A Just World for All - May 29, 2022 10:00 AM - Congregational Church of Birmingham United Church of Christ - Congregational ...

Congregational Church of Birmingham
      United Church of Christ

       A Just World for All

          May 29, 2022
           10:00 AM

Welcome Visitors! We hope you enjoy this church home. Please take a
moment to join us in signing and passing the Ritual of Friendship book in the
pews. We heartily welcome you to this church family.
Our Nursery is available during worship. An usher can direct you.
You May Contact Rev. Ralph Brown for any pastoral request or emergency at
586-872-1618 or brown.ralph.h@gmail.com
Prayer Requests? Text them to Rev. Brown (586-872-1618) by 9:30 AM
Sunday for inclusion in the Sunday prayers, and/or email them to the church
office by 9:00 AM Monday (ccbinfo@ccbucc.org) to be included in the Weekly
Prayers email.
Get in the Loop! Stay current on CCBUCC news. Contact the church office to
receive our email communications.
View Sunday Worship Live Streams and all previously recorded services at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/CongregationalChurchofBirminghamUCC

WORSHIP IN OUR SANCTUARY IS LIVE STREAMED so that those
unable to be with us in person can worship online on our YouTube channel
(see link below). We’re happy to be accessible to everyone and are deeply
grateful to Chris Hiner for creating the technological set up! We invite
others to be trained to monitor the sound and live chat. Our Media &
Communications Specialist, Daniel Jaros, runs the streaming technology
during the service. Interested in how it works? Worship up in the balcony
and learn the ropes!
    https://www.youtube.com/c/CongregationalChurchofBirminghamUCC

THERE IS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS SUNDAY, MAY 29. Summer
Sunday School starts NEXT Sunday, June 5, when children will go to their
class in the Arlund Room after the Time with Children. Beginning Sunday,
June 12, the children will meet in one group in the garden area (through
the path in the hedge on the south side of the parking lot) before worship
begins. Class will be over when worship concludes. Please pick up your
children as soon as the Postlude is completed.
      This summer, children will be learning about and promoting the Heifer
Project, an international program designed to assist impoverished people

to become self-sustaining. The congregation will be invited to donate to
this program over the summer. Members of 4-H who raise animals will be
visiting with our children to teach about animal care!
       One volunteer each week is needed to assist Carmel during June. In
July, volunteers will lead a story and play time with the children. Stories
will be provided. Please sign-up and volunteer to assist or lead by
contacting Carmel at CARMELF711@YAHOO.COM

                               WORSHIP GUIDE
                            (Bold indicates in unison.)
                           [Live Streaming Begins Here]

PRELUDE                  “Create in Me a Clean Heart”                    Anonymous,
                                                                           arr. Hayes

THRESHOLD MOMENT                                                Pastor Ralph
“What, now?! What’s next?! Hey, I didn’t sign on for this! I know things
change, but come on! Does everything have to change at once? Couldn’t
we take these things on one at a time?” I know this is a bit of an
exaggeration, but we may well feel like that. I imagine the first disciples of
Jesus felt something like this. One moment they are in the Galilean
countryside, the next they are in Jerusalem where Jesus is arrested and
crucified. Then, the strange news of his resurrection and the stranger
appearances of the resurrected Christ among them. Now, at the conclusion
of Eastertide, he is surrounded by a cloud and taken up? What are they to
think? What are they to do? Times of change, times of transition are
confusing. Let’s talk about some resources that might sustain us through
times like these.

SONG              “Hail the Day That Sees Christ Rise”                      Llanfair
             (To the tune of Chalice #21 “Let the Whole Creation Cry”)
       Hail the day that sees Christ rise, Al – le – lu – ia!
       To a throne in par – i – dise; Al – le – lu – ia!
       Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Al – le – lu – ia!
       Enters now the high-est heaven, Al – le – lu – ia!
                                                                            (continued)

See! The nail marked hands above, Al – le – lu – ia!
       Sing of God’s redeeming love; Al – le – lu – ia!
       Hark! Christ’s words our hearts assure; Al–le–lu–ia!
       “I will send a Com – fort – er! Al – le – lu – ia!
       Christ for us still in – ter – cede, Al – le – lu – ia!
       By your suffering for us plead; Al – le – lu – ia!
       Make us worthy of the place, Al – le – lu – ia!
       Which you offer us by grace. Al – le – lu – ia!

