Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
CHURCH OF CHRIST, UNION
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 4, 2016       10:30 am

Meditation
Don’t touch Christianity unless you mean business.  I promise you a miserable existence if you do. —Henry Drummond

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 Largo in G G.F. Handel
Call to Worship
One: Friends, we make our appeal through love:
All: Partners in this faith, partners in God’s work of healing and wholeness, we come to worship together.
One: Let us look beyond differences of status and condition and seek with the eyes of God.
Opening Hymn #350 Now in the Days of Youth Diademata
Prayer of Approach and Confession
[The congregation will be led in a silent confession.]
Words of Assurance
One: This is the good news: God seeks to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
All: Thanks be to 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

Special Music Laudamus Te Natalie Sleeth
Union Church Summer Choir
Laudamus te. We praise Thee, Lord, this joyful day. We praise Thee, we magnify Thy name. Laudamus, Thy majesty proclaim. Unto Thee all glory be, for now and eternity. Heaven and earth are full of Thee, Holy One in Three.
Epistle Lesson Philemon 1:1-21
In prison, Paul met and converted to Christianity Onesimus, the former slave of Philemon. He then sends Onesimus back to Philemon’s community, but with a charge to treat him as a brother rather than a runaway slave.
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 Childrens Moment, children are welcome to return to their seats or follow volunteers to the front entrance of the sanctuary to 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 14:25-33
Jesus turns to the large crowds who are following him and teaches about the rigorous demands of discipleship.
Sermon      Quantum Leap to 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 Jubilation J. Denton
* Doxology              Avery/Marsh

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

* Invitation to Communion
One: God be with you.
All:  And also with you.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One: We are bold, dear friends, to approach this table, knowing we come to it not because we are worthy, but because we are invited.
One: We come as those who sin and those who are sinned against, sometimes in the same moment, and we come to be given new life.
One: We come with hearts filled with gratitude, ready to partake of the elements that will transform us even at the molecular level of our souls.
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 Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Communion Prayer and Words of Institution     
One: As we gather at this meal, we pray:
All: Come, Spirit, come…
One: Like you came brooding over primordial waters to birth creation, bouncing electrons against each other until they were transformed.
All: Come, Spirit, come…
One: Like you came in the yoke of prophecy down through the ages to redirect the path of your people, calling us back to our elemental state of wholeness, even when we resisted.
All: Come, Spirit, come…
One: Like you came in the life of Jesus the Christ, offering the ultimate gift of self that we might be transformed into a new creation, a new kin-dom.
One: Come like you’ve come through our lives in grand times and troubled times. Come and alter us here at the altar. We pray this together as we sing your unending praise with all of heaven…
Communion Sanctus  Please Join in Singing
Words of Institution
One:      At the Passover table, Jesus took bread and broke it and gave thanks, and said,
All:       “Do this in remembrance of me.”
One:      At the same table he took the cup and gave thanks saying,
All: “Take, drink, all of you, for this is the cup poured for the forgiveness of sins and the healing of the world.  Remember me each time you drink.”
One: This is the meal of liberation lifted down through the ages that renews God’s pull toward justice each time we drink it.
One: Holy Spirit, come upon these gifts and each of us. Transform the church universal that it may be a sign of peace and justice in all the world. Restore the earth with your energy for healing, and anoint us with the gifts to help make it so.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this table and are invited to freely receive from it.  By tradition, unfermented grape juice is used in the cup on Sunday mornings. We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup.  When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. As you wait for your turn, you are invited to reflect upon your communion and the music.
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. Elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer with the Nurture and Care Board members or by contacting one of the pastors.
Prayer of Thanksgiving

