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

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Rekindle the Spirit Sunday

September 11, 2016

10:30 am

 
 
Meditation
Now I must write for myself    for this blind
woman scratching the pavement    with her wand of thought
this slippered crone    inching on icy streets
reaching into wired trashbaskets     pulling out
what was thrown away    and infinitely precious
 
I look at my hands and see    they are still unfinished
I look at the vine and see the leafbud
inching towards life
 
I look at my face in the glass    and see
a halfborn woman
1975
—Adrienne Rich, excerpt from “Upper Broadway”

From there to Here

Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship!  During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “*.”
Please sign in using the pew folder, passing it back down the row so all can greet one another by name, and place the sheet in an offering plate. We’re glad you’re here!
Prelude  Versette Charles Callahan
*  Call to Worship
One:  As we gather in the midst of a world of conflict and rumors of war,
All: Re-kindle your spirit within us, O Lord.
One:   As we wonder what to say to our children, and what to tell ourselves,
All: Re-kindle your spirit within us, O Lord.
One: As we come with lives that feel like blessings, and lives that feel cursed,
All: Re-kindle your spirit within us, O Lord.
One: We seek your fire in our bellies, your light in our hearts, your warmth in our souls;
All: Re-kindle your spirit within us, O Lord.
One: Let us each take up our small taper, and join together as we soak in the light of God’s love.  Come, let us worship our God.
All: Amen.
*  Opening Hymn #311 Renew Your Church All is Well
*  Prayer of Approach and Confession
One:     Gracious and loving God, we find it difficult at times to place our trust in you.
Too often we look at the world, and see only violence, pain, destruction, and signs of hopelessness and despair.
Too often we rely on our own strength, our own plans, our own devices, rather than trusting in your hand to hold us, your love to sustain us, and your wisdom to see us through.
All: Forgive us, Holy One.
One: Help us turn to you when we are lost, that we might find our way home.
Help us navigate the treacherous waters of this world, that we might experience your abundant grace, mercy, and love.
Help us put our trust in you, that the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus may shine in our lives for all to see.
All: Guide us now, Holy One, as we bring our thoughts and confessions into your pasture.
[Silence is kept]
One: In the name of the Good Shepherd we pray,
All: Amen.
—adapted from www.ministrymatters.com
* Words of Assurance
One:    The pasture of the Good Shepherd knows no bounds.  Wherever we wander, we will be sought after like precious gold.  The rejoicing of our God when we return to God also knows no bounds.  We are celebrated like a lost sheep reunited with the flock.  Let us celebrate and rejoice together!  
All: 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

Special Music The God of Love My Shepherd Is John Ness Beck
Union Church Choir
The God of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am God’s and God is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul God leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill, with Thee, dear Lord, beside me, Thy rod and staff my comfort still; Thy cross before to guide me. And so through all the length of days, Thy goodness faileth never. Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever.
Epistle Lesson 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Paul lauds God’s mercy in working through him, chief among those who used to persecute the faithful.
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel, or are welcome return to their seats or visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.
Gospel Lesson  Luke 15:1-10
Jesus answer the Pharisee’s concern that he spends too much time with the wrong sort of people, likening God to a woman seeking a single lost coin.
Sermon       Joy Rekindled 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 (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 “Fanfare” from Suite for Handbells
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Doxology Avery/Marsh

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 for 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

