December 13, 2020, Third Sunday of Advent, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Third Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2020 10:30 am 

Meditation

Finding our creative work, alongside other called people, is the foundation of joy. Playing the music and writing the poems that linger in our longing; making beautiful images, tasty food, good friends; organizing a caring response to a need that touches our own pain and yearning; taking our lives seriously and nurturing the gift that is being born through each of us–these are some of the ways God makes a joyful noise through our lives. —Kayla McClurg, “Waiting for the Light” 

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.

Hymn We Hail You, God’s Anointed EllacombeSteve Bolster; singer

1. We hail you, God’s anointed, the long-awaited One!  Hail in the time appointed Your reign on earth begun. You come to break oppression, To set the captive free, to take away transgression and rule in equity.

2. You shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth; and joy and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth. Before you, on the mountains shall peace, the herald, go, and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

3. The wise shall bow before you and gold and incense bring; all nations shall adore you, and praise all people sing; to you shall prayer unceasing and daily vows be said, your kingdom still increasing with you, O Christ, as head.

4. O’er every foe victorious, you on your throne shall rest; from age to age more glorious, all blessing and all-blessed: the tide of time shall never your covenant remove; your name shall stand forever, your changeless name of Love.

Lighting the Advent Wreath Aly Nurre, Reader

The Advent Wreath tradition reaches back to pre-Christian northern Europeans who lit candles awaiting the winter solstice. By the 1500s, both Lutherans and Catholics had adapted the Advent Wreath as a devotional way to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Each week as we wait through Advent, we light a new candle representing an aspect of the light God intends for all people. This Sunday the candle of Joy is lit.  

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

We light the justice candle to honor the thirty plus years that the staff and volunteers of Hospice Care Plus have  been serving families in Lee, Owsley, Jackson, Madison, Rockcastle and Estill counties who are nearing the end of life.

The Living Word Among Us    

Special Music Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. Larry Sue

Steve Bolster, Maria Hartz, Laura Nagle; Handbells

Hebrew Scripture Lesson  Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11 Karl Holland, Reader

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,  and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion – to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice,  I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

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              John 1:6-8, 19-28 Carla Gilbert, Reader

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,“Make straight the way of the Lord,” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Sermon                    Love Demands Joy 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.

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Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offering Music

Silent Reflection and Prayer  

Today for our prayer in action, the hope is to connect to deep joy and imbue it with holy intent. So instead praying for an action, let your actions be your prayer this week. Take note of when you are joyful, when you see joy, when you lack it, when you long for it in others. Sanctify your joyful actions with a moment of relish and thanksgiving. They may be fleeting moments; Joy may come only as a glimpse, something you see in a flash between the daily obstacles. Nevertheless, hold the sight of it dear and ready to ignite you should it appear again. When you participate in joy, feel it rising or receive it from another. Do not take it for granted. Give a nod to the light of such hope and peace that Joy brings, and offer your light for the kindling.

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 Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam; and our brothers and sisters at Dreyfus Church of Christ 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.

¨ Hazel Morris, at the death of her sister-in-law.

¨ The Eschbach, Pride and Zimmerman families at Marilla Eschbach’s death.

¨ Susie Ritchie, Patty Tarter, Judy Hudson and all the family at Jon Pickow’s death.

¨ Healing prayers for Lorraine Chavez, received online.

¨ Robert Rorrer, undergoing medical tests.

¨ BG Hibbard, at the loss of her brother, Carl Hensley.

¨ Sharona Nelson’s daughter, Melinda, who is having medical difficulties

¨ 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

¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.

¨ 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 2000 Kentucky residents, and twenty Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Prayers of the People John Payne, Reader

Come upon us, Lord, and bring your spirit of joy and liberation. We place our hopes in you and find our peace there. Your love calls joy out of trial, elation out of endurance. Prepare us for all that lies ahead, Lord, and make us ready to receive again your child of promise and delight. This we ask in the name of the one who taught us to pray…

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

As our service draws to a close you’re invited to put some of your favorite hymns or carols in the chat and response boxes. Maria Hartz will start us off! After 2 or 3 of those, please join me for a zoom coffee hour! We’d love to have some real-time interaction. Pop in if you are able. We’re putting the links in the chat and comment boxes now.

Benediction

Singing Together O Come All Ye Faithful Veni Emmanuel Maria Hartz singer

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels; Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, Glory in the highest….

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning: Jesus, to thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing….

Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes, Venite, venite in Bethlehem. Natum videte, Regem Angelorum; Venite adoremus, venite adoremus, venite adoremus Dominum.

OUR FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLES:

“Union Church welcomes all followers of Christ and works with all who work with Him; respecting each person’s conscience; working by love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”

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

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