A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship Jennifer Elam, Reader
One: We have gathered to worship God.
All: We have come seeking comfort, inspiration, community, and insight.
One: We have come to open ourselves to the power of God’s presence in our midst.
All: We have come to offer up the seasons and the turnings in our lives, and to ask God’s help in our learning and in our growing.
One: We have come like Job with trials and sorrows:
All: People with questions and doubts.
One: We come like Deborah and Joshua
All: People capable of courage.
One: We come like Mary, and Martha, and Peter, and the countless unnamed:
All: People who then and now carry the story of faith in what we do and how we live.
One: Let us worship God with all of who we are and all of what we bring. We come that justice may flow, and heart-healing rise.
All: Be present, God, to all your people: Amen!
¨ Opening Hymn #588 Let Justice Flow like Streams St. Thomas
- Let justice flow like streams of sparkling water, pure, enabling growth, refreshing life, abundant, cleansing, sure.
2. Let righteousness roll on as others’ cares we heed, an ever-flowing stream of faith translated into deed.
3. So may God’s plumb line, straight, define our measure true, and justice, right, and peace pervade this world our whole life through.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Let us Pray:
All: Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment.
Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image.
[Silence is observed]
One: In the name of Christ’s mercy we pray.
All: 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
Choir Anthem Roll Down, Justice! Mark A. Miller Union Church Choir
There’s a voice, strong and clear, ringing out far and near “Let justice roll down, let justice roll down!” Like the rush of a stream comes a powerful dream, let justice roll down, justice rolls down! Let the earth be restored, every soul be reformed; let the healing renew, creation reborn. Here in this sacred space with the strength of God’s grace let justice roll down, justice rolls down! Roll down, justice! Roll like an ever flowing stream.
Let your heart soar, open the doors wide, let your mind be transformed, let it be opened by love. On this glorious day give us courage we pray, that justice rolls down.
Let the vision take flight and God will delight as water roll down, justice abounds! Roll down, justice! Roll like an ever flowing stream.
All are invited to join in singing:
Come, thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing your grace. Streams of justice, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I’m foxed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love!
Scripture Reading Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Then Job answered: “Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would give heed to me. There the upright could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.
“If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!”
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 10:17-31
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud. Honor your father and mother.'” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age–houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions–and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Sermon Firsting and Lasting 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.
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¨ 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 Prayer & Prayers of the Community Jennifer Elam, Reader
In the rain and rubble, send us bread and strength. In the pain and loss, send us tendrils of grace in healing hands. In our greed and in our petulance, keep us lean to be last. And in our compassions and cares, may what love demands be first and full. Lord of Grace, we hallow your presence and thank you for the shards of light in the darkness of present days.
Your love outlasts all harm; you carry healing on your wings. Shelter now all of us in need. In body, mind or spirit, help us. Save us from all that harms the will or the world you would have us create with you. This we pray the name of our brother Jesus, who taught us to reach 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 #531 God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak Canonbury
1 Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone.
As you have sought, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.
2 Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
some wanderers along life’s way.
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hungry ones without delay.
3 Oh, fill me with your fullness, God,
Your overflowing love to know;
In glowing word and kindling thought,
Your love to tell, your praise to show.
4 Oh, use me, God, use even me,
Just as you will, and when, and where
Until your blessed face I see,
Your rest, your joy, your glory share.
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
Disability Awareness Week begins this Sunday and today we honor Justin Dart, Jr., widely thought of as the “father” of the ADA, born in 1930 to a very wealthy, prominent family. In 1948 Justin contracted polio and was given three days to live. It was at this point in his life that Justin changed directions. Justin felt loved and was given affection by those around him and liked the feeling. In turn, he began to treat people with respect and love. Although polio turned Justin into a wheelchair user, it did not kill him. Justin became president of Tupperware Japan, where he hired women and people with disabilities to empower them.
In 1981, President Reagan selected Dart to be the vice-chair of the National Council on Disability. At this time Justin and his wife, Yoshiko, began a national tour to collect accounts of injustices and hardships that disabled people faced in order to create a piece of legislation that would finally address discrimination against people with disabilities in America, after which they brought the stories they collected back to Washington, D.C. and began working towards legislation that is now known as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Justin wrote “ADA is a landmark commandment of fundamental human morality. It is the world’s first declaration of equality for people with disabilities by any nation. It will proclaim to America and to the world that people with disabilities are fully human; that paternalistic, discriminatory, segregationist attitudes are no longer acceptable; and that henceforth people with disabilities must be accorded the same personal respect and the same social and economic opportunities as other people.”
¨ Benediction The God of Second Chances David Haas
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!
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
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 & Mexico; and our brothers and sisters at New Life Assemblies of God in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ Mary Ellen Sarafin, Betty’s sister, suffering from cirrhosis.
¨ Nick Lockwood, 21-year-old nephew of the Lockwood and Methler family.
¨ Darlene Lowe, seriously ill with Covid complications and C.Diff, and for her wife, Lauri McVicker , as she cares for her.
¨ 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: 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.
¨ Congratulations to Whitney McKnight, who has received a grant from the Mountain Association to start her newspaper, The Edge.
¨ Travel mercies for Iris Bailey, currently travelling in Japan with our sister city program. She’ll be joined later in the week by her family and will visit relatives in Osaka!
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Samuel Ssengooba Mugabi, founder of Samuel’s Kids Orphanage in Uganda, has been released from prison after a year!! Union Church friends have supported Samuel’s Kids since its founding.
Birthdays: Oct. 16—Fhazaneh Jackson; Oct. 18 – June Fish, AnnaBella Wescott; 20 – Gina Chamberlain; Critley King Smith
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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