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

Palm Sunday March 29, 2015, 10:30 am

Meditation
If we take care of the means, we are bound to reach the end sooner or later. When once we have grasped this point, final victory is beyond question. Whatever difficulties we encounter, whatever apparent reverses we sustain, we may not give up the quest for truth.
— Mahatma Ghandi

From there to here

Welcome & Announcements
Prelude     Prelude and Fugue in E Minor           J.S. Bach
Gospel Lesson                  Mark 11:1-11
Choral Introit      The King of Glory Comes         Jabusch/trad. Israeli
Jubilee and Joyful Jubilee and Joyful Noise Choirs
The king of glory comes–the nation rejoices. Open the gates before him; lift up your voices!
Who is the king of glory? How shall we call him? He is Emmanuel, the promised of ages.
*  Call to Worship
One:     Children of God, Rejoice! Sing out in celebration, God’s people! Your King is coming to you, humble, riding on a donkey, on a donkey’s foal.
All:      Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes in the Lord’s name. Glory to God! Hosanna!
*  Palm Processional
Join us in the aisles as we stomp out all that oppresses and sing praises of our hopes!
One:     Hosanna!
All:      Hosanna!
One:     Let us worship with song the God of our salvation!
*  Hymn #213 Black           “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”     Ellacombe
*  Prayer of Approach & Confession
One:     With eager hearts and open hands, Holy One, we welcome Jesus, until he refuses the power we offer him, choosing to become our servant.  We pick up the faith we had laid on the ground before him, and put it back on the shelf where it belongs. Our pride keeps us from being able to follow him all the way to Calvary.
All:      Hosanna, Steadfast God, save us! Help us to let our fears, our doubts, our faithlessness slip from our lives to fall at your feet, so we may stand with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who comes in your name, in your glory, in your grace to save us.
[silence is kept]
*  Assurance of Pardon
One:     Tell the daughters of despair, proclaim it to the sons of sadness:
All:      Christ has come to save us! Hosanna! We will give our thanks to God, who comes to bring us grace, hope, life. Hosanna in the highest.  Amen!
*  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    Let the Rocks Cry Out R. Sterling
Union Church Choir
Let the rocks cry out “Hosanna!” Let the people shout for joy! Join the song creation sings, rising to the King of kings.
1. Blessed is He, King Jesus, who comes in the Lord’s holy name. The heavens rejoice. The earth lifts its voice. How can we not do the same?
2. Holy is He, Son of David, the King of all Israel. He makes the blind to see. He sets the captive free, Jesus, Emmanuel.
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29                   p. 701 Black
The Psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response at the “R” when invited.
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, children grades K-3 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in the chapel.  If this is your child’s first time attending Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form.  Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces. For children preschool & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel after the service.
Sermon     Savior Interrupted       Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

Gifts given for Love to flow

Call to Offering
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 to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to  859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions”  or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory              Ave Verum      W.A. Mozart
*  Doxology  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;    Old Hundredth
                  Praise God all creatures here below;
                  Praise God above, ye heavenly host:
                  Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.  

Praying it Forward

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.
Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer     
One:     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

*  Closing Hymn #224 Black          When I Survey the Wondrous Cross    HAmburg
*  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please remain seated) Chorale in F    A. Witworth
 
