A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
September 21, 2014
Meditation
I endure many privations and with it that suspicion and coldness attendant upon first labors before confidence is secured and which so much chills the Spirit of all men.
But I look not to this world for my reward. May the Living God be with you, lead you yet to Him unreservedly, as the only source of true and lasting joy. This was Mary’s portion: “Good part” – there you will find the source of all that is noble in men and, like the ocean, boundless and eternal, inexhaustible.
— Rev. John G. Fee, from a letter to S.D. Ireland, November 20, 1857
– from Non-Fellowship with Slaveholders
by Rev. John Gregg Fee, 1849
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Hymn Sing
Bell Introit Celebration No. 3 in F Michael R. Keller
* Call to Worship
One: We believe that God is Spirit and that we who worship God must worship in spirit and in truth.
All: We believe that God is light, and if we walk in the light, as God is the light, we have fellowship one with another.
One: We believe that God is love, and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
All: We believe that Jesus shows us God enfleshed, and that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in Jesus.
One: We believe that we are children of God, and that God hath given us of the Spirit.
All: We believe that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
One: We believe that the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but that the one that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
All: Let us gather together, Gracious God, and worship you as one.
* Opening Hymn
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: O holy God of all understanding, hear the prayers of our people. For the times that we have tried to place human boundaries on your infinite Wisdom and your saving Word,
All: forgive us.
One: For the times that our hearts have been hardened against your boundary-breaking love,
All: forgive us.
One: For the times that our minds have been closed to learning from you how to extend your peace in the world,
All: forgive us.
One: For the times that our spirits have tried to limit the life-giving work of your Spirit,
All: forgive us. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.
Anthem Oh, Freedom arr. Brazeal Dennard
1. O freedom, over me, and before I’ll be a slave, I’ll be buried in my grave, and go home to my Lord and be free.
2. There’ll be prayin’…..
3. No more weepin’ …
4. Oh, freedom…
Breathing in The Living Word
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Exodus 16:2-15
Childrens 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, Little Church for children preschool & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room; and Children’s Church, for grades K-3, takes place in the chapel. If this is your child’s first time attending Little Church or Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form. Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces. Please pick up your children in the Chapel after the service.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon Rev. John G. Fee
Sharing the Gifts of Love
Call to Offering
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 Epiphany Road Logan
* Doxology Avery/Marsh
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
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 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.
Walking Forward in Faith
* Closing Hymn #373 Black They Did Not Build in Vain Leoni
Postlude A Trumpet Fancy arr. Nelson
____________________________
* Please rise in body or in spirit
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 Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia and our brothers and sisters at Kirksville Christian Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
* Those in harm’s way in service of our country, and those who wait and worry for them
* Our church family members in nursing homes: Edith Hansen, Klara Welsh, Bernice Robertson, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Virginia Piland, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin
* Janet Dailey Hosp, John & Peggy Coyne’s daughter’s mother-in-law, who did so well after receiving the gift of life-a lung transplant- in late June, that she was able to dance with her son at his and Katelyn’s wedding in September 6. This was a joyous and tearful moment.
* Bob Bates, recovering from open heart bypass and valve replacement surgery.
* Bill, Melody and Eleanor Srsic, recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident
* Naomi Brandenburg, Larry’s mother, who has been ill
* Betty Hibler, recovering well from knee replacement surgery
* Kayla Dawn Harding
* Bea Chasteen, who broke her arm in a fall
* Hamrick Walters, as he prepares to move to Prescott, WA, and his family as they prepare to let him
* Mary Miller, whose 80th birthday is on the 24th! Cards may be sent to her at The Terrace, Room 305, 1043 Brooklyn Blvd. There will be a surprise party for her today from 2-4 pm at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church, 3085 Lexington Rd, Richmond
Announcements
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church. Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Today is the International Day of Peace, so designated by the United Nations to strengthen the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples, and to fall on every September 21 since 1981. There will be a celebration today at PeaceCraft from noon—5. Music by Andy Blyth, Childrens’ Events, Peace Cakes, Art Displays! Stop by, 128 Main St.
Wednesday Night Live: Community Potluck September 24 Who is our neighbor? As a response to the needs of the refugee children on our Southern borders, we are inviting the faith communities of Berea to meet together for Wednesday Night Live on September 24. We ask you to bring something delicious at 5:45 pm and, following the potluck, we’ll have a brief presentation, then talk about immigrant children and what we are doing, as people of faith who recognize the vulnerable neighbor, Christ, in our midst.
