Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Reformation and Consecration Sunday

October 230, 201610:30 am

 
Meditation
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”   
—Winston Churchill
“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”
—Martin Luther

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   Be Thou My Vision arr. D. Schwoebel
Union Church Handbell Ensemble; Jane Mecham, flute
* Call to Worship
One: Martin Luther called the church and the people to account:
All: Reformed and always reforming!
One: Faithfulness takes many forms and calls for response: it is constantly responding to needs, refining the focus, asking us to broaden the vision.
All: How then shall we live?
One: Abundantly in spirit! Growing by leaps and bounds! Exalting in the generosity   of God’s hope intended for all.
All: Reformed and always reforming let us worship God!
*  Opening Hymn     A Might Fortress Is Our God           Ein feste Burg
Accompanied by Spirirted Handbell Ensemble, Handbell arrangement by Cathy and David Moklebust
* Prayer of Approach and Confession        
*  Words of Assurance
*  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

Anthem Roll Down, Justice Mark A. Miller Union Church Choir
There’s a voice, strong and clear, ringing out far and near, “Let justice roll down, let justice roll down!” Like the rush of a stream, comes a powerful dream, let justice roll down, justice rolls down! Let the earth be restored, every soul be reformed; let the healing renew, creation reborn. Here in this sacred space with the strength of God’s grace, let justice roll down, justice rolls down! Roll down, justice! Roll like an ever-flowing stream. Let your heart soar, open the doors wide, let your mind be transformed, let it be opened by love;. On this glorious day give us courage we pray, that justice rolls down, let justice roll down. Let this vision take flight and God will delight as the waters flow down, justice abounds!
Come, thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing your grace. Streams of justice, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love! Roll down, justice! Roll down!
Hebrew Scripture Lesson 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4,11-12
Paul commends the congregation for their “faithfulness growing by leaps and bounds.”
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 19:1-10
Zacchaeus the tax collector climbs a sycamore tree to see the Lord in Jericho.
Sermon   A Higher Vantage Rev. Kent Gilbert

Praying it Forward in Leaps and Bounds

Today we celebrate our 2017 Giving Estimates. Today we receive not only our offerings and tithes, but  our pledges and estimates for faithful growth of our care in 2017. Offered gifts, through tithes and single donations help keep love glowing brightly through Union Church:  by sustaining the building, pastors and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to our community and others in need. Every gift, no matter the size, helps faith and service abound!
When invited, please bring both your offering and Pledge Cards forward with you to the front where all  gifts will be received confidentially by the Financial Secretary. Praying, Planning and Pledging for the work together is our joy this morning!
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
*  Call to Live the Vision “Into the Future”
One: God cares for us in ways which are passionate, poignant, and enduring,
All: and we love God with all our heart and soul, mind and strength.
One: We have much to give and offer:
All: Passionate Worship, Extravagant Generosity and Care, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, Inspirational, Intentional Faith, Unbounded Hospitality.
One: As we plan with joy our work together for 2017, let us give as we are able and ask God to consecrate all that we can bring in love, in care, in resources  knowing that giving to the best of our ability brings healing. We strive to embody the life and ministry of Jesus in this love and service. Let us celebrate and give thanks for Christ’s love growing faithfully and fully through our work! Let us pray:
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.
Prayers for the Community             
Singing Offertory
Procession  Siyahamba Trad.
Please sing as we process:
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’! We Are Marching In the Light of God! We are Bearers of the Light of God! We are Working for the Light of God!
¨  Doxology        Schumann
We give thee but thine own, what e’re the gift may be, All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O God, from thee!
*  Prayer of Thanksgiving
One:      In all our living we hope to grow deep in love, in faith, and in service.
All:       With money, with time, with small efforts, with grand gestures, we celebrate and give thanks for the love you pour through us, the hope you give us to steward, the peace no one but you can give.
One: Bless us, that our faithfulness in loving, in serving, in transforming the world, might grow by leaps and bounds!
All: Consecrate our gifts and our very lives that we may light the path of others in the way of our brother, Jesus. For we have seen the grace of the Lord: we would live leaping for joy, abounding in hope. Amen!

From Here to There

*  Closing Hymn  For Everyone Born For Everyone Born
*  Benediction & Sending Forth
    Postlude (please  be  seated) Fanfare in D Major J. Lemmens
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 Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal and our brothers and sisters at Berea Primitive 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.
¨ Dottie Blackburn, suffering from severe sciatica
¨ Blake & Rachel Cathron, with a very sick baby
¨ Dodie Murphy, recovering at home
¨ Toby Wilcher, hospitalized with breathing problems
¨ Bill and Annriette Stolte, both with health issues
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 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.
Special meal — Wednesday Nite Live this week —is NOT a potluck: “A Taste of Thailand” On Wednesday, November 2, we will be joined by friends from Thailand who will cook dinner for Wednesday Night Live and then share with us about their work with Im Jai House, a home for children in northern Thailand. The menu will include massaman curry with chicken and potatoes as well as Thai sweet and sour veggies and fruit. There will be vegetarian options available. Please note that this will take the place of the usual first Wednesday potluck dinner.
 
 
Noodling Around with Theology, Nov. 3, 8:00 pm “A Little Lower Than the Angels?” Who, What, & Why are Human Beings? Interested in deepening your “TQ,” theology quotient? First Thursdays are for you — and you can enjoy some neat noodles at the same time! The class will meet at Noodle Nirvana (315 Chestnut St). You can purchase food, or just come for the discussion.
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.
Coming up….
November 20, after worship: Alternative Giving Market.   Watch for details!
 
December 2 & 3: Berea College Music Dept. Christmas Concert will be at Phelps Stokes on the Berea College campus. Ticketing info will be shared when we have it.