ORDER OF WORSHIP | AUGUST 21, 2022 | 10:00 AM HYBRID SERVICE
We are committed to being an antiracist, anti-oppressive congregation. We celebrate people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. We honor our spiritual connection to the earth and all living things.
Before the service: You may light a candle for the joys and sorrows in your heart.
Please respect those seeking silence.
Gathering
Announcements
Liz Wiley, Worship Associate
Katrina Landon
Prelude
“No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus,” by Stefanny Gretzinger
James Sudbury, piano
Welcome & Greeting
Liz Wiley
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
Nicole Brown, Guest Worship Leader
Opening Hymn
“Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”
James Sudbury, piano
Lighting the Chalice
Words by Leslie Pohl-Kosbau
Liz Wiley
Flame of fire,
Spark of the universe that warmed our ancestral hearth –
agent of life and death,
symbol of truth and freedom.
We strive to understand ourselves
and our earthly home.
Wisdom Story
“Blessing of the Backpacks”
with words inspired by Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Minister
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education
Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
Liz Wiley
Centering Music
Goldberg Variation, by Johann Sebastian Bach
James Sudbury, piano
Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the dropbox in the Gathering Hall.
This week’s offering will help our congregation pay down the mortgage for our beautiful building. We take these monthly mortgage collections in gratitude for the physical space that helps us gather, and in the spirit of lightening the financial load on future generations. If you have been inspired by the beauty of our buildings and you would like to support the well-being of our congregation far into the future, please give generously today to help pay down our mortgage debt.
Offertory Music
“The Goodness of God,” by Bethel Music
James Sudbury, piano
Reading
Sermon
“Entitled to Their Freedom”
Nicole Brown
Closing Hymn
SLT #149 “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
James Sudbury, piano
Extinguishing the Chalice
Liz Wiley
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.
Benediction
Nicole Brown
SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal
Post-service conversation on Zoom: Zoom participants are invited to stay online for virtual social time.
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