September 16 Worship Bulletin

A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the

Church of Christ, Union

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost    September 16, 2012

Meditation
Love is the air that I breathe, like oxygen.  When I lack it, I feel atrophied, asphyxiated. When I have it, I feel I am growing.  And so this growth is linked to others, or to a collective other.  If I realize that I do not love you, my faith diminishes, and I breathe less and less of the oxygen of life.  When I feel linked to you, in communion with you, there is a current of love that passes between us, and the intensity can multiply.  And the more this love grows, the more the faith becomes luminous, the more I feel linked to the collective other.  I am speaking of God.

                        —Jean Bertrand Aristide, in Interview Magazine, Oct. 1991

Gathering to Worship

Welcome and Announcements
Prelude    
* Call to Worship

One:     The heavens are telling the glory of God!

All:      The earth proclaims God’s handiwork!

One:     We are blessed to abide in this place, this love, this God!

All:      Let our joy be complete!  Let us rejoice together!

One:     Come, let our worship make a joyful noise!

All:      And let us celebrate the abiding love of God!

* Opening Hymn  I Sing the Mighty Power of God          Ellacombe
*Prayer of Approach and Confession

One:     Some of us come in Sunday best. Some come clothed for work. Some come before you, Lord, with all that they own on their backs.

All:      But however we’re dressed, we’re all laid bare.

One:     We confess that whatever we wear for others to see, we have not always put on the clothes of Christ in your sight, or theirs. We have learned to dress for our own success, but have too often forgotten to clothe ourselves with simple regard for others, with mercy, compassion, or humility.

All:      These are the garments of the Kin-dom; these are clothes of those who follow a different path. Forgive us our poor wardrobe when we dress in the fashions of the world and forget to be fashioned by your Word and Way. Though beloved, we have not acted lovingly. Though graced beyond measure, we have forgotten mercy for those around us. Forgive and grant that we might make a better impression with how we dress our lives. May we always be clothed in your graces, not our grasping.

[Silence is observed for private reflection]

One:     Lord, have mercy, we pray, and help us act out of the love you carry for us all.

All:      Amen.

*Words of Assurance

One:     Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel! Jesus commandment is that you, me, and all who come near are beloved and worthy. Where we have made mistakes, there is forgiveness and the offer of transformation. Beloved, believe! In Christ we are forgiven and freed to serve.

All:      Thanks be to God!

*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 Love the Lord            Richard Smallwood            Union Church Choir
I love the Lord, who heard my cry and pitied every groan. Long as I live and troubles rise, I’ll hasten to God’s throne. I love the Lord, who heard my cry and chased my griefs away. O let my heart no more despair while I have breath to pray.
Epistle Lesson                  Colossians 3:12-17
How we should behave toward one another as the chosen people of God.
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                  John 15:9-17
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
Sermon    “Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but…”             Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

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 
*Doxology             Avery/Marsh

Walking Forward in Faith

*Closing Hymn      God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens    Holy Manna
*Benediction and Sending Forth            
Postlude
_____________________________
*Those who wish to  may stand