A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost October 14, 2012
Meditation
Before we can pray, “Thy kingdom come,” we must be willing to pray, “My kingdom go.”
—Alan Redpath
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending Arr. Wilbur Held
* Call to Worship
One: When God seems distant,
All: we long to find a closeness.
One: When life overtakes us,
All: we long to find stability.
One: When trouble is near and danger is close,
All: we long to find safety.
One: Come find in this place the One we both long to find and who longs to find us.
* Opening Hymn Lord, I Want to Be a Christian I Want to Be a Christian
*Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We try to come to your tabernacle, God, with a cart so heavy-laden that it tips over the mule we’ve asked to pull it.
All: We have many possessions and advantages – so many that they hold us back.
One: We trudge toward the promise of your kin-dom, our shoulders bent under all the “shoulds” we haven’t heeded.
All: Our guilt is as much a burden as our sins.
One: How, O God, can you ever save us?
All: How can we enter your realm?
* Words of Assurance
One: Hear now the good news, you who are beloved whether you believe it or not: for God all things are possible!
All: Thanks be to God!
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the word
Anthem The Loving God Who Made Us All arr. Andrew Birling Union Church Choir
The loving God who made us all has given gifts to each. For some are gifted with a saw, while some are called to preach. And some are called to work with young, while others care for old. The different gifts that each one has create a special whole. The loving Christ who walked on earth saw every one the same: the tax collector, fisherman, the wealthy and the lame. His care for each saw past their face and saw their heart inside. And for them all he gave his life when on the cross he died. The loving Spirit with us now has called us all to be a loving presence in the world to all God’s family. To welcome those within our midst with more than passing nod. To celebrate the lives and loves of every child of God!Epistle Lesson Hebrews 4:12-16
The author suggest that one of the key advantages of Jesus is that he knows us and understands us and was—in fact—fully human.
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.
After Children’s moment our youngest members may return to their seats, go to the nursery in Knapp Hall Room 102 (Nursery is in the back left corner when entering the front of Knapp—ushers will be glad to direct you), or participate in Children’s Church on level 1a in Presser.
Gospel Lesson Mark 10:17-31
Jesus tells the disciples—and by extension, us—that everything they do is for the sake of the good nes will earn them blessings in this life and the next.
Sermon You Do Not Have to Be Good Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Stewardship Moment and Song Kanisa Litanjengua tr. Jorge Lockward
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers & Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing arr. David S. Harris
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn Take My Life, God, Let It Be Hendon
1. Take my life, God, let it be consecrated faithfully. Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2. Take my spirit, let it move, at the impulse of your love. Take my intellect and use all its powers as you choose; all its powers as you choose.
3. Take my will; your will be done! Make your will and mine be one. Take my heart, and by your grace make of it your dwelling place; make of it your dwelling place.
4. Take my love and help it grow; let my loving overflow. Take me now, and help me be part of Christ’s community; part of Christ’s community.
* Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude Come, Christians, Join to Sing (Madrid) arr. Alice Jordan
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* Those who wish to may stand
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 Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal and our brothers and sisters at Wallace Chapel in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
¨ Greg Bolster, brother of Steve, who is suffering painful abdominal complications related to his long-term cancer treatments.
¨ David Spearen, brother of Sandy Bolster, recovering from partial amputation of a leg due to severe diabetes.
¨ Abi Dietz, Berea College senior and friend of Willie Dodson and many others, who was badly injured in a car accident She was moved to Cardinal Hill brain recovery program on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 9).
¨ Those in harm’s way in the service of our country
¨ Edith Hansen, at The Terrace nursing home
¨ Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
¨ Iris Brandenburg’s mother, Leuella Cawood, ill at home in Bristol, TN
¨ Thomas Mack
¨ Ruth Wesley, very ill at home. Cards welcome, to 215 Peachbloom Hill
¨ Hamdy Kemp wishes church family to know that her address is 3217 Mist Lake Court, Lexington, KY 40515.
¨ Jean Huffman, at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center in Richmond
¨ Leslie Berger’s mom, approaching the end of her life
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