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

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 8, 2019    10:30 am

Meditation
“You have a right to your actions, but never to your actions’ fruits. Act for the action’s sake. And do not be attached to inaction. Self-possessed, resolute, act without any thought of results, open to success or failure.” — Bhagavad Gita, 2.47-48, trans. Stephen Mitchell

From there to here: we Gather

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     Acclamation in G Minor         K. Thompson
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
The Call     
Source of life and blessing, of garden, orchard, field, root us in obedience to you and nourish us by your ever-flowing Spirit, that, perceiving only the good we might do, our lives may be fruitful, our labor productive, and our service useful, in communion with Jesus, our brother.
¨  Hymn #55 Black Rejoice, You Pure in Heart     Marion
¨  Passing the Peace of 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 hospitality.

The Living Word among us

Anthem    Lord of All Hopefulness
                      Union Church Choir
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy, whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy, be there at our waking, and give us, we pray, your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe be there at our labors, and give us, we pray, your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace, your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace, be there at our homing and give us, we pray, your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm, whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm, be at our sleeping, give us we pray your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       Deuteronomy 30:15-20  (p. 236)
Moses poses the choice of life or death.
Children’s Moment   
Blessing of Backpacks & Commissioning of Children’s Ministers
Pastor Nate: St Paul, in writing to the Christians in Rome, says, “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us.” Christ invites each of us to faithful discipleship and service. We are called to different ministries as we seek to live God’s love. Today we are commissioning those who have stepped forward to guide and minister to our youngest members for the upcoming year.
Will you, as the people of God, support and pray for them in this ministry?
Congregation: With the help of God and each other, we will.
Pastor Nate: Will you, as the hands and heart of God, seek to prayerfully and joyfully minister to our beloved children?
Children’s Ministers: With the help of God and each other, we will.
Pastor Nate: Will you willingly sit with your own uncertainty, and theirs, as you seek to hear the voice of God in this world? Will you, as best you can, show them what it means to live in a place where the answer is always love?
Children’s Ministers: With the help of God and each other, we will.
Pastor Nate: You have courageously said yes to the calling and the responsibility of this ministry. We send you, on behalf of this family of faith, to serve our children, and therefore serve our world.
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. They are also welcome to stay in the service if they prefer. The Children’s Worship Center in the back of the sanctuary has 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 in Room 104 off the playground.
Gospel Lesson                  Luke 14:25-33 (p. 1256)
Jesus turns to the large crowds who are following him and teaches about the rigorous demands of discipleship.
Sermon     Go Whole Hog            Rev. Nate Craddock

Living Prayer

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.
Acts of Reflection and Prayer
Some resources for reflection and prayer and today’s Call are provided. You are free to use  – or ignore –  these prompts as you find helpful. In whatever prayer manner you adopt, please hold the concerns of those listed, and those you know about, in God’s peace-giving light.
When have you spent so much time counting costs and weighing future outcomes that you never did the thing? When have you dived into doing the thing, never counted the cost, and found yourself in chaos? What have you learned from the tension between those two?
Prayer Corner Prayer Partners: We invite your household to become Prayer Partners with another Union Church household for this year. Prayer might mean weekly check-ins or silent time in prayer for each other. It might mean cookies or quick cards. It might mean lighting a candle for each other every night. It can be whatever is meaningful to the connection between you. Place your name in the bowl. You will be matched, and will receive information about how to connect in the upcoming weeks.
Children’s Corner Everyone Has A Story: Our youth group is one of Union’s hidden treasures. Think of all we have to learn from each other. Are you interested in being paired with a youth, to interview each other and hear each other’s stories? The conversation will take place on a Wednesday evening, either during a first Wednesday potluck or regular youth group. If you’re interested in spending an hour getting to know a member of our youth group better, place your name in the bowl.
Bell Corner Step Closer: We spend time together every week, but how well do we all really know each other? Take a piece of paper and write down a little known fact about yourself — a secret talent? the strangest job you’ve ever had? the most unusual place you’ve ever lived? a bucket list item that no one would guess about you? something else that would surprise us about you? Be sure to put your name on the paper — we will be getting to know each other a little better this year.
A Chance for Generosity: Offering Baskets in the Aisles
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat. 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 those in need via many external agencies.
Many friends give online, and you can use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. You don’t have to register to make a contribution, but if you do, it can make future generosity that much easier. You can even give by text! Text to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Please sing when invited:  From All That Dwell below the Skies
Pastoral Prayer and 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

