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

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 10, 2017                 10:30 am 

Meditation  
We should conduct ourselves toward our enemy as if he were                        one day to be our friend.
― John Henry Newman 

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 In Memoriam John Courter
Dedicated to those whose lives were lost in the                                                                  terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
¨  Call to Worship
One:   Come, children of God, rejoice in your Maker!
All: Sing songs and hymns, old and new; celebrate with voices and instruments, with praise and prayers!
One: Open your eyes to the life-giving presence of Jesus Christ.
All: For God is already here, among us and within us, bringing new life to all who believe. Let’s praise God together!
¨  Opening Hymn #454 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian I Want to Be a Christian
¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Let us pray:
All: Holy One, You call us to wake from sleep, to become aware to our surroundings. The dawn of a new time of preparation is upon us. Forgive us when sleepiness takes its toll, when our discussions become battles, when our judgement and self-judgement outweigh our faith. Let us put on the light of Christ and live as You have called us in respect, in mutual dialogue, and in healthy living. Help us so that everything we do reflects Christ’s light. Amen.
¨  Words of Assurance
 One: Friends, hear the good news: the kin-dom of God is here. We need only be willing to embrace it in its full glory of grace and forgiveness of ourselves and our neighbors. Christ has led the way, and the gates of love are open.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen.
¨  Passing the Peace of 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 Living Word among us

Anthem O Praise the Lord! Lloyd Larson
Union Church Choir
O praise the Lord, all ye nations! Praise Him, all ye peoples of the earth! O praise the Lord, sing out His praises! For His love is great towards us. Praise Him for His goodness and His mercy; praise Him for a love that knows no ending; let us sing His praises, sing His glory; come, lift your voices to the Lord! Thank Him for the joy of our salvation. Come, lift your voices, let them ring! 
Epistle  Lesson Romans 13:8-14
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. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has 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 in Room 104 off the playground.
Commissioning of the Children’s Church Teachers
One:             God of Creation, you have gifted these people with teaching skills, creativity, and curiosity. We pray you would fill them with the power and compassion of your Holy Spirit. Fill them with energy and insight into your Word, the story of Your faithful heart.
Teachers: You have not called us to be perfect You have called us to be faithful. You have not called us to be all-knowing. You have called us to believe. We dedicate ourselves to the call and task of teaching. Grant us wisdom, patience and joy in our preparation and teaching of your Word.
Children: Thank you for teaching us! We learn God’s love through you.
Congregation: God of hope, guide each teacher as they study your Word. Strengthen the gifts you have given them, and energize their compassion. Remind us to find ways to support and encourage them throughout the year. May we share in their joy and times of difficulty.
All: We commit ourselves, each to our part, in this joyful task. May your steadfast, faithful, covenant love guide all we do. Amen.  
— the Mennonite Church of Canada Resource Centre
Gospel Lesson Matthew 18:15-20
Sermon In the Fashion of Christ Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

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                    Remembrance K. Lowenburg
¨  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 Prayer and Prayers of 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 #396 Where Charity and Love Prevail Christian Love
¨  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 Aeolian Fanfare C. Callahan
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 Ghana and Nigeria and our brothers and sisters at Berea Church of God in our hearts, and pray for them.
Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week. Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Ruth Butwell, Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ All those suffering from loss due to recent hurricanes. See announcements for how to donate.
¨ Joan Bates and family, at the death of her nephew, Greg Coy, who died while on vacation in the Bahamas.
¨ Sally Zimmerman, in the loss from pancreatic cancer of her dear friend Joe Edmiston, a colleague at the Presbyterian Church USA national offices.
¨ Harriet Goble, recovering from a serious fall and brain trauma. She and Corban moved to Cincinnati to be near daughter Martha in an assisted living complex in August.
¨ Chris McKenzie’s grandmother Zane Brown, whose aorta ruptured on Thursday
¨ The family of Don Robertson, who died on August 27.
¨ Rebecca Bradshaw-Cates, recovering from surgery for ovarian cancer
¨ Amy Williams, recovering from a car accident. She would appreciate some help with meals and rides as she recovers: www.mealtrain.com/trains/4d7r22
¨ Rev. Rachel’s cousin, Jeff Small, father of two small kids, who is on a heart transplant waiting list.
 
