A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am
Meditation
Compassionate action emerges from the sense of openness, connectedness, and discernment you have created. ~ Joan Halifax
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship Whitney McKnight, Reader
¨ Opening Hymn #558 Oh How Glorious, Full of Wonder In Babilone
- O how glorious, full of wonder is your name o’er all the earth. God, who wrought creations’ splendor, bringing suns and stars to birth! Rapt in reverence we adore you, marveling at your mystic ways. Humbly now we bow before you, lifting up our hearts in praise.
2.When we see your lights of heaven, moon and stars, your power displayed, who are we that you should love us, creatures that your hand has made? Born of earth, yet full of yearning, mixture strange of good and ill, from your ways so often turning, yet your love does seek us still.
3. You have set us in communion with the wonders of your hand, made us fly with eagle pinion, pilgrims over sea and land. Soaring spire and ruined city, these our hopes and failures show. Teach us more of human pity, that we in your image grow.
4.O how wondrous, O how glorious is your name in every land, God, whose purpose shines before us toward the goal that you have planned! Yours the will our hearts are seeking, conscious of our human need. Spirit in our spirit speaking, make us yours, O God indeed.
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Merciful God, we mourn the violence and injustice that takes root in many forms and in many places far and near.
All: Merciful God, we thirst for your peace.
One: We recognize the roots of conflict in ourselves and our complicity in systems of power and control.
All: Merciful God, we thirst for your reconciliation.
One: We confess that stereotypes, envy, suspicion, and racism shape our perceptions and influence our actions.
All: Merciful God, we thirst for your truth.
One: We acknowledge that at times we fear our neighbors.
All: Merciful God, we thirst for your love.
One: We repent of the ways we contribute to suspicion, fear and violence. Guide us as we reaffirm our calling as your peacemakers. Grant us courage to risk loving each of our neighbors at home and around the globe.
All: Satisfy our thirst by leading us to your living water. Amen.
~Diane Zaerr Brenneman, Words for Worship 2 (Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2009).
¨ Words of Assurance
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Scripture Reading Isaiah 35:4-7
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; and the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water.
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading Mark 7:24-37
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go–the demon has left your daughter.”
And when she went home, she found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone. Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went by way of Sidon toward the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Sermon The Hinge and Hope Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
A chance to take in what we have heard.
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.
Offertory There Is a Balm Union Church Orchestra
Embodied Prayer
You are invited to reflect and pray at the candle table. You may also choose to source the essential ingredient of solitude and private prayer, remaining with your own thoughts in your pew.
Strength for the Fearful Heart…
The prophet Isaiah offers words of hope to readers old and new. Review the promises from the reading today (Isaiah 35:4-7a printed in your bulletin) and try to imagine each metaphor being for you, for your healing, for your well-being. Imagine springs watering your sacred but dry hopes, if any. Hold the promise of new sight and new sounds whenever the specters of your fears rear up. Practice this now and anytime your heart grows afraid.
The Hinges…
Meditate on the hinge moments in your experience: times when things might have swung a different way, or perhaps opened in a new direction. If you were resistant at first, explore why. What caused the swing and what opened for you when things hinged a different way? What insights come to you from this reflection? In your prayers hold your gratitudes and regrets with an open hand. Upon which will your next moment hinge?
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”).
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403.
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
¨ Doxology Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost! Amen.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of The Community Whitney McKnight, Reader
Lord, in the crux of our lives, so often our stories hinge on how we see and hear one another and how wide we can open ourselves to you. For this crucial work and for the healing of ourselves and all around us, oil the hinges of our hearts and minds. In moments of unfounded certainty prick us with doubt so we don’t miss your hidden graces. When we doubt the worth of others or ourselves, flood us with the certainty of your unfailing, transforming love. Swing us back into our right minds and may all our lame thoughts leap like deer to higher, fertile ground and grace. How we long to be connected rightly to you and to each other. Hear the prayers of your people as we try to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who taught us to reach to you as…
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Maker, our Mother, 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.
¨ Hymn #175 Oh Christ , the Healer, We Have Come Kentridge
1. O Christ, the healer, we have come to pray for health, to plead for friends. How can we fail to be restored when reached by love that never ends?
2. From every ailment flesh endures our bodies clamor to be freed.Yet in our hearts we would confess that wholeness is our deepest need.
3. In conflicts that destroy our health we recognize the world’s disease; Our common life declares our ills. Is there no cure, O Christ, for these?
4. Grant that we all, made one in faith, in your community may find the wholeness that, enriching us, shall reach and prosper humankind.
From Here to There
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
On this “Racial Justice Sunday,” we would like to recognize the work of Our Land of Promise, a local nonprofit that seeks to “honor and preserve African American heritage in Berea, KY” kyfolklifemag.org/our-land-of-promise
Led by founder and director Aaron Banther, and supported by committed volunteers and community members, they have collected over 30 oral histories documenting the rich heritage of Farristown, Bobtown, and Middletown. They share their research with local school groups to engage youth, hoping to not only preserve the past, but also “invest in the future.” They have worked to preserve sacred sites by restoring African American cemeteries and they promote sustainable living by offering workshops that “honor the agricultural and homestead practices of our ancestors.” Most recently they have organized the Berea Black History & Heritage Exhibit, whose opening reception will be at the Berea Arts Council gallery (444 Chestnut Street) on September 14, at 6 PM).
They are also going to be part of a pilot course for the Kentucky Jr. Community Scholar Program, “empowering youth to become stewards of their communities” and fostering the “next generation of cultural custodians.” Please join them in their efforts to ensure Berea’s African American heritage is honored and preserved by volunteering, donating, or participating in events!
¨ Benediction The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer. Let us hold the people of Ghana and Nigeria; and our brothers and sisters at Lighthouse Baptist Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ Mary Ellen Sarafin, Betty’s sister, suffering from cirrhosis.
¨ Nick Lockwood, 21-year-old nephew of the Lockwood and Methler family, has been in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital since July 4 due to complications from SMA (spinal muscular atrophy.) Please pray for healing and support for his parents + sister.
¨ John McWilliams, ill at home with a serious leg infection.
¨ Lucas, grandson of Debbonnaire Kovacs, recovering from a broken arm.
¨ Muse Watson, recovering from spine and neck surgery.
¨ Pat Rucker, a long-time friend of Jennifer Elam, in hospice at Morning Pointe.
¨ Susan Kramer,who suffered a seizure last weekend and her husband, Stanley, caring for her.
¨ Darlene Lowe, seriously ill with Covid complications and C.Diff, and for her wife, Lauri McVicker , as she cares for her.
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ For all those caring for others in their illnesses and needs: may God give them both strength and encouragement in this work of costly love.
¨ Erikke Meadows’ mom, Prudy Meadows, with COPD.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ Prayer for a restored and renewed sense of integrity in all public officials and work: that justice may be louder than greed; fair and good governance a blessing to all people, not the favored few.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Sept. 9 – Hailey Biggs; 10 – Laura Nagle; 11 – Mary Lou Wiese, Cameron Stites-Stevens; 13 – Steve Connelly, Maranda Weckman; 14 – Debbonnaire Kovacs
Anniversaries: Sept. 9 – Jim & Dana Wangsgard
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
Leave a Reply