A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Palm Sunday
April 13, 2014 10:30 am
Meditation
It is ourselves that we must spread under Christ’s feet, not coats or lifeless branches or shoots of trees, matter which wastes away and delights the eye for only a few brief hours. But we have clothed ourselves with Christ’s grace, with the whole Christ – “for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” – so let us spread ourselves like coats under his feet. ― Andrew of Crete, 8th century
From there to here
Welcome & Announcements
Bell Prelude Arioso Don McAfee
Gospel Lesson Matthew 21:1-11
The liturgy of the Palms is the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Choral Introit He Comes Michael Bedford Jubilee & Joyful Noise Choirs
He comes! He comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
* Palm Processional Pavilioned in Splendor Richard Lloyd
Everyone is invited to join in the Processional. When invited, please move to stand lining the aisles as the pastors, Sunday School children, and adults process through “the crowd.” The little children will lead us, followed by the choir. If you wish, please join the procession as it passes your pew.
* Call to Worship
One: Hosanna!
All: Hosanna!
One: Let us worship with song the God of our salvation!
* Hymn #216 Black All Glory, Laud and Honor St.Theodulph
* Passing the Peace of Jesus Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
the Word In our Midst
Childrens Choir Anthem Hosanna to the Son of David! Michael Bedford
Jubilee & Joyful Noise Choirs
Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna, Jesus comes. Riding on a donkey through the city streets, Jesus smiles and waves to everyone he meets. See palm branches waving as the people say, “Blest is he who comes on this triumphant day!”
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, Little Church for children Preschool & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church, for grades K-3, takes place in the chapel. If this is your child’s first time attending Little Church or Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form. Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces. There will be no Childrens Church next Sunday, Easter.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Psalm 118
Anthem O, Jerusalem Tim Schoenbachler
Union Church Choir
O, Jerusalem, how I long to gather you into my arms but you have gone so very far away. You reject those I wend you. Just as a mother cares for her wayward brood, I want to care but you refuse. Do not weep for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children to come, for you will suffer in my name. Open up your eyes. You ask and wonder if the kingdom’s here of there when the reign of God is in your midst.
Sermon Trampling Out… Rev. Kent Gilbert
Gifts Given for love to flow
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 (Examples: Text “$5.00 Lenten Lunch” to contribute to the after church meals. Text “$200.00 My Pledge” to contribute to your pledge.)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you.
The One Great Hour of Sharing, an over-and-above offering, is received today as well. Checks can be made out to Union Church, with OGHS in the memo line.
Offertory Ah! Holy Jesus (Herzliebster Jesu) Helmut Walcha
* Doxology Holy Ground Christopher Beatty
These are holy hands, God’s given us holy hands
God works through these hands
And so these hands are holy
These are holy hands, God’s given us holy hands
God works through these hands
And so these hands are holy.
Connecting the dots and 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.
Litany as We Approach Holy Week Please join the Pastors when invited…
One: If we have stretched out our hands in greed, or lust, or love of money,
All: Lord, cleanse us by your mercy.
One: If our heart have been sullied by pride or resentment,
All: Lord, cleanse us by your mercy.
One: If we have turned aside from our pilgrimage to follow the world’s ways, or to seek false gods, or spirits other than your Holy Spirit,
All: Lord, cleanse us by your mercy.
From here to there
Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward during the hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
* Closing Hymn #204 “Take Up Your Cross,” the Savior Said Deus Tuorum Militum
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
* Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that you and we may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
* Benediction
* Benediction Response We Will Walk with God Sizohamba naye
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 Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan and our brothers and sisters at West Side 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 the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* JoAnn Hayden, Rob, and the rest of the family, at Rob’s father’s death
* Judy Royalty, recovering from surgery
* The family of Harry Piland, at his death
* Mary Robert Garrett, Andrew & family, who will welcome a new baby girl tomorrow at noon
* Leslie Berger, recovering from a TIA
* Peggy Coyne’s daughter’s future mother-in-law, Jan Dailey-Hosp, awaiting a lung transplant
* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, gravely ill with cancer and now under hospice care
* Michelle Tooley, with recurrence of melanoma
* Our church family members recovering at home and in nursing homes: Rose Brandenburg, Naomi Brandenburg, Jerry Cooper, Edith Hansen, Klara Welsh, Bernice Robertson, Nancy Jones
* Marlene Payne’s niece, Sarah, her daughter, Reldy, and grand daughter, Lola
* Barbara Frederiksen, recovering from emergency surgery
* Linda Parsons, who broke her leg in a fall and is recovering at Cardinal Hill
Interested in exploring membership with Union Church? New members are received every Second Sunday of the month at the end of the service—that’s today! YOU are welcome here! Every Fourth Sunday of the Month (April 27) 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. Light refreshments will be offered and you are invited to pick up coffee or tea in the parlor on your way through the hall. Childcare will be offered downstairs as needed; please contact the church office the prior week if you would like this service.
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering received Today. One Great Hour of Sharing is the special mission offering that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in 138 countries. Churches work with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
See Jesus Christ Superstar free on Friday! The Berea College Theatre Laboratory is presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar at 8:00 pm April 16-19. Union Church is especially invited on Good Friday, April 18! We will offer complimentary tickets to Union Church folks and their families. Call Deborah Martin at 859-985-3419 to make reservations for that performance. There will also be a post-show discussion following this powerful performance.
Easter Egg Hunt Easter morning! Kids Elementary age, meet in Room 101 at 9:30. Bring a basket if you have one. Middle and high school youth— come at 9:00 to hide the eggs.
It’s now possible to donate & dedicate Easter lilies online— select “Lilies” at the donate button, then the pink “buy Easter Lilies” button and follow the links — easy! Please do this by Thursday the 17th!
You can now pledge/donate to Union Church —online or by text! ! For Online Giving Union Church uses EasyTithe, a completely secure contribution system. You can use Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express Credit and Debit Cards, or an E-Check from your checking account. Visit the website and click on the Donate button for instructions. You do not need to register to make a donation (just choose “Quick Give” ). If you do register your information will be securely stored, making future visits faster and giving you full control of your giving reports. Credit card processing does cost the church about 3.1% of your transaction. ACH (E-Checks) only incur a 1% fee. Please use whichever is best for you, but if you can, consider adding a little additional to help cover the bank fee!
Give By Texting 859-448-3403: Yes! You can give using your web-enabled phone. Text any amount to 859-448-3403. The first time you do–and just the first time–you’ll get a link to associate your phone and enter your securely stored credit or debit card. After that, all you need to do is text the number with an amount and any designation. It’s fast and easy! Of course, like every credit card transaction the church pays a 3.1% fee. If you can include that little extra bit, it will make a big difference!
Examples: Text “$5.00 Lenten Lunch” to contribute to the after church meals. Text “$200.00 My Pledge” to contribute to your pledge. (Amounts texted without a designation will automatically go to the Annual Ministry Budget and all giving will be included in your annual giving records).
Mark your calendars: the May meeting to revisit the budget has been set for May 21, at 7:00 pm.
Note: Barb Taylor’s email address is .com NOT .net Please make that change in your Directory (with Joan’s apologies).
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