Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2019 10:30 am
Meditation
Is it not true that somewhere deep down in the silence of our troubled hearts, we have always looked for God’s coming? Yet, in the last analysis, we need only say our yes to who we are … we need simply to become more responsive to the secret yearning of our heart, which we often lock up but can never squelch entirely. Inasmuch as we are open and receptive, then we are truly men and women in waiting, advent creatures who allow Love to approach them and look forward to God’s coming. — from The Advent of God by Johannes Beptist Metz
From there to here: we Gather
Hymn Sing Choose Your Favorites!
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 Away in the Manger arr. Sanborn
Prophetic Reading Isaiah 7:10-16 (p. 815)
Isaiah the prophet predicts the birth of a child who shall be a sign of hope for suffering Israel.
Advent Wreath Lighting The Light of Love Jennifer Melton
The Advent Wreath tradition reaches back to pre-Christian northern Europeans who lit candles awaiting the winter solstice. By the 1500s, both Lutherans and Catholics had adapted the Advent Wreath as a devotional way to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Each week as we wait through Advent, we light a new candle representing an aspect of the light God intends for all people. This Sunday the candle of Love is lit.
Advent is a time of waiting.
Waiting in the dark, on the edge of the Light that is coming.
Waiting on the edge of Love.
As we wait for the presence of Christ,
Love already stirs within us.
Whether quietly or boisterously,
Love yearns for the Light.
Whether our hearts are heavy or exuberant,
Or a little of both,
Love is knitting radiant Light
Into healing bandages and strong lifelines,
Gentle whispers of encouragement and powerful calls to action.
Empower us, O God.
Let us see your Light over here,
Where we stand
On the edge of Love.
— Jennifer Melton
¨ Hymn Love Came Down at Christmas
¨ Passing the Love 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 Joy, Peace, Love and hospitality.
The Living Word among us
Anthem Canticle of the Turning Rory Cooney
Union Church Choir
- My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain: My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! - Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn, You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. Refrain.
- From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; There are tables spread, every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. Refrain.
- Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp. This saving word that out forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, ‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. Refrain.
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 Children’s Moment, children kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to remain in the sanctuary for the Christmas Pageant! 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 Matthew 1:18-25 (p. 1138)
Matthew tells of the announcement of the birth of Jesus to Joseph.
Sermon Always on the Edge:Love in the Center Rev. Kent Gilbert
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 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.
We are always bearing new love into the world, gravid with grace. In your prayers and meditation, give thanks for what is stirring in the womb of your life. Simply rest feeling full of “what yet might be.”We have all looked for signs: some to stop us, some to turn us to new paths. What sign do you hope for this moment? About what do you pray? What if the sign were already around you, as it was for Ahaz? What around you is telling you what you need to know?
Prayer Corner (Front Left) you are invited to pray for love and to light a light for love in the world.
Bell Table (Front Right) Ring the bell for love found, love cherished, love lost, love transforming and transformed.
Children’s Corner (Rear Corner, Piano Side) The animals are all here —find some people in the pockets of the Advent calendar.
Community sharing table (Rear Corner, Bell Side) Thanks to your generosity, the women at Liberty Place have all been provided for! During this cold, dark season, find all the ways you can to bring light into someone’s life. We will begin providing Room In The Inn in January and still need various kinds of volunteers. Contact Shirley Carlberg, 859-985-5501 or nonesuch_1998@yahoo.com
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: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Come, O Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by thine Advent here; Love stir within the womb of night, And death’s own shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
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 People, Look East (next page) Besançon
¨ The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated) Go, Tell it on the Mountain arr. Jan Sanborn
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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 Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan and our brothers and sisters at Berea United Methodist Church, 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, Joyce Henderson, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Tom Warth.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Dean Jacobs, Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, approaching the end of life.
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from surgery on her fibula and ankle, injured in a fall.
¨ Kelly Mehler, recovering from liver surgery.
¨ George Mountjoy.
¨ Larry Brandenburg’s mother, recovering from hip surgery.
¨ Barb Smith, anticipating arm surgery.
¨ Ron Sims and all the family, at the death of his mother, Shirley Sims.
¨ Lisa Vaughn’s mother, whose husband is on hospice care.
¨ Peggy Coyne, recovering from knee surgery.
Announcements
Christmas Caroling right after service today! Join us in the community room to grab a quick sandwich provided by Faith Development, and then we will divide up to spread our cheer to those who are at home. Cookies are appreciated! You can leave them in the kitchen before service that day.
Friends across the Miles: Please sign Christmas cards to Loyal Jones and Joyce Henderson to remind them they are loved in Berea! The cards are on the table outside the parlor.
“Praise God with Dancing!” Dancers (any gender) are invited to help bring in the light to our 5:30 pm Christmas eve service. No prior experience required. Please contact the church office or Maggie Park at 330-277-7738 or maggiecatherinepark@gmail.com to say “yes!”
Christmas Eve at Union Church. Early Service at 5:30 pm, Gathering Music of the Season starts about 5:00. A Berea tradition — candle-lit service with music of the season by the church choir, orchestra, handbell ensemble, and special guests Al, Alice & Ruth, Deborah Payne and others! Rev. Kent will share the Christmas Story, and a finger food reception will be held afterwards in the Community Room. Contributions to the finger food reception are always welcome! Bring to the kitchen downstairs before the service. An offering will be taken to benefit Bereans United for Utility and Rent Relief (BUURR). Childcare provided.
11:00 pm Service in Cowan Chapel. You are invited to Union Church’s 11:00 pm candle-lit communion service in Cowan Chapel to joyfully welcome the Christ Child at midnight with music and prayer. Please join us as we Wait and Watch for the Advent of the Lord.
In January, our first Wednesday-of-the-Month Potluck will be on January 8, since the 1st is New Year’s Day. See you then!
Union Church’s Annual Meeting will be March 15, 2020. Board chairs, please start thinking about your Annual Reports. They’re due in the office February 26 and we plan to have them available at worship on March 8. Thank you! If you need copies of previous years’ reports for reference, I can them send to you. Joan
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