Sunday, February 21, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

First Sunday of Lent

February 21, 2021 10:30 am 

Meditation

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. — Maya Angelou

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.

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Vessels, holy and whole; Broken, needing the One; Open, body and soul; Healer, come.

(OneLicense #A-723786)

The Call

Those who collect beach glass often become “archeologists”–seeking out any markings or clues as to the story of the original piece. It often takes much time to bring out the truth behind it. This week we acknowledge the power of truth-telling as a healing property. There are stories that have shaped our lives, leaving us without the ability to see who we truly are in the eyes of God and leaving us without the ability to speak the depth of our stories of struggle. We focus on the importance of recovery of mental health, reclaiming our sense of who we are and being able to proclaim new redemptive stories of divine worth.

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Let us acknowledge our need to restore, repair, renew our Holy Vessels, and that the health of our minds deeply affects our physical and spiritual health.

Let us pray: Centering and Calming Divine Breath of God, You gifted us with amazing minds, capable of so many things. You gave us the ability to think and feel, imbuing us with discernment of thought and emotion. Like our physical bodies, sometimes this aspect of our selves is beleaguered.  We struggle under the strain of disappointment, despair, and delusion. Too often we hide this, afraid of what others might think of our difficulties in managing or  moving forward, even in the face of devastating circumstances. Too often we perpetuate the stigma of a less-than-perfect state of mind by shaming ourselves and others. Millennia of misunderstanding compounds our fear. We label and belittle, all the while turning the hatred upon ourselves, for no one is immune from troubles of the mind at some point. So many are suffering now, God, weary and distraught, grieving and at the end of their rope. We cannot fathom the proportions of loss and so we look away, sometimes even from the need in our own community.

Help us, Healer. Show us our capacity for compassion. Forgive our inattention. Move us to move  one step at a time toward greater care for one another. In this silence, we sense and acknowledge our yearning for wholeness.

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Words of Assurance  

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

The Justice Candle is lit today to honor Black Lives Matter. BLM was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, many of our black sisters and brothers are experiencing improvements in their lives.

The Living Word Among Us    

Singing Together There Is a Balm in Gilead Balm in Gilead

Refrain: There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.

1. Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain, but then the holy spirit revives my soul again. Refrain.

2. Don’t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend, who, if you ask for knowledge, will never fail to lend. Refrain.

3. If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus, who died to save us all. Refrain.

Sung Psalm Psalm 25:1-10

The psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response when invited.

Response: Your mercy and love have been from of old.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.  Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.  Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. R
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O God, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O God! R
Good and upright is God; therefore God instructs sinners in the way. God leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble God’s way. All the paths of God are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep God’s covenant and God’s decrees. R

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 9:8-17 Annriette Stolte, Reader

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’

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  Mark 1:9-15 Rhonda Cardwell, Reader

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

Sermon Holy Vessels: Filling the Spiritual Cup Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

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 Pleading Savior Sondra Tucker Handbells, Chimes, Flute

Call to 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.

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 France, Germany and Monaco and our brothers and sisters at Big Hill Pentecostal Holiness 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.

¨ The family and many friends of Glenna Rice, a classmate of Loyal Jones and a long-time Country Dancer, who passed away on February 9.

¨ 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 4000 Kentucky residents, and seventy-nine Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Prayers of the People Jennifer Melton

Healer of our every ill, hear our cries for healing of body, mind, and spirit. We give thanks that your mercy is wide and we don’t have to wait until we “get our act together” before receiving your love and grace. We pray for those who feel far from hope.

We pray for those who find themselves without access to adequate care, without someone to talk to, or resources to steady their hearts and minds. We give thanks for those who are telling their stories, showing us how to open our hearts to help others and offering ripples of healing in the community. We ask for courage and encouragement as we seek how we as the church can help. We pray this day in the way you taught us…

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

Taking Our Prayers into the Week

Following Jesus call and baptism, we are told he was driven to the desert for these 40 days. Jesus’ change of direction invites us to consider our own belief in transformation. He invites us to step into a renewed reflection on our lives, to speak into being a new story, not be bound by the stories of the past, inscribed on us by others, that may be oppressing and limiting us.

Beach glass is usually somewhat cloudy when dry. When it comes into contact with water, it becomes clear and bright, a good metaphor for the human soul in the presence of God, in the waters of baptism. If you have some beach glass or even a few stones from your garden or walk, today, you are invited to fill  a small bowl or vessel the stones or glass pieces and  water. Watch the transformation. As you do, let it be a prayer for clarity. Ask for a new way to see the struggles you may be experiencing. Ask for understanding and a way forward.

Take a moment to think on this and then when you are ready, pick up the container of broken pieces, now bright and clear in the water, and breathe deeply, inviting the Spirit to live and move and transform you and others who need clarity for their lives. Keep the bowl in a place you will see it regularly this week… perhaps in a bathroom near the place where you shower or bathe.

Invitation to Connection

And so in our communal discerning about how this church community could become a holy vessel for “health” through our ministry and mission, let us put our minds to imagining what love demands and how we could shine a positive light on the work of mental health: our own and the health of those around us.

The needs are so urgent, especially now. Throughout this time, I invite you to explore with us the possibilities for a new or renewed commitment to a contribution we can make at Union Church to our larger community’s effort to recover from this past year. Let me invite you to increase your community connections: Join bible study on Thursdays, or participate with meditations at Body Mind and Spirit on YouTube. Book study on Sunday Mornings before church and coffee hour with me on Wednesday is also a way to contribute to the wellbeing of others, and to yourself. I invite you to connect!

And as we thing about service, even in our weaknesses, what commission could you undertake with the energy and skills you have right now to help others? What might you do to equip yourself for service during this holy season? Let us seek out what love demands.

Sending & Blessing

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Vessels, holy and whole; Broken, needing the One; Open, body and soul; Healer, come.

About today’s service: We are grateful to The Rev. Dr. Marcia McFee, a colleague of Rev. Kent, for materials and inspiration in our Lenten services. She is the developer of the Worship Design Studio, Inc, a cooperative effort of clergy to provide art, music, and words for worship.

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.”

Let’s Connect!

· Come to Coffee Hour after worship! Join here!

· Sundays, 9:30 am! Book Study led by Steve Connelly Register here so we can send you a link 

· Tuesday, Thursday &  Saturday Meditations with Rev. Shannon Abbott YouTube Channel here

· Tuesdays – Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action Days KCC Facebook page here

· Wednesday, 10:00 am – Coffee Hours with Rev. Kent, Join here!

· Wednesdays, 6:30 pm—Kentuckiana Association of the United Church of Christ, worship services during Lent, more info on other opportunities to come in Monday announcements.  Join the Services via Zoom here

· Thursdays, 10:30 am – Bible Study with Rev. Carla, 10:30 am. Register here

· Join the Union Church Facebook Group – it’s a bit less church business, a bit more fellowship and cat videos, administered by our Community Life & Growth Board – Union Church Facebook Group