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

First Sunday of Christmas

December 29, 2019        10:30 am

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 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear arr. Richard Willis
The Call Ted Loder
    The Call
O God of fire and freedom,
deliver me from my bondage
    to what can be counted
and go with me in a new exodus
toward what counts,
but can only be measured
in bread shared
and swords become plowshares;
in bodies healed
and minds liberated;
in songs sung
and justice done;
in laughter in the night
and joy in the morning;
in love through all seasons
and great gladness of heart;
in all people coming together
and a kingdom coming in glory;
in your name being praised
and my becoming an alleluia,
through Jesus Christ.
—Ted Loder, in Guerillas of Grace
¨  Hymn  #153 Black Who Would Think that What Was Needed Scarlet Ribbons
¨  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

Special Music
Lesson from the Psalms Psalm 148 (p. 751)
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 are invited to return to their seats—no Children’s Church today. 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 2:13-23 (p. 1139)
After the nativity, Matthew tells the story of the flight of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus to Egypt, as well as the slaughter of Jewish children.
Sermon From the Center to the Edge. Again. 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.
In thinking about a fearful task (perhaps for you, or someone else’s), breathe as steadily as you can. See if you can breathe star light into the fear. See if you can slow your heart to feel what is most important to do next. With a trusted friend or partner, describe the help needed. 
 What dream do you have that deserves action?
Joseph is warned and watched over in dreams. Had any like that lately? What happened, or would be needed, to command your attention enough to change course in your waking life?
Prayer Corner (Front Left)   You are invited to pray for self or others, lighting a candle if you wish. You may stand, kneel, or sit as you are most comfortable.
Bell Table (Front Right) Psalm 148 invites praise and thanksgiving even in the midst of pressing problems. Write or draw what keeps your center in the midst of chaos on the board, or center yourself on those things drawn by others.
Children’s Corner (Rear Corner, Piano Side)  You are welcome to visit the Advent Calendar and move the elements around as you please.
Community Sharing Table (Rear Corner, Bell Side)  We are both empowered and capable of blessing in this world. Find here a place to leave food or clothing for the most vulnerable. Also find some information about how you can help the most vulnerable children in our age survive and thrive threats to their well-being.
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 wisdom from on high and order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show and help us in that way to go.
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  Joseph, Son of an Ancient King (opposite) Joseph
¨  The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated)   Good King Wenceslas Piae Cantiones
_________________________________
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  Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and our brothers and sisters at Berea Evangelistic Center, 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
You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! If you need a nametag, email the office@union-church.org and we’ll make you one. It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Let’s all try to get to know each other better.
Welcome, Christmas Country Dance School friends!
Thank you for your generous Christmas Eve donations! $2748.59 was collected to help Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO) with its good work!
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 English, Office Admin.
Toddler Time January – March at the Acton Folk Center, 212 W. Jefferson St.. Berea Parks & Recreation is holding FREE activities for toddlers Jan. 7—Feb. 25 from 10 am-noon and March 3-31 from 10-11 am. Adults must stay with their toddler.
A client of LaRee Jacobs is seeking roommates in her house on Cherry Rd., Berea: Her name is Victoria Bordelon & contact number is 859-314-4363. She is a Berea College Alum. She is asking $450 per month for a room/study and bathroom or $500 for a top floor 3 bedroom apartment/bedroom suite. The kitchen area is shared by everyone in the home. Kids and pets are allowed on a person by person basis.