A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost All Saints Sunday
Meditation
“A saint is a saint, not because they are ‘impossibly good’ but because they are transparent for something that is more than they themselves are”. ~ Paul Tillich
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship Whitney McKnight, Reader
One: For all the saints who went before us, who have spoken to our hearts, and touched us with your fire,
All: We praise you, O God.
One: For all the saints who live beside us whose weaknesses and strengths are woven with our own,
All: We praise you, O God.
One: For all the saints who live beyond us, who challenge us to change us, to change the world with them,
All: we praise you, O God.
One: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will sing praises to God all my life long.
All: Happy are those whose help is in God, creator of heaven and earth, who is forever faithful; seeking justice for the oppressed and for the hungry; setting prisoners free and opening the eyes of the blind; lifting up those who are bowed down and loving the righteous.
One: The Lord protects strangers and upholds the orphan and widow; and the way of the wicked is brought to ruin.
All: The Lord our God will reign forever, for all generations. Praise the Lord!
~ based on Psalm 146
¨ Opening Hymn #297 Give Thanks for Life Robinson
- Give thanks for life, the measure of our days;
mortal, we pass through beauty that decays,
yet sing to God our hope, our love, our praise:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
2. Give thanks for those who made their life a light
caught from the Christ-flame, bursting through the night,
who touched the truth, who burned for what is right:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
3. And for our own, our living and our dead,
thanks for the love by which our life is fed,
a love not changed by time or death or dread:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
4. Give thanks for hope, that like the wheat, the grain
lying in the darkness does its life retain
in resurrection to grow green again:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession (unison)
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 this day! You are invited to turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Word and Worship
Special Music Dreams n. 1 Amy Beach Bernardo & Desiree Scarambone
Scripture Reading Revelation 21:1-6
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
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 Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’ — this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
Sermon Not Far and Yet Not There Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard.
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.
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.]
Steve Boyce Richard Bromley Betty Jean Hall
David Oldham John Payne Barbara Prairie
Betty Wray Sally Zimmerman
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
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Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
¨ Doxology We Will Rise Jim Papoulis
Prayer of Thanksgiving Whitney McKnight, 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 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 #299 For All the Saints Festal Song
1 For all the saints who from their labors rest; Who to the world their steadfast love 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, And 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
Today we light the Justice Candle for Aaron Banther and Our Land of Promise, a new organization established for awareness of and support for the local African American community. They plan to sponsor
· A School Outreach Program. Beginning with Farristown Middle School to work with and establish good relationships so both the faculty and students can learn about the Farristown community. They will kick off the school year with a faculty/staff luncheon encouraging the school to continue or establish programs.
· An annual Black History Essay Contest during the month of February.
· Ongoing Cemetery Maintenance Program. Local African American Cemeteries our in dire need of upkeep due to an aging church and its members. Students will have the opportunity to participate and earn community hours.
· An annual Juneteenth Celebration
¨ 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 ananonymous source
Special Music A Gathering of Spirits Carrie Newcomer Deborah Thompson, vocalist ~used with permission
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 Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu and our brothers and sisters at St. Clare Church 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.
¨ Erikke Meadows’ mom, Prudy Meadows, with COPD.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ Prayer for a restored and renewed sense of integrity in all public officials and work: that justice may be louder than greed; fair and good governance a blessing to all people, not the favored few.
¨ For safe elections & wise deliberation as the US votes on Tuesday; and in the days to follow.
¨ Dottie Blackburn is in The Terrace for rehab. Cards welcome. 1043 Brooklyn Blvd., Berea.
¨ A close family member of Dodie Murphy’s, who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Prayers also for her husband and 3 young adult children.
¨ Joel Hensley, brother of Union friend Jennifer Zurick, with a fractured tibia that will require extensive surgery.
¨ Marty Hensley and all the family, at the death of his father, Harold White Hensley, at 87.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Nov. 4 – Beatrix Smith; 8 – Jo Wernegreen; 9 – LaRee Jacobs; 11 – Michelle Mecham
Anniversaries: Nov. 5 – Melissa & Susan Doring-Zook
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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