Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost   

October 22, 2017   10:30 am  

Meditation  
Thesis 22: Celebration and worship are key to human community and survival and such reminders of joy deserve new forms that speak in the language of the twenty-first century.
Thesis 27: Ideology is not theology and ideology endangers the faith because it replaces thinking with obedience, and distracts from the responsibility of theology to adapt the wisdom of the past to today’s needs. Instead of theology it demands loyalty oaths to the past.
Thesis 30:  Creating a church of Sycophants is not a holy thing. Sycophants (Webster’s dictionary defines them as “servile self-seeking flatterers”) are not spiritual people for their only virtue is obedience. A Society of Sycophants — sycophant clergy, sycophant seminarians, sycophant bishops, sycophant cardinals, sycophant religious orders of Opus Dei, Legioneers of Christ and Communion and Liberation, and the sycophant press–do not represent in any way the teachings or the person of the historical Jesus who chose to stand up to power rather than amassing it. —Matthew Fox, A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity                       

From there to Here

Welcome & Announcements                
Welcome to this service of worship!  During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “ ” .”
Please sign in using the pew folder, passing it back down the row so all can greet one another by name, and place the sheet in an offering plate. We’re glad you’re here!
Prelude     Verset de Procession sur l’Adoro Te  L. Boellmann
¨  Call to Worship
One:     O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Divine, all the earth. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the peoples.
All:      For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the God of Love made the heavens. Strength and beauty are in God’s sanctuary.
One:     Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it.
All:      Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Creator; for God brings righteousness and mercy. Let us worship this God!
¨  Opening Hymn #448      Take My Life, God, Let It Be  Vienna
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession 
 One:    God of Grace, we know that you have chosen us, but we often forget that you have also chosen others.   You call us to be imitators of Christ,  yet many times we are imitators of the world.  You challenge us to turn from our idols, but we are tempted to turn back to them again and again.
All:      Rescue us, Lord, from ourselves. Show us your way.   Guide our every action, that we may live as you call us to live.    —  based on 1 Thess 12:1-10, written by Amy Loving
¨  Words of Assurance
One:     When we cry to God, looking for favor in God’s sight, God answers: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” In the power of the Spirit and in the name of Jesus, we are forgiven!
All:      We will rest in God’s mercy! Amen.
 — based on Exodus 33: written by Roberta Egli
¨  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 and joy. 

The Living Word among us

Anthem    The Peace of God       John Rutter
                  Union Church Choir
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       Exodus 33:1-12
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.
Following the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs in Room 104 off the playground.                      
Gospel Lesson                  Matthew 22:15-22
Sermon     Here We Stand: In the Image and Presence of God   Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Here We Stand                                                        Russ Barclay, Habitat for Humanity
Each and every week we stand with partners who are called to life and making a difference. Each Sunday in October we will be celebrating the work of the church with these partners as we are called to life in Christ’s service.

GIfts Given for Love to Flow

Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastors and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory                          Irish Blessing  J. Mansfield
¨  Doxology  We give thee but thine own, what e’re the gift may be,           Schumann
        All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O God, from thee!            

Praying it Forward

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.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer                                 
One:     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

