May 9, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Fifth Sunday of Easter May 9, 2021 10:30 am 

Meditation

“If I were really asked to define myself,… I would start with stripping down to what fundamentally informs my life, which is that I’m a seeker on the path. I think of feminism, and I think of anti-racist struggles as part of it. But where I stand spiritually is, steadfastly, on a path about love.” —bell hooks 

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 1 John 5:1-5 Sylvia Cochrane From, Reader

Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-born. If we love the One who conceives the child, we’ll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love God’s children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. Every God-born person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

On this Mothers Day 2021, we light the Justice Candle for the on-line organization “Moms Rising.” Its Mission is to increase family economic security; decrease discrimination against women and moms; fight racism, sexism, and xenophobia; and build a nation where businesses AND families can thrive.  Begun in May 2006, today this on-line multicultural organization has more than a million members. Current goals include paid family leave, earned sick days, affordable child care, and an end to wage and hiring discrimination. To achieve these goals, Moms Rising is working to amplify women’s voices and policy issues in the national dialogue and in the media, and to hold corporations accountable for fair treatment of women and mothers, as well as ensuring the safety of their products.

The Moms Rising website states: “Every single one of us can have an impact. And together we are a powerful force.”

The Living Word Among Us    

Hymn Like a Mother Who has Borne Us

1. Like a mother who has borne us, held us close in her delight, fed us freely from her body, God has called us into life.

2. Like a father who has taught us, grasped our hand and been our guide, Lifted us and healed our sorrows, God has walked with us in life.

3. Though as children we have wandered, placed our trust in power and might, Left behind our brothers, sisters, God still calls us into life.

4. When we offer food and comfort, grasp our neighbor’s hand in love, Tread the path of peace and justice, God still walks with us in life.

Lesson from the Psalms Psalm 98 Ashley Cochrane, Reader

O sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gained him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; God has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;  the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for God is coming to judge the earth. God will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

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 15:9-17 Susie Ritchie, Reader

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Sermon      Commands and Demands: Love Abiding 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 My Shepherd Will Supply Larry Brandenburg, organist  

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 India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and our brothers and sisters at Liberty Avenue Full Gospel Outreach 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.

¨ Tom Hubbard

¨ Teri VanPelt, with a difficult medical diagnosis.

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

¨ Peggy Pollard’s family, at her death on April 24.

¨ Josh Bills and family, at the death of his mother, Ann Bajwa, on April 28.

¨ Betty Wray and family, at the death of her son, Bill.

¨ Bill Stolte, recovering from a fall.

¨ Laura Robie, at St. Joseph Berea after a serious infection.

¨ Margaret Ricketts, gravely ill at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington.

¨ Sally Hindman, recovering from shoulder surgery.

¨ Laura Robie, at St. Joseph Berea recovering from a serious infection.

¨ Stephanie and Barb daughter & daughter-in-law of Judith Singleton, both with medical issues.

¨ 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.

¨ Important dates — Birthdays this week: May 10—Mandy Connelly; May 11 –David Hurst, Linda Parsons; May 12-Karl Holland, Neil Mecham, Jr.; May 13-Wayne Dollins. Anniversaries: May 12-Ed & Carol Poston. If we don’t have your birthday or anniversary (or if we goofed) let us know!

¨ 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 6600 Kentucky residents, and 109 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Community Prayer

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

Sending & Blessing

Postlude Thine Be the Glory arr. Jason W. Krug Bernardo Scarambone & Rina Tanaka

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