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

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 18, 2016

10:30 am

Meditation
“Being prophetic is a matter of speaking truth to power, but it is much more than that. It is also a matter of speaking truth to suffering, to weakness, to laziness, and to failure to take responsibility. The list does not stop there. Of course, it is also a ‘speaking’ that involves acting and engaging those with whom one is in contention.”     —Dwight M. Lundgren

From there to Here

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     Orphan Girl   Callie and Louie Northern
*  Call to Worship
One:     When our tears are many and our joys are few:
All:      We gather to hold on.
One:     When we have forgotten or never known the way:
All:      We gather to learn and learn again.
One:     When the world comes broken:
All:      We come to heal.
One:     Friends, we gather as we are with the world as it is to remember and replenish ourselves with healing balm. Let us worship in truth the one who is our hope.
*  Opening Hymn #542      Born of God, Eternal Savior   Weisse Flaggen
*  Prayer of Approach and Confession
One:     Before we speak, God knows our needs, yet our words open our hearts to God’s grace. Let us prepare ourselves for God’s healing as, in words and silence, we  tell of all that separates us from God and one another. Please join me as we pray:
All:     Foremost of all, Everlasting God, we must confess how we have not lived as your people. We serve many masters – work, wealth, power, addictions – yet find no hope in them. We hear the cries of the poor, and shut the doors of our hearts to them. We ridicule those who expose their hopes and dreams to us. See our brokenness and hear our cry for change.
One:     Forgive us, Compassion’s Heart, and heal us of our brokenness. Make us well,  so that by our healing, we might be the hope and love others need in their lives, even as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, brought these gifts to us, calling us    to be faithful with the grace, peace, and joy entrusted to us.
[Silence is kept]
*  Words of Assurance
One:     In order now to let go of pain, bitterness, and the anger of our lives, let us be kind, tender-hearted, and gentle towards each other, forgiving as God has forgiven us.
All:      Released and healed we are saved. Thanks be to God!
*  Passing the Peace of Jesus 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 joy.

The Word in our Midst

Anthem    Blessed Are They Who Walk in the Pathways of Peace          Beall, Carter
Union Church Choir
Blessed are they who walk in the pathways of peace. Their fruit of the Spirit is found in the pathways of peace. Blessed are they who cry for peace. Blessed are hearts that sigh for peace. Blessed are they who trust in the promise of peace. The joy of the Spirit is rich with the promise of peace. Blessed are they who strive for peace.
Blessed are hearts alive for peace. They shall be called God’s children; they shall be called God’s own. They shall reign in God’s kingdom with peace as the cornerstone. Blessed are they who sing out the gospel of peace.
The power of the Spirit will bring out the gospel of peace. Blessed are they who dare for peace. Blessed are hearts in prayer for peace. Blessed are they who sing out the gospel of peace.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson                      Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
The prophet recounts the lament of God and the plight of the people.
Hymn #553           There Is a Balm in Gilead       Balm in Gilead
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, or are welcome return to their seats or visit the Children’s Worship Center, where there are 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 off the Community Room.
Gospel Lesson                  Luke 16:1-13
Jesus tells a parable of a dishonest steward who is nevertheless commended by his master.
Sermon              “Busted!”   Rev. Kent Gilbert

Gifts Given For Love to Flow

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 to those in need via many external agencies.
This can now be done online or by text to  859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular.)
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offertory  Come Thou Fount Callie and Louie Northern
*  Doxology             Avery/Marsh

Praying it Forward

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.
Silent Prayers and Prayers for the Community
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

* Closing Hymn#498         Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love      Chereponi
* Benediction & Sending Forth
Postlude (please  be  seated)       Toccata in G   L. Smith
 
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 the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia and our brothers and sisters at Berea United Methodist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.
Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:
¨ Sune Frederiksen’s 91-year old aunt, Bitten Jensen in Niagara-on-the Lake, Canada, as she is getting closer to departing this life.
¨ John Belanger’s father, gravely ill with heart issues.
¨ Teri VanPelt, recovering from oral surgery.
¨ Kim Kobersmith and her family, at the loss of her grandmother, Idamay Betty.
¨ Shayne Confer, at the death of his father, in Pittsburgh, PA.
¨ Loriel Warren and family at the death of her father.
¨ Loretta Mountjoy, in rehab after heart valve replacement surgery.
¨ Gary Dillon, undergoing chemo for lung cancer.
¨ Toby Wilcher, recovering from broken bones at home, and for Shane Wilcher, recovering from knee surgery.
Need your flu shot? RiteAid will offer flu shots here at church today & next week, (Sept. 18 & 25) right after worship.  12-4, in the Classroom. They will bring insurance forms with them. $20 if not covered.
Next week Fourth Sunday New Membership Info: Come One Come All!  Each fourth Sunday of the Month anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the Conference Room (note one-time change) two doors past the church after worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board.
New members will be received each Second Sunday of the month at the close of worship.
Welcome to our Newest Members! These folks joined last week!

