ORDER OF WORSHIP | AUGUST 6, 2023 | 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
Opening Welcome
Nan Hart, Worship Associate
Announcements
Katrina Landon
Prelude
“En Bateau,” by Claude Debussy
Heidi Souza, piano
Opening Greeting
Nan Hart
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
John Chowning, Guest Worship Leader
Opening Hymn
STJ #1031 “Filled with Loving Kindness” (Trad. Buddhist Meditation)
Lighting the Chalice
“Breathe with Me,” by Matt Alspaugh
Nan Hart
Breathe with me
Breathe with me—the breath of life
Inhale, Inspire, Inspiration,
Ruach, Pneuma, Spiritus, the Holy Spirit
the many names for breath.
Breathe with me.
Know that with each breath we take in molecules of air
that were breathed by every person that ever lived.
Breathe with me,
and breathe the breath of Jesus, of Moses,
of Mohammed, of the Buddha.
Breathe with me,
and know that we are all interdependent,
that the spirit of life
flows through us all.
Breathe with me,
as we come together to do the holy work
of interconnection and relationship,
that our work here may be blessed.
Wisdom Story
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education, & Susan Walkley
Blessing the Children
SLT #413 “Go Now in Peace,” by Natalie Sleeth (adapted)
Go now in peace, go now in peace.
May the spirit of love surround you.
Everywhere, everywhere, you may go.
Hello from Rev. Michelle
Meditation & Prayer
Ben Thacker-Gwaltney, Guest Worship Leader
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.
The collection this week goes to our general operating fund to help cover all of those essential things like staff salaries and building maintenance, as well as the activities that are so important to all of us, from programming to crayons for our RE children. A recorded contribution to the general operating fund also fulfills the annual financial contribution requirement for WUU membership (WUU Bylaws). Thank you for your support!
Offertory Music
SLT #90 “From All the Fret and Fever of the Day”
Heidi Souza, piano
Sermon/Reflection
“A Welcoming Heart”
John Chowning
Closing Hymn
SLT #22 “Dear Weaver of Our Lives’ Design”
Extinguishing the Chalice
“Suspended Between,” by Linda Barnes
Nan Hart
Suspended between all that was and all that might be,
we struggle to find this very moment—to live this very moment.
Let us sit together for a moment, and savor this moment.
Let us relish this between time where past meets future,
Let us harbor a faith that reminds us that right now, right here, is enough
Benediction
John Chowning
SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal
Post-service conversation on Zoom: If you enjoy the post-service conversation on Zoom and would be willing to help make it happen, please email av@wuu.org. The AV Team will continue to provide Zoom access to Café Conversations during the summer. Otherwise, the Zoom feed will end after the service.
New to WUU? Welcome! Learn more about WUU and Unitarian Universalism by visiting wuu.org/about/.