Sunday, September 5, 2021 Worship Bulletin, Prayer Concerns and Zoom Coffee Hour Link

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

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 10:30 am

Meditation “No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

From There to Here: We Gather

Gathering Music

Welcome

The Call Doug Hindman and LaRee Jacobs, Readers

One: “Today I understand vocation quite differently–not as a goal to be achieved but as a gift to be received. Discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess.

One: Vocation does not come from a voice “out there” calling me to become something I am not. It comes from a voice “in here” calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God.”

― Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

Passing of the Peace at Home

Lighting the Justice Candle

Today we light the Justice Candle for Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute that focuses on improving systems of democracy and justice. The Brennan Center is a leading national voice on voting rights, money in politics, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law.

Michael Waldman is the author of The Fight to Vote, a history of the struggle to win voting rights for all citizens. The Wall Street Journal called it “an engaging, concise history of American voting practices.”

Hymn O God, You Call for Justice Aurelia Deborah Thompson, Song Leader

1. O God, you call for justice—for goodness, never greed! You seek a world of fairness where all have what they need— Where all have food and water and homes in which to thrive, Where all have hope and laughter and joy to be alive!

2. O God, you call for kindness instead of keeping score; You seek a world that welcomes the hungry and the poor. Lord, where there is injustice may we work to protect the struggling ones, the voiceless that others would reject.

3. You call us to walk humbly, for we are not our own; we all are poor and needy; we need the grace you’ve shown. May we respond to others reflecting what you give—compassion, kindness, justice— so all may gladly live.

4. O God, may our great nation seek justice, as we should, and work with dedication to seek the common good. We’re blessed to be a blessing; may we within our law seek justice and compassion that reaches out to all.

OneLicense #A-723786

Hebrew Scripture Lesson Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Doug Hindman, Reader

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail. Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them.

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 7:24-37

From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’

Sermon The Work at Hand 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

Offertory Prayer

Responding to God’s Love in Communion

Invitation to Communion

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.

Communion Prayer

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

One: On the night he was betrayed, Jesus sat with his disciples and broke bread. He blessed it, lifted it up, and spoke these words:

All: “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

One: Then, after supper was over, he took the cup and blessed it, and said:

All: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

One: Remembering you as we come to the richness of your table, we cannot and we do not forget the rawness of the world and the cry of the poor. We cannot take bread and forget those who are hungry. We cannot drink and forget those who are thirsty. Help us feed others as we are fed, and reject the temptation to self-satisfaction. 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

Postlude

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 Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, and our brothers and sisters at New Life Assemblies of God 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

¨ 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

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

¨ Sharona Nelson, as she faces decisions regarding a difficult family situation.

¨ Ally Nurre, recovering from hip replacement surgery.

¨ Christine VanPelt Ward and family, at the loss of her grandmother.

¨ Dorie Hubbard’s great grand-niece, Marie, whose cancer has gotten worse.

¨ Shelagh Quigley, dear friend of Dodie Murphy, who has Covid-19.

¨ Memorial Service today for Karen Lee, Teri Van Pelt’s sister, from 7-9, Million Park, Richmond. Contributions of food would be most appreciated. We’ve got a Potluck MealTrain set up, bring food to church between 4 & 6 and Rev. Kent will deliver.

¨ Ashley Cochrane, who has received the Elizabeth Perry Miles Award for Community Service from Berea College!

¨ The upcoming anniversary of 9/11.

¨ Prayers for those in danger from fires and flood, especially those in western wildfires and cleaning up after Hurricane Ida. We are holding our sister congregation Bethlehem Lutheran church of New Orleans and their pastor, Ben Groth, and their leadership in our prayers, the family of Lisa and David Shroyer, and Jennifer (Durham) and Jose Garcia, former members whose home was severely damaged.

¨ We observe the 10 year anniversary of the death of Joyce Cooper, fabric artist, business woman, incredible church member and beloved wife and mom.

¨ 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 now 7900 Kentucky residents, and 118 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: today, September 5 – Brian Madden; 6 – Chris Green; 9 – Hailey Biggs; 10 – Laura Nagle; 11 – Lisa Shroyer; 13 – Mary Nash, Steve Connelly

Anniversaries this week: Sept. 9 – Jim & Dana Wangsgard

Join Zoom Coffee Hour!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87387600761

Meeting ID: 873 8760 0761

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