A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19) 10:30 am
Meditation Because we have not made our lives to fit our places, the forests are ruined, the fields eroded, the streams polluted, the mountains overturned. Hope then to belong to your place by your own knowledge of what it is that no other place is, and by your caring for it as you care for no other place, this place that you belong to though it is not yours, for it was from the beginning and will be to the end. ~ Wendell Berry from “This Place That You Belong To,” Oct 2021
Prelude
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship!
From There to Here: We Gather
¨ The Call
One: We were glad when they said, “Let us go to the house of God!”
All: Our feet are standing within your gates, O Holy City! We pray for the peace of all God’s beloved cities: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”
One: For the sake of friend and stranger we say:
All: Peace be within you, O Jerusalem! Peace be within you, O Berea, O New York, O Washington, O Shanksville, O Seattle! Peace be within you, O Kiev, O Norway, O Moscow, O Chile, O Soweto.
One: Peace be within this community, gathered now in this moment.
All: For the sake of the house of the Holy One, our God, we will seek your good, and the good of all. Let us worship the living God, tender and just!
One: Join us in body or in spirit as we lift our voices to sing.
¨ Hymn #174 Black Hear the Voice of God So Tender Raquel
- 1. Hear the voice of God, so tender, gathering us in righteousness, giving, as our sure defender, steadfast love and faithfulness. Bless God’s holy name together, as the Spirit brings new life. Giving, as our sure defender,
steadfast love and faithfulness.
2. God is healing and forgiving creatures who are sore distressed, opening doors to hopeful living, as, by love, we’re daily blessed. Bless God’s holy name together,
as the Spirit brings new life. Opening doors to hopeful living, as, by love, we’re daily blessed.
3. Listening to the Spirit’s guiding, breath beyond the written code, we, in covenant abiding, seek to write our letters bold. Bless God’s holy name together, as the Spirit brings new life. We, in covenant abiding, seek to write our letters bold.
4. Shed the old wineskins of warfare for the fresh new wines of peace, knowing God sustains our welfare with a love that will not cease. Bless God’s holy name together, as the Spirit brings new life. Knowing God sustains our welfare with a love that will not cease.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
All: God of mercy and grace: We mourn the lives of those around the world who are daily affected by terrorism and violence. We acknowledge that violence is a web that traps us all. We confess our own complicity when our own fears feed terrorism and violence to protect our interests and lifestyles. Forgive us our thoughts and acts that dehumanize those we consider enemies. We look into our own hearts and confess our own desires for vengeance and retaliation against those who have harmed us. Forgive us our violence of thought and action as we forgive those who commit violence against us. Disarm our hearts as well as our hands through the transforming power of the Spirit of Jesus. Amen. ~ Diane Zaerr Brenneman, Words for Worship 2 (Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2009). Adapted.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ Passing the Peace
Announcements, Prayers and Celebrations
Announcements
Lighting the Justice Candle
Today, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Week, we’re lighting the justice candle for Sonia Sotomayor. Her life story is one of overcoming adversity which eventually played out in her becoming the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice.
Word And Worship
Special Music Goodness of God Bethel Cansas Dowell, guitar and vocals
Gospel Lesson Luke 15:1-10
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
NRSVue (Updated Edition).
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Please note that Union Church services are livestreamed, including the Children’s Moment. A “no camera zone” is at the back of the balcony, behind the AV booth.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Jeremiah 4:11–12, 22–28
Hebrew Scripture Lesson At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert towards my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgement against them.
‘For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil,but do not know how to do good.’
I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light.
I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro.
I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled.
I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger. For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.
Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.
Sermon The Lost Hope of Our Heart
Visual Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
Our gifts help sustain this particular community of caring by sustaining the building, pastor and staff, and all the materials that make our ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need. In addition, a portion of our contributions flows out to aid those in need via many external ministries.
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. Baskets are placed at the head and foot of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation. Electronic donations can be made very simply and easily at: https//: www.easytithe.com/union
You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offering Music I Choose Love Mark Miller Union Church Choir
1. In the midst of pain, I choose love. In the midst of pain sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again I choose Love.
2. In the midst of war, I choose peace. In the midst of war, hate and anger keeping score, I will seek the good once more, I choose peace.
3. When my world falls down, I will rise. When my world falls down, explanations can’t be found, I will climb to holy ground, I will rise.
4. In the midst of pain, I choose love. In the midst of pain sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again I choose Love.
Community Prayer Steve Gowler
One: God we’re tired! And oh, how we’re lost most days: Surrounded in the corners of your kingdom, but far from the light and living in the dust. And if it’s not us, it’s those we love, those we know and care for. Lost, we are losing. Losing ourselves, and our best vision and intent; losing our will to change or be changed. But you hunt the lost, you find the broken, you mend the wounds, you lift the soul and bring out joy from dusty domains! YOU know the consequences and YOU know we have helped and hidden and hindered, but YOU will not give up. Hound and Heal us, O amazing grace! Renew us heart, body and soul, that with you we may string a necklace of joy from the found coins of lost justice. You are the seeker. Find us! We pray in the name and manner of Jesus, calling on you…
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
¨ Hymn We Would Be Building Finlandia
- 1.We would be building; temples still undone o’er crumbling walls their crosses scarcely lift, waiting till love can raise the broken stone, and hearts creative bridge the human rift. We would be building; Architect divine, reveal the shape of life in your design.
2.Teach us to build; upon the solid rock we set the dream that hardens into deed, ribbed with fine steel both time and change to mock, the unfailing purpose of our noblest creed. Teach us to build; O Maker, lend us sight to see the towers gleaming in the light.
3. O keep us building, Savior; may our hands ne’er falter when the dream is in our hearts, when to our ears there come divine commands and all the pride of sinful will departs. We build with you, O grant enduring worth until your promised realm shall come on earth.
¨ Benediction
Postlude
You are welcome to be seated to appreciate the music following service, and to show appreciation at the end with applause. Please join us for lemonade and conversation after the service.
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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. https://union-church.org/ministries/prayer/). Let us hold the people of Ghana and Nigeria; and our brothers & sisters at St. Clare Catholic Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 16,700 Kentucky residents, and 292 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ The families and friends and for all the emergency responders to the floods in our Eastern counties: that safety return, that homes be rebuilt, that all needed help will come.
¨ 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Iris Brandenburg, recovering from surgery, thanks that all went well.
¨ The Stolte family, grieving Bill’s death. Annriette’s address is 579 Alexian Way #417 South; Signal Mountain; TN; 37377.
¨ Punkie McKinney, struggling with long-Covid symptoms.
¨ Cherie Valeithian, Debbonnaire Kovacs’ sister, suffering health issues in Seattle.
¨ Steve Boyce, in UK hospital with Covid.
¨ Doug Hindman, recovering at home from Covid
¨ Betty Wray contemplating hospice for heart issues.
¨ Maria Hartz, beginning her next semester of seminary in New York state.
¨ Frank Jenkins, husband of Deborah Thompson, recovering from successful hip surgery.
¨ Susan Kramer, ill and undergoing tests, and for Stanley giving care.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Hazel Morris, at the death of her brother-in-law.
¨ Michelle, beloved nurse at Morning Pointe, undergoing treatment for cancer.
¨ Jess Burton & Jake Graber and their little girl, Lila, who has serious gastric issues.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays: Today, Sept. 11 – Lisa Shroyer, Cameron Stites-Stevens; 13 – Mary Nash, Steve Connelly; 14 – Debbonnaire Kovacs; 17 – Joyce Fields, Sunni Walters
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