OPENING PRAYER                                        Dr. Joe Bentley and All
Let us pray:
     Most High God, we your people recall
          that though Jesus was one with you in heaven
                he did not think divinity a thing to be grasped,
          but instead emptied himself, being born in human form.
     And finding himself a human being, he humbled himself
          taking the role of a servant.
     And being a servant, he remained faithful to you and to your love,
          even to his death on a cross.
     Therefore, you raised him up to the place of highest honor
          and gave him the name above all other names,
          that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
          and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord.
     Amen.

THE WORD IN SCRIPTURE          Acts 1:1-11 (TIB)               Dr. Joe Bentley
     In my earlier account, Theophilus, I dealt with everything that Jesus had
done and taught from the beginning until the day he was taken up after he
had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
After the Passion, Jesus appeared alive to the apostles – confirmed through
many convincing proofs – over the course of forty days, and spoke to them
about the reign of God. On one occasion, Jesus told them not to leave
Jerusalem. “Wait, rather, for what God has promised, of which you have
heard me speak,” Jesus said. “John baptized with water, but within a few
days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

While meeting together they asked, “Has the time come, Rabbi? Are
you going to restore sovereignty to Israel?” Jesus replied, “It’s not for you
to know times or dates that Abba God has decided. You will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; then you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.
Having said this, Jesus was lifted up in a cloud before their eyes and taken
from their sight. They were still gazing up into the heavens when two
messengers dressed in white stood beside them. “You Galileans – why are
you standing here looking up at the skies?” they asked. “Jesus who has been
taken from you – this same Jesus will return in the same way you watched
him go into heaven.”
      For the word of God in Scripture, for the word of God among us,
           for the word of God within us, THANKS BE TO GOD!

SUNG RESPONSE                  “Holy Ground”                            CH #112
               We are standing on holy ground,
               and I know that there are angels all around;
               let us praise Jesus now,
               we are standing in his presence
               on holy ground.

TIME WITH CHILDREN                                                Rev. Ralph Brown
                  (The children may now return to their seats.)

THE WORD IN MUSIC            "In Heaven's Eyes"                           McHugh
                             Soloist: Larry Reeve

OUR CONVERSATION          “In Times of Transition”                Rev. Ralph Brown

DRAWING CLOSE TO GOD IN PRAYER                                        Pastor Ralph
We Continue to Pray for:
 Afghan and Ukrainian citizens and refugees, in dire circumstances
  seeking safety and peace
 All at risk in contracting COVID-19
 Ben Sharpe, with anxiety and depression challenges               (continued)

   Bob Rauth and family, grieving the death of his wife, Marilyn
   Charles Sinclair, an 11-month-old receiving cancer treatments
   Cindy Kyle and family, grieving the death of her mother, Annabelle
   Cliff & Jacquie Wagoner, adjusting in their new spaces
   David, brother of Paul von Oeyen, gratefully in remission from leukemia,
    and dealing with lingering complications from decreased immunity
   Elie Schulz, recovering from ACL repair surgery
   Greg Peterson and family, grieving the death of his aunt, Judy Brooks
   Jean Thomson, in assisted living following a stroke
   Jeff Foust’s mother, diagnosed with breast cancer
   Liz Kircos, in rehab following hip surgery after a fall
   Lynn McClinton, Leslie Benyo’s sister, recovering from a mild stroke and
    dealing with other infirmities
   Mary Peterson and family, grieving the death of her mother, Edith Price
   Melissa Crook and family, separated from her daughter, Calliope
   Oxford students, teachers, and all families, grieving in the wake of gun
    violence
   Ruth Biersdorf, in treatment for cancer
   Shirley Fogarty, recovering in Florida after a fall
   Sue Potter and family, mourning the death of her brother, Robert
   Victims of war, violence, and natural disasters everywhere
   Youth and adults with mental health challenges

THE PRAYER OF JESUS                                         All People
        Our Loving God beyond and within, holy is your name.
                        Your community come,
          your way be followed on earth as it is in heaven.
                   Give us, today, our daily bread.
                          Forgive us our sins
               as we forgive those who sin against us.
        Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
            For yours is the way, the power and the glory,
                           now and forever.
                                Amen.

