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

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 23, 2018          10:30 am

Meditation
Advent is the waiting season, hoping to be rediscovered. She is seasoned waiting, wishing wisdom and pregnant with promised life. She is a season conceived each day. —Joseph J. Juknialis

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 Alleluia! The Angels Will Sing  Dana Mengel
Union Church Choir
Come, oh come, Holy One; Emmanuel, fill our world with beautiful light. Turn our night into day, take this darkness away, show the splendor and power of your might. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Angels will Sing. Alleluia! Alleluia! When you come down to reign as our King.
Come, oh come, God’s own son; Emmanuel, come to teach us your wonderful ways, cause all evil to cease, grant us heavenly peace come redeem us with mercy and grace. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Angels will Sing. Alleluia! Alleluia! When you come down to reign as our King.
Come, oh come, blessed One to Israel; come to set all your children free. Come remove all the chains and humanity’s stains. Come to set your enslaved children free. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Angels will Sing. Alleluia! Alleluia! When you come down to reign as our King.
Prophetic Reading   Micah 5:2-5a (p. 1097)
The prophet Micah speaks of the lowly town of Bethlehem being a blessing to the nation through the birth of a king.
Advent Wreath Lighting      The Light of Love         Jennifer Even 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.
The light is passed forward as words guide our meditation on expectation. If the candle comes to you please pass it forward toward the wreath.  
¨  Hymn #119 Black  My Soul Gives Glory to My God Morning Song
¨  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 Celtic Advent Carol M. Barrett & D. Angerman
Union Church Choir
Be not afraid, I bring you good news. The Savior is coming in glory to you. He shall be called God‘s holy one. Will you be ready? Will you be ready for him when he comes? Light the candle, Jesus is coming. Open your hearts, prepare ye the way. Sleepers awake, for soon is the dawning. He will turn night into glorious day, he will turn night into day. Be of good cheer and put away fear, the light now is coming to dry every tear.
Love is now with us, God’s perfect son. Will you be ready? Will you be ready for him when he comes, when he comes? Light the candle, Jesus is coming. Open your hearts, prepare ye the way. Sleepers awake, for soon is a dawning. He will turn night into glorious day. He will turn night into day. Veni, Emmanuel. Jesus is coming. Could he be coming today?
Contemporary Reading from Southernmost Silas House
Each week in Advent Union Church has asked for words from local authors and poets, or those connected with our congregation. This week Silas House has shared an excerpt from his novel, Southernmost.
Gospel Lesson   Luke 1:39-55 (p. 1225)
Two women, both expectant with children, greet one another. Mary greets her kinswoman Elizabeth and then sings a hymn about the significance of the child that she bears.
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 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.
Sermon      Restless Love       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.
Prayer in Action and Reflections
You are invited to reflect and pray, either in your pew or at one of the stations. Some suggested prayer direction is printed in the bulletin on page 8 and at the tables you visit. The poems read in worship today are on page 9. You are also free to choose to rest in private prayer, remaining with our own thoughts and in your pew.
Speaking With The Angels: In the bell corner you are invited to visit and spend time with two angels made of what seemed to be only broken bits and pieces. Their names are “Rejoice” and “Courage.” What are these angels saying to you? Does one speak more to you than another? What would you like to say to them?
Community Sharing Table: for this week, we especially need food or money. Christmas baskets and the toys have been delivered.
Incarnation Station: On the piano side of the sanctuary you are invited to ponder the glory of the incarnation as illustrated for the St. John’s Bible. John 1 says the Word, the Logos, became flesh and dwelt among us. In the curve of your fingers, the strength of your shoulders, the softness of your belly, what is being born in you today? This art print was a gift from the Rev. Rachel Small Stokes.
Prayer in Action Reflections
Space is provided  here for you to write notes, to reflect, or draw responses to questions or ideas that occur to you during the sermon, or holy questions of your own. 
Mary contemplates the overthrow of injustices by what God is doing. What needs to be overturned in your life? Are there high places that need to be brought low? Are there ways we think of ourselves too highly at the expense of right relationship with ourselves, our families, our neighbors, our world?
Who or what would you elevate, “magnify,” or assist in order to promote the greatest good for the greatest number?
Take an honest look: What is your life magnifying? Is the focus fully where you want it to be and “making great” the right things? If not, allow yourself in this silence to investigate with God’s help, what is needed. Be not afraid.
Our 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.
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!
Musical Meditation  
As we draw back to our seats, you are invited to join in singing a verse of this ancient antiphon:
O Come, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, Who waits in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
 Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community
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 Besancon
¨  The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated)   Toda la Tierra (All Earth Is Waiting) Alberto Taule
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 Wallace Chapel and Bethlehem Lutheran 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.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon. 15,000 are now detained in the US.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound:  Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Loyal Jones, Mary Miller, Alva Peloquin.
¨ Emily Spires, daughter of Randy Stone, continuing treatment for breast cancer.
¨ Mary Lou Wiese’s brother, Shelton Dean Jacobs, with serious health concerns.
¨ Javier Clavere, recovering well from spinal surgery.
¨ Bob Boyce, recovering from shoulder surgery.
¨ Andrea Wescott, awaiting results of biopsies and tests.
¨ Tonya, Judith Singleton’s daughter-in-law, diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
¨ Laura Robie, recovering from her second knee replacement.
¨ The family and many friends of Ruth Butwell, who died on Monday, December 10, at 89. A service in celebration of her life will be held on January 5.
¨ The family and friends of Garrett Ray, close personal friend of the Gilberts, who passed away on Tuesday after a long dance with Parkinson’s disease.
¨ Barbara Frederiksen, due to undergo intestinal surgery on December 26.
¨ Bill and Peg Craig, on their 50th wedding anniversary today. They were married at Union Church. Peg’s father, Jim Orwig, decorated the sanctuary for Christmas for decades!
Bless Your Creche! We have learned of a South American custom of bringing the babies from family nativities to the church to be blessed on Christmas Eve. If you would like to participate in a Union Church version of this custom, bring your Christ Child to the early Christmas Eve service.
Online Alternative Giving Market continues.  What to get that friend or family member for the holidays?  Does your sister really need another sweater? Why not give alternative gifts this year that reach toward your loved ones’ hopes and dreams for a better world?  Maybe what your friends and family really want for this year is health care, food and housing for those in need – or maybe disaster relief. Visit www.union-church.org and shop for that alternative gift for your loved ones.
Looking for Help? If you´re looking for help checking everything off your list this holiday season I am looking to work for you! I can help with cleaning/organizing, errand running present wrapping, decorating, childcare or house sitting between December 19 and January 12! Please contact me at (859)-582-3220 or dellaw98@gmail.com. Thanks – Della Walters

