June 19, 2022: “Welcome It All: Celebrating Blessings in a Mixed-Bag World”

ORDER OF WORSHIP | JUNE 19, 2022 | 10:00 AM HYBRID SERVICE

Before the service: You may light a candle for the joys and sorrows in your heart.
Please respect those seeking silence.

Gathering

Announcements
Carolyn Greathouse, Worship Associate

Opening Hymn
STJ #1000 “Morning Has Come”
Led by the Long Island Area Council of UU Congregations Service Choir

Welcome & Greeting
Carolyn Greathouse

Come, come, whoever you are,
Whomever you love,
Whatever your image of the Holy,
Your presence here is a gift.
All are worthy, all are welcome.

Call to Worship
by Rebekah Savage
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Minister

Lighting the Chalice
with words by Julia Corbett-Hemeyer (adapted)
Carolyn Greathouse

[We light this chalice] 
with deep gratitude for everyday blessings: 
For the dependable changing of the seasons  
as they follow one another, 
For smiles and waves and spoken greetings, 
For being with others in worship, 
For babies and puppies and kittens, 
And for the wisdom of the old. 
Everyday blessings that sustain us every day.

Wisdom Story
The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story, retold by Joseph Bruchac, pictures by Anna Vojtech
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education

Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Video Meditation
by A Network for Grateful Living & Br. David Steindl-Rast

Centering Hymn
SLT #77 “Seek Not Afar for Beauty”
Led by musicians from the First Parish in Cambridge, MA

Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the dropbox in the Gathering Hall.

This Sunday’s Social Justice Share the Plate will benefit REAL LIFE, a partner in our criminal legal system reform work. REAL LIFE serves individuals who have been impacted by incarceration, homelessness, or substance use by giving them an opportunity to overcome their personal and community barriers that hinder their pathway to a thriving life. As a program that uses a holistic, evidence-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and behavior modification approach, they aim to help the whole person, not just one part. They have been a powerful partner in our work to end pre-trial detention and related legislative efforts. They are a powerful community organization at both the direct service and advocacy level. To learn more, visit reallifeprogram.org. Thank you for your support!

Offertory Music
“I Choose This Day,” written & performed by Lea Morris

Reading
“The Guest House,” by Jelaluddin Rumi, trans. Coleman Banks
Carolyn Greathouse

Sermon
“Welcome It All: Celebrating Blessings in a Mixed-Bag World”
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Closing Song
“Sending You Light,” written & performed by Melanie DeMore, with Julie Wolf, piano

Extinguishing the Chalice 
Carolyn Greathouse

We extinguish this flame,  
but not the light of truth,  
the warmth of community,  
or the fire of commitment. 
These we carry in our hearts  
until we are together again.

Closing Circle & Benediction
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal


Post-service conversation on Zoom: Zoom participants are invited to stay online for virtual social time.

New to WUU? Welcome! Learn more about WUU and Unitarian Universalism by visiting wuu.org/about/.