A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday of Easter Mother’s Day 10:30 am
Meditation
Desirable things do not have to beguile the mind, and undesirable ones do not have to bring endless resistance. We can let the winds blow through us instead of letting them buffet us about. —Mark Epstein
Welcome
From There to Here: We Gather
The Call
One: We do not become healers.
All: We came as healers. We are.
One: We do not become storytellers.
All: We came as carriers of the stories we and our ancestors actually lived. We are.
One: We do not become artists.
All: We came as artists. We are.
One: We do not become writers, dancers, musicians, helpers, peacemakers.
All: We came as such. We are.
One: We do not learn to love in this sense.
All: We came as Love. We are Love.
—Call adapted from Clarissa Pinkola Estes
¨ Hymn What Love Demands Mark Hayes
Dedicated to the public health workers, medical personnel, chaplains, and front-line essential workers who answered love’s demands in a time of national pandemic.
Dedicated to them by the people of Union Church, Berea, KY, in memory of Mr. Tom Warth, Dr. Richard and Ms. Judy Drake, and Ms. Mary Lou and Dr. Lester Pross.
2nd time through the chorus—please sing “we” for “I,” and “our” for “my.”
1. What does it mean to love my neighbor? How can I live in harmony? Are you my brother or are you just another? When I look in your eyes, who do I see? I see you’re made in the image of God, uniquely gifted with the right to be loved. Neighbor or stranger, how may I serve you? What does love demand?
Chorus: Love is listening with heartfelt compassion, holding the lonely, wiping a tear. Love demands that I live in the moment to live in the question when the answer’s unclear. Love demands I seek what unites us releasing fear and whatever divides us. With God as my strength I will be the change I want to see. For that’s what love, that’s what love demands.
2. What can we do to stand for justice? What can we do so all are free? What can we do to end oppression, so all have the same opportunity? We will be God’s hands and welcoming arms. We’ll keep you safe from danger and harm. Homeless or helpless, how may we serve you? What does love demand? Love demands we do what we can. Take a stand. Lend a hand.
Chorus: Love is listening with heartfelt compassion, holding the lonely, wiping a tear. Love demands that we live in the moment, to live in the question when the answer’s unclear. Love demands we seek what unites us, releasing fear and whatever divides us. With God as our strength we will be the change we want to see. For that’s what love, that’s what love demands.
¨ Passing the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Announcements
Lighting the Justice Candle
Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts.
Word And Worship
Music Like a Mighty Wind
Reading from Acts of the Apostles Acts 9:36-43
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Gospel Reading John 10:22-30
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’
Sermon Hearing the Voice Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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.
Offering Music
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union 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 portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier.
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Community Prayer “Prayer” by George Ella Lyon
From Here to There
¨ Hymn #479 Black God is My Shepherd Brother James’ Air
1 God is my shepherd, I’ll not want, I feed in pastures green. God grants me rest and bids me drink from waters calm and clean. Through daily tasks, I’m blessed and led by one I have not one seen.
2 Restored to life each morning new, I rise up from the dust to follow God whose presence gives me confidence and trust. I praise the name of God today; in God I put my trust.
3 When I must pass through shadowed vale, where loss and death await, I will not fear for God is there, my shepherd strong and great, whose rod and staff will comfort me and all my fears abate.
4 No enemy can overcome, no power on earth defeat the one anointed by God’s grace and fed with manna sweet. My cup is filled and overflows as I my Savior greet.
5 Goodness and mercy all my days will surely follow me; and where God reigns in heaven and earth, my dwelling place will be. My shepherd blesses, cares, and leads through all eternity.
¨ Benediction
Postlude
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; and our brothers & sisters at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 15,500 Kentucky residents, and 280 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Prayers for all the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty, and especially those in the city of Nikolaev where the family of former Berea International student daughter of Kevin and Carla, Yulia live. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ Ukrainian Refugees and Afghani Refugees
¨ All those feeling the oppression of depression and isolation. May God strengthen us all and build bridges to grace.
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Dorie Hubbard, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Sharona Nelson, facing a long recovery after surgery to repair a broken shoulder.
¨ Dorie Hubbard, recovering from surgery at the Terrace
¨ Berea College grads and for all who will soon take rest and recovery from the academic year. Congratulations on this is high and holy work!
¨ Hazel Morris, recently diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) but doing well so far on treatment.
¨ John and Cheryl Payne, missing each other and under the weather.
¨ Received online from Jackson Napier, for peace to prevail on earth
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
¨ Alice White, recovering from hip replacement surgery at home.
¨ Jerry Cooper, at the death of his son, Ronnie Cooper.
¨ Dorie Hubbard and all the family, at the death of her great-niece, Marie Haithcox, of cancer
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays: Today – Betty Hibler; 16 – Doug Hindman; 21 – John Wernegreen, Steve Gowler; 22 – Ann Rhodes
Anniversaries: May 18 – David & Sarah Vaughn; 21 – Dan Kotlow & Sharona Nelson; 22 – Paul & Patti Smithson
Announcements
Blessing of the Pilgrimage to the Southern Border Today
Donna Abner, Tennant Kirk, and Carla Gilbert leave this week as our representatives on a pilgrimage to learn more about the needs of migrant peoples, the communities along the Arizona border, and the faith-based groups who are working to provide legal, medical, and survival aid to them. Dorothy Chao has organized this chance to witness and participate in the aid Union Church has long supported monetarily. When the group returns, they will share with us all that they have learned.
Public Affairs Book Club
The Public Affairs Book Club has been meeting on Zoom — but is planning to meet in person at the church. We are completing a series of articles on foreign policy and will be making a new selection. If interesting in sharing your public affairs views come and meet with us and help us choose the next subject. We meet on the 2nd and 4thTuesdays of the month in the Wayside Room at 10 am. If interested contact John Culp, 859-302-1406, for questions or be included on our e-mail list.
Discussion: Abortion and the Faith Community May 11, 7:00 pm
The recent challenges to safe, legal abortion is already having profound consequences for women in our community. Those challenges may intensify if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Join Rev. Kent (Live or on Zoom) for a loving, faithful conversation about what can, and should, people of faith be prepared for? What does love demand of us right here? Persons on all sides of the issue are welcome to join in a respectful dialogue. Register HERE. If you choose to attend via Zoom, the link will be sent Wednesday afternoon.
Next Week: new members welcomed!
As a family of faith committed to boldly and creatively embodying the life and ministry of Jesus, we would like to join with YOU. We’d like to be a context and inspiration for your own spiritual path, and work with you to make your heart, your world, your life more peace-filled and joy-full.
Next Sunday there will be an opportunity to covenant together — whether you are a member of the community who worships online, in-person, or both! No prior action on your part is required, but if you have any questions at all, we’d like to help. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
Lemonade on the Porch to Begin May 15!
The Community Life and Growth Board is looking for volunteers to assist in our weekly Lemonade on the Porch after our morning worship, beginning May 15 service on Sundays and running through the summer. If you can help on a particular Sunday this summer, please sign up to do so HERE. We need folks to help with set up and take down as well as people to donate snack items like cookies or other kinds of snacks.
View the Lunar Eclipse May 15-16
During the night of May 15-16 the moon will slip into the shadow of the earth. The lunar eclipse will be at its deepest at 12:12 am EDT. For more information, check out the May installment of The Skies Above the Pinnacles which is linked to the Forestry Outreach Center’s online newsletter.https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/
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