LOOKING AHEAD:

Ordination Service of Leslie Small Stokes, here at her home church! January 6, 4:00 pm. The service will be followed by a reception. Can you help? Call Mary Lou Wiese at 260-571-4959. Thanks!
Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center is seeking volunteers to support survivors of sexual violence. Volunteers answer a 24-hour hotline, meet survivors at regional hospitals, give out information and referrals, and are trained in crisis intervention and advocacy. Training held at Union Church in January & February. Applications due by Jan. 17. Visit www.ampersand.org/volunteer.
On Jan. 22, the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy will hold their annual conference from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at Embassy Suites Lexington, 1801 Newtown Pike. It will be a full day of presentations and discussions about the issues facing Kentucky during the 2019 General Assembly and beyond.  Keynote speaker will be Mehrsa Baradaran, author of How the Other Half Banks and The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap.  For more information, go to https://kypolicy.org/events/Registration fee is $25.  Scholarships are available by contacting Sarah Zeller at sarah@kypolicy.org.
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system at union-church.org, and click on “Volunteer.” You can pick a date that works for you!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.
The Light of Love
Let this time of waiting—this Advent season
be filled with the Light of Love
Be still… and be Love
Like candlelight,
Love doesn’t dim,
But grows brighter when shared
So share abundantly
Spill your Light into dark and lonely places
Reach out to the farthest margins
Illuminate injustice
Include the excluded
Be still… and do Love
As these days grow shorter
And nights grow longer,
As the Holy One draws near,
Where will you shine the Light of Love?
Perhaps, nurture the Light of Love within
Be still… and know Love
Know where you are uniquely called
To spread the healing Light of Love,
The merciful Light of Love,
The inclusive Light of Love
The Light of Love,
Already ours,
Joining the circle
With the Lights of Hope, Peace, and Joy
Widening the expectant circle
Awaiting the Light of the Holy One
Be still… be Love        — Jennifer Even Melton
from Southernmost
A heron wanders the dunes, amazing in its clean whiteness.
The sun broils down, boils down, a punishing, comforting heat unlike anything that Asher has ever known back home. A fierce-ness of heat.
He watches his son playing in the water.  As far down the strip of sand as he can see, there are people, each of them with their own stories and hurts and joys. And he loves every one of them. 
He thinks about the Elizabeth Bishop poem, the one about the sandpiper wandering the beach, taking note of every little thing, naming things specifically. That was the way back to believing: being conscious, seeing the God in everything. Realizing that everything that is, is holy. He had to be like the sand-piper, running to the south to find out the answers, and the way back.  
He keeps his eyes on the people down the beach and he knows there is something living in each of them. Some people might call it God. Some might not have a name for it. What he knows is that they all have the good and the bad in them. He does, too. But that’s where the God of his understanding lives—not just in the goodness and not just in the badness, but in the shimmering knot of the two. 
The ocean is God, but so are we all, he thinks. Because where there is love, there is God.                                        
   — Silas House