January 26 Worship Bulletin, Prayer Concerns and Announcements

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

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

January 26, 2014                               10:30 am

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude     Voluntary        Douglas E. Wagner

 Call to Worship              by Thom Shuman

One:     Come out of the shadows and into God’s light!

All:      We will not play hide and seek, but will make a pilgrimage to God’s heart.

One:     Lay down all which is a burden to you!

All:      We will give our fears to God, who is our help in every moment.

One:     Follow the One who will lead you to new life!

All:      We long to live in God’s presence every day of our lives.

*  Hymn #42 Black             O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing   Azmon

 Prayer of Confession                 by Thom Shuman

One:     If we come to God with open hearts and honest words, we will not be pushed away, but wrapped in God’s loving and forgiving embrace.  I invite you to join me as we confess our lives to God, praying,

All:     We admit, God our Light, that we do indeed try to tear Christ apart – a piece of him here to support our politics, a part of him to undergird our economic views, the rest of him to bolster our fears of others.  We could leave immediately to follow him, but need to wait until we see where he might lead us.  We want you to look upon us with favor always, but have no trouble turning our backs on those around us.
Hear us, God our Deliverer, as we speak of our failures!  Have mercy on us, we appeal to you, have mercy!  May your love become the core of our hearts, may your compassion become the words we speak, may your hope illuminate the ways in which we serve others, even as we seek to follow the One who calls us to new life, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

[Silence is kept]

*  Words of Assurance

One:    God is our help, so why should we be afraid? God keeps us safe, there is nothing to dread! This is good news for all of us.

All:      Sheltered in God’s gracious heart of mercy and love, we raise shouts of joy: thanks be to God, we are forgiven!  Amen.

*  Passing the Peace of Jesus Christ

All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.          

Anthem    The People Who Walked in Darkness Jayne Southwick Cool                        Union Church Choir

The only Son from heaven, foretold by ancient seers, by God the Father given, in human form appears. No sphere his light confining, no star so brightly shining as Jesus, our Morning Star, Light of the world. Glory be to God on high!

The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them a light has shined. Jesus, our Morning Star, Light of the world.

For a child has been born for us, God’s Son given to us; and power will rest upon his shoulder; he shall be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually and peace shall be eternal for descendants of David and his kingdom. He will determine and sustain it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore till the end of the age.

Jesus, our Morning Star, Light of the world. Glory be to God on high!

Hebrew Scripture Lesson                       Isaiah 9:1-4

Children’s Moment                                 As the children return to their seats we sing:

May God’s presence 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.

Following Children’s Moment, Little Church for children Preschool & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church, for grades K-3, takes place in the chapel.  If this is your child’s first time attending Little Church or Children’s Church, please accompany them to fill out a registration form.  Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces.

Epistle Lesson                              Galatians 2:15-21

Sermon            Giving Up Control           Abigale Embry

Hymn of Response #292 Black     Breathe on Me, Breath of God         Trentham

Offertory  Winter Grace   Jean Ritchie

Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble

*  Doxology              Avery\/Marsh

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.

Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community

Our Lord’s Prayer

One: Our Maker, our Mother,

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.

 Introduction and Invitation to Membership   

Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy, and are welcome to come forward on the last verse of the hymn. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.

*  Closing Hymn #387 Black          O Christ the Great Foundation           Aurelia

*  Questions of the Congregation and New Members    

*  Covenant of Welcome         

And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that you and we may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.

*  Benediction                      

 Postlude   Trumpet March           Jeremiah Clarke

Especially in our prayers …

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 Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and our brothers and sisters at First Baptist Church at Middletown in your hearts, and pray for them.  Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.

* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.

* Bill Baker’s cousin Bruce Baker

* Shirley Dean’s family, at her passing on Tuesday

* Charles Sisson, at Myrna’s death on Thursday

* Ashley Cochrane’s mom, Mary Ellen Cochrane, recovering from double knee replacement

* Alison Szewczyk, who is very ill

* Sandra Bastinelli, friend of Joan English, gravely injured in a skiing accident

* Beck Whipple, friend of Deborah Payne, healing from major surgery

* Lisa Vaughn at the death of her grandmother, Ezra Mae Wild

* West Virginians facing the water crisis, and all companies whose practices affect human health and safety

* Peggy Coyne’s daughter’s future mother-in-law, Jan Dailey-Hosp, awaiting a lung transplant

* Teri VanPelt and Christine Ward

* Dick Drake, recovering from a fall at Berea Health Care Center

* Ethan Hamblin’s grandmother, Geraldine Sandlin, very ill with COPD

* Ruth Butwell, recovering well at home after hip replacement

* Judy Rowell , beginning cancer treatment

* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, fighting cancer

* Linda Parsons, recovering at home

* Michelle Tooley, awaiting cancer treatment

* Dawn Manor, recovering from cancer treatment

* Naomi Brandenburg, Larry’s mother, recovering at home after hip replacement

* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Berea Health Care Center

* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace

* Klara Welsh, at Berea Health Care Center

* Bernice Robertson, at Berea Health Care Center

Assisting in Worship

Thanks to Abigale Embry for bringing us the Word this morning.