SUNG RESPONSE       “Lord, Listen to Your People Praying”        CH #305
               Lord, listen to your people praying,
               Lord, send your spirit in this place;
               Lord, listen to your people praying,
               send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace!

OUR GIFTS & SERVICE
Your offering is welcomed in support of our ministry and may be made online
at www.ccbucc.org; placed in the offering plate at the worship welcome area
before, during, and after worship; or mailed to the church Attn: Treasurer.

SONG             “Sing of One Who Walks Beside Us”               CH #231
               Sing of one who walks beside us
               and this day is living still,
               one who now is closer to us
               than the thoughts our hearts distill,
               Christ who once upon a hilltop,
               raised against the power of sin,
               died in love as his own creatures
               crucified their God and Friend!
               We have walked with him as strangers
               through the journey of the day,
               and have told him of the violence
               that has swept our hope away.
               He has offered words of comfort,
               words of energy and light.
               Did our hearts not blaze within us
               as he broke the bread this night?
               Risen one, stay with us, raise us,
               once again the night is near.
               Dine with us and share your wisdom,
               free our hearts from ev’ry fear.
               In the calm of each new evening,
               in the freshness of each dawn,
               if you hold us fast in friendship
               we will never be alone.

WE LEAVE TO SERVE                                       Pastor Ralph and All
        Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness;
        be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good;
     return to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted;
       support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people;
   love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
       The grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship
                     of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
                                  Amen.

POSTLUDE             “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”                 Hughes/Bizet,
                 with “Prelude” from L’arlésienne Suite No. 1             arr. Ham

                             [Live Streaming Ends Here]

WE THANK our greeters, ushers, liturgist, soloist, Tech Team: Daniel Jaros
& Chris Hiner, Worship Design: Leslie O’Day-Benyo, and Music Team: Joe
Bentley & Yalan Piao, for all their help with today’s service.

JOYS, CONCERNS & MINISTRY UPDATES                                       Pastor Ralph
           (Please sign and pass the Ritual of Friendship pad in your pew.)

                        OUR MINISTRY UPDATES

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING: In the last year, investments
in technology allowed many United Church of Christ congregations to
enhance their online worship services. Other funds enabled new and
renewing churches to grow their communities, one in a gentrifying
neighborhood, others on a college campus and a town square. COVID-19
grants empowered 50 churches to better serve their neighbors and their
congregants gathering virtually during the pandemic.
      All of these ministries were supported through gifts to Strengthen the
Church (STC). We are collecting the STC offering TODAY. Make donations

online at www.ccbucc.org, mail checks directly to the church (Attn:
Treasurer), or place them in the offering plate at the entrance to the
worship area before, during and after worship. Please identify all donations
specifically for “Strengthen the Church.”

THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED for the Memorial Day holiday
tomorrow, Monday, May 30. The office will reopen at 9 AM on Tuesday.

THE 2022 RUMMAGE SALE: THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
Profits: $12,000 including eBay sales with more to come and all of the net
proceeds will go to charitable organizations.
Remainders: Motown Thrift in Westland was the beneficiary of our
remainders (a percentage of their sales goes to American Veterans). An 18’
truck was filled and a second load was picked up this week.
Recycling: We made a concerted effort to recycle – cardboard, paper,
plastic bags, scrap metal, fabric, and electronics – such that recycling far
exceeded landfill trash.
      The three-year gap between sales caused by COVID was challenging,
but our volunteers rose to the occasion. Thank you for your donations of
rummage and your support -- in person and in spirit!
                                                   Lynn Wilsher & Steve Olson

CALLING ALL GRADUATES! Do we have any graduates to honor this
year? If you know of someone, please let the church office know ASAP
(ccbinfo@ccbucc.org). Email us the student’s name, school,
diploma/degree or certificate information, and future plans. Thank you!

VEGGIE GARDEN UPDATE: FENCE & WATER! Thanks to a lot of hard
work from many of you, the garden has a fence and a water source! So
we're into a new phase of planting and weeding.
   We're accepting plant donations - especially food perennials, maybe
     there's something spreading all over your yard that you'd like to split
     (raspberry, rhubarb, chive, sage, etc).
   If anyone would like to help weed, you can do it any time.
                                                                     (continued)

Call or text Maria at 651-587-5187 for instructions on weeding help and/or
plant donations.

