A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
10:30 am Proper 25 of the Season after Pentecost
Meditation
“Will not the lovers of virtue and domestic security speak out, act timely, and in the spirit of love restore order and peace, and wipe out what otherwise will be eternal disgrace? I want not revenge, but protection.” ~ Rev. John Gregg Fee
From There to Here: We Gather
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
¨ The Call Donna Daniels, Reader
One: Praise is due to you, O God. By your strength you established the mountains; you are girded with might.
All: You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.
One: You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.
All: You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
One: The pastures of the wilderness overflow; the hills gird themselves with joy;
All: The meadows clothe themselves with flocks; the valleys deck themselves with grain; they shout and sing together for joy.
¨ Hymn #292 Breathe on Me, Breath of God Trentham
1. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.
2. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with you I will one will,
to do and to endure.
3. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
stir in me one desire;
that every earthy part of me
may glow with holy fire.
4. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
of your eternity.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Let us pray…
All: In your mercy, Lord, you gather your people that we might have life and in grace grow string in your service. We confess that we often fall short of the mark of such love.
We have not loved kindness, pursued justice, or walked humbly with you. We have not lived worshipfully as we ought, nor loved our neighbors as you teach. Forgive our trespasses and set our feet on higher ground. This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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 Laudation, Arnold B. Sherman Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Scripture Reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
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 Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Deep Roots Yield the Wide Reach Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard and reflect together.
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
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 Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinque, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, St Barts, St. Eustatia, Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos, US Virgin Islands and our siblings at Living Waters Sanctuary in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Ringing 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.
In 1859, ahead of a mob riding from Richmond to lynch church leaders, the original charter and register of Union Church was burned to protect their identities. The binding covenant of the congregation was and is:
“The Church of Christ, Union receives all followers of Christ and works with all who work with him: respecting each one’s conscience; serving in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”
This meant, then and now, that it is what love demands that unites us, not skin color, creed, denomination, or background. On Founder’s Day we remember that commitment to God’s impartial love by offering everyone a chance to remake our lost ledger. All who wish are invited to sign the banner indicating a pledge to rise in service and in love!
Offertory
A Chance for Generosity: 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 easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering 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!
¨ 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 Prayers and Prayers of the Community Donna Daniels, Reader
Founder of creation, author of our story, we thank you for the deep roots of justice and joy you have helped this church and all people of faith rely on. You have rooted in us in impartial love that we might proclaim your grace with extravagant generosity. Help us grow ever stronger in our faithful actions, and help us reach ever more widely to rescue, heal, and serve all who suffer.
Like oaks of righteousness may your people be planted by living streams. Save us from the ravages of the world that devour us like lions, and save us from ourselves when pride overtakes the humble heart you desire in us. Soothe the wounded souls here. Lend your aid to every ailment, each aching joint, and anguished mind among us.
Drawing deep and reaching high, guide us and heal us that your will might be done and the peoples of the earth might learn to live in harmony and in peace. By the grace of your son Jesus we are bold and grateful 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 kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn Rooted and Grounded in Love Amanda Udis-Kessler; arr. Bryan T. Johnson
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
As we enter a season devoted to themes of the harvest, we would like to honor justice warriors who have fought to protect the rights of farm workers, especially those who have not always been readily recognized—the visual and performing artists who played a key role in the success of the United Farm Workers. While courageous union leaders such as César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz effectively organized strikes and boycotts, artists such as Barbara Carrasco and Ester Hernandez created powerful, culturally grounded work that both illustrated and inspired resistance.
César Chávez’ brother, Richard, designed the black eagle insignia of the UFW. Luis Valdez founded El Teatro Campesino, which performed actos—satirical plays–for workers in the fields. Taller Grafico, the UFW’s own print shop, produced posters with imagery drawn from Mexican and labor history. Daniel Valdez wrote “Brown-Eyed Children of the Sun,” inspired by his own farmworker parents, which became an anthem for the cause. Many musicians performed free at fund-raising concerts. UFW organizers recognized that the arts have great power and are essential to any fight for justice. pbs.org/video/a-song-for-cesar-ortgl2
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response Rooted and Grounded in Love Udis-Kessler, arr. Johnson
We are rooted and grounded in love. Like a tree by the river, we’re planted so deep.
We are rooted and grounded in love with each gift that we bring and each promise we keep.
As we birth a new world where we all have enough, we are rooted and grounded in love.
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Dave Reilly’s nephew, Herb Post, ill with kidney cancer that has spread to his lung.
¨ Peggy Patrick, recovering from knee replacement surgery.
¨ Rhonda Edwards, and family at the death of her mother, Margaret Louise Green Edwards.
¨ The father of Genny B., undergoing treatment for cancer.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ 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.
¨ That the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East may hold; and those suffering receive the aid they need.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Hattie Parks, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Oct. 27 – Reda Hutton, Susan Schmied; 28 – Josh English, Morgan Traywick; 31 – Noah Cain; Nov. 1 – Diane Bailey; 2 – Cheyenne Olson; 4 – Beatrix Smith
Anniversaries: Nov. 1 – Gene & Donna Daniels
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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