¨  Closing Hymn #542        Born of God, Eternal Savior   Weisse Flaggen
¨  Benediction & Sending Forth
¨  Postlude   Trumpet Tune  J. Stanley
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Learn more about the church today! Come One Come All!  Each fourth Sunday of the month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members, are invited to come to the Classroom two doors past the church after worship for conversation with the Pastor and the Community Life & Growth Board.
500 Years! October 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant reformation, a tumultuous series of church reform movements that reshaped relationships to God in Roman Catholic and dissenting churches alike. The Protestant movement began when a young monk, Martin Luther, posted a series of 95 discussion points on the door of the Wittenberg Church in Germany.
Famously stating “Here I stand, I can do no other,” he resisted corruption and theological beliefs he saw as harmful to God’s people. To learn more about the effects of this act on the whole of western culture an excellent book is Rebel in the Ranks, by Brad S. Gregory. Dr. Gregory also has an exceptional reformation analysis in an audio lecture series published by Great Courses. These are available from Audible.com.
Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel will be looking forward, too, and encourage you to engage the work of Matthew Fox, who has written extensively about Christian reform for the 3rd millenia of faith. His short book, A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity,  details 95 new theses for our modern church. All this month, you’ll find them used as our meditations at the beginning of our bulletins.
Irish Folk Music Concert in honor of Kevin Burke tonight, 5 pm – Berea Center for the Arts, 315 Chestnut St. Admission $15, students  $5.
Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Halloween Spectacular TONIGHT, October 22, 6 pm. The evening will start at 6pm where you can enjoy painting pumpkins and other activities while listening to live music on the lawn. Then come down the Community Room for some more spectacular activities!
There, we will be having our chili cookoff where you get to vote with your dollars on the winner! Learn more about Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and the work we do together in our shared community.
Program at WNL this week —  come hear about one of our mission partners, Samuel’s Kids, at 6:30pm after dinner. Samuel Ssengooba Mugabi, the executive director of Samuel’s Kids Ministries, will be speaking about the orphanage he runs for more than 30 children in Uganda. Most have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis there. More info at www.samuelskids.org.
In These Fields October 26, 8 pm, sanctuary: a play exploring the importance of food in Appalachian history and culture, covering 175 years in the American South. The monologues are written by best-selling author, Silas House, and the songs are written by Appalachian singer and songwriter Sam Gleaves. The cast includes:  Carla Gover, Deborah Payne, Jason Howard, Silas House, and Sam Gleaves! No charge, donation of $10 welcome but not required.
Sunday October 29 – Celebration of Traditional Music Hymn Sing here at Union — in Cowan Chapel this year. 9 am, all are welcome – sing or listen!
Next Sunday! You are cordially invited to the Steiner-Reck 40th Anniversary Concert and Celebration on October 29, at 4:00 pm.  This concert and celebration will be to honor and celebrate our beloved 42-rank Steiner-Reck organ, completed and dedicated in October of 1977.  This concert will bring guest organists from around Central Kentucky to help showcase the artistry and masterful musical craftsmanship our beloved instrument has.  Guest artists will include Schuyler Robinson from the University of Kentucky, Jon Johnson from the Church of the Good Shepherd (Lexington, KY), and Gabriel Evans from Union Church and Berea College.  All are welcome to come celebrate this wonderful event.  A reception will follow the concert in the Community Room.  
Poster by Jessica Holly, picture drawn by Charlsa Hensley.
Kevin Burke’s memorial service will be Saturday, November 4, 11 am. Visitation will be Friday the 3rd, 5:30—8:00 pm, here at church. A reception in the Community Room will follow the Saturday service. If you can bring finger-foods for the reception, you can take them to the kitchen during visitation or before the service. Thanks. At 5 pm there will be an all-church family hayride at Rev. Kent & Diana’s home, 298 Harrison Rd., where will honor Kevin’s great gift of hospitality as we gather together.
Friends of the Madison County Public Library “Little Library Quilt Show and Silent Auction” is now showing in both branches of the public library until December 9.  This fundraiser supports the staff and programming throughout the year.  You can view all 43 book inspired textile creations on line and make a bid at that time.  Bidding is online this year.  Website for the auction  http://madisonlibrary.org/app/auction/. 
Save-these-Dates
Oct. 26 In These Fields, a folk opera, performed as part of the Celebration of          Traditional Music weekend, 8 pm
Oct. 29 Hymn Sing, 9 am—in Cowan Chapel (please note change)
Oct. 29  40th Anniversary of the Organ is celebrated with a concert, 4 pm
Nov. 3 & 4 Visitation and Memorial service for Kevin Burke
Nov. 4 Hayride at Kent & Diana’s, 5 pm