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

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

World Communion Sunday

October 6, 2019          10:30 am

Meditation
In the next century or the one beyond that they say,
Are valleys, pastures.
We can meet there in peace if we make it.
To climb these coming crests
One word to you, to
You and your children:
Stay together
Learn the flowers
Go light
—Gary Snyder

From there to here: we Gather

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 Come, Let Us Eat C. Moklebust
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
The Call   The Siddur of Shir Chadash
¨  Hymn #70 Black God Is Here! As We Your People Meet Abbot’s Leigh
¨  Passing the Peace of 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 hospitality.

The Living Word among us

Anthem Glory to God James Biery
Union Church Choir and Orchestra
Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God, and peace to all people, all people on earth.

1. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
2. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Mother, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy, have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
3. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most high, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God.

Glory to God! Amen.
Countdown to Community Unbounded Hospitality Laura Nagle
First Reading A Vignette: John G. Fee Rev. Mark Caldwell-Reiss
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has 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 in Room 104 off the playground.
Epistle Lesson 2 Timothy 1:1-14 (p. 1452)
Paul speaks of the faith that keeps him going, even in his suffering, as he writes to his protégé, Timothy.
Sermon Reaching Back for Courage Rev. Lisa  Caldwell-Reiss

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

Invitation to Communion
One:   God be with you!
All:    And also with you!
One:   Lift up your hearts.
All:  We lift them up to God.
One:      Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
All:       It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Communion Prayer
One:      We gather around this table to reclaim our memories and to risk ourselves in a journey of costly love.
One: We are invited to pause and then to seek for ourselves Jesus’ clarity of vision and passionate resolve, to feel for ourselves the Spirit’s ever-present offering of life, and find in ourselves a remembrance and a readiness to work toward a world restored.
One: Who is welcome here? All who seek and serve the love of God, all who hunger and thirst for righteousness, all who are weary and long for strength in a struggle for justice and  who yearn for peace within and without. Let us together prepare in prayer to gather at the table of blessing.
Ringing of the Peace Bell and Prayers of the Community
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.
Communion Prayer
One: It is truly right always and everywhere to praise you,
Lord God our Parent, Giver of light.
For you made humanity and all things in a world of glory,
and taught us to live together in love forever.
And though we turned from your light
and made war on one another,
wasting the gifts of your creation,
until we could find no way out of the darkness, but began to die,
and all things cried to you for release
— even then you did not destroy or forsake us.
You called Abraham and Sarah on a journey of promise,
and brought Israel out of captivity;
you made Moses your friend and taught him to grow in the truth.
And in due time the new star of glory appeared,
scattering the shadows of death
and leading us on the road to peace.
Our eyes at first were dim: we could not make him out.
We wondered as he taught us the way of your peaceable kin-dom;
we fled in fear when he died for us, showing the fullness of love.
But you raised him again,
and in his new dawn the truth shone plainly for all to see.
Now we have cast down our fears;
we have turned our faces full to the light.
And running together from all parts of the earth,
we join in love once more,
to follow his example and share his glorious life in the breaking of bread.
For this great work we sing your praises,
joining our voices to the voices of those
who gather throughout space and time
at this endless banquet as we sing:
Communion Sanctus #793 Holy, Holy, Holy Please join in singing, first in Spanish, then English
Communion Prayer
One: On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said—
All: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and said—
All: “Drink of this, all of you: This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: Mothering God, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.
Remembering you as we come to the richness of your table, we cannot and we do not forget the rawness of the world and the cry of the poor.
We cannot take bread and forget those who are hungry. We cannot drink and forget those who are thirsty. Help us feed others as we are fed.
And here we remember that you have offered us not just bread, not just a cup, but your very self in a costly outpouring of love. You did this so that we may be
filled and forgiven, healed, blessed, and made new again; that we might have both beauty and bread in our lives.
All:       Ground us in your love that we may be strong and discerning for the journey. Bless us, as we open our hearts and hands to receive, and celebrate the goodness of the world.  Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Amen.
One: And now, as Jesus taught us, we are bold to say:
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.
One: Holy food for a holy people: come share in the meal!
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat. 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 those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier. You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank 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 the usher. All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice.
Please sing when invited: Rejoice, You Pure in Heart  (tune #55, black hymnal)
Bright youth and seasoned age, strong souls and spirits meek,
raise high your free exulting song, God’s wondrous praises speak. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Praise God who rules all worlds; the risen Christ adore.
Praise God the Spirit, Holy Fire, one God for evermore! Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. The elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like to serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer.
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)
Though Broken, we are made whole; lost, we are brought home; empty, we are filled with songs of gladness. We rejoice and give thanks to you, God of reconciling hope, who has graced us with mercy, love, and gifts for healing the world. Amen.

