Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
CHURCH OF CHRIST, UNION
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 25, 2016 10:30 am
Meditation
In the alchemy of man’s soul almost all noble attributes—courage, honor, love, hope, faith, duty, loyalty, and so on—can be transmuted into ruthlessness. Compassion alone stands apart from the continuous traffic between good and evil proceeding within us. Compassion is the antitoxin of the soul: where there is compassion, even the most poisonous impulses remain relatively harmless.
— Eric Hoffer, Between the Devil and the Dragon, 1982
FROM THERE TO HERE
Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to this service of worship! During the service, you are invited to rise in body or in spirit, standing or sitting, at points in the service marked “*.”
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!
Prelude Fugue in C Major, BuxWV 174 D. Buxtehude
Call to Worship
All: Life that is really life!
One: Comes from the One we trust.
All: Life that is really life!
One: Comes from the Presence we call to.
All: Life that is really life!
One: Comes from the Foundation of goodness and sharing.
All: Life that is really life!
One: Comes to us now in this moment.
All: Let us take hold of Life that is really Life!
*Opening Hymn #306 The Church of Christ, in Every Age Wareham
* Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: If we call out in need, the Lord will answer. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor, trusting in the Lord who sets prisoners free.
All: We have sinned, O God, hoarding what we have, grasping for more, and ignoring those who hunger and thirst. We stay with our own kind; we are complacent in the face of systems that oppress. Forgive us; purify us; remake us, that we might love as you love, and live the live that is really life. Amen.
* Words of Assurance
One: The Lord welcomes all who return from the exile of greed and self-interest. Be at peace, for in Christ we all are forgiven, loved, and restored.
* 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 For the Beauty of the Earth John Rutter
Union Church Choir
- For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies.
Refrain: Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our joyful hymn of praise.
- For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light. Refrain
- For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild. Refrain
- For each perfect gift of Thine, to our race so freely given, graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of Heaven. Refrain
Epistle Lesson 1 Timothy 6:6-19
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 the Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Children’s Church in Cowan Chapel, or are welcome return to their seats or 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 age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.
Gospel Lesson Luke 16:19-31
Sermon Life That Is Really Life Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
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 Oh Had I Jubal’s Lyre G.F. Handel
* 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 for 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 When the Church of Jesus (opposite) King’s Weston
* Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated)
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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia and our brothers and sisters at Conway Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ The healing of families, communities, and our nation and world, wracked by violence and murder, may we be agents of transformation.
¨ Refugees around the world.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ The Tallmadge and McLain families, at the 5th anniversary of Betty McLain Tallmadge’s death
¨ Nancy Hindman, recovering from abdominal surgery at home.
¨ Dodie Murphy, in rehab at Northpoint in Lexington, 1500 Trent Blvd., Lex, 40515
¨ Travel mercies for Rev. Kent, who began his One Great Hour of Sharing trip to Jordan, Israel/Palestine, Egypt and Morocco yesterday.
¨ Blessings on the new home of Rev. Rachel Small Stokes and her wife, Leslie! Their new address is: 568 Lin Wal Rd., Lexington, 40505.
¨ John Belanger’s father, gravely ill with heart issues.
¨ Shayne Confer, at the death of his father, in Pittsburgh, PA.
¨ Loriel Warren and family at the death of her father.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, home from rehab after heart valve replacement surgery.
¨ Gary Dillon, undergoing chemo for lung cancer.
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