A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
October 5, 2025 10:30 am
Proper 22 of the Season after Pentecost
World Communion Sunday
Meditation
“Leave room for God to be God of all the heavens and not just our tiny corner of it.”
~ Elizabeth Ferrell Casey
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude I’ll Fly Away Alfred E. Brumley, RedBud Revival
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 Ally Nurre, Reader
One: In a world that remains divided and in conflict, God is inviting us, to make us one.
All: Today we gather around one table, in answer to God’s will.
One: What do we find at today’s table?
All: God’s love, which endures all things and connects all things.
One: What is not at today’s table?
All: The many powers of the world, which seek to stand over others.
One: Let us repent, and give thanks to God’s power to bring salvation to all who believe.
All: Thanks be to God! Make us witnesses of Your love. Let us worship together the true God, who makes us one.
*Hymn Gather Us In Marty Haugen
| ~ Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786 |
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: God’s grace was given to us in Christ before the ages began. In spite of God’s love for us and gift of love to us, we often act in destructive and hateful ways. Trusting in Christ’s mercy that never ends, let us with honesty confess our sins before God and one another. Gracious Lord, you created the whole world and called it good,
All: but we look out at your world and see division and suffering.
One: You call us to maintain the unity of spirit in the bond of peace,
All: but we choose division over diversity, confrontation over civility, conflict over peace born from justice.
One: You call us to love the least of these among us,
All: but we hear the cries of the oppressed and choose our own comfort. We allow senseless suffering rather than sacrifice for our neighbors. Forgive us. Grant us fresh vision to see one another as siblings in Christ. Rekindle in us your gifts — the spirit of power, love and self-discipline — that with faith in Christ, we might be made new and be part of bringing forth your peaceable kingdom. Amen.
~ Prepared by the Rev. Katie Owen Aumann, senior pastor, Morningside Presbyterian Church, Atlanta
¨ Words of Assurance
One: God who made the world and the world of our heart, moves in love to save. Friends, believe this good news: God is ever and always reaching toward us with forgiveness and transformation. Our sins are forgiven through grace, and our work is marked by love.
All: Amen!
¨ 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 Any More, Cain RedBud Revival
Scripture Reading Joshua 4:1-9
When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”
So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day. ~ 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 22:19-20
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon What Do These Stones Mean to You? Rev. Dr. LeSette Wright
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard and reflect together.
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
Today, we join Christians around the world who gather at Christ’s table in many languages, cultures, and traditions. On this World Communion Sunday, we remember that though we come from many places, we are one body, sharing one bread and one cup in Christ.
One: Like a sower, God scatters, and God will give growth.
All: God scatters life across the earth.
One: God scatters people in every land and nation.
All: God scatters disciples far and wide.
One: Like a shepherd, God gathers.
All: God gathers people into families of faith.
One: God gathers people into communities of love.
All: God gathers people into the body of Christ.
One: Today, on this World Communion Sunday, God gathers us at one table with disciples of every language, culture, and tradition. From cathedrals and chapels, from huts and houses, from fields and cities, God gathers us in many places and makes us one in Christ. At this table, we remember the cost of discipleship and rejoice in the richness of Christ’s gifts poured out for the whole world.
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.
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 Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela; and our siblings at Lighthouse Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
Communion Prayer
One: Creator of the Universe, Maker of mountains and rivers, deserts and seas, vineyards and wheat fields, we praise you for the life you have given us and for all living things around us! We thank you for many colors of skin you have given your people. We praise you for the diversity of traditions and cultures from which we come to be one in you.
One: In each and every nation you have offered your covenant of creation and promise. You have sent prophets and teachers, men and women of faith and power to show us the better way. In the fullness of time, you came to us in Jesus of Nazareth, child of Mary and the Promised One of Palestine. We honor his teachings, we weep at his suffering, and we rejoice in his risen life. With angels and archangels, with our ancestors in faith, and with siblings of every human expression, we join our voices with the heaven in endless song:
Sanctus
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Words of Institution
One: We remember that in trial and in rejoicing Jesus gathered with friends, even on the night of their desertion and betrayal. On that night he took bread, blessed it to you, and broke it, giving it to the disciples and saying,
All: “This is my body, broken for you. Take and eat, and when you do remember me.”
