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

23rd Sunday after Pentecost November 16, 2014, 10:30 am

Meditation
There are people who use up their entire lives making money so they can enjoy the lives they have entirely used up.

            —Frederick Buechner

From there to HEre

Welcome and Announcements              
Prelude     It Is Well With My Soul            arr. E. Whitsett
¨  Call to Worship
¨   Gathering Prayer
One:     There is a richness here – a richness that greets and grows and holds and challenges and keeps.
There is a richness here – a richness that surrounds and brings and delivers and gives.
The richness holds us in our weakness, fills us in our hunger, finds us when we’re lost.
So here, richly blessed, we have come, and we have been found.
Let this time together inspire us in richness and grace.
All:      So beckoned, we come. Amen.
¨  Opening Hymn #6          Sing Praise to God      Mit Freuden Zart
¨   Prayer of Approach and Confession
One:     There is a richness here – a gorgeous, flowing richness of unending abundance. But that doesn’t mean that it guides us. Our ways – within and beyond our control – speak of something different: of lack, of fear, of something other than an acknowledgement of God’s endless and beautiful river of grace.
All:      But how do we step into that river?  Do we step into it with trust?  Do we trust the current of God’s generous gifts? 
One:     Or do we run from the river?  For when we run, when we turn away from God’s gifts in distrust, we lose the refreshment and joy of that richness…
And something else reigns.
All:      Then, what’s left? 
One:     Now is the time – now is the time to consider how we have distrusted God’s abundance.
Now is the time – now is the time to begin something new.
Now is the time – now is the time to trust … differently.
[A brief silence is kept]
¨  Words of Assurance
One:     Let us pray: We haven’t always trusted, God.  But we hope now to trust in your goodness.
All:      We acknowledge the richness of your blessings.  We see your flowing river of love. And we wade into your grace.
One:     There is a richness – a richness that says “yes” – eternally – even in the face of our behavioral “no”s.
There is a richness that penetrates distrust and offers so much more.  This richness forgives and gives even more.
All:      We know this forgiveness. And we thank you, God.  Amen.
¨  Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 joy.
Anthem    Precious Lord Dorsey, Carter

Union Church Choir

1. Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand;  I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light; take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
2. When my way grows drear, precious Lord linger near. When my life is almost gone, hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall; take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
3. When the darkness appears and the night draws near, and the day is past and gone, at the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand, take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

Celebrating God’s gift in Baptism 

Introduction of the Wellinghursts   William Daniel Wellinghurst, Jr. (born 5/16/02)

Owen Zachary Wellinghurst (born 6/2/06)

Whitney Louise Wellinghurst (born 12/8/12)

Questions of the Family
Blessing the Waters
Act of Baptism 
Covenant and Welcome
One:     The church is the family of God and the Body of Christ, the community in which we grow in faith and commitment.
All:      We rejoice to welcome you, William, Owen and Whitney, to our care.  We commit to being a community that boldly and creatively embodies Christ’s life and ministry, and which lives as faithful heirs to Christ’s promise. 
In all that we do, we will seek God’s grace to make the radical and inclusive love of God, the beloved community proclaimed by Jesus, and the continuing inspiration of the Holy Spirit visible and real to you, and to all.
Hymn of Blessing #351   I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry          Borning Cry

The Word in our Midst

Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Children’s Anthem         Kyrie Eleison   Becki Slagle Mayo

Jubilee and Joyful Noise choirs

Kyrie. Lord have mercy. Kyrie. Lord have mercy on me.
When I feel afraid, when I’m all alone, when I’ve lost my way, bring me safely home.
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 Children’s Moment, children grades K-3 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in the chapel.  If this is your child’s first time attending Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form.  Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel after the service.
Gospel Lesson                  Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon     An Embarrassment of Riches Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

Gifts given for Love to flow

Call to Offering
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 to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to  859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
 Offertory             Thou Shalt Bring Them In       G. Handel
¨   Doxology            We give thee but thine own, what e’er the gift may be.         Schumann
                  All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee!

