A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
10:30 am
Meditation
“O give thanks to God, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!” ~ Psalm 118:1-2,19-29
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
Song Show Us How to Love v.1 please join in singing! Union Church Choir
Hearts open, minds awake, change us now for heaven’s sake. Leave us not alone in hatred’s wake. Show us how to love. Show us how to love. Show us how, show us how to love.
Call to Worship
Song Show Us How to Love v. 2 please join in singing! Union Church Choir
Eyes open, shocked awake, much to learn from our mistakes. Draw us closer in our heartache. Show us how to love. Show us how to love. Show us how, show us how to love.
Scripture Reading Matthew 21:1-11
When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
“Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
¨ Palm Processional & Hymn #526 Siyahamba Siyahamb’
Musicians will play the hymn instrumentally for our procession. As the music begins all who wish are invited to join the palm procession by lining the aisles then joining the crowd after pastor and choir have passed your pew. Like the crowds so long ago, we long for the salvation from oppression both temporal and spiritual. You are invited to join in shouts of “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”. Add your own, too! We become part of the story by seeking hope and justice in our own context and not just in history. Everyone is invited to circle the sanctuary back to their starting place and then begin singing this traditional and beloved liberation song from South Africa.
1. Si ya ham ba ku kan yen kwen kos, Si ya ham ba ku kan yen kwen kos (repeat)
Si ya ham ba, ham ba, Si ya ham ba–OHH! Si ya hamba ku kan yen kwen kos (repeat)
2. We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God! (repeat)
We are marching, marching, we are marching–OHH! We are marching in the light of God! (repeat)
3. We are praying in the light of God, we are praying in the light of God! (repeat)
We are praying, praying, we are praying–OHH! We are praying in the light of God! (repeat)
4. We are dancing in the light of God, we are dancing in the light of God! (repeat)
We are dancing, dancing, we are dancing–OHH! We are dancing in the light of God! (repeat)
¨ 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
Video Reflection “More Love”
Sung Psalm 118, p. 700
The psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form. Rev. Kent will lead. You are invited to sing the response when invited, at the “R” if using the hymnal.
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.
Special Music Here Comes Our King Ruth Schram Union Church Choir
Shout with joy, here comes our King! With one voice, we praise our King! He’s our salvation; Light of all nations. Join with angels as they sing! Highest hosanna! He rides on a donkey low, as was foretold ling ago. Jesus is the One we’ve been waiting for. There’s hope in our hearts as we adore Him. He’s humble, but filled with power, and in this very hour, we exalt the One we’ve been waiting for. Shout with joy, here comes our King!
Sermon Look for the Unexpected Rev. Kent Gilbert
Sung Response
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Communion Invitation
One: May God be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We lift them up to the Lord!
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise!
One: It is right, and a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to God, Love Eternal, creator of heaven and earth, whom we seek and whom we strive to serve.
Call to Prayer
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.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: As we prepare to come to the table of Jesus just as he called his disciples to his table in the days after that triumphant procession, let us join together in a prayer of confession.
Prayers of the Community and Kyrie Music: Dinah Riendorf, 1987
In this season of Lent, we come together in prayer with the beautiful chant of “Kyrie Eleison,” meaning “God, have mercy on us,” and “Christe Eleison,” meaning “Christ have mercy.” We sing this as a response to each intercession, prayerfully remembering that God’s mercy is a gift of love, freely given to us.
One: Let us pray: Holy and Merciful One, in this season of discernment we have come bringing our deepest longings, and our failed attempts at satisfying them. We have confessed that we often looked for love, for acceptance and security, in the spectacular and mighty of this world, while denigrating the common and simple ways we could love more fully.
All: We yearn for lives that matter, we desire relationships that thrive, we want less regret.
One: At times we fail to see that you have already given us what really matters: your love and acceptance. You provide opportunities all around us to make a difference in the lives of others. You give us a fresh start each day, inviting us to do better. And yet, despite our shouts and protestations, we have too often failed too many. In this silence, we bring to you our pleas for openness to a different way of living.
