January 24, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns
A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
January 24, 2021 10:30 am
Meditation
Again and again I tell God I need help, and God says, “Well, isn’t that fabulous? Because I need help too. So you go get that old woman over there some water, and I’ll figure out what we’re going to do about your stuff.” — Anne Lamott
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 Bill Countryman Teresa Gowler, Reader
What God Says to you in Jesus is this: “you are forgiven.” Nothing more. Nothing less. This is the message Jesus spoke and lived. But is it really good news? And for whom? And how does it compare with the messages you may have heard from churches in the past? There are other things God could conceivably have said to us and, we may as well face it, most of us know forms of Christianity that relay a message quite different from this one. They say things like this: “Good news! If you are very very good, God will love you.” Or (most Insidious of all,) “Good news! God loves you. Now get back in line before God’s mind changes.” These messages may be good news for somebody. They may sound like good news for contented churchgoers– respectable pious people who feel that they are already pretty much what God wants people to be. They may even sound like good news for people who feel they’ve been extremely wicked and now want to pay for their sins in full. But they’re not good news for ordinary human beings – people who haven’t been extravagantly wicked, but also know that they are far from perfect, at least by the standards of the respectable people of their world, and likely to stay that way. Interestingly, Jesus preferred the company of just such ordinary human beings, people without the religious and social status that goes with a very pious and respectable life. He ate with “tax collectors and sinners” – not just once or twice, but repeatedly. Presumably, they liked his company, too, since they seem to have invited him back. It looks, then, as if the good news was originally good news for ordinary people, people who are not particularly Pious nor particularly respectable. To them, God said in Jesus, “you are forgiven.” God might have said it more simply: “You are loved. I love you.” This message is true but it would have been ambiguous. It might have meant, “I love you because you’re good.” It might have meant, “I love the nice bits of you but I really wish you’d clean up your act.” It might have meant, “I still love you and would like to go on loving you, but I won’t tolerate your behavior much longer.” Instead, God says something quite unambiguous: “You are forgiven.” What this means is, “I love you anyway, no matter what. I love you not because you are particularly good nor because you are particularly repentant nor because I’m trying to bribe you or threaten you into changing. I love you because I love you.”
Passing the Peace at Home
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Today we light the Justice in recognition of The Southern Poverty Law Center. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is an American nonprofit legal advocacy organization specializing in civil rights and public interest litigation. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, it is known for its legal cases against white supremacist groups, its classification of hate groups and other extremist organizations, and promoting tolerance education programs
By the late 1960s, the civil rights movement had ushered in the promise of racial equality as new federal laws and decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court ended Jim Crow segregation. But resistance was strong, and these laws had not yet brought the fundamental changes needed in the South.
African Americans were still excluded from good jobs, decent housing, public office, a quality education and a range of other opportunities. There were few places for the disenfranchised and the poor to turn for justice. Enthusiasm for the civil rights movement had waned, and few lawyers in the South were willing to take controversial cases to test new civil rights laws.
Alabama lawyer and businessman Morris Dees sympathized with the plight of the poor and the powerless. The son of an Alabama farmer, he had witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of bigotry and racial injustice. Dees decided to sell his successful book publishing business to start a civil rights law practice that would provide a voice for the disenfranchised. His decision led to the founding of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Dees joined forces with another young Montgomery lawyer, Joe Levin. They took pro bono cases few others were willing to pursue – the outcome of which had far-reaching effects. Some of their early lawsuits resulted in the desegregation of recreational facilities, the reapportionment of the Alabama Legislature, the integration of the Alabama state trooper force and reforms in the state prison system. The lawyers formally incorporated the SPLC in 1971.
In the decades since its founding, the SPLC shut down some of the nation’s most violent white supremacist groups by winning crushing, multimillion-dollar jury verdicts on behalf of their victims. It dismantled vestiges of Jim Crow, reformed juvenile justice practices, shattered barriers to equality for women, children, the LGBT community and the disabled, protected low-wage immigrant workers from exploitation, and more.
