December 27, 2020, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

First Sunday of  Christmas

December 27, 2020 10:30 am 

Meditation

Candles of joy, despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. Candles of courage for fears ever present, Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens, Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all the year long. —Howard Thurman, The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations

From There to Here: We Gather

Welcome

As the Berea community responds to the governor’s suggestion to avoid gathering in large groups, we worship online to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19. We’re delighted to welcome you into this virtual circle of God’s healing love and light.

Hymn We Hail You God’s Anointed Ellacombe Steve Bolster; singer

1. We hail you, God’s anointed, the long-awaited One! Hail, in the time appointed, your reign on earth begun! You come to break oppression, to set the captive free to take away transgression, and rule in equity.

2. You shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth; and joy and hope, like flowers, spring in your path to birth. Before you on the mountains shall peace, the herald, go, and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

3. The wise shall bow before you and gold and incense bring; all nations shall adore you, and praise all people sing; to you shall prayer unceasing and daily vows be said, your realm is still increasing, with you, O Christ, as head.

4. O’er every foe victorious, you on your throne shall rest; from age to age more glorious, all blessing and all blessed: the tide of time shall never your covenant remove; your name shall stand forever, your changeless name of Love.

The Call Greg Sutherland, Reader

Welcome to worship this morning. On this first Sunday after Christmas Day we are still celebrating the presence of Christ and still immersing ourselves  in the light of our Advent Wreaths. If you have yours close by, light yours with the one in the church. Today’s service is full of music and rejoicing. As the days of Christmas lead us toward a new year, we remember the words of the reformer, John Robinson: “There is yet more truth and light to break forth from God’s Holy Word.” We light these candles as a reminder that “Emmanuel”: God is with us.

Passing the Peace at Home

Musical Meditation       Christmas Suite       Christopher Norton Bernardo Scarambone, piano

The Living Word Among Us    

Special Music Christ Child’s Lullaby and In the Bleak Midwinter Stanley and Susan Kramer

Hebrew Scripture Lesson  Isaiah 61:10-62:3  Sharona Nelson, Reader

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Special Music The Grinch Carlie Geyer, violin; Caroline Geyer, cello; Bernardo Scarambone, piano

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  Luke 2:22-40 Ally Nurre, Reader

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Special Music Still, Still, Still German Folk Song Larry Brandenburg, singer

Living 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.

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”)

Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offering Music In the Bleak Midwinter trad. Dave and Kim Kobersmith, singers

Our Prayers for Others

You are very welcome to email or phone prayer requests to the office for the bulletin. Please do so by 10 am Thursdays, and be sure you have permission to share the information.

¨ 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 Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan; and our brothers and sisters at Wallace Chapel 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.

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

¨ Hazel Morris, at the death of her sister-in-law.

¨ The Eschbach, Pride and Zimmerman families at Marilla Eschbach’s death.

¨ Susie Ritchie, Patty Tarter, Judy Hudson and all the family at Jon Pickow’s death.

¨ Robert Rorrer, undergoing medical tests.

¨ BG Hibbard, at the loss of her brother, Carl Hensley.

¨ Sharona Nelson’s daughter, Melinda, who is having medical difficulties

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

¨ 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  over 2000 Kentucky residents, and twenty-seven Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Prayers of the People                    Carla Gilbert, Reader

As the child Jesus grows and finds unexpected maturity in the Christ story, may the ministry and love of we who follow also grow and mature. As the year wanes, may the power of Christ’s compassion, transformation, and healing wax in us so that we too can be all about your heavenly business: love demands, Lord. Love demands our attention, our intellect, our trust, and our very essence for good and all. Heal the bodies of those who are sick so they may thrive. Soothe the fears of those who suffer anxieties of the day and of the night. Correct our misdeeds, not with spite, but for the greater growth that waits for us beneath any error. Our love for you demands our delight and joy. In that spirit we pray to as Jesus our brother taught in all his wisdom. 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

Special Music Angels We Have Heard on High tune

Maria Hartz, singer

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains; and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria! In excelsis Deo.

Shepherds why this jubilee, why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing. Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

The Sending and Blessing

Postlude Joy to the World trad. Larry Brandenburg, organ

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! Let’s visit a bit!!  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761

News here: www.union-church.org/news