A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 7, 2014, 10:30 am

Meditation

We will boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus by thoughtfully developing the faith, knowledge, and spirit of persons of every age. 

Rooted in scripture and drawing on spirit and intellect, we commit to learn and teach a spirituality which deepens our sense of closeness to God.

We commit to creative teaching and leadership that inspires and equips ourselves, our children, and our community to live out the justice, compassion, love and joy we believe God intends for all.

— from the Union Church Mission Statement

From there to Here

Prelude     Meditation       Logan
*  Call to Worship
One:     We have been away from this place. Why have you come now?
All:      We come to rekindle the Lord’s spirit within us.
One:    Ah, but just as the place you left isn’t the same now that you have returned, what if yesterday’s spark won’t light today’s fire?
All:      We come to seek for new knowledge, to grow and deepen in the Word and in the Way.
One:    Then let us worship the still-speaking, ever-unfolding, God of creation and creating. Let us with thought and intent be present to the hope, love, justice, and peace God intends for us all.
All:      Let us worship and be renewed!
*  Opening Hymn #311 Black       Renew Your Church   All Is Well
* Prayer of Approach and Confession:
One:      Lord, we have attended to our desires selfishly and without regard to others.
All:      Forgive and help us put on the clothes of Christ.
One:     Hear our confession, Holy One and forgive us. Set our minds to greater good and our hearts to higher purpose.
All:    That we may see ourselves and each other with the eyes of your love. 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.

Breathing in The Living Word   

Anthem    Praise the Lord           arr. Hopson
Praise the Lord, sing a new song. Tell God’s salvation, tell it day to day, shout the glory, shout it to all. Let the heavens be joyful, earth be glad; let the roaring sea give forth its praise; field and mountain join the song. All together sound the joyful praise.
Childrens Moment and Commissioning Teachers in our Midst     
One:     God, our Great Teacher:
At the beginning of this new school year, hear our prayer for teachers!
After “God, in your mercy,” please respond “Bless them!”
Hymn #359 Black            O God, Who Teaches Us to Live         St. Anne
(verses 1 & 5)
Scripture Lesson             Romans 13:8-14
Sermon     All’s Fair in Love        Rev. Kent Gilbert

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             Simple Gifts     Smith
*  Doxology                        Avery/Marsh
*  Prayer of Thanksgiving

Being and Becoming One

Invitation to Communion
One:     God be with you.
All:      And also with you.
One:     Lift up your hearts.
All:      We lift our hearts in prayer.
One:     Let us give thanks to God.
All:      It is good to give God thanks and praise.
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
Communion Prayer
One:     Loving God, Source of all, we thank you and praise you with our lips and with our lives, that, having created us and all things through your Word, you welcome our prayer and praise.
One:     For the goodness of creation, and the glory of redemption, we praise you.
One:     For the law of holiness, inviting our obedience, and the call of prophets, rebuking our disobedience, we praise you.
One:     Therefore, with all that is, seen and unseen, and with the faithful of every time and place, we join in this hymn of praise and thanksgiving:
Communion Sanctus                   please join in singing:
Words of Institution
One:    Loving God, Holy One, we offer you praise and thanksgiving over this bread and cup, because in Jesus Christ, your only Son, you have joined yourself forever to us, uniting heaven and earth.
One:     Now, therefore, we gratefully remember: Jesus’ birth into our humanity, baptism for our sin, compassion for our suffering,  intimacy with our frailty, rebuke of our pride, bearing of the cross with its death, and rising from the tomb by the power of God.
One:     On the night before he died, it was Jesus who took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it, and said,
All:      “Take, and eat; whenever you do this, remember me.”
One:     Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying,
All:      “This is the new covenant, remember me.”
One:     Loving God, creative Power, blessing your name, we seek your Spirit.  Come to us and bless these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ; the sign and seal of our forgiveness in him, and our adoption as the children of God. As we eat and drink together, make us one with Christ and one in Christ, a sign of his eternal reign in the world.
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it.  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. All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice.
If it is not your tradition to receive, you are invited to join in prayers for the unity of the Spirit and all people, within your tradition.
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. The 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.
Prayer of Thanksgiving

