January 17, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns
A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 17, 2021 10:30 am
Meditation
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. — Martin Luther King, Jr.
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 Letter from the Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King, Jr. Steve Gowler, Reader
Passing the Peace at Home
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Today we light the Justice Candle in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose life and passion for justice we commemorate tomorrow, and the Carter G. Woodson Center here at Berea College, directed by Dr. Jessica D. Klanderud, whose goal is to build coalitions for anti-racism in the wider area of Central and Eastern Kentucky.
The Living Word Among Us
Special Music Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Heir (We Are Here), BWV731 arr. Kastner Union Church Handbell Ensemble
Hebrew Scripture Lesson 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Jeff Pool, Reader
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.” Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”
As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.
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 1:43-51 Laurinda Pool, Reader
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
Sermon Bending the Arc Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
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Offering Music
Silent Reflection and Prayer
If the outer world of our temporal affairs is disordered and chaotic, how important it is for our spiritual center, the loving core of our souls to be grounded in all that is strong and good. Meditate with me now, or in a quiet moment later today and let yourself center on what Love demands and how God’s love changes us: like Nathaniel, let us “come and see” and bear vocal witness to what is good coming from unexpected places, even ourselves. Breathe. Center on God’s unerring embrace, and then let us lean into the needs: let us bend the arc of our lives toward justice and wholeness, with every breath.
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 Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen and our brothers and sisters at Calvary Apostolic Church 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.
¨ 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.
¨ Jeff Hutton’s sister, and all the family, at the sudden death of her husband, Ed Rosenfield.
¨ George Hardman, and all the family, at the death of Elsie Hardman, Joan English’s mom, on Sunday, January 10.
¨ 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 thirty-five Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
Prayers of the People Teresa Gowler, Reader
Join me as we offer this prayer from an anonymous Indonesian author who reminds us to listen in the silence, to come and see what surrounds us. Hear these words:
In the depth of Silence No words are needed, No language required. In the depth of Silence I am called to listen. Listen to the beating of your heart. Listen to the blowing of the wind, The movement of the spirit. Be silenced, said the Lord, And know that I am God.
And listen to The Cry of the voiceless. Listen to the groaning of the hungry. Listen to the pain of the landless. Listen to the side of the oppressed And to the laughter of children.
For that is authentic communication; Listening to people Living with people Dying for people.
Lord, help us listen with the ears of our heart, and 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
Singing Together You Have Come down to the Lakeshore Pescador de hombres Larry Brandenburg, singer
Tú has venido a la orilla, no has buscado ni a sabios, ni a ricos, tan sólo quires que yo te siga.
Estribillo (Refrain): Jesus, me has mirado a los ojos; sonriendo has dicho mi nombre; en la arena he dejado mi barca; junto a ti buscaré otro mar.
You know full well my possessions, neither treasure or weapons for conquest, just these my fishnets and will for working.
Refrain: O Jesus, you have looked into my eyes; kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name. On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you I will seek other seas.
You need my hands and exhaustion, working love for the rest of the weary—A love that’s willing to go on loving. Refrain.
You who have fished other waters; you, the longing of souls that are yearning: as loving Friend, you have come to call me. Refrain.
The Sending & Blessing
Postlude Wade in the Water trad. Kathy Bullock, piano and vocal
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
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