A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany 10:30 am
Meditation
We tried yelling at each other, it hasn’t worked so well throwing gas on fire, never helped as far as I can tell throwing stones cut deep, a little kindness goes deeper still.
— Carrie Newcomer, A Simple Change of Heart
From There to Here: We Gather
Gathering Music
Welcome
The Call
One: Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice.
One: Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter her heart. Because she has given up helping, she is people’s greatest help. True words seem paradoxical.
One: We are one, even though we are scattered. God is present even when we are not. Let us worship this day in wonder, in strength, and in peace. May peace be with you all from us, and from those around our virtual community!
Passing of the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Lighting the Justice Candle
The Justice Candle is lit today in honor of Jean Cahn who, in 1964, with her husband Edgar wrote an essay in the Yale Law Journal “The War on Poverty: A Civilian Perspective” that laid out the moral argument for legal representation for the poor. After reading the article, Sargent Shriver hired Jean to set up legal services as a part of Johnson’s War on Poverty. Cahn traveled the country the summer of 1964 winning approval of the conservative state bar associations. Her actions lead to creation of the Legal Services Corporation, a federally funded program to promote equal access to justice in our Nation and to provide high quality civil legal assistance to low-income persons.
The program not only provided legal services to people who would not have had access to the nation’s courts but also created critical employment opportunities for minority lawyers. By 1967 the Office of Economic Opportunity was spending over $40 million on legal services for the poor.
The Living Word Among Us
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
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 Kim Kobersmith, Reader
Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
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 6:27-38
‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.* Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’
Sermon Measure for Measure 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 Swing Low, trad. Union Church Orchestra
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
Dear Guardian of our Hearts and Lord of all life, we confess we are quick to pray for self and some, but slow to bless those whom we would rather curse. So this day we pray “help” for ourselves, and “righteousness” for our enemies: Help us see the Godly in all, no matter how small we perceive it; Help us heal our own wounds that we not wound others from our pain; Help us be sheltered from the ravages of enemies within and without who seek to damage that which you love. For those who oppose us, who confront us, who make our lives terrible: give them what will heal them of harming self or others. Give to them also your daily bread, that out of sufficiency charity might grow a deep root. And grant to us all the courage, the will, the wily, subversive faith of Jesus to resist evil with good, and to stop cycles of violence all our power. We are weak in this, O Lord, but we are strong in you. Lend us your blessing that we might learn to be a blessing to others.
We pray this in the name of Jesus our brother, who taught us to reach to you as…
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 Your Ways Are Not Our Own Schumann
1. Your ways are not our own, O gracious God most high, yet we would follow in your paths and on your love rely.
2. Christ reaches us to bless the ones who curse and harm, to turn the other cheek when struck, attackers to disarm.
3. Yet, we cannot excuse abuse in any form, for all are children of your care, and love must be our norm.
4. How shall we show your love, your pardon to believe? You bid us share as we are blessed and give as we receive.
5. Forgiveness is our joy, receiving, giving, too. Keep us from judgements hare and cruel, that we might dwell with you.
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Benediction
Postlude
Come to Virtual Coffee Hour!! Zoom link — Join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761
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 France, Germany, and Monaco; and our brothers and sisters at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 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 13,500 Kentucky residents, and 245 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
¨ Raymond Binkley, Betty Wray’s brother, aged 94, and in ill health.
”Anita Marshall, with health concerns
¨ George Hardman, Joan English’s dad, hospitalized with a nasty post-surgical infection.
¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
¨ Birthdays: Feb. 21 – Rhonda Cardwell; 23 – Steve Boyce; 24 – Heather Hammond, 26 – Triss Holland
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