A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation Faith is perception. It is how we see. If we see the world around us as nothing but darkness, a darkness we cannot change, then darkness is what we get. But if we see darkness while we believe in light, a light we cannot see but know is there, then we get something new, we get possibility, the possibility of change. It all comes down to trust. ~Steven Charleston
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude The Trumpet Shall Sound Olivia Puckett, trumpet
Welcome
The Call Gail Wolford, Reader
Compassion changes everything. Compassion heals. Compassion mends the broken and restores what has been lost. Compassion draws together those who have been estranged or never even dreamed they were connected.
Compassion pulls us out of ourselves and into the heart of another, placing us on holy ground where we instinctively take off our shoes and walk in reverence. Compassion springs out of vulnerability and triumphs in unity. ~ Catholic author Judy Cannato (1949–2011)
¨ Hymn They’ll Know We Are Christians St. Brendan’s
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
¨ 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 Piano Trio, Op. 11 II Adagio Ludwig van Beethoven
Rina Tanaka, clarinet; Charles Hoffman, cello; Jenny Bromley, piano
Scripture Lesson Exodus 32:1-14
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”
Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”
When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.” They rose early the next day, and offered burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel. The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'”
The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.” But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people.
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'”
And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.
~New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
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 Lesson Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[d] these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
~ New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Friendship Press, 2021)
Sermon What Matters Dr. Pam Chabora
Video Reflection
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.
Prayer Reflection Questions
What’s pasted on your Bathroom Mirror?
What sustains you and helps you to focus on “WHAT MATTERS?” What does Matter to You? How does it impact your daily life, your relationships, your health, and your interactions with others?
About what are you Anxious? About what do you complain, obsess or meditate ? How does this affect your actions and your daily life? Who/What rubs you the wrong way? Why? What ignites your spirit and inspires you? Why? What do you ponder on or obsess about most? How can you use Paul’s Recipe for Peace more fully…or Walk more fully in the WAY OF LOVE?
What do you perceive as True, Honorable, Just, Pure, Pleasing, Commendable, Excellent or anything Worthy of Praise? Does focusing on these virtues affect what you DO? How does it manifest into Action? How do you DO these?
Offertory
As we come forward, our gifts are received for this common work together.
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 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!
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community Gail Wolford, Reader
One: Let us pray this prayer, offered first by St. Francis of Assisi
All: Lord, make us instruments of your peace: where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
One: Let’s all continue with the true, pure, and simple prayer that Jesus taught us to lift to our Lord ……
Our Lord’s Prayer
All: 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: We Depart
¨ Hymn What Love Demands Mark Hayes
Words and music were commissioned by the congregation in 2021 from nationally renowned composer, Mark Hayes who was moved by the history and mission of the church. The piece especially honors the public health workers, medical personnel, chaplains, and front-line essential workers who answered love’s demands in a time of national pandemic. It is dedicated to them by the people of Union Church, Berea, KY, in memory of Mr. Tom Warth, Dr. Richard and Ms. Judy Drake, and Ms. Mary Lou and Dr. Lester Pross. Please join in singing!
Community Connections Steve Gowler
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church and community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we light this candle to recognize the volunteer efforts of many people who make Room in the Inn possible every year. Room in the Inn is a community based initiative to care for the homeless. We especially want to recognize Jeannie Hogg, who has devoted time and energy year after year to make sure that overnight shelter and food is available for folks who do not have a warm, safe place to be during the harshest winter months. Visit RITI’s Facebook page for more info on how to get involved: facebook.com/ritiberea
Last winter, Union Church served as “homebase”, the place where guests registered for shelter and received a hot meal. We are honored to provide that service again this year. In addition, Mission and Service Board will donate the proceeds from the annual On-line Auction to support this important community effort.
The Union Church Auction goes live Wednesday, October 18 and closes on Thursday, October 26. We will send out the link to Ford Brothers auction as soon as it becomes available. Please share it widely with all your friends and relatives. This is a great time to complete your Christmas shopping. Some of the goodies this year include iron skillets, oil paintings, Tater Knob pottery, vintage linens, a two night stay at a BNB located in Old Town, jewelry, a pair of brass sword handle candlesticks and a leather bound, duck head wine decanter!
¨ Benediction Song and Blessing
Stepping In (Sung)
There is a prayer, like a wide river. It never ends, does not begin. Around the world, it’s always flowing and I am stepping in, we are stepping in!
Postlude
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 Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico; and our brothers & sisters at New Life Assemblies of God in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ 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.
¨ Those suffering due to recent earthquakes in Afghanistan; and in natural disasters everywhere.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Loyal Jones’ family and many friends, at his passing. Arrangements will be shared when known.
¨ Rita Barlow, receiving care at home.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ James Stephens, Charlie Hoffman’s brother-in-law, suffering with cancer.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Russ Neil, family of Peggy Patrick, critically ill and soon moving to hospice
¨ The family of Sharon Sheriff, Barbara Wade’s sister, at her passing, in San Antonio, TX, after a long battle with cancer.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Oct. 18 – June Fish; AnnaBella Christine Wescott; 20 – Gina Chamberlain; 21 – Cheryl Payne, Critley King Smith; 22 – John Payne, Sarah Broomfield, Ellen Suters, Thomas Brownrobie
Anniversaries: Oct. 22 – Howard & Shirley Carlberg
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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