August 15, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am 

Meditation

“Listen to the compass of your heart. All you need lives within you.”   — Mary Ann Radmacher

From There to Here: We Gather               

Gathering Music            

Welcome               Rev. Carla Gilbert

The Call               Ellen Mink, Reader

“We have fallen into the temptation of separating ministry from spirituality, service from prayer. Our demon says: ‘We are too busy to pray; we have too many needs to attend to, too many people to respond to, too many wounds to heal. Prayer is a luxury, something to do during a free hour, a day away from work or on a retreat.’ But to think this way is harmful for service and prayer can never be separated.”  —Henri Nouwen

Passing of the Peace at Home

Lighting the Justice Candle submitted by Betty Hibler

Today we light the Justice Candle to honor the dedicated service of our Stephen Ministers. The Stephen Ministry program is based on the premise that spiritual health and well-being belong to the justice realm of creating safe spaces for folks to be heard and cared for as they face challenges in their day-to-day lives. It is with gratitude for the commitment and service of our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers that we light the Justice Candle in their honor today.

About Stephen Ministry                                                 Jeff From

Words from a Stephen Minister                                    Amy Williams

Stephen Ministry Care Receiver                                   Dodie Murphy

The Living Word Among Us    

Hymn              They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love       Robert Rorrer, Leader

1. We are one in the spirit; we are one in the Lord. We are one in the spirit; we are one in the Lord.  And we pray that all unity may one day be restored. 

            Refrain: And they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love.  Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love. 

2. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.  And together we will spread the news that God is in our land. Refrain.

3.  We will work with each other, we will work side-by-side. We will work with each other, we will work side by side. And we’ll guard each other’s dignity and save each one’s pride. Refrain. 

4. All praise to the father, from whom all things come. And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only son.  And all praise to the spirit, who makes us one.  Refrain.

Lesson from the Psalms              Psalm 139: 9-14John Payne, Reader

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, and your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful; that I know full well.

Children’s Moment  Rev. Carla Gilbert

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.  

Epistle Lesson                  Ephesians 1:8b-9; 15-18a      

With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.

Sermon     Equipped and Empowered      Rev. Carla Gilbert

Living Prayer

Call to Prayer and Offering

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”)

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

Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offering Music    Talk About a Child      arr. Calvin Taylor

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                     Ellen Mink, Reader

God of health and wholeness, you have created us in wonder and awe.   Empower us to use our gifts for the good and well-being of all.  Set our hearts on you that it may be our compass in all that we say and do. Embolden us with Christ’s love and the Holy Spirit so that we may offer all that love demands as we pray the words Jesus taught…..

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

Benediction                     

Postlude One Day          Matisyahu Raquel Garbanzo Nunes

Especially in Our Prayers

¨ 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 Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda and our brothers and sisters at New Liberty 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, Laura Robie

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

¨ Bob Boyce, recuperating at home.

¨ Patty Boyce, still recovering from heart valve surgery at UK Hospital.

¨ Bill Stolte, still awaiting surgery. He’d love cards: 579 Alexian Way #417, Signal Mountain, TN 37377

¨ Tom Hubbard

¨ Robert Rorrer, celebrating “graduation” from chemotherapy!!

¨ Sally Hindman, recovering from shoulder surgery.

¨ 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 now over 7400 Kentucky residents, and 113 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: August 17 – Kim Kobersmith, Meaghan Catlett;  18 – Sally Zimmerman; 20 – Pearl Marshall, Sean Mack; 21– Kay Ward

Anniversaries this week:  August 18 – Dave & Lisa Shroyer 19 – Larry & Iris Brandenburg