October 24, 2021, Worship Bulletin, Prayer Concerns, Zoom Coffee Hour Link

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

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am

Meditation “Institutions in our society need reinventing. Time has come for a new dream. That’s what being a revolutionary is.” —  Grace Lee Boggs

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music

Welcome

The Call                                                                   Susan Doring Zook, Reader

One: To reimagine is to explore a vision of a relationship, a community, a world where all of us are safe and free. Where all of us flourish. Reimagining means that we’re doing more than resisting our opponents. That we are paying attention to the cultures that authorize them to harm us, the institutions that allow them to continue with their behavior. Reimagining focuses us not just on what we are fighting against, but the future that we are fighting for…

One: When we engage in that hard and vibrant work of reimagining the world as it ought to be, we start to realize that we have opportunities, spaces in our own lives to begin to create the beloved community where we are. When we are brave enough to reimagine, we can begin to become the beloved community by birthing it here and now. —Valarie Kaur

Passing of the Peace at Home

Lighting the Justice Candle

The Tucson Samaritans were organized in 2002 in response to a dramatic increase in the number of migrants dying in the Arizona desert south of Tucson. Sadly, the situation has not improved; the migrant death toll this past year was as high as it has ever been as migrants are pushed into more remote areas due to increased surveillance on the border The primary mission of the Samaritans is to prevent death and suffering in the desert. To that end, they make one or two trips a day into the desert looking for migrants in distress. They carry food, water, medical supplies and clothing with them. They have established “water drops” where they leave some of these items based on years of studying migrant travel patterns. A recent problem for them has been an increase in vigilante presence on the border. These groups are heavily armed, unpredictable and a danger to everyone around them. The Samaritans have recently expanded services by helping to establish a shelter in Sasabe, Sonora; a small town just across the border where many migrants are deported after having been apprehended by the Border Patrol. After days in the desert, many are hungry, dehydrated, have medical issues such as blisters or muscle and joint injuries, and in need of a safe place to stay.

The Living Word Among Us

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Susan Doring Zook, Reader

Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.” I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’ And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this Job lived for one hundred and forty years, and saw his children, and his children’s children, four generations. And Job died, old and full of days.

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 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Sermon Revolutionary Love: Remaking the Future 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

Jesus, your revolutionary love reimagines our future and transforms our present. As you opened the eyes of Bartimaeus, change us from victims to victors in the struggle for a just and joyful world. Help us reimagine the world we wish to live in, and help us rage, listen, and rework the solutions in constant rhythm. We are not always strong enough to do this work alone, and we come wounded to the work. Teach us do as we need, to do as we must, and to do as we can, all that your Holy Spirit intends. Inspire us and heal us, that we can tend the wounds of this world and enter the heart of your healing. This we ask in Jesus’ name, and pray in the way 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.”

ZOOM on over 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 Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico; and our brothers and sisters at St. Thomas Lutheran 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, Tom & Dorie 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.

¨ 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: October 27 – Reda Hutton; 31 – Noah Cain

Anniversaries coming up: October 25 – Tony & Katie Basham

Congregational Budget Meeting will be December 12. Save the Date!