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

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

July 14, 2019          10:30 am

 
 
Meditation
Said one oyster to a neighboring oyster, “I have a very great pain within me. It is heavy and round and I am in distress.” And the other oyster replied with haughty complacence,“ Praise be to the heavens and to the sea, I have no pain within me. I am well and whole both within and without.”
At that moment a crab was passing by and heard the two oysters, and he said to the one who was well and whole both within and without, “Yes, you are well and whole; but the pain that your neighbor bears is a pearl of exceeding beauty.”         —Kahlil Gibran, The Pearl

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 

The Call   from Psalm 82
Among the many clamoring voices in my being speaks One, still and small.
How long will you consort with the wicked?
Instead save the weak and the orphan defend the humble and the needy
Rescue the sick and the poor and deliver them from the Powers of the world.
Help the ones who go about in darkness.
Shake things up! for you have more power than you like to think.
You are a child of the Most High.  And you are here but a little while.
¨  Hymn #70 Black  God Is Here! As We Your People Meet Abbot’s Leigh
¨  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 Rejoice, Be Glad in the Lord  Robert Leaf
Union Church Summer Choir
O come, let us sing to the Lord. O come with thanksgiving, before God rejoice, be glad in the Lord. O come, let us worship our God. Let all who will serve our Creator rejoice, be glad in the Lord. Rejoice and be glad, for great is our God, Creator, Lord, and Helper. The glory of God is revealed. The earth and the sea and the heavens all sing: all glory to God! God is our Shepherd and Lord. Through all kingdoms, God’s praises shall ring. All glory to God! Rejoice and be glad, for great is our God.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson  Amos 7:1-17 (p. 1076)
Amos is summoned by God to speak words of harsh judgment to Israel.
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 welcome to return to their seats. 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 Luke 10:25-37(p. 1247)
A man walks up to Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life. In response, Jesus tells the story of the Samaritan who showed active mercy for a man in desperate need.
Sermon Sand in the Oyster Rev. Nate Craddock

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

One: God be with you!
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise!
Communion Prayer
One: We gather around this table to reclaim our memories and to risk ourselves in a journey of costly love.
One:      We are invited to pause and then to seek for ourselves Jesus’ clarity of vision and passionate resolve, to feel for ourselves the Spirit’s ever-present offering of life, and find in ourselves a remembrance and a readiness to work toward a world restored.
One: Who is welcome here? All who seek and serve the love of God, all who hunger and thirst for righteousness, all who are weary and long for strength in a struggle for justice and  who yearn for peace within and without. Let us together prepare in prayer to gather at the table of blessing.
Ringing of the Peace Bell, Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
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.
Communion Prayer
It is truly right always and everywhere to praise you, Lord God our Parent, Giver of light. For you made humanity and all things in a world of glory, and taught us to live together in love forever.
And though we turned from your light and made war on one another, wasting the gifts of your creation, until we could find no way out of the darkness, but began to die, and all things cried to you for release — even then you did not destroy or forsake us.
You called Abraham and Sarah on a journey of promise, and brought Israel out of captivity; you made Moses your friend and taught him to grow in the truth.
And in due time the new star of glory appeared, scattering the shadows of death and leading us on the road to peace.
Our eyes at first were dim: we could not make him out. We wondered as he taught us the way of your peaceable kin-dom; we fled in fear when he died for us, showing the fullness of love. But you raised him again, and in his new dawn the truth shone plainly for all to see. Now we have cast down our fears; we have turned our faces full to the light.
And running together from all parts of the earth, we join in love once more, to follow his example and share his glorious life in the breaking of bread.
For this great work we sing your praises, joining our voices to the voices of those who gather throughout space and time at this endless banquet as we sing:
Communion Sanctus #793 Please join in singing, first in Spanish, then in English
Words of Institution
One: On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said —
All: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
One: After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and said —
All: “Drink of this, all of you: This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
One: Mothering God, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.
Remembering you as we come to the richness of your table, we cannot and we do not forget the rawness of the world and the cry of the poor.
We cannot take bread and forget those who are hungry.
We cannot drink and forget those who are thirsty.
Help us feed others as we are fed.
And here we remember that you have offered us not just bread, not just a cup, but your very self in a costly outpouring of love. You did this so that we may be filled and forgiven, healed, blessed, and made new again; that we might have both beauty and bread in our lives.
All: Ground us in your love that we may be strong and discerning for the journey. Bless us, as we open our hearts and hands to receive, and celebrate the goodness of the world. Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Amen.
One: And now, as Jesus taught us, we are bold to say:
Our Maker, our Father, and
Our Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
One: Holy food for a holy people: come share in the meal!
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!
Serving One Another
All who seek the love of God are welcome at this meal and are invited to freely receive from it.  We will share the elements today by intinction, dipping the bread in the cup. When invited please come to one of the stations by exiting your pew to the left and returning by the right. If it is not convenient to come forward, the elements can be brought to your seat by signaling to the usher. All the bread is gluten-free, and the chalices are filled with non-alcoholic grape juice.
Please sing when invited:
Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God, our creator, children all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let  it begin with me.
Blessing for Those Who Will Receive at Home
Members who have been designated to carry communion to those who could not be with us this morning are invited forward at this time. The elements from our meal will go with our blessing and prayers for our continued unity in the Spirit. If you would like serve by taking communion to others, you are very welcome to do so and are invited to volunteer with the Nurture and Care Board members or by contacting the pastor.
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)
Though Broken, we are made whole; lost, we are brought home; empty, we are filled with songs of gladness.
We rejoice and give thanks to you, God of reconciling hope, who has graced us with mercy, love, and gifts for healing the world. Amen.