MINISTRY TEAMS SIGN-UP: Use the following link to the Google sheets
sign-up documents for all the CCBUCC Ministry Teams throughout the year:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-SdAgQsKF_zVLNdWYhS-
UYS8cuhK1U48_GWqE3PH-Bs/edit#gid=0 Check often for continuing and
new opportunities to participate. Access the document as many times as
you wish. Change/update your choices as needed. Paper sheets are also
available on a table outside the Sanctuary. Questions? Email Cathy Rupert
cathyrupert@hotmail.com

What’s Happening @ CCBUCC This Week
  Bold indicates CCB and/or UCC related event. Regular font indicates outside usage.

Sunday            9:45 AM       Nursery
5/29/22          10:00 AM       Worship (S and/or YouTube)
                 11:00 AM       Social Hour (FH)

Monday           Memorial Day – Church Office Closed
5/30/22            7:00 AM Sober Morning AA (AR)
                  12:00 PM New Beginnings of Bloomfield Hills AA (AR & FH)

Tuesday           12:00 PM      New Beginnings of Bloomfield Hills AA (AR & FH)
5/31/22            3:00 PM      Madeleine’s French Patisserie (K & P)

Wednesday          7:00 AM      Sober Morning AA (AR)
6/1/22            10:00 AM      New Beginnings Al-Anon (AR)
                  12:00 PM      New Beginnings of Bloomfield Hills AA (AR & FH)
                   7:00 PM      Survivors of Suicide Loss (AR)

Thursday          12:00 PM      New Beginnings of Bloomfield Hills AA (AR & FH)
6/2/22             3:00 PM      Madeleine’s French Patisserie (K & P)
                   7:30 PM      Nan’s Group Women’s AA (AR & L)

Friday             7:00 AM      Sober Morning AA (AR)
6/3/22            12:00 PM      New Beginnings of Bloomfield Hills AA (AR & FH)
                   2:00 PM      Family Farms Cooperative (FH)

Saturday          9:00 AM       Choir Rehearsal (S)
6/4/22            9:00 AM       Virtual DMA Spring Meeting
                  1:00 PM       Pride Festival (Ferndale)

Sunday            9:00 AM       Choir Rehearsal (S)
6/5/22           10:00 AM       Worship with Communion (S and/or YouTube)
                 11:00 AM       Social Hour (FH)

Monday             7:00 AM      Sober Morning AA (AR)
6/6/22            12:00 PM      New Beginnings of Bloomfield Hills AA (AR & FH)

      The complete church calendar is on our website: www.ccbucc.org

A Just World for All

Seventh Sunday of Easter                                            May 29, 2022

        Welcome to CCBUCC an “Open and Affirming” Church
We warmly welcome everyone to worship and into the full life and leadership
of the church. Whatever your background - your race, your nationality, your
physical or mental condition, your gender, your sexual orientation - whoever
you are and wherever you come from, we welcome you in love as Jesus Christ
welcomes all. Gathered by the Holy Spirit, may the comfort and challenge of
God’s presence renew and inspire us all throughout the coming week. Again,
welcome!

                            A Stephen Ministry Congregation
                             Contact a Stephen Minister Leader:
                             Dr. Paul von Oeyen 248-646-0837

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BIRMINGHAM
1000 CRANBROOK ROAD (@ WOODWARD AVE)
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN 48304-2725

                                                   PHONE: 248-646-4511
                                               EMAIL: ccbinfo@ccbucc.org
                                           CCB WEBSITE: www.ccbucc.org
                           MICHIGAN CONFERENCE WEBSITE: www.michucc.org
                                   DENOMINATIONAL WEBSITE: www.ucc.org

CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF
Ministers - The Congregation                           Rev. Ralph Brown, Bridge Pastor
Dr. Carmel Tinnes, Director of Christian Education      Dr. Joe Bentley, Choral Director
Dr. Yalan Piao, Accompanist              Jasmin West, Preschool/Early Elementary Teacher
Daniel Jaros, Media & Communications Specialist     Beth Prevost, Church Administrator
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM, Lunch Break: 12:30 PM-1:00 PM