Order of Worship
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter. The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Focus: “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”
-Albert Schweitzer
Gathering Music: Love Has Broken Down the Wall (by Mark A, Miller)
(See Insert) -Michelle Currie
Welcome:
Opening Hymn: There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy #435
Gathering Prayer: The act of simply coming together is “revolutionary,” which in its earliest form meant “finding a course around a central point.” We gather around the Light of Christ as the center and guiding light of our lives. This becomes our point of reference for our relationships and our love in the world. This is our “kindness revolution.” Let us pray:
God of Mercy, we ask you to come mighty close, for we are a divided world, and we are not sure of our footing in this moment. Steady us, and invite us to “do unto others” in ways that build up your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We pray this in the name of Jesus, the Center That Holds, and in the power of the Spirit That Transforms. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: Humble and Kind (by Lori McKenna) -Michelle Currie
Scripture Reading: Blessing for Animals, Luke 6: 31-36
-Dick Bennett
After the reading, you may respond, “Thanks be to God.”
Anthem: Kindness (by Curtis Chapman) -Michelle Currie
Reflections: Listening with Respect Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and the Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: A Random Act of Senseless Kindness (by South 65) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication:
Closing Hymn: Blest Be the Tie that Binds
Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.
Benediction:
May the Holy One show you the way to Do Unto Others with Kindness. May the Christ whose Light is the Center of All-That-Is ground you in the assurance that no one is outside of love. May the Spirit show forth through you in extraordinary acts you never imagined you had the power to achieve. And may you know the peace that surpasses all understanding, especially when it is difficult to understand. And may the people say, “Amen!”
Postlude: Go In Peace
Pastor’s Contact Info:
Rev. Paula Norbert (207) 205-4951 or (pnorbert1217@gmail.com)
If you are interested in joining Union Church or would like to set up a time to meet with our Pastor, please contact Pastor Paula directly.
Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com. Church Address: Union Church, P.O. Box 344, B.P. ME. 04006.
Many thanks to Michelle Currie, our Music Director and to our Reader and Deacons today.
Blessing of the Animals: Today, following our Service, you are welcome to join us for the Blessing of the Animals.
Spiritual Conversations: A Special Gathering for Indigenous People’s Day will be held Oct 22nd, 10:00-11:00am, BPCC, Sign up at Church.
Gathering with Asylum Seekers: If you are interested in hearing from those who have newly arrived as legal seekers of Asylum in our community, join us for a gathering on Monday, October 28th, 3:30-5, co-sponsored with South Congregational Church,
Kennebunkport. The gathering will be held in their hall next to the church and we will also hear from others working with these Asylum Seekers. FMI: speak with Pastor Paula
Guess Who’s Coming To Brunch: You will receive an email the week before to let you know what to bring and where you will attend. We will not hold coffee hour that morning.
Union Church
Biddeford Pool
…a place of peace and Presence by the sea
Safe Schools/Safe Students Initiative
Union Church, based on the recommendation of the UC Executive Committee, has endorsed an important initiative in Maine called Schools/Safe Students. The initiative involves gun safety and is a direct result of the investigation launched by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. The investigation of the mass shooting in Lewiston on
October 25, 2024, concluded that local law enforcement failed to enforce the state’s current “yellow flag” law. TheSafe Schools/Safe Students initiative is lobbying for enactment of a “red flag” law in Maine regarding gun safety.
Maine’s current statute, known as a “yellow flag” law, allows only law enforcement to intercede in a crisis, AND requires a mental health evaluation of the individual before a judge can order the confiscation of any weapons or firearms in that person’s possession. A “red flag” law, officially called an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), and which has been enacted in Washington D.C. and 21 other states, allows family members to directly petition a judge to temporarily limit someone’s access to firearms when they are in crisis, and does NOT require a further mental health evaluation for action. This eliminates a cumbersome, time-consuming process which helps minimize the potential for loss of life. As an example, 85% of suicides are gun deaths; a family member’s ability to directly approach a judge may help bring these catastrophic numbers down. Maine is the only state with a “yellow flag” version of this type of violence prevention.
This is an advocacy issue for public safety and for the safety of those vulnerable with mental health issues as well. Churches and other organizations, including the Maine Council of Churches (of which we are a member), South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport, the Episcopal Maine Churches, Congregation Bet Ha’am in South Portland, both the Maine Public Health and Maine Medical Associations, plus the Maine Association of Psychiatric Doctors, have stepped forward to support this initiative. The Safe Schools/Safe Students group is also signing up volunteers to begin collecting petition signatures at the polls on Election Day, November 5, to have a citizen’s initiative on the November 5, 2025, ballot.
Visit https://www.mainegunsafety.org/ for more information.
They are looking for volunteers to staff tables to collect signatures on Election Day to put this on the ballot. If you would be interested in volunteering, visit the site above. Thank you.
“Simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world.” Oscar Wilde
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
Amelia Earhart