A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 11, 2012
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
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude I’ll Praise My Maker (Old 113th) Gerald Near
* Call to Worship
One: Let us come to the source of life, my friends. Let us come to the home of righteousness.
All: God is as close as breathing, as near as a heart-beat.
One: In God’s presence we can rejoice. In the presence of the people we can be glad!
All: With heart and soul, with mind and body let us sing and worship the God who calls us home.
* Opening Hymn Come, Christians, Join to Sing Madrid
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We bring our flawed lives to God, not so much to be made perfect, but to be whole. Let us confess our sins to God, trusting the One who builds joy from our despair. Let us pray…
All: Bountiful Love: our self-focus causes us to imagine how poor we are. We are convinced we don’t have enough: enough honor, enough respect, enough recognition, enough to live on. And so, in our poverty, we cannot trust you, we cannot see the emptiness of others, we cannot help but cling to more than we need. Forgive us, Bestower of Blessings. Tell us we can be more loving; whisper to us of how we can be more compassionate; sing to us of how we can serve others – all in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
[Silence is observed for reflection]
*Words of Assurance
One: With loving arms we are made whole; not by our efforts, and not by any work we have done, but with Jesus’ transforming love. Out of the riches of grace, God pours forgiveness into our lives, so we might live in hope and joy.
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
* 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 Hallelujah Ludwig van Beethoven (from “Mount of Olives”)
Berea College Homecoming Choir
Lindsay Clavere, piano Stephen Bolster, conductor
Hallelujah unto God’s almighty Son. Praise the Lord, ye bright angelic choirs, in holy songs of joy. Man, proclaim his grace and glory. Hallelujah unto God’s almighty son. Praise the Lord in holy songs of joy.
Lesson from the Psalms Psalm 127
The Psalm states that unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
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.
After Children’s moment our youngest members may return to their seats, go to the nursery in Knapp Hall Room 102 (Nursery is in the back left corner when entering the front of Knapp—ushers will be glad to direct you), or participate in Children’s Church on level 1a in Presser.
Epistle Lesson Hebrews 9:24-28
Jesus honors the poor in his society, those despised and abandoned, in the name of a love that cannot be oppressed.
Sermon “Great Expectations” Rev. Gail E. Bowman
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 & 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 Et in Terra Pax/Dona Nobis Pacem Francois Couperin
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith
*Closing Hymn Great Is Your Faithfulness
* Benediction and Sending Forth
* Choral Response The Lord Bless You and Keep You John Rutter
Berea College Homecoming Choir Text: Numbers vi, 24
Stephen Bolster, conductor
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Postlude Plein Jeu a la Couperin Gordon Young
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¨ Those who wish to may stand
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