June 13, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Third Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am 

Meditation

 “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.” – Thich Nat Hanh

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music Canticle of Joy D. Edwards Union Church Handbell Ensemble

Welcome

The Call Barbara Brown Taylor Mary Lou Wiese and Cheryl Stone, Readers

When I entered the cave hoping for a glimpse of celestial brightness, it never occurred to me that it might be so small. But here it is, not much bigger than a mustard seed-everything I need to remember how much my set ideas get in my way.

While I am looking for something large, bright, and unmistakably holy, God slips something small, dark, and apparently negligible in my pocket. How many other treasures have I walked right by because they did not meet my standards? At least one of the day’s lessons is about learning to let go of my bright ideas about God so that my eyes are open to the God who is.

Congregational Hymn Let Us Build a House Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786

Passing of the Peace Please remain seated.

Lighting of the Justice Candle

On June 13, 1967, President Lyndon Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall for the Supreme Court, the first African American to be an Associate Justice, a position he held from October 1967 to October 1991. Marshall had a fresh, passionate voice and became a champion of civil rights, both on the Bench and through almost 30 Supreme Court victories before his appointment, during times of severe racial turmoil. Growing up in Baltimore, Marshall experienced the racial discrimination that shaped his passion for civil rights early on. He earned his law degree at Howard University and graduated as valedictorian of his class in 1933. As a proponent of judicial activism, he staunchly supported upholding individual rights, expanding civil rights, and limiting the scope of criminal punishment. On this June 13th, we honor the life and work of Justice Thurgood Marshall with the lighting of your Justice Candle.

The Living Word Among Us    

Hymn  #540 Black We Plant a Grain of Mustard Seed New Beginnings

Hebrew Scripture Lesson        1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13 Mary Lou Wiese, Reader

Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel.

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.’ And the Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you, and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.’ Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, ‘Do you come peaceably?’ He said, ‘Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.’ And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

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 4:26-34

He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Sermon Learning to Go Outside Again Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

Call to Prayer and Offering

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”)

       You can also use US mail!  Mail to: CPO 2105, Berea, KY 40404

Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!

Offering Music     Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing      arr. B. Ingram  Union Church Handbell Ensemble

Offertory 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.

Prayers of the Community Cheryl Stone, Reader

Great maker of heaven and earth; holder of the sea and sky; builder of kin-doms and beloved community; narrator of our hearts and souls: We come before you to receive again the mustard seeds of growth and grace. Some are beside themselves, and some are out of their minds with the friction of life and death. Some are walking by faith but longing for the sight of promises unrealized. In all conditions and in all places we know your presence prevails. Plant in us the seeds of endurance and the cuttings of mercy, the grain of invention and the starts of reconciling love to heal all injury.  When we are “out of our minds” let it be for you and your way, for your love and your love of all people. Let us in health or in sickness be found close to you, and small as we are grow in us a mighty kindness. Help us be not only who we are, but who we are meant to be by your power and care. Fold your story into our own, great teller, so all may flourish. In Christ’s name we pray as he taught us, reaching 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

Benediction God Has Made of One Blood All People of the Earth

Leaders will sing a line, then the congregation repeats when invited:

God Has Made (God has made) Of One Blood (of one blood) All People (all people) of the Earth (of the earth). Blessed be (Blessed be), and Amen (and amen); Amen and blessed be, Amen and Blessed be.

Postlude Glorious Dawn J. Krug Maria Hartz, Pearl Marshall, Laura Nagle Handbells

Zoom Sunday Fellowship has moved to 5 p.m. to allow for our online and in-person communities to catch up with one another. Join us at https://bit.ly/36NjNMX