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

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

January 26, 2020   10:30 am

 
Meditation
We do not draw people to Christ by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it. ― Madeleine L’Engle

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 Bound for the Kingdom arr. B. Ingram
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
The Call Stephen Charleston
Someone out there needs you. Someone out there, out in the world around you, near or far, known or unknown, is waiting for you because, for them, you will be just the right person at the right time to make an impact in their life, an impact great or small, intentional or unintentional, but when your lives touch, even for a moment, some connection will be made that creates positive change. How do I know all of this? Because it has happened to you before and will happen again. There is always someone we are destined to reach by word or deed, at just the right moment, in just the right way. So no matter how you may think of yourself, always remember: someone out there needs you.
¨  Hymn #173 Black You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore Pescador de Hombres
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

Handbell Anthem Reflection on Holy Manna arr. S. Eithun
Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Epistle Lesson 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Paul appeals for unity in the congregation at Corinth.
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.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 4:12-23
Jesus begins his  ministry in Galilee, calling disciples to join him in his work, promising his disciples who were fishermen that he will now teach them to “fish for people.”
Sermon We, The Turned Rev. Kent Gilbert
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.

Living Prayer

A Chance for Generosity: Offering Is The Empowering of Ministry
Offering baskets will be passed and are also placed in the aisle.
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!
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.
The word repent means “to turn around and go the other way.” As you pray this morning, do so in light of God’s incredible care and grace: this is no place for condemnation, but restoration. As you meditate on turning, hold healing in focus: To what are you turning?What do you need to turn away from?What are you turning into?What help would you ask for to make the right turn?Sit and breathe in that exact strength. Turn toward all that gives you and your community health and life.
Justice & Service Corner: (Rear, Bell Side) Because Justice is what Love looks like in Public!  At this station you will find ways to learn about self and others, pray about God’s call to us, and act in loving ways to bring God’s community of Shalom wholeness into being.  Want to Learn, Pray, & Act in a deeper way? Sign up to join the new “Learn Pray Act” Spirituality Practice Team. With Rev. Kent we’ll explore issues and faithful responses to engage us all. 
Living right with God is predicated on doing right by others. This past week, the churches of Kentucky prayed especially for Mental Health Care and Disability Support. Our partnership with the Kentucky Council of Churches leads us to pray in action about several laws under consideration in Frankfort. Call 1800-372-7181 to express your views on these issues to your legislators: (Rep. Goforth, and Rep. Frazier in Berea)
HB 237: Legislation to exclude those with serious mental illness from the death penalty. This has serious bi-partisan support and with encouragement could be passed this year.
HB 213: Would allow access to Mental health services for homeless teens.
HB199: Would ban discredited “Conversion Therapies” practiced against gay and lesbian Kentuckians.
Bell Table (Front Right) :  Making a change in your life, or hoping to? Come remember the strength of water. Remind yourself of your promises and possibilities.
Prayer Corner (Front Left)  “Turn, turn, turn” is the focus today….
As We Draw Back to Our Seats, Please sing when invited: 
We shall overcome, we shall overcome, We shall overcome some day
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome some day.
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 For Everyone Born (opposite) Shirley Erena Murray
¨  The Sending and Blessing
Postlude (please be seated)    Psalm 19: The Heavens Declare B. Marcello
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 Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara, and Tunisia and our brothers and sisters at Faith Decision Baptist 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.
Announcements
Welcome to Beth Kleppinger! Beth is our guest keyboard artist this morning, substituting for Music Director Bernardo Scarambone while he is leading a work conference.
Learn more about the church today! Come One Come All! Anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members, are invited to come to the Classroom two doors past the church after worship for conversation with the Pastor.
Rev. Kent out of the office on a preaching retreat, Jan. 27-Feb. 5. Rev. Carla Gilbert will lead service on February 2, reporting on her recent experience with migrants and refugees on the Arizona-Mexico border.
Next Movie Singalong Feb. 1. A good time was had by all last week – let’s do it again! Annie (5 pm) & Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (7:15 pm) will be shown on February 1.The Community Life and Growth Board will host a double-feature (come to one or both!) of classic movie musicals to sing away the winter blues. Free admission. Cash snack bar available–or bring your own! Join us in the Union Church Community Room (hall below sanctuary)!
Potluck Feb. 5! First Wednesday-of-the-Month Potluck, 5:45 pm in the Community Room. Martina LeForce will talk to us about Berea Kids Eat, the summer program ensuring that all our kids have the opportunity to have breakfast & lunch all summer while school’s out.
Deck and Ramp Projects Made Possible: Union Church in Chicago is again coming down to Berea for a work experience. They are looking for households in need of accessibility ramps, decks to improve their homes, and other construction projects that would benefit those who could not otherwise afford the work. If you or someone you know has such a need, please contact Rev. Kent or Guy Patrick (859-986-7942) before April 19, when site evaluations will be considered.
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. PLUS if you have any photos of church life in 2019, send ‘em along. We’d love to include them.
From our Nominating Board: Its that time again! Union Church can only be the church with the excellent leadership of its members. The Nominating Board is seeking to fill positions on  all Union Church’s Boards to be elected at our Annual Meeting in March. Worship, Faith Development, Nurture and Care, Finance, Properties, Mission and Service, Adminis-tration, Community Life and Growth, and Pastoral Relations all have space for you. Job descriptions are printed in the front of our directory. Regular terms are three years, but there are many which are less due to persons unable to fill their term. Please consider where God may calling you to serve and let that be known to Carla Gilbert, Kim Kobersmith, and/or Rachel Lakes who are seeking your gifts.
Beautiful 2020 Calendars for a Donation: By a lucky accident, Jennifer Melton has extra copies of the gorgeous 2020 calendars she makes using her own photographs. She’d like to offer them to any who’d like them – for a donation to Union Church (sugg. $10). Pick up in the vestibule or in the office.
Upcoming Construction: Berea College is demolishing Kettering Hall, beginning in the next couple of weeks. Traffic and parking will be affected for the span of the demolishing and rebuilding (a year +). Use extra caution, especially when pulling in and out of the parking lot.
Save the Date & Watch for Details
Feb. 11 – Union Church Day at the Legislature.  Join Rev. Kent, and the Mission and Service Board, for a chance to Learn, Pray, and Act with our faith. We’ll join with the Kentucky Council of Churches “Prayer in Action” day opposing gun violence, then have a chance to meet with Madison County lawmakers. Our youth group will also be joining us. We will return to Berea mid-afternoon. Come learn about and participate in the conversations that affect millions!
Everyone is welcome to attend all the Prayer in Action Days, held on Tuesdays through March. See next page for topics to be considered.