November 28, 2021, Worship Bulletin, Prayer Concerns& Zoom Coffee Hour
A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
First Sunday of Advent 10:30 am
Meditation
“We think we prefer the illusion of certainty over the truth of uncertainty. These days allow us to set certainty aside and enter the grand mystery of unknowing. With hearts opened wide, we watch to see if hope shows up again.” -Kayla McClurg
From There to Here: We Gather
Gathering Music
Welcome
The Call Psalm 25:4-5 Sune Frederiksen, Reader
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
Lighting the Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath tradition reaches back to pre-Christian northern Europeans who lit candles awaiting the winter solstice. By the 1500s, both Lutherans and Catholics had adapted the Advent Wreath as a devotional way to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Each week as we wait through Advent, we light a new candle representing an aspect of the light God intends for all people. This Sunday the candle of Hope is lit.
One: All of us have caught ourselves looking for signs. Year, now nearly past, has been fraught with struggles. The pandemic has laid bare, and widened, economic disparity locally and globally. Our families have known illness and hardships unseen before, and the future is as yet uncertain. As we enter the Advent season, we who seek the sign of Christ, are working and hoping that the Holy will be born anew out of revolutionary love–offering respite, sustenance and care, opening the doors ever wider to those seeking shelter from the onslaught of life. No one church, no one person, can do it all, but each can do something. As we study the biblical prophets that call us to care for our neighbors and “make room in the inn,” the lonely and frightened spaces within us are filled with the light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Song Hope Waits for Us at Advent Amanda Udis-Kessler
Reprinted with permission using OneLicense #A-723786
One: Today we offer the Light of Hope to illumine the Door of Welcome. If you are lighting your candle at home, join us now and offer this blessing:
All: May this light shine in our hearts, in our lives, and in this church community. May Hope awaken us to possibilities and lead us to greater hospitality.
One: Thanks be to God: There IS room in this Inn, a House for the Holy.
Song
Hope waits for us at Advent. Hope waits for us to trust. Hope waits for our commitment to a land that’s kind and just. In this time of preparation for the work of co-creation, for the birthing of a world that heals the ones in pain. Hope is born in us again!
Passing of the Peace
Building the Community: News that Connects Us
Lighting the Justice Candle
This first Sunday in Advent we are focusing on HOPE. Hope is not just wishing . Hope is powerful thing. People with hope for a better tomorrow behave differently today. Actions make a better world more possible. Today we light the Justice Candle for three founders of the Native American activist group Women of All Red Nations, WARN. Their actions brought attention to ongoing issues impacting Native American women. Over 200 women from 30 nations joined together to tell the world about what Indigenous women faced: forced sterilization; forced removal of children from families and tribes; the destruction of cultures; treaties being declared invalid by governments; racist education systems and the devastation of natural resources on Native lands.
We honor:
Janet McCloud, a leader in the “fish in” protests against commercial and sport fishing that were monopolizing the rivers in Washington. When arrested she continued to protest by fasting in prison. Her actions resulted in the Boldt Decision which entitled her tribe to half the salmon and steelhead catch in Washington. It, also, set a precedence for upholding treaties with Native American tribes.
Madonna Thunder Hawk, involved in the occupation of Alcatraz and the occupation of Wounded Knee bringing attention to broken treaties and the extreme poverty of many Native Americans. More recently she took place in the protests that successfully halted construction of the Dakota Pipeline. She serves as tribal liaison Lakota People’s Law Project which partners with Native communities to protect sacred lands and safeguard human rights.
Katsi Cook, a mid-wife and environmentalist became interested in the impact of PCBs near the Pine Ridge reservation. While others collected soil samples to show contamination, she collected mother’s milk from the women on the reservation. This breast mild was found to high rates of PCbs and other the toxins. Currently she is Executive Director of Spirit Aligned, a leadership program designed to elevate the lives, voices, and dreams of Indigenous elder women who heal, strengthen, and restore the balance of Indigenous communities.
The Living Word Among Us
Hymn #104 We Hail You, God’s Anointed Ellacombe
1.We hail you God’s anointed, the long-awaited One! Hail in the time appointed, your reign on earth begun! You come to b reak oppression, to set the captive free; to take away transgression, and rule in equity.