From here to there

*  Closing Hymn     Let Us Put On the Clothes of Christ    Seasons of the Spirit
  Refrain:   Let us put on the clothes of Christ  and live as equals with everyone. Let us put on the clothes of Christ  and reunite the family of God.
1. Leader: Jew and Greek will live side by side …
      All: … with the garments of justice on.
Leader:  Every door will be open wide…
      All: … in that sweet and delightful dawn. Refrain
2. Leader: All the captives will be set free…
  All: … with the garments of justice on.
Leader: Discrimination will cease to be…
      All:         …in that sweet and delightful dawn. Refrain
3. Leader:  Men and women will live as one…
      All: … with the garments of justice on.
Leader:  Equal privilege for everyone …
All:         …in that sweet and delightful dawn. Refrain
4. Leader: Let us rise up completely new …
      All: … with the garments of justice on.
Leader: Living fully in Christ we’ll bloom …
All:         …in that sweet and delightful dawn. Refrain
*Benediction
Postlude    Toccata in B Minor     Gigout
____________________________
* Please rise in body or in spirit
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 Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and our brothers and sisters at Wayside Christian Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
Announcements
¨ 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, Ann Thomasson, Alva Peloquin
¨ The family of Ottie Mays, Melissa Neal’s step father who entered the wider life on Aug 27.
¨ Hazel Morris’ family, at the death of her aunt, Nina Lakes Smith, who died in Lexington August 28.
¨ Janet Dailey-Hosp, recovering well from a lung transplant
¨ Averill Kilbourne, who has a new address: 23 Tores Dr., Brevard, NC 28712
¨ Bob Bates, recovering from open heart bypass and valve replacement surgery.
¨ Rev. Rachel’s aunt, Annamarie Hogbin, who  has died. Rev. Rachel is spending this weekend with family, celebrating her life
¨ The  Warden family in Georgia, the aunt and cousins of Dodie Murphy, who are going through serious family concerns.
¨ Steve and Erin Sherman, and big brother Gabe, at the birth of Luke Theodore Sherman, on August 26
¨ Dodie Murphy, as she travels to Florida to visit elderly relatives who have recently lost their daughter
¨ Abi Dietz, as her recovery continues. We welcome her mom in worship today.
¨ Travel mercies for Josh and Jesse English
 
Lemonade on the Porch will continue through September, weather permitting. Thanks to Kevin Burke for setting up and preparing the lemonade each Sunday and to all those who have contributed the snacks to accompany the lemonade. There is a new sign-up sheet at the lemonade table for snacks for the month of September. Thanking you in advance, the CL&G Board.
Rekindle the Spirit! The Faith Development Board invites you both to rekindle the spirit of community we share as a church and learn about opportunities to rekindle the spirit of Christ in you this fall! We will celebrate in worship those who have offered their ministry as teachers and leaders for faith development. You’re invited to a simple lunch together after church. Then children will meet their teachers for the year and adults will hear about opportunities for them.
Wednesday Night Live (WNL) will begin on September 10 and we need you (to help cook)!  Here’s the format:  A meal is served at 5:45 p.m. sandwiched between rehearsals for the two children’s choirs.  The youth group meets after dinner at 6:30, and the Bell Choir rehearses at 7:00 p.m. And on many Wednesdays, the Mission and Service Board presents brief programs from 6:30 to 7:00, highlighting some of the organizations that Union Church supports through our M&S giving. See your upcoming September Consider for details.
The CL&G Board (Community Life and Growth) has posted a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board near the side/office entrance. They are looking for two volunteers each week to work together on the main dishes for the meal. Detailed information can be found in a folder in the office and in the kitchen, as well as on-line at www.union-church.org.  You may also contact Susie Ritchie or Betty Hibler if you have questions. Thanks in advance!
All God’s Children Got a Place in the Choir…Calling all young singers! Our youngest worship leaders will begin weekly rehearsals with the first Wednesday Night Live of the year on September 10. The Joyful Noise Choir, for those ages 3—kindergarten, will meet from 5:15 to 5:45. The Jubilee Choir (grades 1-5) will meet from 6:30 to 7:15, both in Room 104. Singers and their families are encouraged to stay/come for dinner in between.
In addition to learning to use their voices and bodies in a variety of songs and games, singers will participate in worship one Sunday each month. Whether your specialty is singing in the shower, dancing to the radio, hooting like an owl, or buzzing like a bee, the choir is the place for you! Please contact Carrie Jadud (carrie@jadud.com; 440-334-6686) with any questions.
 
