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

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

October 23, 2016 10:30 am

 
Meditation
Poverty, being poor, being rich is about being in or out of  relationship: with God, with the other, with creation. You can have all the money in the world and be poor, dirt poor in everything that matters. And if you are out of good relationship in these ways you may well be perpetuating the hunger and violence and unequal distribution of resources that plague others.
You want to help others? Check your charity and then offer your commitment to justice.
—Rev. Dr. Felicia LaBoy
Address to Kentucky Council of Churches, Oct 21 2016

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     
*  Call to Worship  
One: This is the day the Lord has made:
All: a day for praise and prayer; a day for gratitude and generosity.
One: This is the time God has given us:
All: a time for singing and silence; a time for speaking and listening.
One: This is the life to which God calls us:
All: a life of humility and service; a life of faith and trust.
One: Let us worship the mighty power and love of God with all our hearts, minds, and spirit!
*  Opening Hymn #12  I Sing the Mighty Power of God Ellacombe
*  Prayer of Approach and Confession 
*  Words of Assurance
One: Forgiven and healed, we open ourselves to the grace, the peace, the hope offered to us through our loving God. This is the good news we have received!
All: Graced and blessed: thanks be to God!
*  Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 Word in our Midst

Special Music Sonata in G Major for Flute & Piano, Allegro F.J. Haydn
Richard and Jenny Bromley
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Psalm 65
The psalmist offers a hymn of praise for God who forgives transgression, brings the harvest, cares for the poor, and sustains the people.
Children’s Moment   
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, or are welcome return to their seats or visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are 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 off the Community Room.
Gospel Lesson  Luke 18:9-14
Jesus tells the story of a Pharisee who is just a little too proud of his own humility in prayer, and the tax collector who understood better.
Gospel Response   Sonata in G Major for Flute & Piano, Adagio              F.J. Haydn
Richard and Jenny Bromley
Sermon             Breaking Blessed      Rev. Kent Gilbert

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
*  Doxology Avery/Marsh

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 Prayers and Prayers for 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 #448  Take My Life, God, Let It Be Vienna
*  Benediction & Sending Forth
    Postlude (please  be  seated)    
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 Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and our brothers and sisters at Bethlehem Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ The healing of families, communities, and our nation and world, wracked by violence and murder, may we be agents of transformation.
¨ Refugees around the world.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Elizabeth Barrett, suffering seizures.
¨ Ruth Butwell, in St. Joseph (Main) undergoing heart evaluation.
¨ For the family of Chris McKenzie, whose grandfather has died.
¨ Prayers for Rev. Rachel, Leslie, and their newborn Jack Small Stokes! Everyone is home now in Lexington.
¨ Dottie Blackburn, suffering from severe sciatica
¨ George and Loretta Mountjoy, both in rehab facilities; George for knee replacement, Loretta after heart valve surgery
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.
Today—potluck right after worship — come on down! The Mission Board has gone through a discernment process to choose long term projects & commitments that will engage the congregation in action, advocacy and broadening our understanding of these important issues. Come down to eat, share fellowship and talk about  …

• Racial justice
• Refugee/immigrant justice
• Food justice

Learn more about the church next week. 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 who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the Classroom two doors past the church after worship for conversation with the Pastor and the Community Life and Growth Board.
New members will be received each Second Sunday of the month at the close of worship.
Pray, Plan, Pledge! Many hands make possible every aspect of our church life: from worship services, to serving others in need. Each year we ask everyone to estimate a contribution for the next year. After you pray about the money, then together we can pray about the work! Consecration Sunday, when we receive all pledge cards is next Sunday. It will be a joyful celebration of little drops making a river of grace. You can pledge by filling out a card (coming in the mail soon!) or by going online! www.union-church.org/donate/Pledge2017
Congratulations and greetings from the Kentucky Council of Churches. Representing 11 denominations (and Union Church!) the KCC has served for 69 years in common advocacy, procla-mation and the practice of unity.
At the recent assembly, we elected the Rev. Kent H. Gilbert as president of the KCC and commend Union Church for his service and offer thanks to the church for being a founding member of the council that continues to enrich the state. -Rev. Dr. Peggy Hinds, Interim Executive Director, KCC.
The Berea College Concert Choir & Chamber Singers’ Annual Fall Concert today, 3:00 pm.  No charge for admission.
The program is entitled “Celebrating our Common Bonds.”  Texts of several pieces express the oneness of the human experience, in which we are united by the common bond of our beating hearts—the pulse of humanity. The pieces extol the value of having an open, “singing” heart, alive and free, in which all of humanity is reflected.
ABLE (Achieving and Building Life Equally) will meet on Tuesday, October 25 (and every 4th Tuesday), at 5:30 pm in Room 101. ABLE is a support group/network for those who self-identify as differently-abled: to inspire, encourage, and empower one another, and to make Berea a more accessible community.
Fall Fling Friday, November 4, 5:30 PM at Rev. Kent’s, 298 Harrison Road Everyone is invited to our fourth annual Fall Fling for food and fun! The evening will include outside games, a hayride into the surrounding fields, dinner, a bonfire, and music. It will be a night to remember, even more so if YOU are there!
Meat and vegetarian options from the grill will be provided, along with beverages. Please bring a side dish or dessert, along with plates and utensils for yourself/family. Also bring along lawn chairs, outside games, and musical instruments. Brought to you by your Community Life & Growth Board.
Belts for elementary school students — boys in particular — are needed by the Berea/Madison school districts’ Family and Youth Resource Centers. Requested sizes are 4 to 10. Donations should be left in a bag outside the Union Church office tagged for Dodie Murphy or No Child Cold/No Child Hungry in Berea. If you’d rather have someone shop for you please leave a check in the office and mark it for No Child Cold. Gifts are tax deductible. For information call or text Dodie at 859.200.7277 or email dodiemurf @yahoo.com. Thanks for considering.
Liberty Place Tea November 5, 1 pm, at the First Christian Church in Richmond. Once again, we are blessed to have the Rev. Kent Gilbert as auctioneer. Each table seats eight and if there are particular people with whom you want to sit please let Dodie Murphy know when you buy your ticket. Oh…many of the silent auction donations are autographed books, CDs, jewelry and art by well known Berea artists. For questions or to buy tickets call Dodie Murphy at 859.200.7277.
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