2.You shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth; and joy and hope, like flowers, spring in your path to birth. Before you on the mountains shall peace, the herald, go, and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.
3.The wise shall bow before you and gold and incense bring; all nations shall adore you, and praise all peoples sing; to you shall prayer unceasing and daily vows be said, your realm is still increasing, with you, O Christ, as head.
4.O’er every foe victorious, you on your throne shall rest; from age to age more glorious, all blessing and all blest: the tide of time shall never your covenant remove; your name shall stand forever, your changeless name of Love.
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Jeremiah 43:14-16 Diane Bailey, Reader
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
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 Luke 21:25-36
‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
Sermon Make Welcome the Holy Rev. Kent Gilbert
Living 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.
Hymn #116 O Come ,O Come, Emmanuel (v. 1,2,4) Veni Emmanuel
.O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of god appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
O come, O Wisdom from on high, and orderall things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and help us in that way to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
O come, O shoot of Jesse, free your own from Satan’s tyranny, from depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
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: 200 Prospect St., Berea, KY 40403
Your contribution is love made visible. Thank you!
Offering Music Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending arr. L. Sue Pearl Marshall & Susan Stephens, handbells
Lo, he comes, with clouds descending, once for our salvation slain;
thousand thousand saints attending swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign.
Now redemption, long expected, comes in solemn splendor near;
all the saints this world rejected thrill the trumpet sound to hear:
Alleluia! Alleluia! See the day of God appear!
Prayers of the Community Sune Frederiksen, Reader
Living Hope, you who lights the candle in the window for the weary, you who knows our struggles, your love kindles our hope.
We pray for all the weary hearts, worn down by the world. We ask for you to offer them true hope, and to help us lift our voices to carry hope on the wind, as love demands.
Teach us patience, but help us wait with watchful intensity. Quicken our hearts and help us make ready the path for your Christ in every moment. Help us prepare the way, prepare our world,, and prepare our hearts to raise our praise and lift our voices, in hope, in peace, in joy and in love.
These things we pray in the name of our coming savior, 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
Postlude
Singing Together
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.”
Come to Coffee Hour after worship! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761
Congregational Budget Meeting will be December 12. Save the Date!
The 2022 Budget, as presented by Finance Board, and approved by Church Council on November 15, will be voted upon by the congregation. The Budget will be available for review on December 5. We’ll email it and have paper copies available for pickup, and we’d be glad to mail you a paper copy.
The following revisions to Bylaw 6 will also be voted upon, to acknowledge and include those who are participating remotely:
BL 6 Voting and Balloting: (rev. 12-14-03) Congregational action shall be taken by a majority vote of members in attendance, assuming a quorum, unless a higher number (e.g., two-thirds) is previously agreed upon. Voting shall be by secret ballot whenever the Moderator thinks it appropriate, or upon the request of any member in attendance at the meeting. Secret ballots are only accepted remotely if technology is available at the time of the vote to facilitate a secret vote. Members who cannot be present are encouraged to submit statements articulating their views on motions to the Clerk, Moderator, or other member of the congregation. These statements will be read at the meeting. Neither absentee nor proxy ballots will be used.
Changes are noted by bold italics.
¨ 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 Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore and our brothers and sisters at Ransom 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, Laura Robie, Tom & Dorie Hubbard
¨ Families and Friends in Crises…may God be present to every need and heal every rift and wound and those who care for them.
¨ JoAnn Russell, Reda Hutton’s aunt, facing several medical challenges.
¨ Children in detention centers, that they may be reunited with their families soon.
¨ Dear friends of Union Church, Michael Harrington and his husband, Matthew “Freddie” Frederickson, who is very ill at UK Hospital.
¨ 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 now over 10,800 Kentucky residents, and 191 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 FellowshipOne Go!
Birthdays coming up: Nov. 29 – Barb Taylor, Bodhi Hammond ; Dec. 3—Nora Ruth Jenkins, Larry Brandenburg, Chris McKenzie; Dec. 4 – Alva Peloquin—100!!
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