December 6, 2020, Second Sunday of Advent, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns
Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Second Sunday of Advent Sharing the Lord’s Supper
December 6, 2020 10:30 am
Meditation
True peace comes as we discover that we are prone to falling–and that falling gives us wonderful practice in the art of getting back up. Trusting the process, believing peace is possible, brings us along into the land of peace. —Kayla McClurg, “Waiting for the Light”
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 Comfort, Comfort, O My People Psalm 42
Betty Hibler, Susie Ritchie, Jane Warth; singers
1. “Comfort, comfort, O my people, tell of peace,” thus says our God; Comfort those whose hearts are shrouded, mourning under sorrow’s load. Speak unto Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.
2. For the herald’s voice is calling in the desert far and near, bidding us to make repentance since the realm of God is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way; Let the valleys rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting.
3. Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain! Let your hearts be true and humble, for Messiah’s holy reign. For God’s glory evermore shall be known o’er all the world; and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
Lighting the Advent Wreath Jeff, Jennifer & Samantha Melton, Candle Lighters; Ally Nurre, Reader
The Advent Wreath tradition reaches back to pre-Christian northern Europeans who lit candles awaiting the winter solstice. By the 1500s, both Lutherans and Catholics had adapted the Advent Wreath as a devotional way to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Each week as we wait through Advent, we light a new candle representing an aspect of the light God intends for all people. This Sunday the candle of Peace is lit.
Passing the Peace at Home
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Since the early 1960s, the Christian Appalachian Project, affectionately known as CAP, has been “building hope, transforming lives and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia”. In addition to the efforts to alleviate poverty, hunger and poor housing, CAP has provided early childhood education, elderly services, spouse abuse shelters and respite care, to name just a few of their programs. Begun by a Catholic priest, the legendary Fr. Ralph Beiting, it’s an interdenominational Christian organization that has been consistent in its service in Appalachia for all these years.
In addition to services, CAP has brought some extraordinary people to the Berea and Appalachian area, some of whom are a part of this congregation and other churches/organizations in the area and whose gifts have added to the strength of our combined capacity to serve God’s people throughout the region.
Today we light the justice candle and pray that this good work may continue, despite the challenges that are faced every day.
The Living Word Among Us
Special Music Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People Larry Sue Pearl Marshall & Robert Rorrer, Handbells
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 40:1-11 Greg Sutherland, Reader
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’
A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry? All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever.
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
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 1:1-8 John Payne, Reader
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
Sermon The New Voice Love Demands Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
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 http://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
Responding to God’s Love in Communion
Invitation to Communion
One: The Lord Be with you!
All: And also with those you cherish.
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to God!
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
One: Today we join with one another in this meal of a common table in order that the uncommon unity we know might become as commonplace as the bread and cup at our tables. Though this is an ancient tradition, it has a powerful meaning in the present. Little pieces of bread acknowledge our brokenness and the places we feel fragmented and torn. But when taken with one another the pieces help us to become whole. It is the Peace/Shalom of Christ that we truly receive on this peace Sunday. So gather what it is you might have: bread, juice, or wine traditionally, or whatever very common element you are willing to let remind you of uncommon grace. Jesus used what was an everyday meal to share body and lifeblood with his disciples. We will too. As we ring the peace bell, gather whatever you and your household will use, then we’ll center here to immerse in God’s promised shalom. Not feeling it? Feeling distant and disconnected. That might be the most important reason to join together right now, where ever you are watching. Let these next minutes be a balm to those feelings as we gather in the hope of peace that may not yet be evident.
With us into that peace let us carry all those in families we are praying for. For all those who have lost someone they love, for those who are ill, for the peoples of Myanmar and Thailand; for the friends and members of Wayside Christian Church as part of our ecumenical prayer cycle, and for yourself: those of you in Michigan, and California. Those of you worshiping from Canada or Florida. Be in this peace with us.
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.
Communion Prayer
Faithful God, we remember the ways you made yourself known first in all creation, then in the teachings of the prophets and caregivers, and ultimately in the fullness of time, in Jesus the Christ. Your advent among the people of the world comes to us in how you welcomed, healed, taught, revealed, blessed, challenged, and consoled. We remember the longing of those who waited for salvation, and the yearning we all have for the justice that brings true peace. We the life and ministry of Jesus doing all that love demands, and we remember his death at the hands of oppressors. By costly, precious love is his way of Peace made real. We praise you for breaking into our world with such love, and we join with all the herald angels to sing your praise:
Sanctus Please join in singing:
Santo! Santo! Santo! Mi Corazon te adora!