From Here to There

¨   Hymn #539 Black Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant Servant Song
Introduction and Invitation to Membership
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward when invited. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨  Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨  Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that  you, and we, may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
¨  The Sending and Blessing
    Postlude (please be seated)
_________________________________
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 Djibouti and Somalia and our brothers and sisters at the Lighthouse 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.
¨ 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.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Edith Hansen, Nancy Hindman, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller.
¨ For those who are without homes and safe places, that we may work together for solutions.
¨ Tom Warth, recovering at home.
¨ Judy Rowell, recovering at home.
¨ The Drake family, at the death of Dick Drake. A service will be held here at Union, August 4, at 2:00 pm. Condolences may be sent to John Drake; 5 Whippoorwill Hill; Asheville; NC; 28804.
¨ Hazel Morris, recovering well at Berea Health Care Center. cards can be sent to her home, 108 Garden Gate Dr., Berea.
¨ Marie, 4-year-old great grand niece of Dorie Hubbard, being treated for cancer.
¨ Jerry Cooper and family at the death of his son-in-law, Debbie’s husband, who has died of cancer.
¨ Mary Luzader, Eef Fontanez’ mother, who had breast cancer surgery last week.
¨ Paul Smithson, recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Announcements
Today: new members welcomed! As a family of faith committed to boldly and creatively embodying the life and ministry of Jesus, we would like to join with YOU. We’d like to be a context and inspiration for your own spiritual path, and work with you to make your heart, your world, your life more peace-filled and joy-full. Today, and every second Sunday of the month, there will be an opportunity to covenant together. No prior action on your part is required, but if you have any questions at all, we’d like to help. Working together, we want to make God’s love visible and real to all.
Scribes to help our Pastor. You may see a member of the Pastoral Relations Board standing near the pastor as he greets folks on their way out of the worship service. These are scribes—their job is to note important conversations and details the pastor might forget in the activity.
If you’ve ever wanted to try handbells, summer is a great time! You don’t need to know how to read music. Come up to the bell table during the offering and we will teach you!!
Memory Keepers July 16, 7:30 pm, Wayside Room.  Memory Keepers is a support group for those caring for loved ones with memory loss. They meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 pm in the Wayside Room. For more information or resources call Doug Hindman at 582-5806 or Carla Gilbert at 985-1144.
Several in the church have asked if it is possible to write to either Jack or Pearl Marshall while they are incarcerated at the Madison County Detention Center. The best way is a new electronic email system available to prisoners. Cost of a message is $0.50 and requires that you register at https://www.smartjailmail.com. Select the Madison County Detention Center from the list, then search for “John Marshall” and “Pearl Marshall” and a request to open messaging will be sent to them. Once they accept you may send emails, photos, and (if available) limited video chat. You must buy a minimum $5 of message credits, but you can transfer a credit so Jack or Pearl can write back without incurring additional fees on their end. Inmates can have one clergy and one non-clergy visit per week. We’re trying to coordinate the non-clergy visits through the church office, so please call the office at 859-986-3725 if you want to talk about visiting.
We need a Worship Leader for August 11, and on into the fall. Sign up at the church website, union-church.org and click “Volunteer.”
Quilt Raffle — Two children’s quilts, made by Jo Wernegreen, will be raffled off! Proceeds to benefit Samuel’s Kids. Buy tickets today!
Share your Music Sunday August 11. Please contact Music Director, Bernardo Scarambone at Bernardo.Scarambone @eku.edu if you’d like to participate.
Take me out to the ballpark!  The Thrivent Member Network – Mid-America Region invites you to join us on Saturday, July 27, at the Lexington Legends Faith & Family Night. We’d love to host you as our guest for a meal, a Thrivent Action Team benefiting Habitat for Humanity in Central Kentucky, networking with Thrivent members and friends, and a great game all on the Pepsi Party Deck. Plus, stay after the game for a concert with I Am They.
What: Lexington Legends Faith & Family Night
Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark Pepsi Party Deck, 207 Legends Lane, Lexington, Kentucky
When: July 27, 2019, 5:30 p.m
We need a new Directory! Let’s help Rev. Nate out with accurate info and faces to put to names. Send a new photo and any updates to your information to office@union-church.org.  We’ll print around mid-month, for better or worse.

Regular Events Happening all Summer—you’re Invited!

Zen Meditation every weekday, 8:00 am. Join us for 20 minutes of unstructured quiet meditation in beautiful Cowan Chapel, on the Scaffold Cane Road side of the church.
Zen Teaching Mondays at 6:30 pm, Cowan Chapel. David Parks will offer Zen teaching: Meditation, Koans, Conversation, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Cowan Chapel.
Thursday Noon Bible Study. Meet with Rev. Carla in the Classroom at noon to reflect upon the Scripture for the week and issues of the day.
Fridays – Bridge Club, 1:30 pm in the Classroom. Call Doug Hindman, 582-5806 if interested.
First & Third Sundays, 1:30 pm in the Parlor ShapeNote Singers. Shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational and community singing. The notation, introduced in late 18th century England, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools.
Fourth Sundays – Learn More About the Church. Enquirers’ Class for new members, prospective members, or those just interested in learning what Union Church is about. Meet in the Classroom after the worship service.
First & Third Tuesdays Memory Keepers, 7:30 pm, Wayside Room. Memory Keepers is a support group for those caring for loved ones with memory loss. For more information or resources call Doug Hindman at 582-5806 or Carla Gilbert at 985-1144.
Fourth Tuesdays – Psalm Study, 4:00 pm, in the Classroom.