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

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

November 10, 2019   10:30 am

Meditation
The heart can think of no devotion greater than being shore to the ocean. Holding the curve of one position, counting an endless repetition. —Robert Frost

From there to here: we Gather

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!
Prelude 
The Call Rainer Maria Rilke
Here is the time for telling. Here is its home. Speak and make known: more and more The things we could experience are lost to us, banished by our failure to imagine them. Old definitions, which once set limits to our living, break apart like dried crusts.
¨  Hymn  We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky (opposite) Rejoice, Rejoice
¨  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 hospitality.

The Living Word among us

Anthem O Come, Let Us Sing Unto the Lord Martin How
Union Church Choir
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation! Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and show ourselves glad in him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all Gods.
In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands prepared the dry land. O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is the Lord our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Lesson from the Psalms                     Psalm 17:1-9 (p. 656)
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 parents) 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.
Gospel Lesson Luke 20:27-38 (p. 1267)
Seeking to entrap Jesus, the Sadducees ask Jesus a tough question about a woman who has had seven husbands.
Sermon And Whose Shall We Be? Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

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.
Acts of Reflection and Prayer
Some resources for reflection and prayer  are provided.You are free to use  – or ignore –  these prompts as you find helpful. In whatever prayer manner you adopt, please hold the concerns of those listed, and those you know about, in God’s peace-giving light.
Center yourself as best you are able, try to be here, fully and completely. Aware of what feels like reality, what other possibilities have you banished, or stopped imagining for yourself? For the world?  Whom do you need to tell?Christ often calls us from previous assumptions. What assumptions are made in the Gospel passages that he overturns? What is the Good News for you in what he says? What is the Good News you could bring to others given what you have learned or imagined?Over and over, God’s care is shown to be for those who feel like they are only the husks of themselves. Psalm 17 speaks of this care and the unrelenting, steadfast love that sustains humankind.  What in your heart would you like God to guard as “the apple of the eye?” Imagine those in your life who need such a reminder and care: imagine the light and love of God surrounding each of them as you pray. Now widen the light to include yourself. God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Ofrenda You are invited to come by the ofrenda and light a candle in remembrance of loved ones past, or add photos and other remembrances.
Prayer Station  Give thanks for visions that call us out of ourselves.
Community Sharing Table As the cold weather returns, it is time to think about Room In The Inn. We can always use new socks, underwear, and small toiletry items such as soap in a baggie, shampoo, lotion, disposable razors, etc. Bring them to the table.
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat. 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 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)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Please sing when invited: #419 Black  Now Thank We All Our God
Pastoral Prayer and Our Lord’s Prayer
One: 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.

From Here to There

¨  Hymn #443 Black How Like a Gentle Spirit Sursum Corda
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, and are welcome to come forward when invited. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨  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.
¨  The Sending and Blessing
¨  Postlude (please be seated)   x
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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  Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia and our brothers and sisters at Bethlehem 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.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ For Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ In thanksgiving for those students, teachers, parents, lawmakers, and citizens who are witnessing and working to end gun violence in our society. May laws that help be passed; may hearts that are broken be healed; may all who are in danger be kept safe.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Joyce Henderson, Nancy Hindman, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Dean Jacobs, Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, approaching the end of life.
¨ Patty and Steve Boyce, as Steve continues healing.
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from surgery on her fibula and ankle, injured in a fall. She’s now in rehab, anticipating coming home next week.
¨ Rev. Rachel Small Stokes, whose installation at Immanuel UCC in Louisville is today at 3:00 pm.
¨ Joanne Moore, friend of Hazel Morris, with health concerns.
¨ Healing for Jennifer Balbuena, prayer request received online.
¨ On Veterans Day, we remember the sacrifices made by veterans of the Armed Forces, Peace Corps, VISTA, and all who have served their country and community.
Announcements
Today –  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. Today we’ll have an opportunity to covenant together. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
Rev. Kent elected as President of the Kentucky Council of Churches for a 4th term. Union Church was founding partner of the KCC, one of the country’s most diverse and active councils of churches. The KCC is comprised of 11 denominations in 16 regional bodies across the commonwealth representing over 1100 congregations and 800,000 parishioners. Focusing on common work of mercy and justice, the KCC is an active voice for unity in the face of human need.
November 13: A Second Work Trip to Pineville, KY with ACEky:
Where:  In the church building that’s being transformed into a youth and outreach center in Pineville.
What: Much painting to be done, as  well as pre-paint taping; carpet squares to be laid.
When: Wednesday, November 13. Carpooling from Church parking lot at 8:15 a.m.
Bring lunch and water, and wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on!Questions or to confirm: Contact Betty Hibler, M&S Board, 859-940-8735.
Berea College’s Homecoming is next week. All are invited to the Black Music Ensemble’s Homecoming Concert Saturday Nov. 16 at 1:30 pm. In the sanctuary, no tickets needed, no charge. The Berea College Concert Choir will sing at Sunday worship and Joe Saleem, ’08 & Grace McKenzie, ’08 will serve as Worship Leaders.
Next Sunday, Nov. 17 Youth Group fundraiser lunch right after worship. Come downstairs to the Community Room and enjoy a baked potato bar, salad and dessert in exchange for a donation to help continue our Youth Group Wednesday night dinners. Rev. Kent will fill us in on his sabbatical adventures and experiences. Please come support our youth and welcome Rev. Kent back!
Celebration of Giving  Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At Acton Folk Center.  (Previously known as Alternative Christmas Market). Local non-profits can reserve a table by contacting: cheyenne @sustainable berea.org. Instead of another sweater or tie, give a donation to your favorite non-profit in your loved one’s name. Union Church organizations (e.g. Youth Group) can reserve a table for no charge, as we are one of the sponsors of the event. If you would like to volunteer, contact Tennant Kirk or Betty Hibler.
Calling All Cookie Bakers: There will be a cookie table at the “Celebration of Giving” Nov. 23. Please add your name to the Sign-up Sheet on the table in the back of the sanctuary if you would be willing to bake a dozen or two (or three) of your favorite cookies. We can pick them up, if necessary. The proceeds from the cookie sales will offset some of the costs for hosting this event. Thank you from the Mission & Service Board.
Now that Rev. Kent is back among us, we’ll need to update him on changes in our congregation. We’ll be printing a new Directory in earliest December. If you’ve got a new family photo we’d love to use it. We also plan to move to a texting system of reminders, so make sure we’ve got your cell phone number too! Other changes welcome as well, of course.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Some very caring Bereans (a group of volunteers from all walks of life – this event has no affiliation or official sponsor) have come together to offer a Thanksgiving meal for ALL and everyone (really, everyone) is invited! Please spread the word!!!
Sign up to help at https://www.signup genius.com/go/805044fa9a92aa4f49-bereas

Coming Up – Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, December 8
Annual Budget Meeting after Worship. Why Come to a Budget Meeting? Our budget is a theological document that tells you where our values are and how we’ve decided to act those out.  As the gospel of Matthew reminds us, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Please attend this yearly meeting to help decide where our hearts will be for 2020.  Budgets will be available at worship on Dec. 1, and by email for the asking.
Sunday, December 22
Christmas Caroling right after worship!!! Watch for details.