August 30, 2015, Worship Bulletin, Prayer Concerns & Announcements

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

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost           Share Your Music Sunday

August 30, 2015, 10:30 am

Meditation

“After Israel has crossed the sea through the mighty power of God, Miriam leads them in song. After great victories over powerful foes, Deborah and Judith sing God’s praises. Hezekiah sings his thanksgiving after he is delivered from illness. It seems natural for God’s people, whenever they experience God’s action in their lives, to burst into song.”

—Irene Nowell

From there to here

Prelude     Prelude, I        J.S. Bach  Charles Hoffman, Cello

*  Call to Worship                          written by Chris and Grace McKenzie

One:     Here, our Beloved speaks to us; the voice of our Beloved sounds in our hearts:

All:      calling us to generous acts, to share the gifts we have been given.

One:     Now, our Beloved speaks to us; the voice of our Beloved sounds in our land:

All:      calling us to generous acts, to open our hearts to all in need.

One:     In every place, in every moment, our Beloved speaks to us; the voice of our Beloved sounds in all creation:

All:      calling us to generous acts, to stand with God’s people: the least, the lost, the little, the last.

—Thom Shuman

*  Opening Hymn #411        Praise the Source of Faith and Learning      Procession

Special Music       Give Me Jesus arr. M. Hogan              Carrie Jadud

*  Prayer of Approach & Confession (unison)

Light of light, in you is found no shadow of change but only the fullness of life and limitless truth. Open your hearts to the voice of your Word and free us from the original darkness that shadows your vision. Restore our sight that we may look upon your Son who calls us to repentance and a change of heart, for he lives and reigns with you forever and ever.

*  Words of Assurance

Special Music       Make Them Hear You S. Flaherty Tom Warth

*  Passing the Peace of Jesus Christ

All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day! You are invited to turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace and joy.

The Word in our Midst

Special Music       Just a Closer Walk with Thee arr. Mark Hayes B.G. Hibbard

Epistle Lesson                  James 1:17-27

Children’s Moment            Hug Bug       L. Bayes

Andy & Sue Peterson Blyth

As the children return to their seats, we sing:

May God’s presence 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.

Following the Children’s Moment, children are welcome to return to their seats or follow volunteers to the front entrance of the sanctuary to the Children’s Worship Center, where there are toys, books, and drawing materials for children (or parents) who would like help staying present in the service. For children preschool age & under, care is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room.

Special Music       The Prayer      J. Groban/C. Church Sarah Miller & Robert Rorrer

Gospel Lesson                  Mark 7:1-8, 14-15,21-23

Special Music       In the Sun   Laura Howard & David Bellnier

Sermon     Within and Without        Rev. Kent Gilbert

Hymn #207           Just As I Am    Woodworth

Gifts Given for Love to Flow

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 good portion of our contributions flows out to aid to those in need via many external agencies.

This can now be done online or by text to  859-448-3403 (Example: Text “$50.00 Offering” to contribute to the ongoing ministries, or add “youth,” or “missions” or designation of your choice to benefit one in particular. Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offertory              Will the Circle Be Unbroken/Glory, Glory, Hallelujah

Heather Lundy & Jillean McCommons

*  Doxology                         Avery/Marsh

Praying it Forward

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 inJapan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.

Silent Prayers and Prayers of the Community

Our Lord’s Prayer

One:     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.    

Liturgical Dance              Carla Gilbert, dancer

From Here to There

*  Closing Hymn  #76               Sent Forth by God’s Blessing        The Ash Grove

*  Sung Benediction           Come Get Together

Chorus: Come on people now, smile on each other, everybody get together, come and love one another right now.

Postlude (please be seated)          Trumpet Tune                            J. Clarke

____________________

*  Please rise in body or in spirit as you wish

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 the Pacific Islands: Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa & the French Overseas Territories of New Caledonia (Kanaky) and French Polynesia and our brothers and sisters at Berea United Methodist Church in your hearts, and pray for them.

Please also hold these concerns in your prayers, today and throughout the week:

* Our church family members in nursing homes, or who are homebound: Edith Hansen, Nancy Jones, Mary Miller, Averill Kilbourne, Alva Peloquin

* Former president Jimmy Carter, diagnosed with cancer

* Marlene Payne and her family, in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The cards and letters are much appreciated.

* Loriel Warren, recovering well from back surgery and very thankful for food and visits

* Rhonda Owens, recovering well from surgery – and cancer-free!

