A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
September 13, 2026 10:30 am
Meditation
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.” ~ Wendell Berry
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
Welcome to this service of worship! 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! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “<>.”
¨ Invocation All We Need Is Here
All we need is here! All we need is here! God is among us, All we need is here!
¨ Call to Worship Stephanie Ryan, Reader
One: God dreams…
All: And the vision lifts our eyes from the dust.
One: God calls…
All: And journeys unimaginable begin.
One: God leads…
All: Cloud by day and fire by night; God keeps the pace keeps the watch and the dream.
One: Though we step into seas of unknowing and cross deserts of despair…
All: God’s love burns bright to keep and bless; to grace and guard. Together we seek the Lord.
One: Together God’s love seeks us.
¨ Hymn God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me Green Tyler
¨ Prayer of Approach & Confession #544 Camacua
Explanation note: A soloist will open our prayer of hope and forgiveness singing the first verse in Spanish. Together we will then sing verses 1-4 in English.
If I Have Been the Source of Pain, O God
1. If I have been the source of pain, O God, If to the weak I have refused my strength, If in rebellion I have strayed away, Forgive me, God.
2. If I have spoken words of cruelty: If I have left some suffering unrelieved; Condemn not my insensitivity; Forgive me, God.
3. If I’ve insisted on a peaceful life, Far from the struggles that the gospels brings, When you prefer to guide me to the strife,, Forgive me, God.
4. Receive, O God, this ardent word of prayer, And free me from temptation’s subtle snare; With tender patience lead me to your care. Amen, Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance Come, Bring Your Burdens to God South African English Trans: Barbara Clark, Mairi Munro, Martine Stemerick
Come, bring your burdens to God (3x) For Jesus will never say no.
¨ Passing the Peace
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
Anthem To Thee, O Jesu Raleigh, Clokey Union Church Choir & Orchestra
To Thee, O Jesu, I direct my eye, to Thee my hands, to Thee my humble knees; to Thee my heart shall offer sacrifice; to Thee, O Jesu! To Thee my thoughts, who my thoughts only see; to Thee, O Jesu! To Thee myself, myself and all I give; to Thee I die, to Thee I only live.
Scripture Reading 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 on the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into a 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.
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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 Reading 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, the 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.”
~ New Revised Standard Version, updated
Sermon Pillars of Fire: Rev. Kent Gilbert When There’s More Heat Than Light
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer
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. Next week, let us hold the people of Ghana and Nigeria; and our siblings at Pilot Knob Missionary Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
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.
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
For Reflection
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
A Chance for Generosity: 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.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply entering an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”).
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
¨ Doxology Words: St. Patrick, adapted Kent Gilbert Tune: Bunessan
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, my rock and my stay; Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me guiding my way.
Silent Prayer & Prayers of the Community Stephanie Ryan, Reader
One: 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 pray by the light of the world, our brother Jesus, who taught us to reach to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, Our Mother, and Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
¨ Hymn #23 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy In Babilone
1. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea.
There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.
There’s no place where earthly sorrows are more felt than in God’s heaven;
there’s no place where earthly failings have such kindly judgement given.
2. For the love of God is broader than the measures of our minds,
and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s word;
and our lives would show thanksgiving for the goodness of our God.
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Today we light our Justice Candle in memory of Gloria Steinem, who died September 2 at the age of 92. For more than six decades, Steinem advocated for women’s equality while also speaking alongside movements for civil rights, racial justice, workplace fairness, and the dignity of marginalized people; may her life remind us that justice requires us to listen to those whose voices have been diminished and to work toward a world where every person is treated with dignity, equity, and respect.
As people of faith, may we continue to seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly, and recognize the image of God in every person.
For more information: Associated Press — Gloria Steinem, trailblazing feminist and activist, dies at 92. apnews.com/article/724836935f6547fda60f361c15238d14
¨ Benediction
¨ Benediction Response All We Need Is Here
All we need is here! All we need is here! God is among us, All we need is here!
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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.
¨ Those in danger in the continuing war in Iran. For the leaders of nations to set aside assassination and warfare in favor of just, diplomatic solutions to conflict.
¨ We pray for our country, and those who are directly affected by the actions and inaction of our government to address the needs of its people and the world.
¨ Our neighbors experiencing housing and food insecurity.
¨ Victims of the flooding in Nepal, that God might provide protection and consolation. One Great Hour of Sharing (our Palm Sunday Offering each year) is on the scene.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ The children and staff of Samuel’s Kids School and Orphanage in Uganda.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Dorie Hubbard, Susan Kramer, Hattie Parks, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie, Theresa Scherf.
¨ Healing prayers for Tom McClure, recuperating from recent complication s with knee surgery.
¨ Ron Rosen, recovering from throat surgery. May he soon be making joyful noises again
¨ For Mary McConnell and the extended family and friends, at the passing of her sister, Catherine.
¨ Denis Burton, recovering from abdominal surgery at home.
¨ Mark Workman, hospitalized with heart issues.
¨ Father John Curtis, formerly of St. Clare Church, and a long-time friend of the Union Church family, died Tuesday at 78. Obituary here: kerrbrothers.com/obituaries
¨ Amber Lawson, Deb & Terry Beishline’s daughter-in-law, diagnosed with breast cancer.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today, Sept. 13 – Maranda Weckman; 14 – Debbonnaire Kovacs ; 15 – Brandon Bailey; 17 – Joyce Fields, Sunni Walters; 18 – Barb Anspach, Sarah Kramer; 19 – Reid Connelly; 20 – Sally Gastineau
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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