A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
CHURCH OF CHRIST, UNION
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 27, 2015, 10:30 am
Meditation
Let there be such oneness between us that when one cries, the other tastes salt. —Unknown
FROM THERE TO HERE
Prelude O Jesus, I Have Promised K. Lowenburg
*Sung Call to Worship Holy Women and Men A.J. Bodnar
*Opening Hymn #6 Black Sing Praise to God MIT FREUDEN ZART
*Prayer of Approach & Confession
One: Sometimes our words and actions show how we are salt for the world. But then come those moments when we lose our flavor and our way. Let us confess our sins to our God, so we might be restored and forgiven.
All: Called to be your people, Living God – why do we find it so hard to answer? You ask us to speak out against injustice, and we whisper because we are afraid someone might hear us. You ask us to see the pain and poverty around us, but we close our eyes. You tell us that everyone, and each one, is created in your image, yet we persist in noticing the differences between us and others.
Forgive us, God of the Past and Maker of the Future. May we be the ones who go out into the world, bearing your gifts of peace, of hope, of healing, of joy to every one who is broken, even as we have been made whole through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
[Silence is kept]
* Words of Assurance
One: Touched by the healing hands of our Lord, filled with the grace of our God, led by the compassion of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are opened and we discover we are forgiven and at peace with God.
All: Those who are created to love the unlovable; those who are created to bear grace; those who are created to embrace all people: we receive our forgiveness, giving thanks to our God. Amen.
* 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 Peace I Leave With You Maxwell, Wirges Union Church Choir
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Keep my commandments, if you love me. I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.
Epistle Lesson James 5:13-20
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 9:38-50
Sermon What Price this Kingdom? 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 Largo in G Major 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 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 #410 Black If You But Trust in God To Guide You. NEUMARK
* Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please be seated) Toccata D. Wagner
____________________
* 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 Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania and our brothers and sisters at Bethlehem Baptist Church 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
* Mary K. Kaufman, recovering from a fall
* Marlene Payne, now at home preparing for chemotherapy
* Kelly Ambrose and for his family as his treatments continue
* George Oberst, also undergoing cancer therapy
* Heather Warner and Lane Holbrook and their families and friends as they prepare for their wedding on Saturday
* Jim Bloomfield, that he has a gentle passing
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. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Learn more about the church right after worship. 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!
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! 7:00 pm Wednesday.
This week: Redemption! The Bible is a record and reminder of God’s unending (and sometimes tough) love. Reconnecting, revaluing, redeeming is a seriously Big Theme. How does it affect the way we move through the world today?
BRING: If you have a Bible, bring it! If you don’t, you can use one of ours!
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. The vocal choirs and handbell ensembles from both churches will sing and play together as well.
Rev. Kent & Rev. Mark will preach. As is our tradition, loose plate offering will be given to Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO) to assist their vital work.
The Handbell Ensemble is looking for a few rehearsal subs. From time to time, ringers need to be other places during a rehearsal. However, we are most productive and efficient when we have all the positions covered. This doesn’t require long-term commitment, and you don’t have to perform in worship services unless you want to. If you are interested in putting your name on our rehearsal sub list, please contact Pearl Marshall at pmarshall @union-church.org. You can help us be our best!”
Artist in Residence Coming in October! Thanks to generous contributions to the Worship and Arts Fund, the Worship Board has invited musician and composer, A.J. Bodnar to be our Artist in Residence at Union Church during the month of October, into November.
He will be participating in worship services, conversations on artistic-spiritual expression, and maybe even helping some of you write and compose from your own sense of Spirit.
A.J. began playing piano at the age of six. He has dedicated his life to the study of all types of music, resulting in a totally eclectic approach. Along the way, he has picked up the accordion, the synthesizer, percussion instruments, and four years ago, the melodica.
His album Melodicism is a CD of folk, classical, jazz, and original pieces, all played on the melodica. A.J. has been on the faculty of Common Ground on the Hill for fourteen years, where he teaches a variety of courses, including Rise Up Singing with his partner, spouse, and good friend, Liza DiSavino. They were awarded a research fellowship from the Berea Archives and are recipients of a grant from the Puffin Foundation.
Together they have released four albums. They are also founding members of the Illegal Contraband. A.J. accom-panies classes for the dance department at Berea College, and the Berea Country Dancers.
He is the composer of our Call to Worship this morning: Holy Women, Holy Men, which he has gifted to the Union Church community.
Kentucky Environmental Foundation Movie Premier Oct. 2, 7-9 pm at the EKU Center for the Arts. The Kentucky Environmental Foundation invites you to the premiere of NERVE, a film directed by Ben Evans, produced by the Kentucky Environmental Foundation, and inspired and supported by community members.
NERVE tells the story of how a small group of Kentuckians launched a grassroots movement that ultimately stopped the military from incinerating over 500 tons of chemical weapons stored in Madison County’s Blue Grass Army Depot.
This inspiring David vs. Goliath story is about speaking truth to power and breaking down political barriers to solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The documentary honors the organization’s 25th anniversary, and the global fight against the incineration of chemical weapons and other hazardous substances.
Tickets free at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/nerve-film-premiere-with-special-guest-ben-sollee-tickets-17986217260
Church Council Registers Protest over Spoonbread Festival Merchandise: The Festival is presented by the Berea Chamber of Commerce (of which Union Church is a member), and supported by a number of sponsors, including the City of Berea Tourism department.
We were dismayed to see vendors selling racially divisive and objectionable materials, including the so-called “Confederate Flag.”
Moved by our faith in the inclusive love of God and by Berea’s heritage of racial justice, the Union Church Council has written a letter of concern to the Berea Chamber of Commerce specifically asking that additional rules be implemented to prohibit these symbols of enslavement and intimidation. A copy of the letter is posted on the website. https://union-church.org/church-council-registers-protest-over-spoonbread-festival-merchandise/
Library Fundraiser! Make a small quilt based on a favorite book! Contact Rita Barlow at lashleybarlow@gmail.com for details.
Volunteers are needed to help host Safe Haven at Union Church when tornadoes threaten. Call Alison Szecweyk at 859-302-6996.
Leave a Reply