June 27, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am 

Meditation

 “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” —Brene Brown

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music  

Welcome

The Call from Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality Sarah McBride Jen Eich and Ellen Mink , Readers

None of us know how long we have, but we do have a choice in whether we love or hate. And every day that we rob people of the ability to live their lives to the fullest, we are undermining the most precious gift we are given as humans.

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

As we close Pride month, today we light the Justice Candle for all those who have advocated for queer lives, particularly those individuals and organizations working for church reform, creating affirming faith communities, creating safe spaces for queer Christians within non-affirming faith communities, and promoting church policy transparency. These groups include Reconciling Ministries Network (rmnetwork.org), Q Christian Fellowship (qchristian.org), Dignity USA (dignityusa.org), Vine and Fig (vineandfig.co), and Church Clarity (churchclarity.org). Many queer Christians have faced significant trauma from their faith families of origin. Some leave faith all together, some leave for other communities or stay and seek reform, while many others remain closeted, continuing to faithfully serve their churches as lay ministers and clergy. Today, we give thanks for the unique contributions and gifts of queer lives, and pray for the day when all are made to feel truly welcome as members of the Body of Christ.

The Living Word Among Us    

Epistle Lesson 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Ellen Mink, Reader

Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written, ‘The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.’

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 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Sermon The Life Love Demands Rev. Kent Gilbert

Living Prayer

Call to Prayer and Offering

A Chance for Generosity: www.easytithe.com/unionOur 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 There Was Jesus by the Water Talitha Cumi

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 Jen Eich, Reader

Gracious God of small hands and yearning love, healer and sustainer, to you we reach and pray for restoration. Like those ill with no relief, some of us are hemorrhaging our strength, our good will, our ability to see past present trials. Some among us are numb and have been treated as though they are dead, cut off from the life you intend, the love they can offer, the joys of beloved community. In all this, and for all people, we ask that your presence and the healing touch of your Son hover close. As we reach, so may Christly power flow. When we feel deadened and defeated, send the sweet voice of Jesus to call our name and teach us to rise. You turn none away and leave none to the grave. Remember us when you feel even the slightest, hesitant touch at the hem of your mercy and love.

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.

Hymn  #12 Black I Sing the Mighty Power of God Ellacombe

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 Prelude n..2 Samuel Maykapar  

¨ 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 Kenya and Tanzania and our brothers and sisters at Blue Lick Missionary 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.

¨ Our church family members in nursing homes or who are homebound: Alva Peloquin, Loyal Jones, Jennie Kiteck, Mary Miller, Lois Morgan, Jan Hamilton

¨ 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.

¨ 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. New Address: 579 Alexian Way #417; Signal Mountain, TN 37377

¨ Barb Smith’s family, at her passing

¨ Steve Parsley, Clem Pearson and the family and friends of Heather Richardson, at her death on Monday.

¨ 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:  June 30, Patty Boyce; July 2, Delores Carpenter; July 3, Susie Ritchie; July 4, Phyllis Hughes

Anniversaries this week: Today, June 27 Greg & Rachel Roberts Lakes

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   The link will also be shared on the Facebook page and was emailed in the

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