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

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

November 17, 2019    10:30 am

Meditation
Often trials will come, friends fail, and the heavens above appear as brass and the earth beneath as iron, yet if you will hold on with Jacob, or stand still with Moses, you will see the face of God; the Red Sea of difficulties will open before you, and you will walk through dry shod.
—Rev. John Gregg Fee

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!
Greeting from Berea College President Roelofs
Prelude Snowflakes David Moore
The Call
One: Praise the Source of faith and learning that has sparked and stoked the mind with a passion for discerning how the world has been designed.
All: Let the sense of wonder flowing from the wonders we survey keep our faith forever growing and renew our need to pray.
One: God of wisdom, we acknowledge that our science and our art and the breadth of human knowledge only partial truth impart.
All: Far beyond our calculation lies a depth cannot sound where your purpose for creating and the pulse of life are found.
One: May our faith redeem the blunder of believing that our thought has displaced the grounds for wonder which the ancient prophets taught.
All:       May our learning curb the error which unthinking faith can breed lest we justify some terror with an antiquated creed.
One:      As two currents in a river fight each other’s undertow till converging they deliver one coherent steady flow.
All: Blend, O God, our faith and learning till they carve a single course, till they join as one, returning praise and thanks to you, their Source. 
by Thomas Traeger, from the hymn “Praise the Source of Faith and Learning”
¨  Hymn  We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky   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 The Time for Turning Words: Pamela Martin
Berea College Homecoming Choir Music: Trad. Irish melody
To everything a season, to everything a time; a moment to move forward and leave the past behind. As summer turns to autumn and bids farewell to spring, there comes a time for turning to every living thing.
The breezes change direction, the geese turn homeward bound. The leaf turns from its clinging and falls upon the ground. The flower turns from blooming to slumber in the snow. And so to all a season, a time for letting go.
Now is the time for turning and this the place to start; for yielding to the yearning, for changing of the heart; a moment to surrender the things we should release, forgive and find forgiveness, and in forgiveness, peace.
Based on the tune Salley Gardens, arr. Craig Courtney
Hebrew Scripture Lesson  Isaiah 12 (p. 821)
A song of praise.
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 21:5-19(p. 1268)
When his disciples admire the temple, Jesus tells them that it shall pass away in great cataclysm, but that “this will give you an opportunity to testify.”
Sermon Thanksgiving, Remembrance … and the Ultimate Dismantling of All We Thought We Knew  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.
What is bursting forth new in your life? What old temples need to be dismantled in order to bring holy power to the work God calls you to?
 Isaiah speaks of God answering and becoming a “salvation,” and easing all fears. Meditate on a time when you most needed this. In what ways did salvation manifest, if it did.  Where is the presence of God for you when you do not feel such an answer?
For what are you thankful this day? What in your life calls forth endurance? Who are your allies in endurance and strength?
Prayer Corner  (Front Left) Give thanks for the people, places, and things that have been sources of faith and learning in your life. You are invited to kneel, sit or stand and use the focus meditations if they are helpful.
Bell Corner (Front Right) Building strength takes long practice and work. Lift the weights. Feel the stretch and effort. As you do, focus on an element of your being that is being built up. Pray in this way to be strengthened to continue the spiritual exercises that build your heart and soul strength.
Our Prayers Embodied (Rear corner, Bell side)  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.
Children’s Fire Do some muscle exercises and thank God for strengthening your body, mind, and heart.  Learning is a great way to exercise the mind! What are you curious about? What do want to learn? Make a list, or draw a picture!
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 #407 Black How Firm a Foundation Foundation
¨  The Sending and Blessing An Irish Blessing arr. James E. Moore
Berea College Homecoming Choir
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May the sun make your day bright. May the stars illuminate your night. May the flowers bloom along your path, your house stand firm against the storm and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
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  East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia and the Philippines and our brothers and sisters at Ransom Baptist Church, in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ 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.
¨ Joanne Moore, friend of Hazel Morris, with health concerns.
¨ Berea College alumni, families and friends. It is a joy to worship together!
The Justice Candle is lit today in honor of Andrew Baskin, Janice Blythe, Cleo Charles, Dick Drake, Occie Gunkler, Bob Menefee, Michelle Tooley, and the many other Berea Professors – current and former – who took their commitment to their students into the wider world to make sure that Berea Values of equality and dignity for all were not just words.
Announcements
Welcome To Berea College Alumni, Families and Friends! Union Church is delighted to welcome returning graduates and their friends and families. We are especially grateful for the voices making up the homecoming choir!
TODAY after worship. Let’s do lunch!  Youth Group fundraiser lunch right after worship. Rev. Kent will fill us in on his sabbatical adventures and experiences. Please come on down to support our youth and welcome Rev. Kent back! Baked potato bar, salad and dessert – yum!!
Learn more about the church next week! Come One, Come All! Each fourth Sunday of the month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, are invited to come to the Classroom, past the office at the end of the hall, and join in conversation with the Community Life and Growth Board after worship.
Saturday: Nov. 23 Celebration of Giving, 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.
The Mission & Service Board is calling all cookie bakers to help us fill a table of cookies at the “Celebration of Giving!” These can be Christmas cookies or any favorite cookies of yours. These cookies will be for sale to help offset the expenses for the M&S Board for the rental of the Folk Center. Pleas e-mail Betty Hibler at betty_hibler@berea.edu or leave a message at 859-940-8735. Many thanks from the M&S Board.

    Coming Up – Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, December 1  26th Danish American Yule Fest,  5:30 – 7:45 PM, Dec. 1. at the Russel Acton Folk Center, 212 Jefferson Street. Santa’s workshop, live music, food, candy, drinks, Santa Lucia, story-telling, community. Free admission, donations accepted. Sponsored by the Folk Circle Association.
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.
Sunday, December 8 Berea Classic Chorale Concert, 2:30 pm, sanctuary.
Sunday, December 22 Christmas Caroling right after worship!!! Watch for details.
Changes to your Directory Info 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.
If you haven’t made any changes, no action is necessary. Thank you! Email changes & new photos to the office at office@union-church.org