April 4, 2021, Easter Sunday, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Meditation

Very early in the morning, when the human eye still struggles to see, resurrection comes. While it is still dark, God arises, greets the day and stirs up some new creation. God mixes up a hearty bowl of resurrection light, serving it all around. Will we join this feast of a new day? – Kayla McClurg

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 Good News! Mark 16:1-8 Iris Bailey, Reader

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Proclamation

Processional Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Mortal tongues and angels say: Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, glad heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!

2. Let the Victor’s people sing, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia! Dying once, Christ lives to save, Alleluia! Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!

3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids Christ rise, Alleluia! God has opened paradise, Alleluia!

4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!  Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Christ, like Christ we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

Today we light the Justice Candle to honor and remember Sargent Shriver.  Referred to as a General in the war on poverty, Shriver was the driving force behind programs such as legal aide, Americorps, Upward Bound and Head Start. He is best known as the founder and first Director of the Peace Corp. In a celebration of the Peace Corps’ 40th anniversary, Sargent Shriver spoke movingly to thousands of volunteers, telling them:

“… Be servants of peace … Work humbly, persistently and intelligently … Weep with those who are sorrowful … Care for those who are sick … Serve your neighbors … Serve your towns … Serve the poor … That is your challenge.”

The Living Word Among Us    

Sung Psalm  Psalm 118:1-2,14-24

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: The righteous shall enter the gate of God.

O give thanks to God for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever. Let all Israel say, “God’s steadfast love endures forever.” God is my strength and my might; God has become my salvation. There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: “The strong hand of God does valiantly; the mighty hand of God is exalted; the strong hand of God does valiantly.” R

I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of God. God has punished me severely, but God did not give me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to God. This is the gate of God; and the righteous shall enter through it. R

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is God’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes This is the day that God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. R

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. 

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 25:6-9 Dave Kobersmith, Reader

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death for ever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.  

Sermon The Already-Not-Yet 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 Handbell Ensemble  

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 the Church Universal and all Berea congregations of faith 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.

¨ Teri VanPelt, with a difficult medical diagnosis.

¨ Robert Rorrer, undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

¨ Richard Olson, recovering from surgery.

¨ Judith Singelton’s daughter, Stephanie, recovering well from surgery.

¨ Lois Morgan, recovering from a broken wrist.

¨ 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.

¨ Dale Brown, at Fred’s death.

¨ 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 5500 Kentucky residents, and one hundred three Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Prayers of the People Opal Bailey

Let us pray: God of everlasting life, and Christ who triumphs over death, we celebrate this day the promise Easter brings. We pray for ourselves for everyone around the world that we might set aside our fears, enter the new day you proclaim, and be ready to spend and be spent as love demands. Like graveclothes no longer needed, may we leave in the empty tomb our hatreds, our worries, and all the divisions that cause you grief. Help us fill like holy vessels of our your love. Help us overflow with the life you snatched from despair. Give all who hunger the hope of the living feast, and all who mourn the joy that comes in the light of this new day. Christ is drawing all people to himself, restored, whole, and free. May we live in the light, as love demands! God, in our gratitude we pray the way Jesus taught, saying…

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be; Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

[Our Lord’s Prayer adapted by Jim Cotter, the New Zealand Prayer Book]

From Here to There

Easter Blessing

Benediction Response Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah G.F. Handel Larry Brandenburg, organist

Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth! The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!

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! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761

· 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  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpIl_p8CabDEIS9ytj-xXm2vVDg_hyN03

· Wednesday, 10:00 am – Coffee Hour with Rev. Kent,. Registration link will be sent in Monday Announcements.

· 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