* Jay Long, brother of Elizabeth Long, with pancreatic cancer

* Sharona Nelson has a new grandson! Baby and mom doing fine.

* Berea College students (returning and new) and all faculty and staff as classes begin. Thanks be to God for all you are doing.

* The Coynes’ neighbor, Sheila Johnson, fighting breast cancer

Announcements

You Matter! Please Sign the Register, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.

Learn more about the church right after worship. If you’re thinking about joining, but have some questions, come to a new membership info session!

Anyone wanting to know more about Union Church or wanting to explore church membership, as well as new members who have not been able to participate in a previous meeting, are invited to come to the classroom two doors past the church office immediately following worship for conversation with the Pastors and the Community Life and Growth Board. New members are received every second Sunday of a month—next opportunity is September 13. YOU are welcome here!

Carillon concert in honor of Marlene Payne TOMORROW at 6:30pm on the quad in front of the Draper building—all welcome, no charge.

Marlene Payne now has a CaringBridge site for those who would like to leave greetings and keep informed. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marlenepayne

Wednesday Night Live is coming back!  We will gather at 5:45 on Wednesday, Sept 2, with a POTLUCK. Bring something that reminds you of something you did this summer. (Try to not bring ONLY tomatoes!!) If you have a picture of your summer, bring that, too. (Email electronic photos to Rev. Rachel at rsmallstokes@union-church.org.)

Here is a schedule of a typical Wednesday Night Live:

5:15  Joyful Noise Choir (for kids ages 4-1st grade) meets in Room 104

5:45 Announcements and Prayer before dinner

6:00 Dinner served!

6:30  On potluck nights, the first Weds. of a month, special programming is offered. Other occasional programs may happen. Dishes are washed!

7:00  Handbell choir rehearses; Other short-term classes and studies are offered

It’s not too late to join our musical ensembles! If you’re interested in either group, please contact Gabriel Evans at gevans@union-church.org.

Choir: Thursdays from 6:15-7:45pm.

Handbell Ensemble: Wednesdays from 7:00-8:15pm.

Childcare is provided for both rehearsals.

Sunday, Sept 20th, Union Church will be co-hosting a World Peace Day celebration from 12-4 PM.  Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, their lawn chair/or blanket (and a can of food for the Food Bank), and join us on the front lawn for an old fashioned church “Picnic for Peace.”  A full afternoon of fun and meaningful activities are planned – including music, dancing, guest speakers, children’s activities, group games for young and old, meditations for peace in Cowan Chapel, between 25-30 nonprofits educating us on the elements necessary to create a culture of peace.   Also, the Appalachian Center will host a series of conversations/stories beginning at 1 PM focusing on Building Bridges of Peace featuring a mix of BC students, faculty and local storytellers/musicians. Activities planned at Peacecraft will include children’s crafts, face painting and children’s music. So invite your neighbors and friends and come enjoy the festivities.  Some tables/chairs will be set up for the elderly and some sack lunches (PB&J) will be available for a donation. Peace “to go” food will also be available at some Main Street restaurants.

Worship Board is seeking help with the acolytes (lamp lighters) during the service. If you would like to assist in this way or have interest in ushering – please let one of the Board or the office know.  We could use 2-3 volunteers.

Check out the flower chart on the back bulletin board — sign up to bring some pretties from your garden, florist, special occasion, etc.

If you’re a member of Kroger Community Rewards, you must re-enroll sometime during the month of August. That can be done at www.Kroger.com/communityrewards. Prefer phone? In August, enrolled supporters that need help re-enrolling can call 1-800-KROGERS, Option #3, for assistance. Also, any new supporters can also call 1-800-KROGERS, Option #3, for assistance in enrolling the first time if needed.

Special Call to Help Feed Our Neighbors: Did you know that many Bereans will face an extra challenge in feeding their families this September?  As Kentucky’s EBT system (formerly known as “food stamps”) makes changes to its calendar, some families will have to find ways to feed their children for a week longer than usual.

You can make a financial contribution to the FRYSC, and staff will convert your dollars into filling meals for families who are facing food shortages. Your donation is tax deductible.

Write a check to Berea FRYSC and be sure to mark “family meals” in your memo line.  You can mail that check to Berea FRYSC, 3 Pirate Parkway, Berea, KY 40403.  Call Jenny Hobson at 893-1075 or email jenny.hobson @berea.kyschools.us