Sept. 30 Worship Bulletin

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

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost              September 30, 2012

Meditation
“Beauty saves. Beauty heals. Beauty motivates. Beauty unites. Beauty returns us to our origins, and here lies the ultimate act of saving, of healing, of overcoming dualism.”

                                                          —Matthew Fox, theologian and author

Gathering to Worship

Welcome and Announcements
Prelude     Chromhorne en Taille Gaspard Corrette
* Call to Worship

One:     We will walk this day with God, and God walks with us,

All:      gathering us into a community to pray for one another in all things.

One:     We will walk this day Christ, and Christ will walk with us,

All:      calling us to follow, to find our voice, and to set aside all which holds us back.

One:     We will walk this day with the Spirit, and she will walk with us,

All:      turning us in, sending us out,  to serve those cast aside by the world.

* Opening Hymn  Sing Praise to God      Mit Freuden Zart
* Prayer of Approach and Confession

One:     When sin and death hover around us like circling vultures, you  fill us with new strength so they cannot feed on us; when our bitterness clamps tight around our hearts with its steel-like teeth, you pry us loose with your scarred hands so we might walk in faith with you; when we stack our hurts one on top of the another, like kindling wood, ready to set the match of our anger to the pile, you pour your Spirit of forgiveness upon them until they are soaked so thoroughly, nothing can ignite them.

All:      Our help, our hope, our life, our peace are truly found in you. Set our hearts and transform our lives, we pray.

(Silence is kept for reflection: What needs change in your life?)
*Words of Assurance

One:     The good news is this: God loves the world so much as to make it a fit
place to live; God loves us so much as to reshape us into people of faith. Like a cup of cold water, forgiveness revives us, restores us, gives us new life. That new life begins today. That which does not help us can be cast off. This is the promise! We are forgiven by the power and love of Christ.

All:      Thanks be to God! Amen!

* Passing the Peace of 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.

Hearing the word

Anthem    I Sought the Lord        Ronald Turner

               Union Church Choir

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me.
It was not that I found, O Savior true; No, I was found of Thee.
Though did reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold. I walked and sank not on the troubled sea.
‘Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold, As Thou, dear Lord, on me.
I find, I walk, I love, but O the whole of love is but my answer, Lord to Thee.
For Thou were long beforehand with my soul; always Thou lovest me.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
Queen Esther asks that her people be spared.
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.

After Children’s moment our youngest members may return to their seats, go to the nursery in Knapp Hall Room 102 (Nursery is in the back left corner when entering the front of Knapp—ushers will be glad to direct you), or participate in Children’s Church on level 1a in Presser.
Gospel Lesson                  Mark 9:38-50
Jesus warns against finger-pointing and being a stumbling block to others.
Sermon    Now Cut that Out:  Faithful Losing in Order to Find            Rev. Kent Gilbert

Prayers of the People

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 Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayers & Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer

            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.

Offering Our Gifts

Offertory  Antiphon V      Marcel Dupre
* Doxology             Avery/Marsh
*Prayer of Thanksgiving

Walkng Forward in Faith

* Closing Hymn      Let Us Hope    Let Us Hope
*  Benediction and Sending Forth            
Postlude   God of Grace and God of Glory         Paul Manz
_____________________________
*   Those who wish to  may stand