[Silence is observed for personal confessions]
One: Great God of change and hope, open our hearts, our minds, our souls, our vision to the ways of love created by you and embodied in Jesus. Already moving in us by the Spirit, we ask to be forgiven and set right.
All: In this holy week, may we be holier people. Free us to serve, O Lord.
All: Kyrie Eleison (please sing)
Communion Prayer
One: Word of Life, You formed us in your image and breathed into every one of us the breath of life. In all our splendid and miraculous diversity you made us and cherished us.
When we could not fathom your endless love and we turned away from you and those whom you created of one blood, your love remained steadfast.
You delivered and deliver us from captivity,
You covenanted and covenant still for justice,
You called and spoke, and are boldly still speaking to us through your prophets.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise the name of Love and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus Please Join in Singing to the tune of our Kyrie
Ho-ly, ho-ly, holy Lord, God- of po-wer and of might, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory! In the highest: Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in- the name- of the Lord! Ho-sanna in the high’st; In the highest; Ho-sanna!
Words of Institution
One: On the night that he gathered with his disciples in an upper room, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, 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: When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
All: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: Pour out your love and spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the love of Christ, so that we may be for the world the love of Christ. Give us the power of this love to walk even through the shadows of death and betrayal, that we may be unfailing beacons of unfailing life.
All: Amen.
All: Kyrie Eleison (please sing)
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it. By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit within your tradition. You may remain in you seat, or you may come forward for a blessing, as you wish.
A Chance for Generosity: www.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 www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity an amount and a click.
· Baskets are also placed at the head and foot of each aisle and passed 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!
Offering Music
Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: In the days of darkness, in the times of distress, your Holy Spirit strengthens us. Receive our gratitude for this meal, and more, for your transforming love that moves mountains and makes a way in the wilderness. Though the cross looms over our hearts, we place our trust in your resurrecting love. We reach to you as …
Our Lord’s Prayer
All: 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.
From Here to There: We Depart
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
The Union Church Worship service on Palm Sunday uses palms purchased from Eco-Palms. Eco-Palms is committed to the issues of justice and environmental stewardship, the palms are fair trade. Each palm plant produces 2-5 harvestable fronds over a 2 to 4 month period. At least a quarter of farmers in the Central area of Guatemala earn additional income from harvesting fronds and more than a quarter of households support themselves exclusively by collecting fronds and gatherers usually receive a low price for them, except those who work for those invested in fair trade practices. Fair Trade seeks to improve the income and living conditions for the workers and their communities. As well as protecting the palms Protecting the palms Palms also protect income to forest communities and which are needed for shade. And when sustainably managed, protects the palms and forests from which they are gathered thru sustainable harvest programs. Palm purchase for Palm Sunday may be up to $4.5 million per year and those purchased by Union Church are but a small number, but they confirm our commitment to justice in any way possible.
¨ Hymn #224 Black When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Hamburg
1.When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Christ of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
2.Forbid it, then, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to Christ’s blood.
3.From sacred head, from hands and feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4.Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul my life my all.
¨ Benediction
Music for Departure
During Lent we depart to serve without a postlude as a kind of “fasting” from our regular routine. Please join for fellowship in the aisles or downstairs where coffee, tea, and light refreshments await.
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 (Link to World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle. (union-church.org/ministries/prayer/). Let us hold the people of The Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia; and our brothers & sisters at First Baptist Church of Berea in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Prayers for 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 seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ For the survivors of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria that help will arrive and that lives may be spared. Hold them in their grief and empower all those who can help to lift their hearts to the aid needed.
¨ Rita Barlow
¨ The family of Polly Embree, a descendant of John G. Fee, who was remembered and interred at Berea Cemetery, with Rev. Kent presiding.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Doug Hindman, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Tom & Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Patsy Boyce, sister-in-law of Bob and Jean Boyce, undergoing chemotherapy.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy! Birthdays: April 7 – Greg Sutherland; 8 – Ashley Hammond
April 10 – Carol Shaffer; 120 Town Center Blvd.; Apt. 244; Sewell, NJ 08080
Anniversaries: April 6 – Steve & Ann Rhodes
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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