A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Proper 26 of the Season after Pentecost All Saints Sunday
Meditation
“The saints live not after the fashion of the world … The dignity of the saints is so great because they are not of this world, but ‘of the household of God.’” ~ St. Thomas Aquinas
From There to Here: We Gather
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
¨ The Call Sue Peterson Blyth, Reader
One: We are surrounded by clouds of witnesses!
All: Graces gathered like polished stones come from those who have blessed our way.
One: Friends, the Lord of living love suffuses creation with the power of life, the power of life stronger than death.
All: Even in the valley of shadows, God whispers: Holiness is the presence of Love in the Living.
¨ Hymn #376 God, We Thank You for Our People Holy Manna
- God, we thank you for our people, roots dug deep within the soil, hardy spirits, rich in loving, strong for struggle, bold for toil. Faithful Rock of generations, you whom parents’ parents praised: here in hope as we remember may our song to you be raised.
- Thank you, God, for gentle pleasure: lessons learned and secrets told, hopes and memories saved as treasure, passed to young ones by the old, pranks and glories, songs and stories, food by loving hands prepared. God we bless you for your presence in our tears and laughter shared.
- Still we must confess before you, sometimes, Savior, we have failed; though we worship and adore you, sometimes love has not prevailed. Tempers racing, devil chasing, hearts estranged by ice or flame You transform by ways forgiving. Grace amazing! Grace, your name.
- By your Spirit of creation keep us bold for risking still, eager in anticipation, ever strong to do your will. Bind us close to one another, sharing life and death and birth, welcoming as sister, brother, all your children on the earth.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
God of all mercies, have mercy on us. We face the week ahead with trepidation in part because we have not faced the weeks gone by with honesty. As individuals and as a church and as a nation we have not fully lived as we ought as followers of your living Christ. We have made greed great and made compassion small, and for this we suffer and cause suffering to others whom you care about.
Be in our future, Lord of second chances: be in our future choices, decisions, and connections that we might be further from these mistakes and closer to your better way. Humbly we ask you to forgive us and magnify our sincere desire to hew closer to all that your Love demands. In Christ’s name, Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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 Surrounded by Love Ruth McLain Smith Al, Alice & Ruth
1. We gather here remembering the saints who walked before. Their faithful steps guide us on toward heaven’s open door. Their help and love continue still though earthly days are done. United in God’s gracious light, Eternal life is won.
Refrain: We are surrounded by love, gathered in holiness The spirits guide our ways. We lift our hearts in grateful praise.
2. We honor thoughtful, humble lives we’ve been so glad to know. Who served with kindness, lived with grace, and helped our own love grow. Their faith was lived in daily ways. Their work here filled with care. God welcomed them with breath of peace. A gentle place they share. Refrain
3. Lord, keep us in communion sweet with those we miss each day. Protected, loved, and safe with you, their hearts secure that way. Until the day we too are raised restore our hope within Though clouds of darkness hide the way, His love shines again. Refrain
Scripture Reading Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack, and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous; therefore judgment comes forth perverted. I will stand at my watchpost and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me and what he will answer concerning my complaint.
Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faithfulness. ~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
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 Reading Luke 6:20-31
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. ~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon The Undoing of Others Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard and reflect together.
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift our hearts in prayer.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is good to give thanks and praise.
Call to Prayer
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 Canada and the United States of America and our siblings at Silver Creek Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
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.
All Saints Day Remembrance
One: Remembering All Saints Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate and remember those in our lives who have gone before us. Their presence in our community has contributed to and shaped our work, our life, character and story.
One: We remember those whose faithful witness proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ in words loud and soft, in actions great and small.
All: We gather before God, and remember the saints who have told the stories of God’s people, and witnessed to their faith in times gone by.
[The Peace Bell will be rung as the names of members of the church who have died in the past year are read. In addition, we hold in our prayers the memory of each and every loss suffered by members as we commend them to God.]
Richard Bellando, Dorothy “Dottie” Blackburn
Gerald “Jerry” Cooper, Janice “Jan” Hamilton
Phyllis Hughes, Kelly Mehler
Carol Shaffer, Larry Shinn
Annriette Stolte, Barbara Walters
One: We remember those known in our lives who have died in this last year. Please stand and remain standing if you have lost a grandmother or grandfather in this last year. Your mother or father. A spouse or partner. A child. A treasured sibling. An aunt or uncle. A close relative. A classmate, teacher or mentor. A dear friend. A member of your work or school community.
One: We hold space for our sorrow, but let us not grieve as those without hope. The Spirit intercedes for us, and Christ is Lord of the Living and of the dead. For all the saints who went before us, who have spoken to our hearts and touched us with your fire, we praise you, O Lord.
All: They will hunger no more and thirst no more, and every tear shall be wiped from their eye.
[All may be seated.]
Communion Prayer
Sanctus please join in singing!