Mi corazon te sabe decir; santo eres Dios.
Holy , holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you!
My heart is glad to say the words; you are holy, God.
Words of Institution
As we gather at home, let us take what we have and weave the old story with our own.
It is you, O God, who invites us to this table not just to remember but to partake of your presence. And yet it is not just here where we find you in communion with us. As we share this meal together, enlighten us to the many ways you are active in the world you have created, and to the ways we may serve you any where and everywhere we find ourselves.
We remember that Jesus gathered with friends, in the upper room before his death. He took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to the disciples saying “Take, eat. This is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Remembering all the times we have relied on the strength of a loving God when we have felt torn to pieces, we recall this gift from Christ to disciples long ago. We are one body, together with him we are made whole. We eat and we remember: in Christ’s name.
Next we remember that Jesus took the cup. He poured, And again blessing it, shared it with his disciples saying “this cup is my blood, my life, poured out in a new covenant for you. Take and drink it all of you.
As we pour we remember the life-giving elements that fill our cups and fill our lives. We remember that which we have poured out for others, and ask God to bless them with shalom. We drink and we remember: that the peace of Christ which surpasses all may flow into us and give us life.
Through the broken bread, our eyes are opened. Christ is with us.
Through the cup of blessing, our hearts are warmed. Christ is changing us and the world for good.
Prayers of the People Cheryl Payne, Reader
Peace, not “pieces” is our cry in the wilderness Lord of light. Like John the Baptizer, we aim to level the rough places in this world, and so bring your holy “shalom.” Give us voices for that shalom as love demands. Strengthen our weary hearts to light candles in dark times and warm as many as we can with the fires of our love. We are fractured in spirit. We are often overwhelmed. Our bodies tell of the toll placed on all those who yearn for peace with justice but don’t have it yet. Give your people courage to sing on and bring us to the day where all your children can gather at peace and unafraid. Lift up the valleys and bring down the barriers so we may come to you whole and serve each other as love demands.
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.
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 Myanmar and Thailand; and our brothers and sisters at Wayside Christian 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.
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ Berea College graduates, including our own Sean Mack, who will participate in commencement online today
¨ Linda Parsons, and all the family, at the death of her grandson, Lucas Parsons, age 10.
¨ Robert Rorrer, undergoing medical tests.
¨ Jan Hamilton, who turned 89 this week; and Alva Peloquin who turned 99!
¨ 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 nineteen Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
From Here to There
As our service draws to a close, you’re invitated to put some of your favorite hymns or carols in the chat and response boxes – and we have a special treat in Steve Bolster, who will sing a verse or two of the ones we suggest. After 2 or 3 of those, please join me for a zoom coffee hour! We’d love to have some real-time interaction. Pop in if you are able. We’re putting the links in the chat and comment boxes now.
Benediction
Peace and not pieces to you this day. Wholeness and shalom to heal you and heal the world be yours to taste, yours to sing, yours to hold in your offering to others. May the God of peace make you a person of justice so peace can blanket the earth, as Love demands. Amen.
Singing Together O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
Robert Rorrer, singer
O come! O come! Emmanuel! And ransom captive Israel; that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Child of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Veni! Veni! Emmanuel captivum solve Israel, qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, nascetur pro te Israel!
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?pwd=aU5QcGt3RnRrVGRCZkZlWnFHRU9PQT09
About the Communionware Cover: This Advent cover is designed to honor the Holy Family, using only methods available in the first century. The blue wool center is for Mary. It is made from locally-raised wool, hand-washed, picked, and carded, handspun on a drop spindle, handwoven on a frame loom, and dyed with indigo at PeaceCraft. The silver lace is for the Christ Child. It is Armenian needle lace, which has been made in the middle east for millennia and is also known as “Nazareth lace.” However, it is made of 21st century fiber, to represent the intrusion into Mary’s life of the frightening, the wonderful, that which she could not know, prepare for, or control. She could only say No. . . or. . .Yes! Let it be so! The wooden beads are for Joseph. They are made of olive wood from his homeland, and were hand-carved in Bethlehem, with tools he knew and loved in his carpenter’s shop. The best part? This lace was intended and designed to be eight-sided. . . but I did the math wrong. . . so now it is that rare and difficult thing, a seven-sided shape; linking it to an ancient holy number of the Bible. Come, Emmanuel!
Designed and made with love and gratitude by Debbonnaire Kovacs, 2007-8.
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