our forgetfulness. Enable us to remember your grace, your joy, your clear call to love and service. Amen.
* Words of Assurance
One: We forget, but God remembers. God remembers God’s covenant and promises to be with us always, to love us always. As the words form in our minds, God hears our confession
All: and we know ourselves forgiven.
* 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 O Exalt Yourself above the Heavens Handel/Mataranglo
Union Church Choir
O exalt yourself above the heavens and glory over all the earth. My heart is firmly fixed , O God. And I will sing and make melody. Wake up, my soul; awake, lute and harp;I myself will wake the dawn. Psalm 57:5, 7-8
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 (p. 760)
The writer rhapsodizes on the eternal presence of wisdom, the first idea among the created order and one calling still for prudence and truth.
Childrens 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, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall.
Epistle Lesson Romans 5:1-5 (p. 1369)
Christians have peace with God through Christ and can rejoice in their suffering because of the hope that comes through the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Hope Enough Rev. Kent Gilbert
Hymn #510 Black Grant Us Wisdom to Perceive You Quem Pastores
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.
Silent Prayers and 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 Reflection on Quem Pastores Healey Willan
* 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 #403 Black My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less Solid Rock
* 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 Prelude and Toccata on “Holy God, We Praise Your Name”
_____________________________
* 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 of Botswana and Zimbabwe 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.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country.
* Jerome and Linda Pierce and the family
* The family of Ruth Wesley, who died on May 20
* The family and friends of Aloma Earles, at her death. A memorial service will be held June 9 in the sanctuary, with a potluck reception to follow.
* Naomi Schulz, our former intern and now Pacific School of Religion seminarian, received the United Church of Christ’s “Make a Difference” Seminarian Award. This comes with a scholarship, which will help her greatly in her good work!
* Kevin Burke and family as his mother, Mary Jones, approaches the end of her life, in Idaho
* Bill Stolte, recovering from repair to torn ligaments in his legs
* Joan Bates, recovering from knee replacement surgery
* Maurice AND BG Hibbard, recovering from knee replacement surgery
* 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
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.
Bloodmobile success! Joyce Henderson reported that, although our goal was 88 donors, 120 people presented themselves to donate at the Bloodmobile on May 21 in our Community Room, including 17 new donors. 114 (!) units of blood were sent to the Central Kentucky Blood Center, which will help with 342 medical procedures!
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!
VACATION Bible School starts tonight! Check out the green flyer!
And….what’s on your kids’ calendars after VBS? Berea Arts Council is hosting Art Camp 2013 at Union Church the weeks of June 10th-14th for ages 6-8 and June 17th -21st for ages 9-12. Join us as we explore the arts for a one of a kind experience! Each day from 9:00 am till 2:00 pm will be filled with hands on activities as we dive into artistic expression through visual art, dance, drama and music. Each week will end in a culminating performance for family and friends to enjoy. We are pleased to announce this year’s classes will be presented by Berea College Crafts and exceptional instructors such as local musician Mitch Barrett and EKU dance instructor Katrina Martir. Join us by contacting the Arts Council through email info@bereaartscouncil.org or by phone 859-985-9317. Space is limited. Full week registration is $175.00.
Tuesday 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.
Joan English, Office Administrator, will be going on vacation June 12-19. If anyone can spare some time to staff the office, maybe fold a bulletin or two, it would be much appreciated. Call the office. Patti Smithson has claimed June 12, days are going fast!
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