A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany 10:30 am
Meditation
Remind me that the strongest of trees slowly developed its strong, deep roots. Let me thirst for time to savor new growth.
—Beams of Prayer: Spiritual Reflections with Edward J. Farrell
From There to Here: We Gather
Gathering Music
Welcome
The Call Stephen Charleston Maggie Park and EJ Stokes
One: We are all one in the eyes of the Spirit. We are all equally loved. Nothing separates us: not who we are, not where we are from, not what we have, not who we know, not how we were born, not what we believe. We are all the children of the Spirit. We are all in the kinship of life. We each have a relationship with the sacred that is as unique as it is complex.
One: The holy is part of our life story, whether we choose to recognize it or not. We are shaped by choice as much as by creed. In the end, how we are reconciled is a mystery, even for those of us who feel we already know. We are all part of the same journey to the same destination, a meeting with the one who made us.
Passing of the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Lighting the Justice Candle
Today we light the Justice Candle in honor of Amanda S. C. Gorman, an American poet and activist. She and her twin sister Gabrielle were born, prematurely, on March 7 1998 and raised in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Harvard University in 2020 and now lives in W. LA.
She is the author of the The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country (Viking Books for Young Readers, March 2021), the poetry collection The Hill We Climb (Viking, September 2021) and The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough (Penmanship Books, 2015). In 2017, Gorman was named the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. She previously served as the youth poet laureate of Los Angeles, and she is the founder and executive director of One Pen One Page, an organization providing free creative writing programs for underserved youth. In 2021, she became the youngest poet to write and read her work at a presidential inauguration. The 22-year-old enthralled the Biden inauguration audience with “The Hill We Climb,” which referenced both painful history and hope for the future. Gorman also read a poem at the Super Bowl in 2021
In addition to poetry, Gorman is an activist who advocates for climate issues, equality and education. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora She’s been interested in a presidential run since she was 11, and plans to run in 2036, the first cycle in which she’ll be old enough to be elected. Prior to performing, Gorman recites the following mantra: “I’m the daughter of Black writers who are descended from Freedom Fighters who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me.”
The Living Word Among Us
Hymn Like a Tree Beside the Waters Silver Creek
1. Like a tree beside the waters, nurtured by your loving care, we, O God, your sons and daughters your enduring witness bear. In each passing generation may your voice of love be heard. Bless, we pray, this congregation with your holy, living Word.
2. Like a tree beside the river, drawing life from holy streams, fill us with your love forever, recreate our hopes and dreams. Through the storms of life sustain us by the wisdom of your grace, may the changing of the seasons find us in your warm embrace.
3. We, beside the living waters, drink from your eternal life. Give to all, your sons and daughters, faith that rises over strife. O Living God, most glorious, strengthen us for life today. By the hope of timeless promise guide your church upon the Way.
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Jeremiah 17:5-10 Maggie Park, Reader
Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse—who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.
Children’s Moment Please join in singing as we bless children everywhere:
May God’s blessing 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.
Gospel Lesson Luke 6:17-26
He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors didto the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.”
Sermon The Root of Blessings Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
Call to Prayer and Offering
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.
Offering Music Seek Ye First Lafferty, Pachelbel, arr. Wagner
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, And his righteousness, And all these things will be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia!
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union 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 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”)
You can also use US mail! Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Community Prayer EJ Stokes, Reader
Blessings and damnations fly around us like leaves before a mighty wind. But like a tree we stand rooted in your everlasting streams of mercy and justice and we shall not be moved. Nurture us in our present soil with the deep blessings and ancient wisdom of your way. Turn us from the barriers of our own blind pride and temptation to isolation. With living water, heal our wounds and change our minds and open our hearts that we may both receive your blessing and boldly embody your hope and vision. Help us be oaks of righteousness, and a sheltering forest of compassion and grace.
Our Lord’s Prayer
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 How Then Shall I Live?
1. Took a walk outside of my walking. Stepped inside another’s shoes. Walked the dusty borders between us. Paths I’d never chosen to choose. Refrain: How then shall I live? How then shall I live? How then shall I live, O God? How then shall I live?
2. Heard a sound outside of my list’ning. Felt the living hum of the ground. Waited on the voice of the spirit, singing with its new old sound. Refrain.
3. Saw the world outside of my looking. Gazed upon the eyes of its soul. Held the hopes and fears of tomorrow, found the pieces making a whole. Refrain.
4. Took a step outside of my walking. Found within a beat that we share. Walked with you the length of a lifetime, and made of life a living prayer. Refrain.
| Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786 |
Benediction
Postlude Blessed Assurance P. Knapp, arr. K. Roth
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
Come to Virtual Coffee Hour!! Zoom link — Join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761
Mission & Service Wednesdays: 3rd Wed of the Month, 7pm
Each month join for a special interactive exploration of our faith in action. On Feb 16th, come learn about our partnership with the Kentucky Council of Churches and the public advocacy at the national and Kentucky legislative level. Our own Rev. Kent is the chair of the Justice and Advocacy Commission of the KCC. He will engage us in a conversation about Christian advocacy and how we can put our prayers into action to help others. Join us on Zoom, 7pm this Wednesday. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85764241129?pwd=UWJhd21SeFJlWkxzZG14WXZHaTdKUT09
OUR FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLES:
“Union Church welcomes all followers of Christ and works with all who work with Him; respecting each person’s conscience; working by love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”
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 Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland; and our brothers and sisters at Big Hill Pentecostal Holiness Church in our hearts, and pray for them. Please hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week.
¨ All those seeking a new and just society and those fearful that they will be supplanted, may God open their hearts and include them in grace.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton, Laura Robie, Tom & Dorie Hubbard, Betty Wray, Sally Zimmerman
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Those affected by the Covid-19 virus, their families and friends living with fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, may God bring peace to all who love them; and our wider community as we cope with the new realities of living, including the now over 13,000 Kentucky residents, and 222 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
¨ George Hardman, Joan English’s dad, recovering from surgery.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
¨ Birthdays: Today, Feb.13 –Ben Livingston; 14 – Greg Lakes; 17 – Grace McKenzie; 18 – Lorilyn Howie-Kipphut
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