Announcements
Children’s Church begins today!
Notice something today? The choir is back, but they are missing their robes! It’s been a long journey, but we have finally received our new robes.  Help the Union Church Choir and the Union Church Handbell Ensemble celebrate their new robes next Sunday, as we will be starting up musical season with new colors!
Rev. Kent and Diana are enjoying their honeymoon in France and will return Sept. 16th.
Volunteers needed to staff our Spoonbread Festival Booth next weekend! See the sign-up sheet – thanks!
Save the date! Sept 17th Reception for Rev. Rachel. Rev. Rachel Small Stokes came to join the Union Church ministry in September of 2012. On Sept 17th after church please join us for a reception celebrating her many contributions to our church and community. Cards welcome!
Shoes with Heart, a funds2orgs.com fundraiser, is collecting new or gently used shoes in Madison County. The money raised will benefit Drug Prevention Education in Madison County. Pair shoes with rubber bands or tie the laces together and bring to church office. We will get them to our local organizer, who will handle the rest.
Donations to hurricane victims can be made through Church World Service, which already has teams on the ground working. You can donate by listing “Church World Service Disaster Relief” in the memo line of a check, or by going to Union Church’s “Donate” page and clicking “Church World Service Disaster Relief” in the drop-down box after you sign in.
Introduction to the Violin for Adults Chloe Helene Groth, Violin Teacher  A six week class for adults interested in learning to play classical violin. No musical background required.  Location: Union Church 3rd floor
Dates:  2-3 PM on 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29– Deadline for signing up is 9/16.  
Informal Performance: Informal Performance 11/12 – Location TBD
Cost: $60  Materials Required: Violin
Rental (Can be rented from Old Town Violins, Currier Music World, etc) and a three ring binder
Outcome: Students will exit the class with basic knowledge of how to hold and play the violin, read music, and perform several simple songs.  Please contact Chloe at chloehelene@gmail.com or 864-238-0151
New Board Members: At Church Council on August 28, Dorie Hubbard and Cheryl
Payne were elected to positions on the Mission Board. Thank you!
Help Wanted!  We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with Sunday services.  Can you be a worship leader, greeter, coffee angel, etc.?   For details go to the church website, union-church.org and click on “Volunteer” near the upper right corner (or talk to Doug Hindman).
Scribes to help our Pastors. You may see a member of the Pastoral Relations Board standing near the pastors as they greet folks on their way out of the worship service. These are scribes—their job is to note  important conversations and details the pastors might forget in the activity.
Make a Joyful Noise!! Other opportunities for singers!
∫ Classic Chorale begins its year tomorrow,  September 11, 7 pm, Choir Room. Contact Larry Brandenburg, Chorale conductor for information or to schedule a voice check. 859-353-2866;  brandenburg_40403@roadrunner.com. Concert, December 17. Voice Checks TONIGHT, 6-8 pm.
∫ ShapeNote Singers meet in the Parlor every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 1:30-3. New singers always welcome! Shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational and community singing. The notation, introduced in 1801, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools. Shapes were added to the note heads in written music to help singers find pitches within major and minor scales without the use of more complex information found in key signatures on the staff.
∫ Madison Singers are ready for another exciting and rewarding year of singing! We meet Tuesdays, from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Richmond Area Arts Council.  No auditions are necessary and adults of all ages are encouraged to participate in this outstanding choral ensemble.  Our very own Gabe Evans is the director of the Madison Singers and Mrs. Laura Allnutt is the accompanist.  This season’s theme is entitled “For the Beauty of the Earth: Songs of Nature.” For more information, visit www.artsinrichmond.org, or contact Debbie Kidd at debbie@artsinrichmond.org.