February 14, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Transfiguration Sunday

February 14, 2021 10:30 am 

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; as He died to make us holy, let us live to make all free! While God is marching on.

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.

The Call Gerard Manley Hopkins Annriette Stolte, Reader

The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod. and for all this, nature is never spent; there lives the dearest freshness deep down things; and though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —because the Holy Ghost over the bent world broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

The Justice Candle is lit today to honor Cassia Herron of Jefferson County was recently elected for a second term as Chair of KFTC (Kentuckians for the Commonwealth) — our statewide grassroots social justice organization, working for a new balance of power and a just society.  Ms. Herron is the first Black woman to serve as Chair of KFTC. She is experienced in community organizing and previously worked with union organizers and trainers with the Highlander Center in Tennessee. Prior to assuming the Chair position with KFTC, Ms. Herron supported the Jefferson County chapter’s “We Are Kentuckians” event, which brought recognition to African American women and Black culture in Kentucky. She is a leader in the Louisville community and one of the founders of the Louisville Association for Community Economics, a nonprofit that developed the Louisville Community Grocery.

The Living Word Among Us    

Special Music  

Epistle Lesson 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Teresa Gowler, Reader

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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 9:2-9 Steve Gowler, Reader

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Sermon A Change of Heart Rev. Kent Gilbert

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

Silent Reflection and Prayer

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 Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland and our brothers and sisters at Mt. Zion 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.

‘¨ The family and many friends of Glenna Rice, a classmate of Loyal Jones and a long-time Country Dancer, who passed away on February 9.

¨ 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 4000 Kentucky residents, and fifty-seven Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Prayers of the People Laurinda Pool, Reader

God of compassion, have mercy upon us as we confess our sin and come before you. Christ you show us light, yet we still choose the shadows. In your Word you offer guidance, yet we ignore your counsel. In your Spirit you promise renewal, yet we remain the same. Speak to us from beyond the clouds of sin and sadness. Dazzle us anew with the light of love. Forgive us. Restore us.  Set us free to love as we can, to serve as we hope.

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

Singing Together We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding Hyfrydol

1. We have come at Christ’s own bidding to this high and holy place, where we wait with hope and longing for some token of God’s grace. Here we pray for new assurance that our faith is not in vain, searching like those first disciples for a sign both clear and plain.

2. Light breaks in upon our darkness, splendor bathes the flesh-joined Word, Moses and Elijah marvel as the heavenly voice is heard. Eyes and hearts behold with wonder how the Law and Prophets meet: Christ, with garments drenched in brightness, stands transfigured and complete.

3. Strengthened by this glimpse of glory, fearful lest our faith decline, we like Peter find it tempting to remain and build a shrine. But true worship gives us courage to proclaim what we profess, that our daily lives may prove us people of the God we bless.

The Sending & Blessing

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