A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed? ~bell hooks
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
The Call Pamela Chabora, Reader
We are a hinge generation. On the choices we make will swing the gate of history, closing us into a fortress of our own fear, or opening us to a new beginning on the road to our redemption. We are chosen for this role by deep currents of time, brought to this moment of our destiny by an ancient design we ride like a river. The Earth and her great family stand waiting. Let us make them proud. ~Steven Charleston
¨ Hymn Stepping In Christopher Grundy
¨ 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
Special Music Seek Ye First Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Scripture Lesson Exodus 14:19-31
The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained.
But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
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.
Scripture Lesson Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.
So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Sermon Free But Not Free Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Living 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 Reflection Questions
Inflection Points: Like the steward in the Gospel story we each have had moments where great changes in circumstances, positive and negative, open new possibilities. Meditate on some of your inflection points. What were the changes? In what ways have you offered a similar inflection point to others? Pray for what you need in this moment.
Confession Time?: If you are feeling the sharp point of anything you’ve heard today, try to sit with why. The life of faith is a life of grace, but also of honesty and authenticity. So consider what isn’t sitting right. When you know, consider what other choices might have brought. Confession is the potent, simple, recognition that something could have been done better and while you cannot change the past, we all can change the future. What would it take? How will you love and live more authentically after this prayer?
Offertory
As we come forward, our gifts are received for this common work together.
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.
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Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Silent Prayers & Prayers of the Community Pamela Chabora, Reader
Lord save us from mercurial mercy, the kind that slips from our minds, that slides off our back, skitters away from others as we try to hoard it to ourselves. Grant that we might make the time, and hold the memory of what your grace has meant, and, in knowing, make mercy from our hands known to others. In as much as it depends on us, help us make the peace and find the forgiveness, even when it is hidden deep in our hearts. We, who have been blessed, would be a blessing: so that all bodies, all souls, all minds and all hearts can finally sing the songs of the world you dream for us.
This we ask in Christ’s name that we might all be free, and praying the way he taught us, reaching 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
¨ Hymn God, How Can We Forgive Leoni; Ruth Duck
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Recognizing that all life is sacred and that seeking peace through violence is unsustainable, the Just Peace approach turns our attention to rehumanization, participatory processes, nonviolent resistance, restorative justice, reconciliation, racial justice, and creative strategies of active nonviolence.
The United Church of Christ was the first Christian denomination to declare itself a “Just Peace Church” in 1985. Over the past 35+ years, the concept of Just Peace- that intersection of peace with justice reflected in the biblical vision of God’s Shalom – has been affirmed by ecumenical partners around the world. As our world suffers from conflicts around the world, now is the time to seek alternatives to militarism and turn our focus to building peace from the ground up. This Sunday, the Just Peace churches of the UCC celebrate the day. Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on September 21. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization.”
Partnership and Purpose
Today presents an opportunity to covenant together! All who would like to are welcome to join the church family – you will be received in joy!
Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨ Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members and faithful friends 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
Postlude
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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay; and our brothers & sisters at Middletown Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Continuing prayers for the family of Tom Parker, who passed away on Aug 29th. He was the husband of Sara and father of Tina, and beloved family member of the Baileys and Parkers.
¨ Loyal Jones, in hospice care. His daughter, Susan, reports he’d love to hear from friends. His address is 200 Tabernacle Rd. L-205; Black Mountain; NC; 28711.
¨ Rita Barlow, receiving care at home.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Doug Hindman’s family, church family and many friends, at his passing. His life will be celebrated at a memorial on Oct. 7, 1 pm.
¨ James Stephens, Charlie Hoffman’s brother-in-law, suffering with cancer.
¨ Betty Sarafin asks for prayers for the Sarafin and Cook families, at the loss of Betty’s brother-in-law Thomas Aquinas Cook, Jr., who will be honored in a memorial service Sept. 24 in Mercer, PA. Also, please keep Mary Ellen Sarafin Landry and family in prayer. Mary has a terminal illness.
¨ Edda Keuchel, relative of Diana Hultgren, who broke a hip and is not doing well after surgery.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ John Stanley & Heather Lundy, former Union Church members & still beloved friends, as John recovers from a stroke.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: today, Sept. 17 – Joyce Fields, Sunni Walters; 18 – Sarah Kramer; 19 – Reid Connelly; 21 – Renee Wellinghurst; 24 – Claudia Munson-Schrumpf
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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