Sunday, November 15, 2020, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

November 15, 2020 10:30 am 

Meditation

“An eagerness and readiness to love is the ultimate freedom and future.” –Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ

From There to Here: We Gather

Welcome

As the Berea community responds to the governor’s suggestion to avoid gathering in large groups, we worship online to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19. We’re delighted to welcome you into this virtual circle of God’s healing love and light.

The Call Pied Beauty Gerard Manley Hopkins Triss Holland, Reader 

Glory be to God for dappled things – For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough; And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim. All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) With swift, slow; sweet, sour; a-dazzle, dim; He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change: Praise him.

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

Today we light the Justice Candle in honor of our own Betty Wray. Betty has served on many Union Church Boards, and was involved with Woman’s Industrial for many years. She was president of the Berea League of Women Voters, which did a thorough study of elementary and secondary education in Berea. This study eventually lead to the “birth “ of the Berea Community School system, for which we are all grateful. Betty celebrated her 95th birthday last Wednesday with a drive-by celebration. Thank you, Betty, for your long service to the Berea community, and to Union Church!

The Living Word Among Us    

Special Music Song of Yearning Henry Tolhurst Caroline Geyer, cello; Carlie Geyer, violin

Hebrew Scripture Lesson  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Bob Boyce, Reader

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

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  Matthew 25:14-30 Kim Kobersmith, Reader

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Sermon                     Deeply Invested Rev. Kent Gilbert

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.

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”)

Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offering Music

Silent Reflection and Prayer

Take a minute to consider what you are deeply invested in. Try to listen below what you THINK you should be invested in, and what people SAY you should be invested in and see if you can get clear about where you are truly attached.

· Where do you spend your time?

· Your great love? Your money?

· As you sit in the presence of God, what’s the state of your “portfolio?”

· Do you need to adjust your mix?

As you pray ask for the help you need to be invested in God’s creation, Christ’s love, the Spirit’s unfolding vision. How can you take the first steps to put more of your talents there?

Our Prayers for Others

You are very welcome to email or phone prayer requests to the office for the bulletin. Please do so by 10 am Thursdays, and be sure you have permission to share the information.

¨ 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 Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand; and our brothers and sisters at Berea Friends Meeting 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.

¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.

¨ Linda Parsons, and all the family, at the death of her grandson, Lucas Parsons, age 10.

¨ Sean Mack’s family, at the death of his grandma, Jean Marie Mack.

¨ Jo Wernegreen, who has broken her femur.

¨ Ashley Hammond,  recovering from ankle surgery.

¨ Tom Hubbard, who is recently home from the hospital.

¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Barb Smith, Jan Hamilton.

¨ 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  over 1000 Kentucky residents, and fourteen Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Prayers of the People Eef Fontanez, Reader

Dear God you have made us both shrewd and generous; both wise and foolhardy, yet you invest in us all the riches of your divine heart. So help us be more generous and wise and less prone to miserly offerings to others. Help us stand up to wrong and not bury our talents for “good trouble.” We have been shrewd for our selfish interests and stingy with the common good. Flip the narrative and help us change our ways: may we be known for  extravagant care and generosity of your good news! May we invest in others and grow grace until it lifts us all. The life and ministry of your Son, our brother, Jesus shows us what love demands. Help us steward our hearts as well as our bank accounts in his service. 
In his generosity, Jesus taught us to reach to you in prayer every day 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 Oh Day of God, Draw Near

1. O day of God, draw near in beauty and in power;  come with thy timeless judgment now to match our present hour.

2. Bring to our troubled minds, uncertain and afraid, the quiet of a steadfast faith, calm of a call obeyed.

3. Bring justice to our land, that all may dwell secure, and finely build for days to come foundations that endure.

4. Bring to our world of strife thy sovereign word of peace, that war may haunt the earth no more, and desolation cease.

5. O day of God, draw near as at creation’s birth; let there be light again, and set thy judgments on the earth.

The Sending and Blessing

Postlude

Come to Coffee Hour after worship! Let’s visit a bit!!  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761?pwd=aU5QcGt3RnRrVGRCZkZlWnFHRU9PQT09