• Betsy Whaley & David Jones and Julia Whaley Jones
• Stephanie Runyan
• Elizabeht Barrett
• Cheryl Moorhead Stone
• Kiyah Ann Moore
• Miriam Pride

New Sunday morning class, 9:30am in the 2nd floor Classroom.  Come join class leaders Amy Williams, Kevin Burke, and Betsy Whaley for an exploration of each week’s Scriptures that the pastors use to preach. No prep necessary — come as you are!
Children’s Church for our youngest family members. Children’s Church is open to children from K-5th grade. Younger children are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult.  This year, Children’s Church is using the “Joyful Path” spiritual curriculum, which focuses on teaching children to: ask questions and be curious; stay focused and calm to discover divine energy; use scriptural examples to solve practical problems; find the divine around them; and to be heroes in their own lives by modeling bravery, peace and justice.
Bloodmobile Tuesday, in the Community Room! Bring ID.
Flying Solo, our Widows’ Group, meets monthly for widows/widowers. Those grieving a divorce are also welcome. If you are interested, you are invited to contact Debbonnaire Kovacs 859-779-0793.  The group will meet Sept. 20 and the third Tuesday of each month, at 1 pm, in the Wayside Room.
September 20, Explore the Psalms, 4 pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. Conference Room this week only, then Classroom:  The Psalms have guided the work and prayer of people in all manner of situations, from desperation to exaltation, from religious ritual to personal searching for life’s meaning.  So we will come to these as a way of prayer, and to that end we will read and consider and listen to them speak to us individually and collectively.
Wednesday Nite Live Sept. 21! Third Wednesdays of the month the program is SINGING! Don’t miss it, see calendar for WNL schedule.
LBGTQIA Safe Space gathering for sharing and support. Wednesday Sept. 21, 7:00 pm, Wayside Room. This is not a religious group, but a general support group. The group meets every 1st and 3rd Weds.
The Berea Classic Chorale starts Monday! Berea Classic Chorale, under the direction of Larry K. Brandenburg, begins its new season with an open rehearsal on Monday, Sept. 19, at 7 pm in the Choir Room. New singers are strongly encouraged to sit in with current members of the Chorale as we begin to explore the music for our Winter concert.  Dues for the Fall semester are $30, which covers the cost of music.
Rehearsals will continue each Monday evening until our early Dec. performance.
The concert music includes “Carols and Lullabies of the Southwest”  (traditional Spanish carols), a contemporary setting of the “Magnificat,” and a set of original carols by John Rutter.
For further information contact Larry at brandenburg_40403@roadrunner.com .
Also see the Chorale’s website at bereaclassicchorale.org
Kids’ gymnastics, hosted by the Folk Circle Association. If you and your kids are interested in some fun, active general gymnastics at Russel Acton Folk Center on Mondays and Wednesdays please feel free to contact Sune Frederiksen at 248-0690. A great way of activating your kids’ motor skills in a safe environment. Check out www.berea-folk-circle.org and see what we have to offer.
Fall Mountain Folk Festival September 23-25.  The Folk Circle Association of Berea will host the annual at Russell Acton Folk Center. This will be a wonderful weekend of lots of superb music and dancing with festive folky folks from our congregation including  Al and Alice White, Howard Carlberg and Hazel Jodock and many more. Schedule and registration form at www.berea-folk-circle.org. Come and join the fun.
October 4: Interfaith Moral Revival service with Dr. William J Barber II, Dr. James Forbes, Dr. Traci Blackmon, Sister Simone Campbell and local impacted persons and faith leaders and choirs. Not to be missed! St. Stephen’s Baptist Church, Louisville, KY. Let’s make a church pilgrimage and go together!
October 7: The Global Human Project will host the 2nd Annual “Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Migration Simulation,” a unique and dynamic learning experience providing a powerful glimpse into what many refugees and migrants endure when fleeing from their homes and living in a refugee camp. A church excursion is being planned to attend this 2 hour event in Louisville.
Friends, it is with great joy that the Faith Development Board introduces you to our new Nursery Care Team!  Martina Leforce and Hope Tarter will be with us in the nursery on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings to help care for our smallest disciples.
Martina studied Child and Family Studies at Berea College, and recently spearheaded the Berea Summer Food Service Project through Grow Appalachia. You may also know her from the Berea Farmer’s Market, Sustainable Berea, or Berea Coffee and Tea.  She loves kids and finding interesting ways to teach them. Martina has a son, Leif, and three amazing nieces that you might see with her or her mother, Linda Leforce.
Hope surrounds herself with children as much as possible. She works both as a caretaker in the 3 year-old class at Bright Beginnings Daycare and as a nanny to a family in Richmond. Hope is a student at Eastern Kentucky University and is the daughter of Patty Tarter and niece of Susie Ritchie.
We will have a Meet and Greet in the Nursery next Sunday, September 25^th, at 10am.  Come visit with Hope and Martina and hear about the fun stuff they’ve got planned for our kids!
Please help us welcome Hope and Martina with big smiles and lots of gratitude when you see them.  They are fantastic!