A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24) 10:30 am
Meditation “Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving nature’s laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems but by keeping its dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.” ~Tupac Shakur, The Rose That Grew from Concrete
Prelude
Welcome
From There to Here: We Gather
¨ The Call
One: I know very little about the spiritual life. It is so immense and I am so finite. I only have a limited way to try to make sense of it. My mind can encompass only so much. My heart can embrace only so much. Far out beyond me, the infinite love at the center of creation continues to ripple out, changing and creating, inventing and inspiring, dreaming and designing: it never ends. I am not wise, but curious. I am not good, but awake. I am a leaf, floating on a mountain stream, toward the distant blue ocean. ~ Steven Charleston
¨ Hymn #12 Black I Sing the Mighty Power of God Ellacombe
1 I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
2 I sing the goodness of our God, who filled the earth with food, God formed the creatures with a word, and then pronounced them good. Oh, how your wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
3 On earth there’s not a plant or flower below, but makes your glory known, The clouds arise, and spread their showers, by order from your throne. All life is but a gift from you and ever in your care; Wherever people gather, you, O God, are present there.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: In the silence of these moments we pause to confront ourselves and name to you the matters that prevent us from fully realizing your grace.
We name things that prevent us from accepting ourselves, that keep us from accepting one another, that block us from reaching out to humankind and to creation.
(a brief silence is observed)
All: We abandon ourselves to you in trust; hear us, love us, and forgive us. Merciful One, hear our prayer. Amen.
~Diane Zaerr Brenneman, Words for Worship 2 Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2009
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ Passing the Peace
Announcements, Prayers and Celebrations
Announcements
Lighting the Justice Candle
Today we light this candle to recognize the incredible work of Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen. Andres is a chef and restaurateur who saw the role of cooks – and the power of food – could change the world. In 2010, after a devastating earthquake in Haiti he founded World Central Kitchen with the support of his wife Patricia, as well as his business partner Rob Wilder and his wife Robin.
WCK responds to natural disasters, man-made crises, and humanitarian emergencies around the world. They are a team of food first responders, mobilizing with the urgency of now to get meals to the people who need them most. Deploying a model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, they know that a nourishing meal in a time of crisis is so much more than a plate of food—it’s hope, it’s dignity, and it’s a sign that someone cares.
In days after the devastating flood in eastern Kentucky, World Central Kitchen was there serving hot meals. Right now, there are WCK teams feeding people in Florida, Pakistan, Puerto Rico and the Ukraine. The slogan of World Central Kitchen is “Food is a Universal human right”.
Read more about World Central Kitchens at https://wck.org/news
Word And Worship
Special Music Andante con Moto Reinecke Union Church Orchestra
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Jeremiah 31:27–34 , p. 931
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days they shall no longer say: “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of the one who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge.
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord, for I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more. ~ New Revised Standard Version, updated edition
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Please note that Union Church services are livestreamed, including the Children’s Moment. A “no camera zone” is at the back of the balcony, behind the AV booth.
Gospel Lesson Luke 18:1–8 , p.1262
The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” ~ New Revised Standard Version, updated edition
Sermon Resistless Love Rev. Kent Gilbert
Visual Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastor and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external ministries.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier. Baskets are placed at the head and foot of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation. Electronic donations can be made very simply and easily at: https//: www.easytithe.com/union
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offering Music Lord, Speak to Me R. Schumann, arr. S. Eithun Union Church Handbell Ensemble
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. Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead the wand’ring and the wav’ring feet. Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed Your hungry ones with manna sweet. Oh, use me, Lord, use even me, just as you will, and when, and where Until your blessed face I see, Your rest, your joy, your glory share.
Community Prayer
Maker of all, Lover of Creation, Healer of Worlds, you have trusted us with an obstinate grace. Wearing away the stones of hatred and hurt, your persistent love everflowing channels hope and erodes every obstacle. Our praise is never-ending for your never-ending care, and now we beg your help for when our spirit lags, and the way seems closed. For all who are facing intractable difficulty, lend your resistless hope that they may carry forward. For all who are sick and tired of being sick and tired, keep alive in them the flame of right and light, and the promise of joy. For all who fear for the future, send us the persistence of righteous women to inhabit our very bones. May we never, never, never, never, never cease from serving the gospel of Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray and act for a beloved kin-dom in your name. This we pray as he taught us, reaching to you as….
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
¨ Hymn #437 Black We Shall Not Give Up the Fight Only Started
- We shall not give up the fight, we have only started, we have only started, we have only started. We shall not give up the fight. We have only started, we have only started, we have only started.
2. Together we’ll have victory, hand holding hand, hand holding hand, hand holding hand. Together we’ll have victory, hand holding hand, hand holding hand, hand holding hand.
3. Never, ever put to flight, we’re bound to win, we’re bound to win, we are bound to win. Never, ever put to flight, we’re bound to win, we’re bound to win, we are bound to win.
Partnership and Purpose
At Union we agree to abide by these Fellowship Principles:
“Union Church welcomes all followers of Christ and works with all who work with him, working by love, respecting each one’s conscience, and endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit within the bond of peace.” (1853)
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨ Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
¨ Benediction
Postlude Let the Merry Bells Kasey Crockett
You are welcome to be seated to appreciate the music following service, and to show appreciation at the end with applause.
Our Prayers for Other
¨ 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 (Link to World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle. https://union-church.org/ministries/prayer/). Let us hold the people of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico; and our brothers & sisters at Bearwallow Pentecostal Holiness Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 17,100 Kentucky residents, and 297 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ The families and friends and for all the emergency responders to the floods in our Eastern counties: that safety return, that homes be rebuilt, that all needed help will come.
¨ Prayers for 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 seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Jeff From’s family, at the death of his mother, Darla.
¨ Doris Mosely, sister of Deb Beishline, with Covid and heart issues.
¨ Dorothy Chao’s cousin’s son who died from depression, and a very dear friend who passed away suddenly from cancer.
¨ Cecelia McKinney, whose Florida home was flooded in the Hurricane. Update: They are awaiting FEMA to pick up their damaged goods. They wont be able to live in their house for about 4 months, but have a house of a friend in town, and they go over about every day to work. Water soaked and they lost their appliances, bottom kitchen cabinets, carpet, books, and other things that were in the 12 inches of water that flooded the house and inched its way up into dresser drawers, bookcases, etc. They are so appreciative of prayers and love and request they keep coming .
¨ Doug Hindman in hospital and recovering from surgery
Ҭ Lois Morgan, at the death of her sister.
¨ Dottie Lovell, recovering from surgery on her broken back.
¨ Patsy Boyce, sister-in-law of Bob and Jean Boyce, undergoing chemotherapy
¨ Betty Hibler, in her move to Black Mountain, NC. New address: 200 Tabernacle Rd., Apt. D-54, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
¨ Truman & Joyce Fields in their recent move. New address (corrected, sry): 300 Stocker Dr. #202, Richmond, KY, 40475.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Michelle, beloved nurse at Morning Pointe, undergoing treatment for cancer.
¨ Jess Burton & Jake Graber and their little girl, Lila, who has serious gastric issues.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays—Oct. 18 – June Fish; Anabella Wescott; 20 – Gina Chamberlain; 21 – Critley King Smith; Sarah Broomfield – John Payne, Sarah Broomfield, Thomas Brownrobie
Anniversaries—Oct. 22 – Howard & Shirley Carlberg
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