A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost International Day of Peace
September 20, 2015, 10:30 am
Meditation
It’s not too late at all. You just don’t yet know what you are capable of.
—Mahatma Gandhi
From there to here
Prelude Prelude in D Major J.F.K. Fischer
* Call to Worship
One: How good it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in peace!
All: Shaded by oaks of righteousness; watered by streams of justice!
One: We gather not only to receive peace,
All: But to build it in our bones, to root it in our souls.
One: Let us worship the God of Justice and Hope, the one who calls the nations to feast, and for lion and lamb to eat straw together.
All: Nurtured beside the waters of God’s grace, we worship the God of Love. —based on Psalm 1
* Opening Hymn #313 Black Like a Tree Beside the Waters Silver Creek
* Prayer of Approach & Confession
One: Our God and Creator, who made us to be your family with all people of the earth, we give you thanks for the reach of your love and your compassionate embrace. The arms of your generosity hold generations and widely welcome us home. Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see brothers and sisters invisible before. Help us to breach walls built by ignorance, suspicion and hate.
All: We have built these walls. We would take them down.
One: Help us, O God, to reject the ways of harm and advance health and hope in all creation.
All: We have harmed ourselves and others. We would learn to be healers.
One: Your Shalom. Your Deep peace. Your Just Peace. Our God who was, is, and is to be…We pray for peace deeper than our personal security, beyond our selfish ambitions. We pray for the justice that brings it to all people.
All: We have been peace-keepers. We have been peace-takers. We would be peace makers.
One: We pray for an end of the reign of violence in our communities and in our world. We pray for an end to war. War that kills your people, desecrates your Earth, depletes your resources and our joy. We pray for an end to poverty and for lives of dignity and hope for every child. On this International Day of Prayers for Peace, hear our confession and our plea: let us join with all of God’s creation to pray for Shalom. Your Shalom. Your Deep peace. Your Just Peace.
All: O God, may your kingdom come, your peace reign, your justice roll, your Spirit move, your love inspire… Amen
* Words of Assurance
* 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
Anthem Grant Us Thy Peace F. Mendelssohn Union Church Choir
Grant us Thy peace, Almighty Lord, O Source of every blessing! Feeble and frail, we trust Thy word, all things in Thee possessing. In Thee is our hope and safety.
Epistle Lesson James 3:13-4:3,7-8a
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 Children’s Moment, children grades K-5 are invited to Children’s Church, which takes place in Cowan Chapel. Otherwise, children are welcome to 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 & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room. Please pick up your children in the Chapel or Nursery after the service.
Gospel Lesson Mark 9:30-37
Sermon Reaping a Harvest of Peace 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
* 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 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
* Closing Hymn #498 Black Jesu, Jesu Chereponi
* Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated) Allegro Maestoso G.F. Handel
____________________
* Please rise in body or in spirit as you wish
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 the Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and our brothers and sisters at the Berea Friends Meeting in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin
* Former president Jimmy Carter
* Rev. Lee Hubbard, dedicated servant to the Berea community, who entered the wider life early Friday, Sept. 11. A service will be held October 11 at 3 pm at Berea United Methodist Church
* Marlene Payne
* Those holding family and loved ones in their hearts.
* Those walking in dark places right now, that light and courage might sustain and guide them
Marlene Payne now has a CaringBridge site for those who would like to leave greetings and keep informed. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marlenepayne
Class Taught by Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel continues: Big A** Themes of the Bible! Ever felt like you could use a good overview of the Good Book? Big A** Themes of the Bible is for you! This four session short course will leave you grounded, growing, and hopeful as we look at the BIG themes of God’s love that run through the 66 books of the scriptures. Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel will explore: Liberation!
This week: Liberation. God is a God of freedom and not just from captors, but also from all kinds of personal bondage. How does this relate to us?
BRING: If you have a Bible, bring it! If you don’t, you can use one of ours!
ABLE meets Sept. 22, 5:30 pm You are welcome at the next ABLE meeting! ABLE is a confidential group for those who self-identify as differently-abled: to inspire, encourage, and empower one another, and to, as a community, support making Berea and its surroundings more accessible. An opportunity to share successes, challenges, and resources. ABLE – Achieving and Building Life Equally!
