February 28, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Second Sunday of Lent February 28, 2021 10:30 am 

Meditation

The path of awakening is not about becoming who you are. Rather it is about unbecoming who you are not. — Albert Schweitzer

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.

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Vessels, holy and whole; Broken, needing the One; Open, body and soul; Healer, come.

Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786

The Call Jenny Bromley, Reader

Prolonged times of difficulty can impede our ability to stay creative. The picture of our lives is dulled and hope for a brighter future can fade. We need a touch of inspiration to awaken us from our sleep, as we hear in one of this week’s healing stories. We also awaken to our agency to seek out the Divine Healer, reaching out to touch the power we know can restore our intellect and imagination. We emerge ready to re-engage with the world, seeking and seeing solutions, creating different pictures of life renewed just as a mosaic artist creates beauty from broken pieces of glass.

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Prayer of Approach and Confession

God of broken pieces, made in your image, you have tasked us as co-creators of a better world. With imagination and the ability to learn and progress you have blessed us. But we are tired. Our energy wanes and our enthusiasm wanes. The call for ideas, solutions, work-arounds and adaptations has been non-stop for us all– from finding ways to keep children engaged and well, to figuring out how to work in the midst of these trying times, to desperately needing to undo systems of oppression too long breaking us into pieces. Not only our livelihoods, but our liveliness is at stake. We confess the desire to give up, declare it too hard and wait out the time for better days. We feel overwhelmed and so we look away, even from the needs right around us.

Help us, Healer. Show us our energy reserves. Forgive our cynicism. Move us to move one step at a time toward greater care for one another. In this silence, we sense and acknowledge our yearning for wholeness.

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Words of Assurance  

Passing the Peace at Home

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

The Justice Candle is lit today to honor The Carter Center, founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, is committed to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.  The Center seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

A culture of respect for human rights is crucial to permanent peace. The Center supports the efforts of human rights activists at the grass roots, while also working to advance national and international human rights laws that uphold the dignity and worth of each individual.

International peacemaking initiatives include:

· Observation of elections;

· Forums to strengthen the voices of human rights defenders worldwide and an initiative to achieve more equitable treatment of women and girls;

· A project with the United Nations and other election observation groups to develop a methodology for observing electronic voting and standards for democratic elections;

· Creating dialogue to encourage peace and a lasting understanding where conflict exists.

The Living Word Among Us    

Hymn O Come to Me, You Weary

1. “O come unto me, you weary, and I will give you rest.” The blessed voice of Jesus,  which comes to hearts oppressed! It tells of benediction, of pardon, grace, and peace, of joy that hath no ending,  of love which does not cease.

2.  “O come unto me, you wanderers, and I will give you light.” The loving voice of Jesus,  which comes to cheer the night! Our hearts were filled with sadness,  and we had lost our way; but morning brings us gladness, and songs for each new day.

3. “O come unto me, you fainting, and I will give you life.” The cheering voice of Jesus, which stills our inner strife! The evil one surrounds us and would our faith subdue, but you are strong within us, our courage brave and true.

4. “All you who come and seek me will never be cast out.” The welcome voice of Jesus, which drives away our doubt! And though we are unworthy of love so free and true, we hear your call to sinners; in trust we come to you.

Sung Psalm Psalm 22:23-31

The psalms were originally musical compositions. During Lent we will pray the psalms in musical form with congregational responses. Please sing the response when invited.

Response: O God, do not be far away; O God, do not be far away.

You who fear God praise God! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify God; stand in awe of afflicted; God did not hide God’s face from me, but heard when I cried to God. R

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear God. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek God shall praise God. May your hearts live for ever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the God; and all the families of the nations shall worship before God. For dominion belongs to the God, and God rules over the nations. R

To God, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before God shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for God. Posterity will serve God; future generations will be told about God, and proclaim god’s deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it. R

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Emmanuel J. Stokes, Reader

Hear these words as we trace God’s Covenantal promises through our biblical story:  When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.’ Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.’ Here ends the reading of the word. Amen. 

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 8:31-38 Annriette Stolte, Reader

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

Sermon Holy Vessels: Reframing the Broken Pieces 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 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 Again We Keep this Solemn Fast Debbonnaire Kovacs

Call to 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.

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 Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and our brothers and sisters at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 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 of Helen Connelly, at her passing.

¨ Richard Olson, critically ill at St, Joseph Hospital, Main.

¨ 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.

¨ Fred and Dale Brown, with Fred’s health issues, and Dale as she cares for him.

¨ 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 eighty-six Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

Prayers of the People Jenny Bromley

Healer of our exhausted beings, hear our cries for healing of our wearied spirits. Show us the way to recovery from the trials and grief of our time. Remind us, we don’t have to shoulder everything alone. Your divine spirit is with us, inspiring and healing us. We pray especially for all whose spirit is dampened and damaged by those who steal away their rights to fullness of expression. We give thanks for communities supporting the flourishing of ALL voices.

We ask for courage and encouragement as we seek how we, as the church, can join in this effort. We pray now as you taught us…

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

Taking Our Prayers into the Week

This week, I invite you to play with creating a “different picture” from the brokenness. I invite you to take your broken pieces and move them around on a flat surface as a mosaic artist would try various configurations when making a work of art. Even when the raw materials of our lives that we have to work with feel broken, we can get a new perspective that can awaken a new vision for life within us.

Invitation to Connection

Sending & Blessing

Sung Response Vessels Holy and Whole

Vessels, holy and whole; Broken, needing the One; Open, body and soul; Healer, come.

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! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761

· Sundays, 9:30 am! Book Study led by Steve Connelly Register here so we can send you a link. New book in mid-March — Witness by Ariel Burger 

· Tuesday, Thursday &  Saturday Meditations with Rev. Shannon Abbott https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpIl_p8CabDEIS9ytj-xXm2vVDg_hyN03

· Tuesdays – Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action Days https: //www.facebook.com/groups/kycouncilofchurches

· Wednesday, 10:00 am – Coffee Hours with Rev. Kent,. Registration link will be sent in Monday Announcements.

· Wednesdays, 6:30 pm—Kentuckiana Association of the United Church of Christ, worship services during Lent  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88690638991?pwd=MFBXVkpGL1REcSsrTkxXQVkwejE4dz09

· Thursdays, 10:30 am – Bible Study with Rev. Carla, 10:30 am. Register here

· Join the Union Church Facebook Group – it’s a bit less church business, a bit more fellowship and cat videos, administered by our Community Life & Growth Board – Union Church Facebook Group