A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Reign of Christ Sunday 10:30 am
Meditation
She usually cried at least once each day, not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful and life was so short. ~ Brian Andreas
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
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 “<>.”
¨ Call To Worship Rev. Jeff Pool, Reader
One: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the sovereigns of the earth.
All: To Jesus, first and last of our faith, who loves us and frees us from our sins we come to offer him glory and dominion forever and ever!
One: Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will cry out on account of him. So it is to be!
All: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. We come with praise, we come with thanks: Let us worship God! Amen!
~based on Revelation 1:4b-8
¨ Opening Hymn #300 Jesus Shall Reign Duke Street
1 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run,
God’s realm shall stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2 Through Christ shall endless prayer be made,
borne by the Spirit’s ceaseless aid;
Like sweet perfume new hymns shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
3 People and realms of every tongue
dwell on God’s love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their earliest prayers in Jesus’ name.
4 Blessings abound where’er Christ reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
5 Let every creature rise and bring
tributes of praise for all to sing,
Angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: God’s Mercy is from everlasting to everlasting, from before the beginning to well past the end. So come, if you carry guilt and seek a new way, let us confess and be freed for better.
All: Holy and merciful God, we confess how we have often missed your message and messed up our world. In doing and in failing to do, we have too often broken that which you meant for healing. Forgive us our sin, and in so doing, help us forge a better path. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Anthem Hymn of Promise, Natalie Sleeth Union Church Choir
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see. Alleluia, alleluia.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity. In our doubt, there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Scripture Reading Psalm 93
The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the Lord! Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.
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 John 18:33-37
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
Sermon Great Thanks at the End Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard.
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.
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
Offertory
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 simply an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ 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!
¨ 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.
Silent Prayers & Prayers of the Community Rev. Jeff Pool, Reader
Great thanks, Lord of our past, for the lessons learned, the skills honed, the friendships that began and that still sustain. Great thanks, redeemer of the now, for you are present minute by minute, a reminder to us of greater cause than any worldly nation or personal comfort: thank you for reminding us the mighty work we are a part of when we build a kin-doms from kingdoms of your impartial and irrepressible love.
Great thanks, Master of Vison and Hope, for all that is yet to come. Unseen blessings sleep in your hand and secret graces unfurl in our midst. Alpha and Omega, heal us at the beginnings of the end, and help us rise at the end of all beginnings. From you we have our being and know the path to true and deep life. Help us therefore, to sustain one another with love and justice. Help us to heal that which has been broken in body or spirit. Help us to preach and praise you less with word and more with deed.
We seek you, we honor you, and would dwell in the realm of your love forever and ever. As Jesus taught us, so we pray reaching to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
¨ Hymn #341 Great Spirit God (v. 1,2,7) Lacquiparle
1. Great Spirit God, the things which are yours are numerous and great. The heavens above you set in their place, and earth received its form by your hands. The ocean depths respond to your will, for you can do all things.
2. Your will, mysterious and so strong, brings growth to all the earth. Food for our souls and clothing to wear, are like your cup that blesses and fills. Provide for us each day of ours lives sufficient for our needs.
7. Your plan for our salvation, O God, grant to my sinful soul. Beyond the heavens is your great abode; all goodness is secure in your hands. The life divine which you gave to me is one that has no end.
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
We light this candle for Robert Emmons, psychology professor and gratitude researcher at the University of California, Davis. Most of us know it’s important to express thanks to the people who help us and to be grateful for our blessings. Emmon’s research has linked gratitude with a wide range of benefits including strengthening your immune system and improving sleep patterns, feeling optimistic and experiencing more joy and pleasure, being more helpful and generous, and feeling less lonely and isolated.
To practice gratitude:
· Affirm the good things you’ve received
· Acknowledge the role other people play in providing your life with goodness
Benediction
¨ Benediction Response We Will Rise Up Together Jim Papoulis
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
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 Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore and our brothers and sisters at Berea Church of God in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ Mary Ellen Sarafin, Betty’s sister, suffering from cirrhosis.
¨ If you want to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, donations of money are best; and Church World Service and the Red Cross are “on the ground” now. Giving directly to them is the best way to help. Please don’t try to travel to affected areas.
¨ 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: Jerry Cooper, Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ For all those caring for others in their illnesses and needs: may God give them both strength and encourage-ment in this work of costly love.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ Dottie Blackburn is in The Terrace for rehab. Cards welcome. 1043 Brooklyn Blvd., Berea.
¨ Ally Nurre, recovering well from knee replacement surgery.
¨ The Taylor family, at the death of Barb’s niece.
¨ Paul Jacobs, who had heart catheterization and is recovering at home.
¨ Lidia Perdomo, our Union Church custodian, recovering from cancer surgery at UK.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Nov. 25 – Ally Nurre, Donna Daniels, Rina Tanaka; 26 – Diana Hultgren, Amy Schill; 27 – Carrie Jadud; 28 – Danielle Cornett; 30 – JoAn Gaines
Anniversaries: Nov. 25 – Chip & Diane Bailey
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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