From Here to There

*  Closing Hymn #581  Lead Us from Death to Life World Peace Prayer
*  Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please  be  seated) Festival March F.W. Asper
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 Pacific islands: Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and the French Overseas Territories of New Caledonia (Kanaky) and French Polynesia (Tahiti) and our brothers and sisters at Faith Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ For the healing of families, communities, and our nation wracked by violence and murder, may we be agents of transformation.
¨ Prayers and funds are rising for the flood victims in Louisiana. Over 40,000 homes damaged with many displaced families. Church World Service is assessing. Over and above offerings may be made to Union Church marked “Flood Relief.”
¨ Susan Doring-Zook’s mother whose cancer diagnosis has been reversed!
¨ Victims of the earthquakes in Italy, and for our members and friends who are traveling in the region.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, recovering after heart valve replacement surgery.
¨ Congratulations to Jasmine Beltran and Christopher Mullins, who were married by Rev. Rachel last week!
¨ Gary Dillon, undergoing chemo for lung cancer.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin, Gloria VanWinkle.
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from broken bones at home, and for Shane Wilcher.
Join the church next week! Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy! New members are received every second Sunday of a month. YOU are welcome here!
Wednesday Nite Live starts Sept. 7! Friends, we have MISSED you!!  1st Wednesday of each Month: Meal: POTLUCK! Program: Mission and Service Board (September’s topic is the Church Bazaar!) We are ready and eager to gather together with you again on Wednesday nights, sharing supper, laughter, and fun. We’ll have presentations from Mission and Service once a month, as we did last year, but on the other weeks we’ll have storytime, singing, and games. See calendar for schedule.
Want to help?  We’re looking for folks who love to lead singing, tell stories, or lead games. Talk to Rev. Rachel.
LBGTQIA Safe Space gathering for sharing and support. Wednesday Sept. 7, 7:00 pm, Wayside Room. This is not a religious group, but a general support group. The group meets every 1st and 3rd Weds.
Time to Rekindle the Spirit September 11th  At the beginning of each school year, the Faith Development Board hosts a lunch and gathering at which we can each learn about all the Faith Development offerings this year and see where you’d like to join in and rekindle your own spirit.
Plan to stay for an hour or so after church on September 11th to learn about what’s happening, including in children’s church and choir, youth group, young adult gatherings, new and returning adult studies, and All Y’all Faith Days. (You can also read about some of those in the September newsletter!)
We look forward to lighting the flame with you!
Children’s Church begins on Sunday, September 11th! This year, Children’s Church will be using the “Joyful Path” spiritual curriculum, which focuses on teaching children to: ask questions and be curious; stay focused and calm to discover divine energy; use scriptural examples to solve practical problems; find the divine around them; and to be heroes in their own lives by modeling bravery, peace and justice. We are so excited to begin this year’s journey with the children of Union Church.
Children’s Church is open to children from K- 5th grade. Younger children are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult. If you have any questions about Children’s Church, please ask a member of the Children’s Church Team: Kelly Madden, Maggie Park, Jenny Hobson, Donna Eder, Ashley Cochrane, Jeff From, Jimmie Lewis, Laura Nagle.
Join the Union Church Choir or the  Union Church Handbell Ensemble —  or both! The Union Church Handbell Ensemble rehearses Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, and choir on Thursdays at 6:15 pm.   Both ensembles rehearse in the Choir Room, located on the third floor.  As always, each group extends the invitation for new membership, returning membership, and old membership wanting to come back and join the fun! No musical experience is required for either ensemble.  We look forward to a fun, musical season!
Youth Group is starting back on Wednesday night, Sept. 7, same night as the first Wednesday Nite Live supper of the year (potluck)! As usual, Youth Group will convene at 6:30pm after dinner upstairs in the youth room. We will meet until 8:00pm. Any youth from the 6th to the 12th grade is very welcome to join us! Bring a friend!
How Bazaar…. The Union Church Bazaar will be Sept. 17, 10-3!!!   Donations or household goods, Christmas things, hardware, furniture, books welcome. Plus there will be Music, Food, Art, Festivities! Want to help? Contact Jenny Bromley 623-5007 or Jack Marshall(859) 408-5628 AND come to the first Wednesday Nite Live of the season for a potluck supper and to hear about plans!
Need your flu shot? RiteAid will offer flus shots here at church Sept. 18 & 25 right after worship.  12-4, room still tbd. They will bring insurance forms with them. $20 if not covered.
Join the Madison Singers starting Sept. 6—with conductor, Dr. Stephen Bolster, and assistant conductor/ accompanist, Gabe Evans.  Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water Street. No auditions are necessary and all singers in the community are welcomed to join the group. Tuition for fall semester is $65.00, which includes the price of all music. Register by calling 859-624-4242 or email debbie@ artsinrichmond.org.
Hope not Heroin Rally/Walk, Saturday, Sept. 24, 4 pm. Madison County Courthouse. Speakers, Info, walk, candlelight vigil, music, food. Free for all.
Alternatives to Violence Project Basic Workshop October 1 & 2. At Knapp Hall on Berea College Campus, email Berea.avp@gmail.com to register or visit avpusa.org for more info.