One: In the same we he then took a cup, and pouring, he offered it to those gathered, men and women, young and old, and said:
All: “This cup is my blood poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins; not just for your sake, but for the sake of all. Take, drink, and when you do, remember me.”
One: As we gather at your table across every continent and island, we ask your blessing on this bread and this cup. May these gifts of Christ’s body and blood strengthen us to be the gathered and scattered Church in the world—many in culture and expression, yet one in Spirit, one in truth, one in faith, one in love. Gather you’re the living stones of your people and make of us a home of grace and peace, where all creation is renewed in you.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to an usher. All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice.
Living Prayer
Communion Music Gethsemane RedBud Revival
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 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying Ken Medema
Community Prayer of Thanksgiving Ally Nurre, Reader
One: We thank you, generous God, for the nourishment of this table and the living presence of Christ among us. We thank you for the gift of growth and grace in this life-renewing feast. We thank you for the company of your great cloud of witnesses, here in this place, in every land, and throughout the generations. Take your gathered people and scatter us again into the world—renewed, invigorated, and committed—that, so nourished, we may take root and bear life-giving fruit to feed, heal, clothe, and comfort, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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 I Come with Joy Dove of Peace
1 I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall,
in love laid down for me, in love laid down for me.
2 I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread, in Christ’s communion bread.
3 As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends, and strangers now are friends.
4 And thus we meet and better know,
the Presence, ever near,
and join our hearts and sing with joy
that Christ is risen here, that Christ is risen here.
5 Together met, together bound
in friendship we will stay,
and go with joy, to love the world
and live the way we pray, and live the way we pray.
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
On this Sunday when we honor people who have helped Neighbors in Need, let us honor Brother David Buer. He is a Franciscan Brother who has been active the greater Tucson area for many years. He established Poverello House in 2008. Br David had a long history of working with the poor and unhoused. Poverello house provides services to many of the unhoused, both men and women.
Open Wednesday through Saturday, people living on the street are able to come and spend the day in an air conditioned space. They can take showers and do their laundry. They receive meals there that day. In the scorching climate here in the southwest, Poverello House is truly a lifesaver for many. tucsonpoverello.com
¨ Benediction
We have been guests of Jesus Christ. We have received God’s good gifts. Now we go out in the energy of the Spirit to our homes, to our neighborhoods, to our workplaces ready to put Jesus’ words and being into action: to be the salt of the earth, to be light to the world, to seek justice, to make peace, to preserve the creation, to gain life for all.
The Blessing of the God we know as Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit be upon us all, today and every day. Amen.
¨ Postlude Things Jesus Didn’t Say Ron Pope RedBud Revival
Our Prayers for Others
¨ Dave Reilly’s nephew, Herb Post, ill with kidney cancer that has spread to his lung.
¨ Kelly Mehler and all supporting him.
¨ Bonnie Donelly, grandma of Tennant Kirk’s daughter-in-law Carlie, on hospice care with pancreatic cancer.
¨ Charlie Hoffman, recovering from hernia surgery.
¨ Jan Hamilton’s family, her many many friends and former students, at her passing on Sept. 24.
¨ Condolences for the family of Matthew Holt, Mary McConnell’s brother-in-law, who died Friday, September 26, in Greensboro, NC. Our prayers surround all those who will cherish his memory.
¨ 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.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict, and starvation of those in Gaza.
¨ 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, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Oct. 6 – Scott Smith, Paige Garrett, 7 – Laurinda Pool, John McWilliams; 8 – Eric Dodson, Landon Connelly; 12 – Gene Daniels
Anniversaries: Oct. 12 – Joy Gritton & Black Bear LaBoueff
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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