Worship Leader today is Jeannette Matthews.

Many thanks to Rob Hayden for serving as organist today and to Jenny Bromley for accompanying on piano.

Announcements

You Matter! Please Sign in, Check in on Facebook/Twitter and try a nametag! It’s hard to get to know people elsewhere, but we don’t want it that way at church.  Use the pew folder in your row, passing it back when all have signed. Let’s all try to get to know each other better.

The life of Shirley Dean will be celebrated tomorrow, Monday, with a visitation at noon and a  funeral at 2:00 pm at Davis & Powell Funeral Home on Chestnut St. Burial will be Tuesday at Camp Nelson Cemetery.

Just FYI—Rev. Rachel will be on a retreat Tuesday & Wednesday. Joan English, Office Administrator, will be away January 31—February 6 visiting family.

We need a new Directory!  Please take a look at the draft in the vestibule and make sure your entry is correct. If you’d like to update or add your photo, email it to the office — office@union-church.org. Thanks!!

Have something you want to share with the church (a book, a skill, a hobby, a method of prayer?)  The Faith Development Board is getting ready for Lent, and we’re looking for folks who want to lead small groups or one-time activities between March 5^th and April 20^th.  Got an idea?  Talk to Rev. Rachel!

We can be a Safe Haven.  We are invited to organize a tornado “Safe Haven” where local people (especially those in mobile homes) could shelter in our community room whenever there’s a tornado watch.  We’ll need about six church members to staff it.  Join us after service TODAY – January 26 – in the Community Room to explore this opportunity (light lunch provided).  This is a pilot program from FEMA, the  local Emergency Management Agency, Dept of Public Health, Red Cross, and other agencies.

WNL January 29 — Program about the work of the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center with Mae Suramek and Ashley Cochrane.  February 5 – Nick & Rusti Mullins will present on the Keepers of the Mountains Foundation. Keepers of the Mountains (KOTM) is a grassroots WV-based organization fighting mountaintop removal and standing up for clean water and other human rights for Appalachian people. In the wake of the recent chemical spill into the Elk River in WV, KOTM has been at the center of efforts to distribute free, clean water to residents whose water is still toxic, weeks after the spill.

The Alzheimer’s Association invites you to join us January 29, 10:00—1:00, as we gather at the Capitol in Frankfort, DRESSED IN PURPLE, to show our elected officials just how many Kentuckians are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Constituents will meet with legislators and build awareness of Alzheimer’s disease as well as promote the care and support needs of those living with the disease and their caregivers. During the event, attendees will also share their personal perspectives on how Alzheimer’s has affected them and what must be done. This is your opportunity to personally meet with your state representative or senator! Please contact us with your registration or questions at: 1-800-272-3900 infoky-in@alz.org

Come cheer on Rev. Rachel, Duncan Blount, and many others you know from the Berea Community as they strut and shimmy in the Berea College Dancing With the Stars event on Friday, January 31^st at 7pm in Phelps Stokes Chapel.  They are dancing as a fundraiser for the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, and would LOVE your support! Tickets will be sold at the door—$2 for students, $3 for community members.

Youth Group Movie Night!  Feb. 7 from 6:45—9:30 pm in the Youth Room!

FREE Tax Preparation!!!! Did you know that families and individuals who make under $52,000 are eligible to get to get their taxes done for FREE?  There is a location for this service on Berea’s campus open to students, staff and the community.  To schedule an appointment call Tracy Featherly at (859) 985-3276 and if you have any questions, ask Grace McKenzie.  (P.S.  This site can also help you complete your FAFSA if you are interested in going to college.)

I Love Mountains Day Wednesday February 12! Kentuckians for the Commonwealth invite everyone to the  9th Annual I Love Mountains Day rally and lobby day has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at the state capitol building in Frankfort, KY.  Register at kftc.org/love.

Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light will provide bus service from Berea to Frankfort for the I Love Mountains Day march and rally. Please do register as it helps determine how many buses to order. The easiest way to register is to go to Union Church’s Facebook page and follow the instructions on the I Love Mountains Day post. If  you don’t have internet access, call the office and we’ll help.
The bus ride is free but the buses are not so we are happy to accept any donations to help cover costs!
The timeline for the day is:
10:30 – Meet at Union Church where you can park your car and board the bus
10:45 – Bus leaves for Frankfort
12:00 – Gather at the Kentucky River
12:30 – March to the Capitol
1:15 – I love Mountains Day rally (ends at 2:00 PM)
2:00 – Buses leave
3:00 – Buses arrive back at Union Church