A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
10:30 am The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
10:30 am The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Meditation
Gratitude
We give because someone gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.
We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.
~Alberto Rios, When Giving Is All We Have
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ The Call Pamela Chabora, Reader
¨ Hymn God of the Fertile Fields Italian Hymn
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on the journey of faith. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Special Music Contemplation P. McKlveen Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Scripture Lesson Psalm 78:1-7
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.
~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Lesson Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.
But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Sermon Light for the Generations: Putting the YOU in Union Rev. Kent Gilbert
Call to Celebration!
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.
Offertory Trumpet Concerto Fanfare Haydn Olivia Puckett, Trumpet
Procession of Celebration & Praise
Today is Union Church Giving Day and Today We Celebrate! In this service of contribution and gratitude there are so many ways to participate:
¨ Prayers, Hopes & Thanksgiving: Everyone is invited to use the reflection sheet to list that for which you are most grateful, and to list what you are keeping your lamp lit for. Bring them to the central urn to be lifted in our communal hope and thanksgiving.
¨ Offerings: Everyone is invited to bring any contribution, offering, or tithe to the urn as well. These gifts make the love flow! We celebrate everyone’s help to make God’s vision tangible for EVERYONE.
¨ Pledges! Everyone who is making a pledge for our work with God in the coming year is invited to also bring forth your pledge card and place this in the urn, too. We consecrate these promises and promise to steward the work and the resources with extravagant generosity and care.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity an amount and a click.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Bring any and all to the front as the music lifts us. When you drop your prayer, offering and pledges into the plate ring one of the bells to let the joy resound! Come singly, come with friends or partners or children or whole families. Come walking, running, or dancing in the light of God’s grace!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
One: Lord, there is grace in this place because of you! Receive our joy, our hopes and our prayers for Grace past, Grace present, and Graces yet to come, O God!
All: We come in humble thanks for the sustaining love you give to us.
One: Receive all gifts made this day, Lord.
All: May our offerings of finances, of labor, and of joyful service be for a blessing.
One: Receive these pledges, O God.
All: We offer to you, O God, these pledges for the redeeming love you give to us, for the challenging work love demands of us, and for the building of a kin-dom more just and more joyful in your name!
One: Let us be surprised with the Amazing Grace in this Place!
All: May our eyes, our minds and our hearts be ever open to you!
One: May all who seek find, may all who hunger or thirst find delight, and may all who serve be messengers of your light and love. Receive and magnify our work and promises for ministry together.
All: We consecrate all this to you, O Lord! There is Grace In This Place! Amen!
¨ Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Praise God, all creatures here below!
Praise God above, ye heavenly host:
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost!
Amen.
From Here to There: We Depart
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community evens, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we recognize Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician, professor, and public health advocate, whose research helped expose the Flint water crisis. Concerns about this water crisis went unaddressed for over a year until advocates like Dr. Hama-Allisha raised the alarm and continued to demand safe, clean water for the people of Flint.
She is leading “Rx Kids,” that will provide all enrolled pregnant moms and all babies born in 2024 in the City of Flint unconditional cash allowances – a one-time mid-pregnancy allowance of $ 1,500 and $500 per month for 12 months when the baby is born. The initiative is based on research that shows a transfer of cash is associated with healthier pregnancies and improved early development and also increases economic activity and to create a multiplier effect that benefits the community as a whole.
Our Lord’s Prayer
All: 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.
¨ 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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia; and our brothers & sisters at Glades Christian Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Rita Barlow, receiving care at home.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ James Stephens, Charlie Hoffman’s brother-in-law, responding well to cancer treatment.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Teresa Dickson, recovering from surgery on her jaw.
¨ Laura Robie, recovering from surgery.
¨ Those affected by recent Covid infections: John & Ramona Culp, Paul & Patti Smithson, Meg Suters, and other members of the bridge club.
¨ Jeannette Davidson, having health problems.
¨ Betty Wray, recovering from pneumonia at Central Baptist, hopefully to move soon to Cardinal Hill for rehab.
¨ Rhonda Edwards’ son, Steven Bailey, recovering from surgery.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Nov. 14 – Wyndee Holbrook; 15 – Paul Jacobs; 16 – Scottie Frederiksen; 18 – John Wylie; 19 – Dale Brown
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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