June 20, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

10:30 am 

Meditation

Being fully present to what is—without judging or evaluating or wanting something different—is the most basic act of love.

  —C. W. Huntington, Jr.,“The Miracle of the Ordinary”

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music  

Welcome

The Call from Earth Prayers from Around the World Black Elk Steve Bolster and Chris Green, Readers

Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice. At the center of the secret hoop you have said that I should make the tree to bloom. With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather, with running eyes I must say the tree has never bloomed. Here I stand, and the tree is withered.

Again I recall the great vision you gave me. It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it then that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds! Hear me, that the people may once again find the good road and the shielding tree.

Hymn Let Us Build a House Marty Haugen

1 Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive; built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
2 Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true, where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew. Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace; here as one we claim the faith of Jesus: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
3 Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat: a banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet. Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space, as we share in Christ the feast that frees us: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
4 Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face; let us bring an end to fear and danger: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
5 Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word. Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786

Passing of the Peace Please remain seated.

Lighting the Justice Candle

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates the day of June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers lead by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War was over and slaves were free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it was not until the war ended -two and a half years later- that the Executive Order was enforced in the South. Texas is one of 47 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that recognize the holiday. Both Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) called for their respective legislatures to make it a state holiday this week.  Senator John Cornyn is introducing legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday calling it “an opportunity to reflect on our history, the mistakes we have made, but yet how far we’ve come in the fight for equality, and a reminder of just how far we still have to go.”

Today we light this candle to honor an outstanding peace and justice activist, Miss Opal Lee, who at 94 continues her life mission to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Miss Opal recalls many pleasant memories of Juneteenth celebrations in African American communities where they keep the tradition of eating barbeque and drinking red strawberry soda. However, she also tells of a terrifying Juneteenth in 1939 when white vigilantes invaded her home throwing out the furniture and burning down the house.  

After retiring from a career as a teacher and counselor, Miss Opal began to advocate for Juneteenth to be a federal holiday. She made her first trip to DC at the age of 89 and has made the journey several times including this past fall when she carried a petition with over a million signatures.   Her home state of Texas is one of 47 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that recognize the holiday.   However, she believes that a federal holiday will not only celebrate, it will educate and bring all people together.  You can learn more about her mission at opalswalk2dc.com.     

On Thursday, President Biden signed a bill into law making June 19, Juneteenth, a Federal holiday!  

The Living Word Among Us    

Hymn  #284 Black Joys Are Flowing Like a River Blessed Quietness

Hebrew Scripture Lesson 1Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49  Steve Bolster, Reader

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armored with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, ‘Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.’ And the Philistine said, ‘Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. David rose early in the morning, left someone in charge of the sheep, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. David said to Saul, ‘Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.’ But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.’ David said, ‘The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.’ So Saul said to David, ‘Go, and may the Lord be with you!’

Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, ‘I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.’ So David removed them. Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine.

The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. The Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.’ But David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.’

When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.

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

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

Sermon Facing Into the Wind 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 Be Still My Soul Finlandia

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                     Chris Green, Reader

We are tossed and we are torn apart, and the forces that we are caught in hardly know our presence, let alone care that we are perishing. Be mighty to save us, even from our own self-serving follies. Be the voice of calm to the storm, for us, prince of peace. Keep us seated next to the heart of Jesus, whose presence stills the winds and stirs the soul. While In your company, O Holy One, speak to us from the whirlwind: heal our terrors, bring every child, every parent, every traveler, every one born into the center of your saving calm that we might face the winds of change with hope and courage. Facing into the wind, we are bold to pray…

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

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! The link is shared here and will be shared on the Facebook page and was emailed in the Friday afternoon mailing. Join us at https://bit.ly/36NjNMX  

If you aren’t on our mailing list—let us know! office@union-church.org.

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 Malawi and Zambia and our brothers and sisters at River of Life Foursquare 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.

¨ Tom Hubbard, and Dorie as she navigates his care and her own health challenges.

¨ Robert Rorrer, celebrating continuing success with chemotherapy.

¨ Sally Hindman, recovering from shoulder surgery.

¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.

¨ Britt Miracle, recovering from a broken hip, in Cincinnati.

¨ Kelly Anderson’s father, recovering bladder cancer surgery.

¨ Judy Hudson, at the death of Frank. Judy is a cousin of Susie Ritchie & Patty Tarter.

¨ Laura Robie, in her move to Lexington.

¨ Bill and Annriette Stolte, as they settle in after their recent move to Chattanooga.

¨ 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 7200 Kentucky residents, and 112 Madison County residents, who have died to date from Covid-19.

¨ Important dates—if we haven’t got yours, let us know. We’ll help you get connected in FellowshipOneGo!

Birthdays coming up this week: Today, June 20, Dave Kobersmith; June 22; Alida Schuyler, Teri VanPelt-Ward; June 23, Eva Sutherland; June 25, Stephanie Woodie; June 30, Patty Boyce

Anniversaries this week: June 23, Steve & Sandy Bolster; June 27 Greg & Rachel Roberts