A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost October 27, 2013
Welcome to this service of worship. We are glad that you are here today. You are invited to rise in body or in spirit as you are able and willing at points in the service marked “*.”
Hearing enhancement devices and large print bulletins are available in the vestibule. After checking in on FaceBook and Twitter, please silence your cell phone, pager, etc., so all may worship undistracted.
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.
Meditation
The Sabbath is a weekly cathedral raised up in my dining room, in my family, in my heart.
— Anita Diament
Gathering to Worship
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude A Joyful Peal Michael Bedford
Adult Handbell Choir
* Call to Worship adapted from the Iona Community
One: That we worship one God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
All: In whose image we are made, to whose service we are summoned, by whose energy we are renewed, this we believe.
One: Come, let us put ourselves in the presence of this Holy One.
All: Alleluia! Amen!
* Hymn #66 Black O Day of Radiant Gladness Es Flog Ein Kleins
* Prayer of Confession from Common Prayer by Shane Claiborne
One: Let us pray.
All: Lord of Creation,
One: Create in us a new rhythm of life composed of hours that sustain rather than stress, of days that deliver rather than destroy, of time that tickles rather than tackles.
All: Lord of Liberation,
One: By the rhythm of your truth, set us free from the bondage and baggage that break us, from the Pharaohs and fellows who fail us, from the plans and pursuits that prey upon us.
All: Lord of Resurrection,
One: May we be raised into the rhythm of your new life, dead to deceitful calendars, dead to fleeting friend requests, dead to the empty peace of our accomplishments.
One: To our packed-full planners, we bid,
All: Peace!
One: To our over-caffeinated consciences, we say,
All: Cease!
One: To our suffocating selves, Lord,
All: Grant release.
One: By your ever-restful grace, allow us to enter your Sabbath rest as your Sabbath rest enters into us.
All: In the name of our Creator, our Liberator, our Resurrection and Life, we pray. Amen.
* Words of Assurance
One: God’s promise to us is Resurrection. Let us give thanks for new life!
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
* Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the Word
Anthem Simple Gifts Robert Lehman
Union Church Choir
‘Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free, ’tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, and when we find ourselves in the place just right, ’twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained to bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed, to turn, turn, will be our delight till by turning, turning we come round right.
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 Children’s Moment, Little Church for children Preschool & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church, for grades K-3, takes place in the chapel. If this is your child’s first time attending Little Church or Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form. Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces.
God Speaking through the Hebrew Scriptures Exodus 20:8-11 (p. 87)
Sermon 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life Matthew Sleeth
Song Behold the Goodness Crimond
Prayers of the People
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 Kiyosato, 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,
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.
Offering Our Gifts
Call to Offering
Offertory Adagio (for the glass harmonica) W.A. Mozart
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
Walking Forward in Faith
* Benediction
* Closing Hymn #292 Black Breathe on Me, Breath of God Trentham
Postlude Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Donald P. Hustad
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 the Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives and our brothers and sisters at Calvary Apostolic Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, fighting cancer
* Erin Hay, Berea College grad and mother to a 10-month old daughter, being treated for inoperable brain cancer.
* Linda Parsons, recovering from surgery in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Berea
* Teri VanPelt & Christine Ward, facing multiple challenges
* Gail Wolford, recovering from surgery at St. Joseph’s hospital in Lexington
* Michelle Tooley, healing from surgery and awaiting cancer treatment
* Peggy Baker, at home after a long hospitalization
* Dawn Manor, Dot Kindel’s daughter, recovering from surgery at M.D Anderson Center in Dallas
* Naomi Brandenburg, Larry’s mother, in rehab at Cardinal Hill after a fall and hip replacement
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Berea Health Care Center
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Klara Welsh, at Berea Health Care Center
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Worship leader today is Dave Kobersmith
We welcome Matthew and Nancy Sleeth this morning! Matthew Sleeth, MD – Founder & Executive Director of Blessed Earth
A former emergency room physician, Dr. Matthew Sleeth resigned from his position as chief of the medical staff and director of the ER to teach, preach, and write about faith and the environment. Dr. Sleeth is a graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine and has two postdoctoral fellowships. He is the author of Serving God, Saving the Planet: A Christian Call to Action, the introduction to The Green Bible , and 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life.
Nancy Sleeth – Managing Director of Blessed Earth
As co-founder and Managing Director of Blessed Earth, Nancy Sleeth travels throughout the U.S. speaking and writing about faith and the environment. Nancy is a graduate of Georgetown University and holds a masters degree in journalism. She is the author of Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life. She also authored Go Green, Save Green, the first-ever practical guide for going green from a faith perspective.
Music Note: This morning’s organ postlude was arranged by Donald P. Hustad, long-time professor at Southern Seminary’s School of Church Music in Louisville. Dr. Hustad, who passed away this summer at the age of 94, was Larry Brandenburg’s major professor in conducting for two graduate degree programs and just importantly, life-time friend and mentor. It is played this morning in Dr. Hustad’s memory.
Announcements…
You Matter! Please Sign In, Check in on FB/Twitter and Try a Name Tag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church. Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed, and whether you are a first time visitor or a long-time member, a name tag helps everyone connect the dots. Mobile phone users can also check in on Facebook and Twitter.
Next week is Consecration Sunday. Invest in the Rest! November 3rd is your opportunity to consecrate your investment and pledge in Union Church for 2014. We will dedicate our gifts as we make our pledges together in worship next week. You’ll receive a commitment and pledge card in the mail soon. Please think and pray about what you can give, and come join us as we offer those gifts in hope and joy to God. If you need additional cards for other family members, or don’t get a mailing, cards will be available in the pews (and please let us know in the office). These giving estimates will allow the Church Finance Board to finalize a 2014 budget, which will be presented for approval at the Sunday, December 15th congregational meeting.
You are cordially invited. . . Concert Choir Presents Its Annual Fall Concert TODAY! The annual Fall Concert by the Berea College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Stephen Bolster, conductor will be held at 3:00 p.m. in Gray Auditorium. The choral concert will be accompanied by Lindsay Clavere on the piano. There is no admission charge.
We’re getting ready for our Christmas Pageant! We’ll begin rehearsals on Nov 6th. Sign-up in the Narthex to participate. You may also call or email Les Small Stokes (868-8754, lesstokes@gmail.com) for more information.
Pastoral Care and Shepherd Teams Update. Shepherds will begin meeting today at 2:00pm. These shepherds are people who are willing to be trained to offer pastoral care and God’s blessings to members and friends of the church. You can still fill out an application (available in the church office) and join the shepherding group.
Rev. Rachel will continues to be available for pastoral care, especially for emergencies. Shepherds will be a vital link in communicating needs to the pastors, as well as being an additional prayer and support partner for any family in need. Please contact the church office at office@union-church.org or 986-3725 with any need you have or know of, and Joan will help connect you to the right shepherd and/or pastor.
Do you or someone you know need help in navigating the options under “kynect” — the new health care insurance options in Kentucky under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)? Anyone can call the White House Clinic in Berea (986-2323) for a personal appointment with a knowledgeable kynect staff person!
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