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We explore ways we might honor Jesus’ path of revolutionary justice and we welcome the light of Spring and an opportunity to embrace the possibility of rebirth and renewal, together!
Order of Service
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Greeting Rev. Telos Whitfield
Board Welcome & Announcements Catie G. Berg
Prelude: “Brother James’ Air” James Leith MacBeth Bain (Scotland, 1820-1945)
[setting for “The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want, He makes me down to lie
in pastures green. He leadeth me, the quiet waters by…”]
Hilary Weitzner, violin; Eva Greene, piano
Chalice Lighting by Dillman Baker Sorrells Beth McKinney
For holy days on which we recall the old stories, we light our flame.
For Passover which reminds us of the courage and strength of those seeking freedom in the past, we light our flame.
For Easter which reminds us that love is our greatest challenge, we light our flame.
For Ramadan which reminds us of empathy and the strength of community, we light our flame.
For gathering today in this sacred space, we light our flame.
For the opportunity to be together as a community, to remember the past, to plan for our future, to be alive in our present.
Lighting Our Children’s Chalice
We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism. We are the church of the open minds. We are the church of the helping hands. We are the church of the loving hearts.
Call to Worship Rev. Telos Whitfield
Opening Hymn #61: “Lo the Earth Awakes Again”
Lyrics: Samuel Longfellow (1819-1892); Music, Lyrica Davidica (1708)
led by Christina Gibbons
Sharing Our Covenant Catie G. Berg
“We build our church on a foundation of love,
and covenant with one another:
to freely explore our values and honor our diversity
as a source of communal strength,
to accept responsibility for our individual acts
and promote justice and peace,
to celebrate the joys of discovery,
embracing the fullest measure of our humanity,
to communicate with kindness and support,
to serve with compassion and commitment,
to openly share our laughter and tears, and
to show reverence for the divine in all that is.”
(Covenant adopted on April 17, 2001)
Time For All of Us Rev. Telos Whitfield
Sharing Readings Rev. Telos Whitfield
Anthem: “Now the Green Blade Rises”
Words by J.M.C. Crum; Music trad. arranged by Gabrael St. Clair
All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director
Sermon: “Following the Light, Together” Rev. Telos Whitfield
Hymn #: “There is a Balm in Gilead”
Traditional African American spiritual; Arr. Peter Amidon
Led by: Janis Chaillou , Robert Wyckoff, Steve Squires, Eva Greene
Offering shared with Theatre Adventure
Offertory: “Lasst uns erfreuen herzlich sehr”
“Let us rejoice,” German hymn (1623), setting for All Creatures of the Earth and Sky
Eva Greene, piano
Blessing Our Candles of Joys and Sorrows
Closing Hymn #273: “Immortal Invisible”
Words: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908); Melody, Welsh Ballad, St. Denio, Published in J. Roberts’ Caniadau y Cyssegr
Led by Catie G. Berg and Eva Greene
Extinguishing the Chalice by Beth McKinney
As we extinguish our flame, may we keep the power and energy of its light always with us, sharing courage and love with all we encounter, knowing we are held in the embrace of our community.
*Closing Circle: “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” (sung two times)
*Please join in standing as you are able.
Benediction Rev. Telos Whitfield
Community Conversation