A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Trinity Sunday 10:30 am
Meditation
The Three in One, and One in Three, Of Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord. ~ St. Patrick’s “Breastplate” Prayer
From There to Here: We Gather
Prelude
Welcome
¨ Call To Worship Sune Frederiksen, Reader
One: Holy is the God of All Creation!
All: We live by the grace of God’s hand.
One: Holy is the Christ who mends the broken and redeems the world.
All: We move by faith in him with acts of justice and joy.
One: Holy is the Spirit that reveals the coming kingdom.
All: We breathe the gifts of Pentecost and are sent scurrying before the wind of God.
One: Holy, Holy, Holy! We gather to know the Three-In-One, God in community. Let us worship in Spirit and Truth!
¨ Hymn # 277 Holy, Holy, Holy Nicaea
- Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning we praise your majesty. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
- Holy, holy, holy! Saints adore you truly, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim bow before you only, from the beginning, God eternally.
- Holy, holy, holy! Though we know but dimly, though the eyes of humankind your glory may not see, you alone are holy, you alone are worthy, perfect in power, in love and purity.
- Holy, holy, holy! God the Almighty! All your works shall praise your name in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
¨ 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.
Word and Worship
Anthem Beautiful Jesus
Holly Creek: David Duffee, Debbonnaire Kovacs, Susie Ritchie, Robert Rorrer
Scripture Reading Isaiah 6:1-8
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
Children’s Moment as the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s blessings 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.
Scripture Reading John 3:1-17
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Sermon Tongues on Fire Rev. Kent Gilbert
Video Reflection
Living Prayer
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.
Offertory Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Holly Creek: David Duffee, Debbonnaire Kovacs, Susie Ritchie, Robert Rorrer
¨ Doxology Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host: Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost! Amen.
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
A community of caring relies on support. Your recurring or one-time donation will make a ministry of healing, justice, and teaching available to all in need.
¨ Use your smart phone or computer and go to www.easytithe.com/union. No registration required, but registering once makes future generosity simply an amount and a click.
¨ Baskets for checks or cash are located at the head of each aisle for those who wish to make an in-person donation.
¨ Give by Text. Text an amount to 859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering”)
¨ Give by Mail to: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Prayers of the Community Sune Frederiksen, Reader
In division we immerse in your wholeness. When fractured, we rely on the power of Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit to heal and guide body and soul. Knit together the brokenness of our world as you would knit together healing bones. In our diversity, make us one in the work of including the gifts of all. Created in your image in every color, shape and size, help your people not fail our unity nor your call to love. Keep us sound of body, mind, and spirit, united in love greater than division; united in your holy work more powerful than any brokenness.
This we pray in the name of the risen Christ 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 #273 Praise with Joy the World’s Creator Lauda Anima
- Praise with joy the world’s creator, God of justice, love and peace, source and end of human knowledge, grace bestowing without cease. Celebrate the Maker’s glory, power to rescue and release.
- Praise the Christ who feeds the hungry, frees the captive, finds the lost, heals the sick, upsets religion, fearless both of fate and cost. Celebrate Christ’s constant presence – Friend and Stranger, Guest and Host.
- Praise the Spirit sent among us liberating truth from pride, forging bonds where race or gender, age or nation dare divide. Celebrate the Spirit’s treasure – foolishness none dare deride.
- Praise the Maker, Christ and Spirit, one God in Community, calling Christians to embody oneness and diversity. Thus the world shall yet believe when shown Christ’s vibrant unity.
Community Connections
Announcements
We share opportunities for Beloved Community and ways to serve. Please see the listing of church & community events, prayers, and notices in the pages following the service.
Lighting the Justice Candle to Lead us Forth
Memorial Day and Deborah Denenfeld Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation’s foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. Begun in the aftermath of the American Civil War, it was formalized by Army Commander John A. Logan in 1868. The day of remembrance was later expanded to honor the dead from all U.S. wars. The modern proclamation adopted in 2000 calls on Americans “to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.”
Often neglected in our remembrances are the many thousands of war veterans who survived their wars, but who often suffer lifelong physical and psychological damage. Their war trauma lingers, damaging both the veterans and their loved ones. Today we honor Deborah Denenfeld, founder and leader of Dancing Well: The Soldier Project in Louisville, Kentucky. Ms. Denenfeld developed Dancing Well in a collaboration with Army psychiatrist Edwin O. Walker to develop and implement a dance series specifically attuned to the needs of soldiers with PTSD and/or brain injury. We honor and celebrate the healing power of community dance and Deborah’s therapeutic work on behalf of our too-often neglected war veterans.
¨ Benediction The God of Second Chances David Haas
Those who are able & willing are invited to fill the aisles as we sing the Benediction Response together. If you’re at home or in the balcony, you are part of the embrace too. The embrace is as wide as God’s love!
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
Our Prayers for Others
¨ 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 (World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer cycle: union-church.org/ministries/prayer) Let us hold the people of Angola and Mozambique and our brothers and sisters at First Faith Independent Church in our hearts, and pray for them today and throughout the week.
¨ All the people of Ukraine for their safety and sovereignty. Prayers also that the government of Russia will turn to reason & respect for their own peoples’ lives as well as for Ukrainian families.
¨ All those affected by the devastating losses in the current conflict in the Middle East.
¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Jan Hamilton, Betsy Hoefer, Dorie Hubbard, Lois Morgan, Sara Parker, Cheryl Payne, Alva Peloquin, Laura Robie.
¨ All those suffering from mental strain, trauma, and disease: may God soothe and heal all who are troubled.
¨ Members and Friends who need safer housing and income security.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Barb Taylor, recovering well at home from a stroke.
¨ NoraRuth Jenkins, recovering from two recent surgeries.
¨ David, a friend of Claudia Munson-Schrumpf, struggling with a rare autoimmune condition.
¨ Debby Gray, recovering from emergency surgery. MealTrain: mealtrain.com/trains/k0yrvr
¨ For all those caring for others in their illnesses and needs: may God give them both strength and encourage-ment in this work of costly love.
¨ Erikke Meadows’ mom, Prudy Meadows, who has COPD and is a possible lung begun cancer diagnosis.
¨ Lance, grandson of John and Peggy Coyne recovering from a severe COVID infection.
¨ Rev. David Jones and all the family, at the death of his mother, Norma Jones, of dementia and COPD, on May 15.
¨ Mim and Margie Pride, and all the family, at the passing of Sally Zimmerman, on May 15.
¨ The Guild family as Will continues his struggle with brain cancer and stroke.
¨ The Doring-Zook family. Susan’s uncle Don, has had a heart attack and complications. Memorial arrangements are pending at this time, but we surround them all with God’s love in prayers for their comfort. The family has had several hard losses recently.
¨ The family of Rev. Tony White, Rev. Joe White’s father and long-time colleague of the ministers in and around Berea. He died on May 23 at home surrounded by family after a long illness. May comfort be theirs and well-deserved rest be his.
¨ Celebrations with Prayers of Joy!
Birthdays: Today, May 26 – Carter Brownrobie; 28 – Hazel Morris, Leslie Campbell; 29 – Maggie Park; 30 – David Vaughn; 31 – Sean Perry; June 1 – Dottie Lovell, Reid Livingston; 2 – Jane Mecham
Anniversaries: June 1 – Matthew Saderholm & Angela Anderson
If we haven’t got your important dates, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOne Go!
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