College Students!  We want to meet you!  Rev. Rachel and the Community Life and Growth team will be hosting a lunch next week after church.  We’d love for you to come and share with us.  Please sign in on the welcome pad today and indicate that you’re a student and you’ll get a special invite.  You can also invite your friends!
Pastoral Evaluations Are Coming Up—The Pastoral Relations Board has been working on a pastoral evaluation survey to gather information on how we feel our pastors are fulfilling their various roles in our overall ministry. We plan to conduct the survey beginning mid-September and running for about a month. The survey will be done online, with paper options available for those without internet access. Please make sure we have your email address (if you get the announcements on Mondays, we already have it). More information to come.
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!
A Berea Death Penalty Abolition Action Team is forming and looking for additional members. Currently there are folks from the Friends Meeting, St. Clare, and Madison County KFTC. Union Church is invited to join this effort. There will be regular meetings the first Sunday of each month at the Public Library in Berea from 2 – 3 p.m. Simply show up on Sunday to learn more. They will meet today, Sept 7, 2-3pm, at the Madison County Public Library (319 Chestnut Street, Berea).
Social Justice Advocacy Workshop at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, 180 E. Maxwell St., Lexington,  September 20, 9:00 am—noon. The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Director of the Office of Public Witness for the Presbyterian Church USA, based in Washington, DC, will be the keynote speaker for an event exploring social justice advocacy inspired and supported by churches. There will also be a panel discussion featuring representatives of state, regional and local organizations, including Rev. Dr. Marian McClure Taylor, Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches. Contact Rev. Rachel if you’d like to register.
A Weekend of Mozart! Berea College Music Program invites you to a series of guest lectures and a master class September 12 – 13, 2014, given by internationally renowned scholar Dr. Robert Hatten of the University of Texas at Austin. His lectures and master class will focus on interpreting Mozart’s piano sonatas and are free and open to the public. Dr. Hatten’s lectures will coincide with the Mozart sonata recitals given by Berea College’s own Dr. Javier Clavere. We hope to see you there! It is not an opportunity to be missed! ​
 

• Lecture “Interpreting Mozart Piano Sonatas I: Topics and Tropes as Guides to Expressive Meaning” Friday, September 12, 3:00 p.m., Gray Auditorium
• Lecture “Interpreting Mozart Piano Sonatas III: Gesture, Virtual Agency, and Expressive Discourse in the Slow Movements of K. 310 and K. 533” Saturday, September 13, 3:00 p.m., Gray Auditorium
• Master Class: Students from Berea College and Eastern Kentucky University will perform in a master class conducted by Dr. Hatten (open to the public) Saturday, September 13, 10:00 a.m. Gray Auditorium
• Mozart Keyboard Sonatas Friday, September 12, 8:00 p.m., Gray Auditorium Saturday, September 13, 8:00 p.m., Gray Auditorium Sunday, September 14, 3:00 p.m., Gray Auditorium (each program is a different set of keyboard sonatas)

You are invited to Debbonnaire’s Birthday Party! Sunday, Sept 14, will be Debbonnaire’s 60th birthday, and she is making it an occasion to remember. Her home and patio, at 773 Big Hill, (half mile down from the church on Prospect) will be open from 2 pm until probably 11. Come and go at times convenient for you. Bring a lawn chair, food, and if possible, a story, song, joke, dance, or some other way of wowing the company. Pets and children welcome; wear sturdy shoes if you want a farm tour. Debbonnaire’s contribution, besides dishes, food, and fun, will be to teach a Romanian dance called a hora, several times over the course of the day, and there might be a bonfire at some point. 859-779-0793 for questions.
Sept. 17, 7:30 pm Candlelight Vigil. Please join us in honoring National Recovery Month with a community candlelight prayer vigil at Union Church. (outdoors, weather permitting) for those suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction, for those in recovery from addictive diseases and for family and friends affected by a loved one’s addiction. This is a Wednesday Nite Live program. After supper at 5:45, there will be a discussion about addictive diseases with question and answer period to follow. Vigil at 7:30.