ORDER OF WORSHIP | AUGUST 25, 2024 | 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.
Opening Song
“Come, Come, Whoever You Are,” by Dale Zola
Opening Words
Rev. Michelle Collins, Interim Minister
Opening Welcome
Susan Marcinkus, Worship Associate
Announcements
Prelude
Intermezzo in E-flat Major, Op. 117, No. 1, by Johannes Brahms
Heidi Souza, piano
Opening Greeting
Susan Marcinkus
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.
Opening Hymn
SLT #1 “May Nothing Evil Cross This Door”
Lighting the Chalice
“The Love That Redeems Us All,” by Max A Coots
Susan Marcinkus
May God—the mind that sees our faults, the tears that sting our wounds, the laugh that soothes our aches, and the love that redeems us all—be illuminated by the light we kindle in this house of faith.
Communal Spiritual Practice
Guided Visualization: “Sanctuary” from Guided Imagery for Groups, by Andrew E. Schwartz
Rev. Michelle Collins
Song
“Beautiful Dawn,” by The Wailin’ Jennys
Performed by John Trindle, bass; Jane Ferguson, guitar and vocal; and vocal ensemble: Rachel Townsley, Liz Wiley, Katrina Landon, Vicki Hall, and Chris Llewellyn
Meditation & Prayer
“Fault Line,” by Robert Walsh
Rev. Michelle Collins
Music for Meditation
SLT #83 “Winds Be Still”
Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the collection plates as they’re passed during the service.
Twice a month we Share the Plate with local or nonprofit human service organizations that provide a much-needed service to our community. It offers us an opportunity to extend our compassion to others in need. This week, your contributions will go to Literacy for Life, which has been working for nearly 50 years to provide literacy services to help community members function more effectively. They are the only organization in Williamsburg that provides individualized, one-to-one and small group tutoring for adults in reading, writing and math skills as well as instruction in English for speakers of other languages. They also support learners pursuing goals including high school completion, passing the U.S. citizenship exam, obtaining a better job, learning to manage family finances, passing a driver’s license test, effectively communicating with medical professionals, and helping a child with homework. Literacy for Life always needs volunteer tutors. They invite interested people to attend a 45-minute, no-obligation orientation at http://bit.ly/LFLorientation. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Offertory Music
Consolation No. 3, by Franz Liszt
Heidi Souza, piano
Reflection
“What Happened to You?”
Rev. Michelle Collins
Closing Hymn
Extinguishing the Chalice
“Let Our Lives Be a Prayer,” by Joel Miller
Susan Marcinkus
Let our lives be a prayer
That waters dry souls
Mends broken hearts
Refuses to be terrorized
Seeks this world’s beauty
And carries us through its storms.
Closing Words
Rev. Michelle Collins
SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal
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