Fourth Sunday Membership Info Session next week: Come One Come All! Each Fourth Sunday of the 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.
Light refreshments will be offered and you are invited to pick up coffee or tea in the parlor on your way through the hall. Childcare will be offered downstairs as needed; please contact the church office the prior week if you would like this service. New members will be received each Second Sunday of the month at the close of worship.
Safe Sanctuaries Training: Help us keep all our children and volunteers safe in God’s house. Get trained in our Safe Sanctuaries Program. This is required annually for our Sunday School Teachers and Youth Volunteers, but recommended for all. Join us in the Classroom Next Sunday, Sept. 28, 9:30 am.
Are you interested in knowing more about the language of the Old Testament? Join Abigale Embry and Sharona Nelson to learn how to read and write the Hebrew alphabet, as well as study some lectionary texts in their original language. The class begins on Sunday, September 28 at 5 PM, in the conference room and goes for three to four weeks. This is a quick introduction to the language and each class will be about an hour and a half long. Please come join us!
Joint Worship with First Christian Church for World Communion Sunday October 5!! Each year churches around the world celebrate World Communion Sunday as a deliberate way to recognize God’s work in all its many forms. For the past 11 years Union Church and First Christian Church have celebrated 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 visit our brothers and sisters from First Christian, and their new pastors, Mark and Lisa Caldwell-Reiss. As we have done in years past, if you have a national costume, or a piece of clothing from a country you have visited or lived in, you are invited to wear it!
Sunday School Teacher and Little Church Volunteers Still Needed We need you! As part of our covenant of baptism, we promise to educate our children in the ways of God’s love. Our elementary students still need one more person to help them learn about this during Sunday School. Work with the creative and dynamic dream team of Alvera Perman and Maggie Park. You will not have to commit to every Sunday.
We’re also looking for 2 or more folks who might accompany our toddlers to Little Church in the nursery once a month and read stories, sing songs, or just play with the kids. Volunteer by talking to Rev. Rachel or Kim Kobersmith
The Nurture and Care Board is currently a small group of people who meet monthly to consider how to be a loving and nurturing presence for our church community. We presently send greeting cards for grief and illness. We help get warm food to families that have experienced recent death, illness, or those with new family additions. We are working on a few pilot projects which may include providing transportation needs and we hope to collaborate with parish nurses to craft a few upcoming health projects. We would love to know how to help you! Please don’t hesitate to contact us! Rebekah Easton-Hogg, rebekaheaston@gmail.com
Food Bank Focus in September! The Mission Board has designated September as a month during which we are particularly aware of the food insecurity and hunger in our community. If you can bring nonperishable items to church, we’ll get them to the Food Bank. Many thanks!
Raffle tickets on sale From now until the November 16 drawing, Mission Board will be selling tickets for a beautiful Amish quilt and a coverlet crocheted Tunisian style. Single tickets are $1; $5 for six tickets; and $20 gets an envelope of 25 tickets. There will be two drawings: Red tickets are for the quilt. Blue ones for the coverlet. The proceeds will go to support the church’s mission outreach.
This afternoon!!
Please come to the re-dedication of our renovated sanctuary, special dedication of the Thomas Memorial Library and the inaugural organ recital by Gabriel Evans, Director of Music Ministries
* Ribbon Cutting & Remarks 4:00pm
* Organ Recital 4:30pm
* Reception to Follow
The “Fee Memorial Chapel” was dedicated in 1922. Newly finished floors, an improved pew arrangement, painting and new carpet, have renewed and refreshed the building for glorification of God and Christ-like service.
Taran Thomas (1970-1988) and Evan Thomas (1985-2002), sons of John and Keila, were each lost to tragic accidents. Their memorial library has been hand finished in rare hardwoods by their father and is offered as a place of peace and reflection overlooking the Union Church memorial garden.
Gabriel Evans, director of Music Ministries at Union Church is a masters candidate in Sacred Music at the University of Kentucky. His joy and enthusiasm for organ, piano and voice enrich each service. He will play pieces prepared for the church’s superb Steiner-Reck tracker organ, installed in 1979.
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