ORDER OF WORSHIP | DECEMBER 19, 2021 | 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
Liz Wiley, Worship Associate
Opening Hymn
“Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly”
Joelle Griffin Russell, 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
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Minister
Lighting the Chalice
Liz Wiley
We light this chalice
for the warmth of love;
for the light of truth;
for the energy of action;
and for the harmony of peace:
Peace in our hearts,
peace in our community,
and peace in our world.
Wisdom Story
“You Are Light,” by Aaron Becker
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education
Musical Interlude
“Noel Nouvelet” & “Patapan,” traditional, arr. by Sylvia Woods
Amelia Russell, Harp
Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
by Mirabai Starr
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig
Centering Song
“In the Bleak Midwinter”
Joelle Griffin Russell, Piano
Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the dropbox in the Gathering Hall.
On this Share the Plate for Social Justice Sunday, your gifts today will go to the Community of Faith Mission’s Winter Shelter program, which is the only emergency winter shelter program serving homeless men, women, and families in the Greater Williamsburg area. COFM provides three meals a day and 126 nights of safe shelter to homeless individuals during the coldest months of the year. WUU and St. Bede will be hosting the COFM Winter Shelter at an area hotel February 27-March 6. Thank you for your generosity.
Offertory Music
“Ding, Dong, Merrily on High,” by G. Woodward, arr. by Sylvia Woods
Amelia Russell, Harp
Reading
Luke 2:8–12
Liz Wiley
Sermon
“Great Joy”
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig
Closing Hymn
“Angels We Have Heard on High“
Joelle Griffin Russell, 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.
Closing Circle & Benediction
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig
Post-service Zoom group: Zoom participants are invited to stay online for virtual social time in the main Zoom room.
Post-service conversation at WUU: In-person participants are invited to move outdoors to chat with friends old and new.
New to WUU? Welcome! Learn more about WUU and Unitarian Universalism by visiting wuu.org/about/.