From Here to There

¨   Hymn #391 Black In the Midst of New Dimensions New Dimensions
¨  The Sending and Blessing Rev. Nate Craddock
Postlude (please be seated) Biblical sonata number 1   Kuhnau
“Il Giubilo comune, ed il balli d’allegrezza del Populo”
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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 Church Universal, in all its forms; and the congregations of every Berea church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ For Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ In thanksgiving for those students, teachers, parents, lawmakers, and citizens who are witnessing and working to end gun violence in our society. May laws that help be passed; may hearts that are broken be healed; may all who are in danger be kept safe.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Dean Jacobs, Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, recovering at home.
¨ Steve Boyce, who is recovering at home. Patty is grateful to those who responded to the CareTrain.
¨ Joyce Henderson, as she settles in to her new home in Blacksburg, Virginia. Her new address is English Meadows, 3400 South Point Dr.; Blacksburg, VA; 24060.
¨ Toby Wilcher, who has broken her fibula and ankle in a fall. She was anticipating surgery on Friday.
¨ Jennie Kiteck, who celebrated her 92nd birthday on Wednesday!
Announcements
Today is World Communion Sunday!  Each year churches around the world celebrate World Communion Sunday as a deliberate way to recognize God’s work in all its many forms. Union Church and First Christian Church have a long tradition of celebrating our unique common heritage (both churches were founded by Rev. John G. Fee) by holding a joint worship service on this day.
We will worship together and celebrate communion with our sister church, First Christian Church, as we pray for and with Christians all around the world. This year, we host our brothers and sisters from First Christian, and their pastors, Mark and Lisa Caldwell-Reiss.
Another tradition: loose plate offering will be given to Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO) to assist their vital work.
Welcome, Berea Foundation, Berea Academy and Knapp Hall Alumni!

Next Sunday

9:00 am – Celebration of Traditional Music Hymn Sing in Cowan Chapel.
9:15 am – Meet in the Thomas Library to discuss the past week’s devotions and share with one another.
New members welcomed. As a family of faith committed to boldly and creatively embodying the life and ministry of Jesus, we would like to join with YOU. We’d like to be a context and inspiration for your own spiritual path, and work with you to make your heart, your world, your life more peace-filled and joy-full. Next Sunday, and every second Sunday of the month, there will be an opportunity to covenant together. No prior action on your part is required, but if you have any questions at all, we’d like to help. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
After church bring a sack lunch (drinks provided)  and come to the Community Room for a showing of the film “From Paris to Pittsburgh: the Climate for Change is Now.” This is a National Geographic Documentary Film and runs approximately 75 minutes. Rev. Carla and Betty Hibler viewed this film in Lexington and highly recommend it. “The film captures what’s at stake for communities around the country, and the inspiring ways Americans are responding.” Set against the national debate over the United States’ energy future – and the explosive decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement – this film captures what’s at stake for communities around the country and the inspiring ways Americans are responding.
Do you get the church’s Monday announcements? If you’d like to, please send your email address to office@union-church.org. We send the bulletin announcements and other news.
Inmates at the Madison County Detention Center are in need of books. They are only allowed paperbacks delivered directly from Amazon.  If anyone is interested in sponsoring a book or two, please send $10 or $20 to the church (offering plate, mail, or easyTithe. If writing a check, put MCDC in the memo line) and we’ll place the order from the office. Rev. Nate has a list of requested titles. Thanks so much.
Thank you to all who assisted with the church tour on Saturday. Visitors enjoyed the impressive exhibit by Bob Boyce!

Coming Up – Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, October 27
Bring your pledge card and Participation Challenge Calendar to church with you! Celebration of Community and Generosity Feast after Church .
Saturday, November 9
The Mission and Service Board has scheduled a visit to the Red Bird campus to hear about all their wonderful work.  We will assemble to car pool from church at 8:45 a.m.  We have an hour and a half tour and then we will stop for lunch.  We anticipate returning to Berea by 3 or 3:00.
Saturday, November 23
Celebration of Giving  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At Acton Folk Center.  (Previously known as Alternative Christmas Market). Local non-profits can reserve a table by contacting: cheyenne @sustainable berea.org. Instead of another sweater or tie, give a donation to your favorite non-profit in your loved one’s name. Union Church organizations (e.g. Youth Group) can reserve a table for no charge, as we are one of the sponsors of the event. If you would like to volunteer, contact Tennant Kirk or Betty Hibler.
Art Around Town
Art Exhibition: “Music to My Eyes,” [Sept 13 – Nov 2] an exhibit at the Berea Arts Council, 444 Chestnut Street, has been partially sponsored by Union Church’s Music Ministries. Please go for a visit.
The Thrivent Member Network invites Union Church folks to an event on October 20 at 1:00 pm at Eckert’s Versailles Farm for lunch, learning about gleanKY and activities. RSVP –  here by Oct. 12.