Words of Institution
One: We remember that on the night in which he died, Jesus sat at table with his friends, took bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying:
All: “Take and eat,
One: this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
One: After supper he took the cup of wine and, after giving thanks, gave it to them and said,
All: “Drink this, all of you:
One: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: God of heaven and earth, bless what we do here. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and our world that we may live to see your law and your way become our reality.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher.
All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit and all people, within your tradition.
Offertory From A Distance Julie Gold
Father of Night Bob Dylan Al, Alice & Ruth
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¨ Doxology Old Hundredth
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.
Community Prayer of Thanksgiving Sue Peterson Blyth, Reader
For these gifts, for these blessings, for these people, for all the saints, we are so very grateful. By our communion with you and our memories of them may we ever and always give witness to the wider life and the deeper love to which you call us. May we rise from this table to sit with others in need. When we turn from this place, may we turn toward your world of blessing, carrying in us the blessing of Christ’s love and sacrifice that there may always be a place of grace wherever your people are found. By your word and power, heal and hold us all that we may ever hunger and thirst for the joy of your company.
For our country and community as we face our future: Help us not pin our hopes on mortals, but on your greater grace acting on both the commandments Jesus called “great.”
Give wisdom to our leaders that both they and we might discern your ways and follow to the blessings you intend; Give courage and power to the people. Let ignorance- whether by intention or chance- fall from us that we might weigh and measure with clear eyes and a Godly heart the decisions before us. By doing so may we choose and support leaders who will support the people and lay bricks for your everlasting Kin-dom, not human greed or vain temples of power, or battlements defending ignorance. Let us not pave the road to further strife by stealing the vote of the wise, or squandering the truth, or turning our backs on the poor, or seeing only the feathers to fit for our own nest. But put breath in our lungs to cry for equal justice, put muscle in our legs to walk every neighborhood, and fire in our hearts to be complete in our care and deep in our devotion to what you have taught us: “God has made of one blood all people of the earth.” Help us now to act as though we carried this truth in our bones.
This we pray in the name of your Christ, our brother Jesus, who taught us to reach ever to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, Our Mother, and Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn #299 For All the Saints Sine Nomine
1. For all the saints who from their labors rest;
Who to the world their steadfast faith confessed,
Your name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. You were their rock, their refuge and their might:
you, Christ, the hope that put their fears to flight;
‘mid gloom and doubt you were their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Still may your people, faithful, true, and bold,
Live as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And share with them a glorious crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. Ringed by this cloud of witnesses divine,
We feebly struggle; they in glory shine;
Yet in your love our faithful lives entwine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
Then hearts are brave again, and faith grows strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
In China, the persecution of Christians has intensified under Xi Jinping’s “Sinicization” policy, which aims to subordinate all religions to the Chinese Communist Party. Both state-sanctioned and independent Christian communities face increasing state control, surveillance, and suppression. Unregistered and formerly tolerated “house churches” are now considered illegal. Authorities have forcibly closed numerous house churches across the country and arrested their leaders and members.
Besides Christianity, Chinese Muslims are also persecuted, particularly the Uyghur minority. Buddhism is mostly tolerated except for the Tibetan branch, which suffers severe persecution. Despite persecution, Christians and other religious groups have proved resilient and continue to persevere in their faith.
¨ Procession to the Memorial Garden
The conclusion of our service will be held in the Memorial Garden (weather permitting). When invited, please proceed directly to the garden through the door near the Peace Bell and gently tie your names as directed. Please bring your bulletin with you. For those who wish to remain in the sanctuary, the sound system will remain on so you can hear and participate. Please assist any in need in your row as we minister to each other.
¨ Commending Our Love to Creation
¨ Benediction
One: For those who walked with us,
All: this is a prayer.
One: For those who have gone ahead,
All: this is our love.
One: For those who touched and tendered us, who lingered with us while they lived,
All: this is a thanksgiving.
One: For those who journey with us still, for those we’ll never know, for those who gather here today, for those saints yet to come,
All: this is a blessing.
One: Go in peace, all you saints.
~adapted by Rev. Ben Groth from an anonymous source
¨ Special Music Swing Low, Swing Down trad. spiritual Al, Alice & Ruth
Union Church pays royalties to benefit the Berea College Black Music Ensemble when the congregation uses African-American spirituals and other traditional uncredited music. We are grateful for these unnamed and uncredited saints who bless us still.
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Dave Reilly’s nephew, Herb Post, ill with kidney cancer that has spread to his lung.
¨ Peggy Patrick, recovering from knee replacement surgery.
¨ Barbara Walters’ family, at her passing. She was the grandmother of Hamrick, Della and Sunni Walters. Arrangements shared when known.
¨ Sally Hindman, due to have knee replacement surgery on Tuesday.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ 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.
¨ That the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East may hold; and those suffering receive the aid they need.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness, and food insecurity.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Hattie Parks, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Nov. 4– Beatrix Smith; 8 – Jo Wernegreen; 9 – LaRee Jacobs; 10 – Mary Robert Garrett
Anniversaries: Nov. 5 – Melissa & Susan Doring-Zook; 8 – Dale & Rita Barlow
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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