Praying it Forward

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.
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer  
One:     Our Maker, our Mother, and …
All:      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

¨  Closing Hymn #611        O Day of God, Draw Near     St. Michael
¨  Benediction
One:     Go now as children of the light:
All:      Ready to serve, Eager to give, Delighted to love. 
One:     And may God’s blessing – Source, Word and Spirit, One – keep, lead and mold you, now and forever.
All:      Amen.
Postlude    Aeolian Fanfare          C. Callahan

All prayers written by the Rev. Kaji S. Dousa

———————————————
¨  Please rise in body or in spirit
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 Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda and our brothers and sisters at Mt. Zion Christian Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
¨ Those in harm’s way in service of our country, and those who wait and worry for them
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes:  Edith Hansen, Klara Welsh, Bernice Robertson, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin
¨ Don Robertson, Bernice’s son and caregiver, at home and recovering from serious heart attack
¨ Teri Van Pelt and Christine Ward and their family
¨ Melissa & Susan Doring Zook’s family members, facing health crises
¨ Wyndee Holbrook’s friend, Andrew Boyd, a young Orthodox preacher in NYC a who is struggling with newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease.
¨ Ruth Butwell, who had a fall at home
¨ Leslie Small Stokes, for wisdom and courage as she meets a certification committee this week
Announcements 
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.

You are the SALT of the earth!  Pledge & help sustain our inclusive outreach and faithful service to make 2015 a year of Serving and Loving Together!

    Thank you for your prayerful consideration.  It may not easy to talk about giving,  but it is ever so important.  You are a vital to our mission, and your gifts are what make it possible.  You may use the pledge cards in the pews or go online to www.easytithe.com/union for easy access!
Help for Ways to Give Register for Kroger Community Rewards AND Amazon Smile too! See Leslie Small Stokes & Dave Kobersmith— they have their laptops and will help you right after church.
Today!  12-2pm, Christmas with a Conscience… What to buy for that friend or family member for the holidays? Why not give alternative gifts this year that reach toward your loved ones’ hopes and dreams for a better world? Maybe what your friends and family really want for this year is health care, food and housing for those in need, or disaster relief for the Philippines. Come and shop for that alternative gift for your loved ones AND share in a delicious soup lunch to benefit Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO).

Next week: Fourth Sunday New Membership Info: Come One Come All!   Each Fourth Sunday of the Month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board.

    Light refreshments will be offered and you are invited to pick up coffee or tea in the parlor on your way through the hall.
New members will be received each Second Sunday of the month at the close of worship.
Family Faith Day Nov. 23 You are invited to a new project for families to celebrate and share faith together! Our first Family Faith Day is next Sunday after church.
All varieties of families are welcome! We will eat pizza and create a family Advent calendar for you to use at home. Please bring a small donation for pizza if able.
The Faith Development Board is sponsoring these opportunities for intergenerational sharing of justice and faith.
Please take a look at the insert today and see if you can help with supplies. We need these by Thursday, Nov. 20 –thanks!!
Nurture & Care Advent Breakfast: Sundays, 9-10:15 am The Nurture & Care Board would love to nurture and care for you! Come join us for a casual oatmeal breakfast Sunday mornings in Advent, starting November 30.  Oatmeal, festive toppings, coffee, friends old and new: we want to hang out with you!
Together we make a supportive community. Grab a bowl of oats on your way to choir or Sunday School. Sit and enjoy a conversation with friends while your children attend Sunday School. We look forward to seeing you!
Berea College Christmas Concert tickets available  The concert, featuring Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles and Community Carol Singing, will be here at Union Church Friday, Dec. 5th and Saturday Dec. 6th, both  at 7:30 pm. Pre-concert music will start at 7:00 with the Clarinet Ensemble, Folk Roots Ensemble, and Saxophone Quartet. Although admission is free, tickets are required due to limited seating.
Tickets for the Christmas Concert are now available for pick up. This year the Music Department is using an online distribution at no cost. You can either print at home, order a print tickets, place on will call, or bring your phone, iPad, or tablet. Last minute tickets may be obtained at the door if still available. In order to get tickets please visit berea.brownpapertickets.com or scan the QR code.
For more information call 859-985-3466 or email javier_clavere@berea.edu