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 Closing Hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
*  Closing Hymn #459 Come, O Fount Nettleton
*  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 & Sending Forth
Postlude (please  be  seated) Allegro Maestoso G. F. Handel
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 Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and our brothers and sisters at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ For the healing of families, communities, and our nation wracked by violence and murder, may we be agents of transformation.
¨ Susan Doring-Zook’s mother whose cancer diagnosis has been reversed!
¨ Teri VanPelt, who had extensive oral surgery on Thursday
¨ Kim Kobersmith and her family, at the loss of her grandmother, Idamay Betty, in Ormond Beach, last Tuesday.
¨ Shayne Confer, at the death of his father, in Pittsburgh, PA.
¨ Loriel Warren and family at the death of her father.
¨ Sune Frederiksen, who is now an American citizen!
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, in rehab after heart valve replacement surgery.
¨ Gary Dillon, undergoing chemo for lung cancer.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from broken bones at home, and for Shane Wilcher, recovering from knee surgery
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Join the church TODAY! 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! New members are received every second Sunday of a month. YOU are welcome here!
Children’s Church begins today! This year, Children’s Church will use the “Joyful Path” spiritual curriculum, which focuses on teaching children to: ask questions and be curious; stay focused and calm to discover divine energy; use scriptural examples to solve practical problems; find the divine around them; and to be heroes in their own lives by modeling bravery, peace and justice. We are so excited to begin this year’s journey with the children of Union Church.
Children’s Church is open to children from K-5th grade. Younger children are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult.
Rekindle the Spirit today, right after worship. At the beginning of each school year, the Faith Development Board hosts a lunch and gathering at which we can each learn about all the Faith Development offerings this year and see where you’d like to join in and rekindle your own spirit.
Plan to stay for an hour or so after church to learn about what’s happening, including in children’s church and choir, youth group, young adult gatherings, new and returning adult studies, and All Y’all Faith Days. (You can also read about some of those in the September newsletter!)
We look forward to lighting the flame with you!
Wednesday Nite Live Sept. 14! Second Wednesdays of the month the program is Storytime, led this moth by Debbonnaire Kovacs! Don’t miss it, see calendar for WNL schedule.
BAZAAR Sept.17 This annual Mighty Event, which raises money for Union Church’s Mission projects here at home, in the US, and worldwide, will be Saturday, September 17, 10-3.
If you have items to donate for sale: household goods, furniture, baked goods, books, collectibles … pretty much anything except clothing and electronics, it can be brought to church (priced, please).
AND if you want to BUY such things to benefit a worthy cause and want to share in the festivities, fellowship, FOOD, music, and general fun….y’all come!
If you are an artist who would like to sell your work at the bazaar, please use this link:
https://union-church.org/bazaar-art/
New Sunday morning class starts September 18. 9:30am in the 2nd floor Classroom.  Come join class leaders Amy Williams, Kevin Burke, and Betsy Whaley for an exploration of each week’s Scriptures that the pastors use to preach. No prep necessary — come as you are!
We’ll dig in depth on the context and history of each reading, so you can judge the pastors’ sermons with a scorecard like
Olympic gymnasts. (Just kidding on that last part!) We hope you’ll join us for learning, discussion and fellowship.
Need your flu shot? RiteAid will offer flu shots here at church Sept. 18 & 25 right after worship.  12-4, in the Classroom. They will bring insurance forms with them. $20 if not covered.
Join the Union Church Choir or the  Union Church Handbell Ensemble —  or both! The Union Church Handbell Ensemble rehearses Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, and choir on Thursdays at 6:15 pm.   Both ensembles rehearse in the Choir Room, located on the third floor. No musical experience is required for either ensemble.  We look forward to a fun, musical season!
Kids’ gymnastics, hosted by the Folk Circle Association. If you and your kids are interested in some fun, active general gymnastics at Russel Acton Folk Center on Mondays and Wednesdays please feel free to contact Sune Frederiksen at 248-0690. A great way of activating your kids’ motor skills in a safe environment. Check out www.berea-folk-circle.org and see what we have to offer.
Fall Mountain Folk Festival September 23-25.  The Folk Circle Association of Berea will host the annual at Russell Acton Folk Center. This will be a wonderful weekend of lots of superb music and dancing with festive folky folks from our congregation including  Al and Alice White, Howard Carlberg and Hazel Jodock and many more. Schedule and registration form at www.berea-folk-circle.org. Come and join the fun.
Hope not Heroin Rally/Walk, Saturday, Sept. 24, 4 pm. Madison County Courthouse. Speakers, Info, walk, candlelight vigil, music, food. Free for all.
Alternatives to Violence Project Basic Workshop October 1 & 2. At Knapp Hall on Berea College Campus, email Berea.avp@gmail.com to register or visit avpusa.org for more info.
Higher Ground Moral Declaration, Monday, September 12, Capitol Steps, Frankfort: Clergy from around the commonwealth will gather tomorrow with affected and vulnerable citizens to present a national “Higher Ground Moral Declaration,” representing that the deepest public concerns of our faith traditions are how our society treats the poor, those on the margins, the least of these, women, children, workers, immigrants and the sick; equality and representation under the law; and the desire for peace, love and harmony within and among nations.
Jewish Rabbis, Muslim Imams, Christian Ministers, and persons of no faith at all will simultaneously present this declaration to in 25 states and the District of Columbia.
Rev. Kent will be speaking to this declaration in Frankfort, and both pastors are going for the 10:30am ceremony. If you would like to carpool, please gather at the church not later than 8:30am. To read the whole document go to www.moralrevival.org. Everyone is encouraged to read and sign the declaration.