June 6, 2021, Worship Bulletin and Prayer Concerns

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

Second Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am 

Meditation

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.”  – Rumi

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music Jesus Lives and so Shall I Michael Cox

Welcome

The Call from Man’s Search for Meaning Viktor Frankl

There were always choices to make.  Every day, every hour,  offered the opportunity to make a decision,  a decision which determined  whether you would or would not  submit to those powers which threatened to rob you of your very self, your inner freedom; which determined whether or not  you become the plaything to circumstance,  renouncing freedom and dignity.

Passing of the Peace

Please remain seated.

Building the Community: News that Connects Us

Today we’re lighting the justice candle for all those who have touched the lives of others with  their acts of kindness.  You probably all know of at least one person who has quietly done just that.  Maybe that kindness was for you, or maybe it was something you witnessed.  Maybe it made an impact on your life and helped to influence who you have become.  Think about that person and hold them in your heart and mind, and as we light the justice candle today, say their names out loud.

Honoring Our Graduates

¨ Laura Bellnier, University of Kentucky Masters Program

¨ Maria Hartz, University of the Cumberlands Masters Program

¨ Ela Jamali, Berea College

¨ Jaeleah Roberts, Madison Central High School

¨ Kadroian Santiago, Berea Community School

¨ Rina Tanaka, Eastern Kentucky University

¨ Mo Thi, Berea College

The Living Word Among Us    

Hymn  #1 Black Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise St. Denio

Epistle Lesson 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Jenny Hobson, Reader

But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke” —we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

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. 

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Mark 3:20-35

And the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Sermon The Accident and the Actual 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 Let Us Break Bread Together Anna Laura Page

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.

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

Invitation to Communion

One: The Lord Be with you!

All:   And also with those you cherish.

One:  Lift up your hearts!

All: We lift them to the Lord.

You who breath the world into being each day, have done so for all of history. We are made of your will and nurtured by your creation. Woven into the web of life, you set human beings and set us to steward your care. Men and Women, more able to hear and remember this call become our prophets. As you guided Abraham and Sarai, Moses and Miriam, and all the wise of our past, so you call to some now with words of challenge and blessings. As we gather, we gather in the presence of those who have gone before, and in anticipation of the word that is yet to come, breaking forth in communion with you.

We, your Holy Vessels, were fired in the kiln of love until we shined with your light. Susceptible to shattering, we find ourselves broken, unable at times to remember your promise of repair. You remind us time and again that, though broken,  we are held in your presence and made whole by your grace. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus Land of Rest

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.

Words of Institution

Prayers of the Community Maria Hartz, Reader

Lord we thank you for the substance of compassion and connection in every aspect it assumes. The daily bread you send us is holy and sacred because of who has provided it and because of whom it nurtures. In every place where love is shared and care is shown bring us into communion with you. Heal our bodies with such love. Heal our hurts and traumas. Unite us when we feel dismembered and connect us when we pull away. By every meal we share remind us of who we are, and whose we are, and know our thanks, which has no end for the strength, hope, your power brings so we may proclaim both justice and joy as love demands.

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

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 I Love to Tell the Story Anna Laura Page

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.”

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 Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini  and our brothers and sisters at Gloryland 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.

¨ Tom Hubbard and for Dorie in caring for him.

¨ Teri VanPelt, recovering from kidney stone surgery.

¨ Robert Rorrer, celebrating continuing success with chemotherapy.

¨ Bill Stolte, recovering at the Terrace.

¨ Sally Hindman, recovering from shoulder surgery.

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

¨ Ryan Glick, facing surgery for a rare form of spinal tumor.

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

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

¨ All our recent grads, in thanksgiving for their accomplishments and prayers for their future endeavors

¨ 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 7100 Kentucky residents, and 111 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 6, Deborah Payne, Mim Pride, Luke Woodie; June 7, Kala Shearer, Adria Sutherland; June 12, Patti Smithson; June 13, Gene Chao

Anniversaries this week: June 8, Richard & Jenny Bromley; June 9, Bob & Jean Boyce; June 11, John & Cheryl Payne