¨   Hymn #309 Black          We Are Your People   Whitfield
Introduction and Invitation to Membership  
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, and are welcome to come forward when invited. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.             
¨  Questions of the Congregation and New Members   
¨  Covenant of Welcome               
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that  you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
¨  The Sending and Blessing
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 Ghana and Nigeria and our brothers and sisters at Berea Church of Christ in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
Prayer requests to be printed may be sent to the office anytime before 10:00 am Fridays.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound.
¨ For Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ In thanksgiving for those students, teachers, parents, lawmakers, and citizens who are witnessing and working to end gun violence in our society. May laws that help be passed; may hearts that are broken be healed; may all who are in danger be kept safe.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Marie, 4-year-old great grand niece of Dorie Hubbard, being treated for cancer.
¨ Dean Jacobs, Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, recovering at home.
¨ Cheryl Moore, with family members struggling with health issues: Larry O’Hara in hospice care and Rob Unterberger with lung cancer.
¨ Larry Brandenburg’s mom, recovering at home from a broken hip.
¨ Al White, recovering at home.
¨ Steve Boyce, at UK Hospital in Lexington with a bout of pneumonia.
Announcements
Rekindle the Spirit!  Children’s Church starts up again for Fall and, during the worship service, we will commission our volunteers who work with children and youth. Children – bring your backpacks for a Blessing of the Backpacks. Would you like to be an acolyte? Stay for a training after church.
Children’s Church begins today! Families, we are beginning a Sign In / Sign Out process for Children’s Church. There will be a clipboard in the children’s area at the back of the church before service starts. If your child will be attending Children’s Church, sign them up and indicate who will be picking them up afterward. If you aren’t able to do this before church starts, we will have it up front during the Children’s Sermon, so you can come up with your child and sign in then. We want to keep our kids as safe as possible by making sure they are always leaving with someone who is supposed to be picking them up. Thank you!
Autumn Potluck in the Park: Thursday Sept. 12 at 5:45, Memorial Park (across from the Folk Center). Community Life and Growth  will provide fried chicken, drinks, and plates / utensils. Bring a side (and a serving utensil for your dish!). Does anyone have a cornhole set? If so, bring it! The kids can play on the play-ground, and we can enjoy the beginning of autumn together.
Help Needed to host Japanese Students Oct 5-19! 32 Japanese students, ages 14-17 from our sister region, are coming to Berea for English immersion. We are seeking households that can host a pair of students, provide food, and transportation to school for them. There is a $200 stipend/student to help defray expenses. Due to a scheduling error in Japan, they are coming at a time when families at Berea Community will be on Fall Break. We are desperate to help them out! Call the office for guidance on how to be a host. It will be a wonderful experience!
Greg & Brianna Neal have reunited with their biological parents. Let’s sign cards and send them with teddy bears to the kids! Love and support to Michael and Sara Murphy, who have loved these children and shared them with the Union Church family!
Drum Break Thursdays at noon, through Sept. 19, Room 101. No charge, donations appreciated. Relieve stress, build community, improve immune response, and HAVE FUN in this lunch-time group drumming activity! Official program lasts from 12-12:30, followed by free time to jam and visit. Emphasis is on inclusive creative expression, and activities can be adapted for a range of ages and abilities. Drop-ins welcome, but please register ahead if possible, especially if accommodations are needed. Bring a brownbag lunch if you wish.
Facilitator Rachel Dorroh is trained in the HealthRHYTHMS protocol and can be reached for registration and questions at racheldorroh@outlook.com or (859)985-8724.
Inmates at the Madison County Detention Center are in need of books. They are only allowed paperbacks delivered directly from Amazon.  If anyone is interested in sponsoring a book or two, please send $10 or $20 to the church (offering plate, mail, or easyTithe. If writing a check, put MCDC in the memo line) and we’ll place the order from the office. Rev. Nate has a list of requested titles. Thanks so much.
Thrivent Members – We are making plans to raise awareness around our 2019 5-4-3-2-1 Vision and our relationship with Thrivent Financial. If you are willing to tell Dave Kobersmith you are a Thrivent Member he would like to talk to you about the possibility of using an Action Team that is available to you as a member. For reasons of confidentiality, Thrivent Financial representatives cannot tell church staff who are Thrivent members but you can – if you are willing – let me know. I can help you use your Action Team or Choice Dollars to help Union Church programs or other non-profit programs if you wish. Thanks, Dave Kobersmith, Church Administrator, 859-986-3725 or davek@union-church.org.
Art Exhibition: “Music to My Eyes,” [Sept 13 – Nov 2] an exhibit at the Berea Arts Council, 444 Chestnut Street, has been partially sponsored by Union Church’s Music Ministries.  Please go for a visit.
Tour of Pre-Civil War Churches:  Ten PreCivil War churches of Madison County will host an open house tour on October 5, 10-4.  Members of Union Church will host the visitors and a photo and artifact exhibit will be staged at Union Church.  You can register at the Berea Library or the Artisan Tourism Welcome Center.
Several in the church have asked if it is possible to write to Jack Marshall at the Madison County Detention Center. The best way is a new electronic email system available to prisoners. Cost of a message is $0.50 and requires that you register at https://www.smartjailmail.com.
Letters to Jack need to have his proper name: “John Marshall”  followed by his jacket number:  #206801. Send to 2901 Richmond Rd., Suite 140-322, Lexington, KY, 40509.
Supporting one of Our Three Great Loves
Mission & Service Board Shares This Thank-You from Back Bay Mission:
Dear Church of Christ Union,
Thank you for your generous gift to Back Bay Mission! Your gift to our food pantry provides people with the resources they need to make it through tough times and get back on their feet.
People like Mr. Allen, who stopped by the Mission recently to say “Thank You.” For more than six years, he and his wife relied on our food pantry to make up the gap between their meager incomes and their bills. His wife passed away a year ago, forcing him to stretch his resources even more. Recently, Mr. Allen was approved for Social Security benefits. He won’t need the food pantry anymore, but wanted to express his gratitude for all of the help he’s received. Mr. Allen wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of gifts just like yours. Thank you!
Grace and Peace, 
Rev. Alice Graham, Executive Director
Congratulations to Cheyenne Olson and Lois Morgan, winners of the quilt raffle! Thanks to those who bought tickets, $500 was raised for Samuel’s Kids in Kampala, Uganda. Samuel’s Kids Ministries International provides shelter, food, medical care, clothing, and education for homeless children. Several of the children, and Samuel himself, have been ill with malaria recently. Our donations help greatly.