In the 1980s, the SPLC began monitoring white supremacist activity amid a resurgence of the Klan and today its Intelligence Project is internationally known for tracking and exposing a wide variety of hate and extremist organizations throughout the United States.
In the early 1990s, the SPLC launched its pioneering Teaching Tolerance program to provide educators with free, anti-bias classroom resources such as classroom documentaries and lesson plans. Today, it reaches millions of schoolchildren with award-winning materials that teach them to respect others and help educators create inclusive, equitable school environments.
The Living Word Among Us
For Meditation The Old Woman of the Sea (for Jean) poem & photography by Debbonnaire Kovacs
She was young once, Small and strong. She clung to rocks and driftwood Until her grip was torn loose. And she grew…
She sheltered life in her body Until it was time to set it free. She was tossed, tumbled, Blown and broken. Large pieces of her were swept away.
When at last she was tossed up on life’s shore, You could see clear through the heart of her.
Her walls are all gone. All that remains Is her beauty.
Treasure Shores Beach, April 8, 2019 Debbonnaire Kovacs
Lesson from the Psalms Psalm 62:5-12 Steve Gowler, Reader
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.
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 1:14-20 Jeff Pool, Reader
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
Sermon Taking the Bait Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living Prayer
A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/union
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Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offering Music
Silent Reflection and Prayer
This is a meditation about course change: when should you change your mind, your course, your attitude, your actions? How did the disciples know it was time to drop their nets, or the Samaritan woman time to talk back? Wisdom teaches we must know both inner light and outer needs in order to know when to shift gears or change direction. To begin, let us center our weight and feel the balance of body and spirit. To change, one must sense the center of gravity, feel it’s motion, so that when the time comes to pivot or stop you can do so over the center of your soul. It is to that center that God speaks and calls. It is that center that carries the power to shift even long-held patterns. Breathe in clarity and breathe out a centered purpose. See if the waters clear enough to swim forward.
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 Cyprus, Greece and Turkey and our brothers and sisters at Calvary Baptist 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.
¨ Rhonda Cardwell’s stepmother, 97, hospitalized with pneumonia (thankfully not COVID). Her father has been her primary caregiver and is getting more frail. Family is there and able to help, but both need prayers.
¨ 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.
¨ Jeff Hutton’s sister, and all the family, at the sudden death of her husband, Ed Rosenfield.
¨ George Hardman, and all the family, at the death of Elsie Hardman, Joan English’s mom, on Sunday, January 10.
¨ 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 forty-three Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.
Prayers of the People Doug Hindman, Reader
How often have we been hooked, drawn in, toed the line, and all only to be deceived. We’ve been caught by lies, by self-delusion, and willful ignorance. God of Truth and Light and Fish everywhere, draw us now to you on lines of purest love. Hook us with forgiveness for all our mistakes and take us from these sorrowful seas of our own making. Fish us out of the drink, Lord, and call us to the light of your kin-dom. In body keep us safe and well. Protect those in danger, and touch gently all who are ill. With healing hands draw us ever closer to you.
This we pray in the name of the one who taught us to 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
Singing Together You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore Pescador de hombres Debbonnaire Kovacs, singer
Tú has venido a la orilla, no has buscado ni a sabios, ni a ricos, tan sólo quires que yo te siga.
Estribillo (Refrain): Jesus, me has mirado a los ojos; sonriendo has dicho mi nombre; en la arena he dejado mi barca; junto a ti buscaré otro mar.
You know full well my possessions, neither treasure or weapons for conquest, just these my fishnets and will for working.
Refrain: O Jesus, you have looked into my eyes; kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name. On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you I will seek other seas.
You need my hands, my exhaustion, working love for the rest of the weary—A love that’s willing to go on loving. Refrain.
You who have fished other waters; you, the longing of souls that are yearning: a loving Friend, you have come to call me. Estribillo.
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
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