Inherent in our identity as a UU church is a deep commitment to social justice. At All Souls, our First Sunday services that highlight “sharing the plate” with organizations that serve the vulnerable in our community are a small part of what we strive to do as a congregation and as individuals. With summer ending and a new church year beginning, join us as we recognize some of our other works, and look ahead to new opportunities to serve.
We anticipate that this service will be both in-person and on Zoom. Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 a.m. to join via Zoom. Click here to read our protocols
“Service Is Our Prayer“
Worship Leader: Karen Tyler
Greeter: Carla Fogg
Order of Service
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Board Welcome & Announcements Leslie Kinney
Prelude for Lute BWV 338 J.S. Bach
Eva Greene, piano
Chalice Lighting by Richard S. Gilbert Ian Hefele
O flaming chalice, symbol of a free faith,
Burn with the holy oil of helpfulness and service.
Spread warmth and light and hope;
Warm hearts grown cold with indifference;
Light dark places with justice; rekindle hope in despair.
May we bring fuel for thy fire of love.
May the oil of loving kindness flow from us to thy leaping flame.
May hands of service shelter thee,
That no winds of hate may extinguish thy brightness.
May thy light and warmth be eternal.
May we be keepers of thy flame.
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.
Opening Words Karen Tyler
Covenant
Love is the doctrine of this church,
The quest of truth is its sacrament,
And service is its prayer.
To dwell together in peace,
To seek knowledge in freedom,
To serve human need,
To the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the Divine-
Thus do we covenant with each other and with the Source of our Being.
Anthem: We Gather Here Together
anonymous German madrigal, English version by Sean Deibler
All Souls Church Choir, Tom Baehr, Director
Story for All Ages “Good People Everywhere” by Lynea Gillen (illustrated by Kristina Sayer)
Read by Marty Shaw
Song: No Man Is an Island
Lyrics and music by Jamaican singer Dennis Brown (1965)
Sung by Millie and Greg Hefele-Christophe
” No man is an island, no one stands alone
Each one’s joy is joy to me, each one’s grief is my own.
We need one another, so I will defend
Each one as my brother, each one as my friend.”
[The title is a quote from English poet John Donne (1624)]
Hymn #325 Love Makes A Bridge
Prayer #1
Our Shelter Meal Prep Program: Feeding the Hungry Kathy Squires
Prayer #2
The Local Love Brigade: Comforting the Afflicted Christina Gibbons
Prayer #3
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light: Caring For the Interdependent Web of Being Linda Hay
Hymn #121 We’ll Build a Land
Offering shared with Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund Karen Tyler
Offertory Make Me a Channel of Thy Peace
(from a prayer by Francis of Assisi)
Eva Greene, piano
Blessing Our Candles of Joys and Concerns Karen Tyler
Hymn #123 Spirit of Life
Extinguishing the Chalice by Robin F. Gray Ian Hefele
“Ours is a communion borne of words and welcome. Our communion finds expression in caring and commitment to our highest ideals. Our communion lives on in our hearts though this sacred hour is ended.”
*Closing Circle “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love”
*Please join in standing as you are able.
Benediction Karen Tyler
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
—Coretta Scott King