October 17, 2021, Worship Bulletin, Prayer Concerns, Zoom Coffee Hour Link

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

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am

Meditation “Deep listening is an act of surrender. We risk being changed by what we hear.” — Valarie Kaur

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music

Welcome

The Call                                         Sue Peterson Blyth and Martina Jackson, Readers

One: When listening gets hard, I focus on taking the next breath. I pay attention to sensations in my body: heat, clenching, and constriction. I feel the ground beneath my feet. Am I safe? If so, I stay and slow my breath again, quiet my mind, and release the pressure that pushes me to defend my position. I try to wonder about this person’s story and stay curious long enough to be changed by what I hear.

One: Maybe just maybe, my opponent will begin to wonder about me in return, ask me questions, and listen to my story. Maybe their views will start to break apart and new horizons will open in the process. Maybe the memory of the exchange will play a critical role in their transformation in the future. Then again, maybe not. It doesn’t matter as long as the primary goal of listening is to deepen my own understanding. Listening does not grant the other side legitimacy. It grants them humanity–and preserves our own. —Valarie Kaur

Passing of the Peace at Home

Lighting the Justice Candle

Today we light the Justice Candle for the Center for International Education at Berea College and for the families who host Berea College international students.

The Berea College Center for International Education (CIE) was dedicated in November, 2006, in honor of Francis and Louise Hutchins in recognition of their work in China and the US to foster respectful and mutually beneficial international relations. Its purpose has remained “to foster understanding of, and respect for, all peoples of the earth.” There are four interconnected responsibilities of the Center:

1) Education abroad and international exchanges

2) International student and scholar services

3) Faculty and curriculum development

4) Maintaining and supporting an International focus

Every year, Bereans have the opportunity to “host” an international student and these connections often last way beyond the student’s time at Berea College.

The Living Word Among Us

Hymn         We Are Listening, Lord        Words by Ken Bible, Music by Tom Fettke

This time is Yours. We are Yours. We are listening, Lord. You are here. We are here. We are listening, Lord. You are love – You will speak. You are wise; We are weak. Lord, Your will is our will. We are listening, Lord.

Hebrew Scripture Lesson               Job 38:1-7, 34-41 Sue Peterson Blyth, Reader

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?   Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? ‘Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, “Here we are”? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to number the clouds?  Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cling together? ‘Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens, or lie in wait in their covert? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?

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 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared. When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

Sermon      Listening but not Loving; Loving But Not Listening          Rev. Kent 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: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403

Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offering Music

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 Martina Jackson, Reader

Speak to your people, O lord of the Whirlwind, and we will open the ears of our heart. Surround us and protect us in the silence of safe places, then open us in presence and in power. In listening may we discern your deep and true call; by listening may we offer our contrition to those we have wounded; in listening may we gain the wisdom to move in revolutionary ways. Not on your right or left, Lord, but following in the way of Jesus, your Christ, hear our prayers. We lift them to you as he taught us, reaching 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 Rooted and Grounded in Love Words and Music:                                                        Amanda Udis-Kessler; arr.  Bryan T. Johnson

1. In a time of disease, we are called to be healers embodying Love’s holy care. We follow the healer who tended the suffering, restoring the wounded, our work and our prayer. We are joyful and strong as our faith is revealed in the richest abundance of fruit that we yield.

Chorus: We are rooted and grounded in love. Like a tree by the river, we’re planted so deep. We are rooted and grounded in love with each gift that we bring and each promise we keep. As we birth a new world where we all have enough, we are rooted and grounded in love.

2. In a time of distrust, we are called to be teachers embodying Love’s holy grace. We follow the teacher who welcomed the stranger, enlarging Love’s realm with each sacred embrace. We are joyful and strong as our faith is revealed in the richest abundance of fruit that we yield. Chorus.

3. In a time of despair, we are called to be prophets, proclaiming all people as one. We follow the prophet who cried out for justice, our lives offered up so Love’s will can be done. We are joyful and strong as our faith is revealed in the richest abundance of fruit that we yield. Chorus.

Benediction

Postlude    

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

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 Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama; and our brothers and sisters at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 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, Tom Hubbard

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

¨  Dorie Hubbard, at Kenwood in Richmond, for rehab, after foot surgery.

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

¨ Dorie Hubbard’s great grand-niece, Marie, whose cancer has gotten worse.

¨  Sandy McClure’s three year old granddaughter, Jaidyn Foley, who is recovering from open heart surgery.

¨ AnnaLou Ritchie’s family and friends, at her passing.

¨ The Bellnier family, at the death of David’s sister, Abby Rose Varner.

¨ 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 9300 Kentucky residents, and 145 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 FellowshipOne Go!

Birthdays coming up: October18 – June Fish, AnnaBella Wescott; 20 – Gina Chamberlain; 21 – Critley King Smith, 22 – John Payne, Sarah Broomfield, Thomas Brownrobie

Anniversaries coming up: October 22 – Howard & Shirley Carlberg

Zoom Opportunities

Sunday

9:30 am  See No Stranger discussion group led by Rev. Carla Gilbert. Join  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84000201117?pwd=ZFVjVkV0UUFjck5zNXhqcjF4cDJIQT09 Meeting ID: 840 0020 1117;  Passcode: 907994

10:30 am  Morning Worship. Facebook: simply go to Union Church Berea https://www.facebook.com/pg/UnionChurchBerea/ (and “Like” our page if you haven’t!). Scroll down a bit until you see the video! Turn up the volume and join us! We love it when you comment, greet each other and welcome newcomers!
Union Church’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbN9CCE4_RXv3pk43z3Xbig. Subscribe!
Union Church’s website: https://union-church.org/live-broadcast/

11:45 am or so (after Worship) Coffee Hour. Join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761 Meeting ID: 873 8760 0761

6:00 pm See No Stranger discussion group led by Rev. David Andrew Jones https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82959785627?pwd=VDlpMVhtTEhiQ1QzY2VoSU1xb29HZz09 Meeting ID: 829 5978 5627  Passcode: 635707

Tuesday (2nd & 4th)

10 am Public Affairs Book Club  The group reads and discusses American and global public affairs from a variety of sources – printed articles, books. Starting on Oct 12.
Doug Hindman will handle the tech, John Culp will moderate the group. Contact John to join or find out more: 859-986-0521, 859-302-1406, or culp3qmdjohn@roadrunner.com

Wednesday

10 am Virtual Coffee Break https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84693318435?pwd=WGlZWFhPTjgrMnhRRFplQ2xkTVd0Zz09

7:30 pm See No Stranger discussion group led by Rev. David Andrew Jones
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83700091245?pwd=dkdvTVMza29VVGlySG5BLzd6Rzl5UT09 Meeting ID: 837 0009 1245  Passcode: 563807

Thursday

10:30 am  Bible Study led by Rev. Carla Gilbert  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84070810351?pwd=QjJVdUVtMjFOUzUxTFpDNlBaTDlVUT09  Meeting ID: 840 7081 0351 Passcode: 954506