July 11, 2021, Worship Bulletin & Prayer Concerns

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

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am 

Meditation

When the way ahead is open and clear and one has the goodwill, light-heartedness, and courage to tread it, the past and the future melt into nothingness. ― Diana St. Ruth

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music  

Welcome

The Call Laura Nagle & Jeff From, Readers

We are not called to save the world, solve all problems, and help all people. But each of us has our own unique call, in our families, in our work, in our world.

We have to keep asking God to help us see clearly what our call is and give us the strength to live out that call with trust. Then we will discover that our faithfulness to a small task is the most healing response to the illness of our time. -Henri Nouwen

Passing of the Peace Please remain seated.

Hymn #558 Black Oh How Glorious, Filled with Wonder In Babilone

1. O how glorious, full of wonder is your name o’er all the earth, God, who wrought creation’s splendor, bringing suns and stars to birth! Rapt in reverence we adore you, marveling at your mystic ways. Humbly now we bow before you, lifting up our hearts in praise.
2. When we see your lights of heaven, moon and stars, your powers displayed, who are we that you should love us, creatures that your hand has made? Born of earth, yet full of yearning, mixture strange of good and ill, from your ways so often turning, yet your love does seek us still.
3. You have set us in communion with the wonders of your hand, made us fly with eagle pinion, pilgrims over sea and land. Soaring spire and ruined city, these our hopes and failures show. Teach us more of human pity, that we in your image grow.
4. O how wondrous, O how glorious is your name in every land, God, whose purpose shines before us toward the goal that you have planned! Yours the will our hearts are seeking, conscious of our human need. Spirit in our spirit speaking, make us yours, O God, indeed.

Lighting the Justice Candle Kids in Need of Defense (at the Border)

KIND — we are Kids in Need of Defense, and we envision a world in which children’s rights and well-being are protected as they migrate alone in search of safety on both sides of the US/Mexico border.

KIND is the preeminent U.S.-based nongovernmental organization devoted to protection of unaccompanied and separated children. KIND envisions a world in which every unaccompanied child on the move has access to legal counsel and has their rights and well-being protected as they migrate alone in search of safety.

KIND was founded in 2008 by Microsoft Corporation and UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie to address the gap in legal services for unaccompanied minors. Since its inception, KIND has received referrals for more than 21,000 cases and currently serves over 5,000 children annually.

The Living Word Among Us           

Lesson from the Psalms              Psalm 24   Jeff From, Reader

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation. Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

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 6:14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Sermon      “Oh, that’s just not right…!”: Cringing and whinging and the dire consequences thereof.   Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

Call to Prayer and Offering

A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/unionOur 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”)

You can also use US mail!  Mail to: CPO 2105, Berea, KY 40404

Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offering Music Holy Is the Lord Larry Sue Union Church Handbell Ensemble

Offertory 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.

Prayers of the Community Laura Nagle, Reader

Lord of all that is good and right we pray that the gates of our hearts might swing wide. When you enter those gates, there is no room for petty malice. Your light burns away our greeds and fears, and shines the way to more perfect living. We pray you will come to us. We harm ourselves and others too often. We act in complicit ignorance to the detriment of those around us, squandering what power we have on results you cannot condone. So we pray this day for better wisdom. For the King of Glory to enter in and make clear the path to the stronger, better, more just, more loving way. As you work for our healing, body mind and spirit, console and comfort those whom we have wounded. Grant that with every chance in every choice, we might make wide the gate that leads to you.

This we ask in the name of our brother Jesus, who came not to condemn but save all that is broken. We 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

Hymn #581 Lead Us from Death to Life World Peace Prayer

Refrain: Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace; let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.

1. Still all the angry cries, still all the angry guns, still now your people die, earth’s sons and daughters. Let justice roll, let mercy pour down, Come and teach us your way of compassion. Refrain.
2. So many lonely hearts, so many broken lives, longing for love to break into their darkness. Come, teach us love, come, teach us peace, come and teach us your way of compassion. Refrain.
3. Let justice ever roll, let mercy fill the earth, let us begin to grow into your people. We can be love, we can bring peace, we can still be your way of compassion. Refrain.

Benediction                 

Postlude     Radiance        J. Krug Union Church Handbell Ensemble 

Our Prayers for Others  

¨ 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 Eritrea and Ethiopia and our brothers and sisters at  Liberty Avenue Baptist 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.

¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton

¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.

¨ John McWilliam’s mother, Betty, for pain relief and fast healing from her broken back.

¨ Colleen, and the Chao family. Colleen, mother of Gene and Dorothy’s grandson, is missing in the Arizona desert.

¨ The family and friends of Ron Cook, long-time friend of Kent, who passed away peacefully in his home in California on July 6.

¨ Tom Hubbard, receiving evaluation and care at Ephraim-McDowell Hospital.

¨ Robert Rorrer, celebrating continuing success with chemotherapy.

¨ Sally Hindman, recovering from shoulder surgery.

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

¨ Laura Robie, in her move to Lexington. New address: Laura Robie c/o Morning Pointe of Lexington; East 150 Shoreline Dr.; Lexington; KY; 40505. Visitors welcome! Call ahead at 859-200-0584

¨ Bill and Annriette Stolte, as they settle in after their recent move to Chattanooga. New Address: 579 Alexian Way #417; Signal Mountain, TN 37377

¨ Mary Ann Murray and family, at Charley’s death on July 4. Mary Ann’s address is 147 North Hanover Ave. Lexington, KY, 40502.   

¨ Steve Parsley, Clem Pearson and the family and friends of Heather Richardson, at her 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 7200 Kentucky residents, and 112 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOneGo!

Birthdays coming up this week: Today, July 11 – Vera Garrett; July 14 – Dottie Blackburn, Lois Morgan; 17 – Jeff Hutton