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 China, Hong Kong, Macao and our brothers and sisters at Blue Lick Missionary Baptist 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 service of our country, and those who wait and worry for them.
* For the victims of violence everywhere, and especially under the influence of racial prejudice and simmering fear. Peace to those everywhere our madness reigns.
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin, Ruth Butwell, Kim Woolridge
* Kelly Mehler
* Mary K. Kauffman
* Jack Carraway
* Michelle Tooley
* Tom and Dorie Hubbard, at the death of their dear friend, Alice Donahue
* Debbonnaire Kovacs, recovering at home
Learn more about the church today. If you’re thinking about joining, but have some questions, come to a new membership info session! 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 office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board. New members are received every second Sunday of a month—next opportunity is April 12.    
One Great Hour of Sharing to be received today, Palm Sunday: One Great Hour of Sharing is the Lenten offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of money and time. Today, projects are underway in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. One Great Hour funds make possible disaster relief, refugee assistance, development aid and more.
      History:  In 1949, church leaders from several denominations formed an ad hoc committee to organize an appeal aimed at supporting the separate campaigns of American churches. While the post-war language seems a bit stilted, their joint statement in support of this effort is still remarkably contemporary:
This nationwide united effort by America’s Christians has an importance far beyond the practical goal of fund raising. For this great joint program will not only strengthen the vitally important relief and rehabilitation work of the churches overseas, but will also prove to all the world how great is the power generated when Christians unite in a common cause.
Labyrinth walk. Debbonnaire’s labyrinth at 773 Big Hill Rd. (1/2 mile down Prospect, on the right) has been mostly impassable during Lent, but is definitely open for Holy Week! Park in the circle drive, cross the back yard (2 gates – please close them behind you). Blessings!
Bluegrass Opera to perform here tonight, 7:30 pm !  Bluegrass Opera is thrilled to welcome the Easter season with the beautiful and uplifting oratorio King of Glory.  They promise to leave you with a tune in your head and a song in your heart!
Lilies for Easter! Easter morning flowers are a glorious way to celebrate the joy of resurrection. Now you can order sanctuary lilies in honor or memory of loved ones for just $15 with a click or call! Sales will support our Annual Budget, providing loving care in our many ministries.
All flowers will be delivered to the church and will be available to take home after the Easter Service if you wish. Order online if able. All orders must be received by April 1 to be included in the Easter service bulletin
To pay by check, please call the church office at (859) 986-3725 to let us know how to designate your plants, then mail your payment to “Union Church, CPO 2105, Berea, KY 40404″. Please designate “Lilies” in the memo line.
Habitat House dedication. April 4, 12:00 noon, 129 Washington Ave.  You won’t want to miss the moment when Heather and Joey Reynolds are finally handed the keys to their home! Please come welcome the Reynolds family home and celebrate with those who worked shoulder to shoulder in partnership with this family!  A potluck lunch will be served after the ceremony!
Easter Egg Hunt & Potluck at Joan Moore’s April 4! Joan will have an outdoor Easter egg hunt at her house, 100 Wildflower Ln. Easter eggs will be provided by the Easter bunny and are sure to be hidden throughout the woods…as they are each year.  Be sure to dress for the weather and for tromping through the woods!!  Bring a bag or basket to collect your eggs! Potluck dinner afterwards, so bring a dish to share and a beverage of your choice. All welcome!
Alternatives to Violence Project will be offered at the Friends Meeting House, April 10, 11 & 12. See the poster in the back hallway or email berea.avp@gmail.com
Can you bring someone(s) to church with you? A few Liberty Place women would like to start attending our Sunday worship. They need a ride from Richmond and back. Please be in touch with Dodie Murphy (859-2007277) if you can help.
 

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7:30 pm service in the sanctuary. “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning “commandment.” On this night when Jesus met with his disciples for his last supper, he gave them a new commandment, “that you love one another.” During this special service we will share communion and recount the story of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, and darken the sanctuary, as we retell the story of his crucifixion. Our service will begin with hand and foot washing at 7:00 pm (for those who wish).
Good Friday, April 3, 12:15 pm A service is offered by the Berea Ministerial Association. Gather at 12:15, Union Church sanctuary. This midday worship service recounts Jesus’ last hours.
Holy Saturday, April 4, 8:30 am Gather with Pastors Kent & Rachel as we clean and prepare the sanctuary for our Easter guests. We’ll dust the pews, and prepare the decorations, and spruce up the outside as we welcome a joyful Easter.
Easter Sunday, April 5, 6:45 am Sunrise Service, White’s Memorial. The Ministerial Association hosts this all-church celebration of Easter Morning as the sun rises. The service will be held at White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church, and all are invited to stay afterward for breakfast. Let’s share worship, song, and prayer with all our neighbors.
9:30 am Easter Activities for kids, beginning in the Chapel and moving on to the Easter Egg Hunt!
10:30 am Celebration of the Resurrection! Join to recall the joy and hope of that first Easter Morning, and to renew yourself by recalling that God’s love is not reserved in that long-ago time. This is a lovely time to invite guests, new neighbors, and any who’ve ever wondered what Union Church is about!