ABLE meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of every month in the community room. Accessible entry to community room: enter via the door at the very back of the church near the playground; pass through nursery room; turn right and head up ramp.
Learn more about the church NEXT WEEK right after worship. If you’re thinking about joining, but have some questions, come to a new membership info session! They are held every 4th Sunday of a month.
Anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board.
New members are received every second Sunday of a month—next opportunity is October 11. YOU are welcome here!
Saturday September work morning — 9:00 to noon – Come and join your friends in helping to maintain the grounds of the Church. Many hands get all tasks (trimming, weeding, spreading soil) done quickly and lead us toward a stronger community. Coffee plus will be available in the conference room.
Next Saturday, September 26, Union Church will host the Embrace Fellowship’s conference—Homosexuality and the Bible, starting at 9:00 am. The curriculum is based on Matthew Vines’ (founder of the Reformation Project) book God and the Gay Christian, (www.reformationproject.org)free and open to all.
October 4 is World Communion Sunday, Joint Worship with First Christian Church Each year churches around the world celebrate World Communion Sunday as a deliberate way to recognize God’s work in all its many forms. Union Church and First Christian Church have a long tradition of celebrating our unique common heritage (both churches were founded by Rev. John G. Fee) by holding a joint worship service on this day. This year, we will host our brothers and sisters from First Christian, and their pastors, Mark and Lisa Caldwell-Reiss.
Library Fundraiser! Make a small quilt based on a favorite book! Contact Rita Barlow at lashleybarlow@gmail.com for details.
Special Call to Help Feed Our Neighbors: Did you know that many Bereans will face an extra challenge in feeding their families this September? As Kentucky’s EBT system (formerly known as “food stamps”) makes changes to its calendar, some families will have to find ways to feed their children for a week longer than usual.
You can make a financial contribution to the FRYSC, and staff will convert your dollars into filling meals for families who are facing food shortages. Your donation is tax deductible.
Write a check to Berea FRYSC and be sure to mark “family meals” in your memo line. You can mail that check to Berea FRYSC, 3 Pirate Parkway, Berea, KY 40403. Call Jenny Hobson at 893-1075 or email jenny.hobson@berea. kyschools.us
Today, September 20!
In conjunction with the United Nations, this year, many churches are celebrating Sunday September 20th – Just Peace Sunday. Union will join First Christian and several other local congregations and various nonprofits in hosting a community wide celebration of peace. Special church services on the topic of peace are being planned in congregations.
Activities will begin right after church, with an old fashioned church “Picnic for Peace” on the Union front yard. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and a lawn chair, plus invite neighbors and friends to share in the fun. Music will be provided by a number of local musicians including Sparrow Hawks band, AJ & Liza, Mitch Barrett and Andy Blyth.
Guided meditations in Cowan Chapel start at 12:30pm. Booths for 25-30 organizations will be open from 1-4 pm to encourage building bridges through partnerships.
This year’s theme is “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All” highlighting the importance for all segments of society to work together for peace.
The formal program begins at 1:30 with keynote speakers including
- Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President of Berea College;
- Nadia Al-Kahab Rasheed, M.D. and Board of Central KY Council for Peace & Justice;
- Dr. Meta Mendel-Reyes, Chair Div IV, Professor Peace & Justice Studies at Berea College;
- Jim Scheff, Director of KY Heartwood and Frack Free Foothills and
- Steven Connelly, Mayor of Berea: A Transition Town
The Loyal Jones Appalachian Center will be open from 1-4 PM and host short speeches/conversations on the topic of Building Bridges for Peace, with stage shared by several BC students and local storytellers/poets with music provided by local musicians.
Peacecraft, a local, non-profit merchant specializing in Fair Trade items. Employee Jennie Hoshal co-chaired this event and works hard for economic justice. Peacecraft will host family music, kids crafts, and face painting.
“Peace to Go” food will be available from Main Street restaurants. Please take a minute to thank those who are volunteering for peace!
Foundations for peace are dependent on initial partnerships at the local level between governments, civil society, the private sector, faith-based groups and other non-governmental organizations.
In simple terms, peace starts at home with the security and dignity of our citizens in our local community and includes; developing a culture of peace through education, economic and social development, respect for all human rights, equality for men and women, democratic participation, tolerance and solidarity, communication and promoting international peace and security.
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