A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe. ~ Carl Sandburg
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
“Call To Worship Who Am I? Dr. Pamela Chabora, Reader
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
~ by Carl Sandburg
One: We worship with our being.
All: We worship with our faithful questioning.
One: We worship seeking the captivity of Grace in God’s presence.
All: Let us Worship in spirit and in truth!
¨ Opening Hymn #40 You Are the Way Nun Danket all’
1. You are the way; through you alone can we the true God find;In you, O Christ, is now revealed God’s heart and will and mind.
2 You are the truth; your word alone true wisdom can impart; You only can inform the mind and purify the heart.
3 You are the life; the open tomb proclaims God’s love anew; and God will ne’er forsake the one who trusts, O Christ, in you.
4 You are the way, the truth, the life; grant us that way to know, That truth to keep, that life to win, whose joys eternal flow.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: We say we seek wisdom and too often find that we are fooling ourselves. Instead we seek to justify our worst acts as “wise for a cause.”
All: Forgive our acts of disguised greed and barely-covered cruelty, Lord. Give us tongues that we might sustain with a word, and waken our ears to Life in company with a better way.
One: We ask in Jesus’ name that we might be made whole to build your kin-dom:
All: Amen.
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Scripture Reading Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me a trained tongue, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand in court together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
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 Mark 8:27-38
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Sermon Who~What~Where~Why Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard.
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.
Offertory
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.
What we see in others certainly determines how we interact with them, but it may also give insight into what we carry in ourselves. For prayer now or sometime in the week to come let your heart and mind be watered with these questions:
WHO am I trying to be or become as I interact with those around me? Consider a specific people, both those who you love and those you find challenging. Who are you trying to be with each of them? Is it the right or only “you” you could be?
WHAT fears and hopes might be present for you in these interactions? Take time to name them out loud.
WHERE are you feeling most tender, most vulnerable? Often this is a clue to why we are sometimes triggered or reactive with someone in conversation. Peter reacts strongly when Jesus speaks of what must come next. What fears underlie similar reactions for you? Where is God and Truth in that situation?
WHY am I locked in or determined to keep my perceptions of self or others? This is not criticism. There are many reasons one should. But can you name them? What would change if you shifted your perception or self-definition? Spend some time in prayer gently exploring what will bring the most life to your heart and to the hearts of others.
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.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply 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 Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost! Amen.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of The Community Dr. Pamela Chabora, Reader
Great God who discerns our subtlest shift and deepest need, help us discern your presence and power wherever it reveals itself. When we must “dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible,” keep us clear, honest, and just, following behind in the steps of Jesus; not lagging in front blocking the way to purpose or passion. Grant us the gift of wisdom, that we may learn, practice, rejoice in your way and live justly and graciously amid the struggles of this world.
We ask for your healing hand to be on our hearts and spirit, and we ask your blessing that all may know “the passionate seizure of beauty” in our walk with you. This is who we say you are: Provocation to Creation, Comforter of the Afflicted, Goad and Guide to all that is Holy. We know by Jesus, your Christ, 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 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.
¨ Hymn #204 “Take Up Your Cross,” the Savior Said Deus Tuorum Militum
1 “Take up your cross,” the Savior said, “if you would my disciple be; take up your cross with willing heart, and humbly follow after me.”
2 Take up your cross; let not its weight fill your weak soul with alarm; Christ’s strength will bear your spirit up, and brace your heart, support your arm.
3 Take up your cross; heed not the shame, and let your foolish pride be still; For Christ did not refuse to die upon a cross on Calvary’s hill.
4 Take up your cross, and follow Christ, nor think till death to lay it down; for only those who bear the cross may hope to wear the glorious crown.
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 honor Medea Benjamin who has spent over twenty years advocating for human rights all over the world.
Benjamin and her husband Kevin Danaher co-founded Global Exchange, an organization dedicated to promoting “fair trade” practices where environmental concerns and fair wages for the production of goods take precedence over corporate profits. She has fought against sweatshops, particularly in the garment and shoe industries, and with Global Exchange persuaded corporate giant Nike to investigate and monitor its overseas factories to ensure safe working environments and living wages.
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, Medea co-founded CODEPINK: Women for Peace in 2002. It’s a “women-run, women-led peace organization”, whose activities range from personal meetings with members of Congress to dressing in pink surgical scrubs and handing out “prescriptions for peace.”
She is the author of eight books, including Bridging the Global Gap: A Handbook to Linking Citizens of the First and Third Worlds (1989), and Greening of the Revolution: Cuba’s Experiment with Organic Agriculture (1995). She is co-editor of Code Pink’s 2006 book, Stop the Next War Now: Effective Responses to Violence and Terrorism, a collection of essays whose contributors include Barbara Ehrenreich, Alice Walker, Helen Thomas, and Arianna Huffington.
In 2012, Medea Benjamin was awarded the US Peace Memorial Foundation´s Peace Prize in recognition of her “creative leadership on the front lines of the anti-war movement.” Visit codepink.org/medea_benjamin for more information.
The Joy of Welcoming New Members
Partnership & 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 The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
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 and sisters at Middletown Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ Mary Ellen Sarafin, Betty’s sister, suffering from cirrhosis.
¨ Nick Lockwood, 21-year-old nephew of the Lockwood and Methler family.
¨ Muse Watson, recovering from spine and neck surgery.
¨ Truman Fields, recovering well from hip surgery.
¨ Annriette Stolte, after a serious a-fib episode.
¨ Pat Rucker, a long-time friend of Jennifer Elam, in hospice at Morning Pointe.
¨ Susan Kramer, still hospitalized, and her husband, Stanley, caring for her.
¨ Darlene Lowe, seriously ill with Covid complications and C.Diff, and for her wife, Lauri McVicker , as she cares for her.
¨ A Celebration of Barbara Prairie’s (May 4, 1939 – August 4, 2024 ) life will be held on Sept. 28, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Unitarian Church, 320 Resor Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45220. Donations in Barbara’s memory are invited to the Berea Arts Council. https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/33072091/barbara-bowman-prairie
¨ 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 affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ 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.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ For all those caring for others in their illnesses and needs: may God give them both strength and encouragement in this work of costly love.
¨ Erikke Meadows’ mom, Prudy Meadows, with COPD.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ Prayer for a restored and renewed sense of integrity in all public officials and work: that justice may be louder than greed; fair and good governance a blessing to all people, not the favored few.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Sept. 17 – Joyce Fields, Sunni Walters; 18 – Barb Anspach, Sarah Kramer; 19 – Reid Connelly; 20 – Sally Gastineau; 21 – Renee Wellinghurst; 22 – Chloe Groth
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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