September 12, 2021: “Swords and Plowshares”

ORDER OF WORSHIP | SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 | 10:00 AM ONLINE SERVICE

Gathering
Karen Eversole, Zoom Greeter

Announcements
Nicki Peet, Worship Associate

Opening Hymn
Gathered Here
Dave Robbins, Assistant Director of Music, Piano

Welcome & Greeting
Nicki Peet

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 the Rev. Scott Tayler (adapted), inspired by and with use of the words of John Schaar
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig, Minister

Lighting the Chalice
Nicki Peet

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
“Wonder Walkers,” by Micha Archer
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education

Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
with words by the Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Centering Hymn
“Meditation on Breathing,” words & music by Sarah Dan Jones
Performed by Mary Pratt & Rev. Jim Magaw, UU Church of the South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA

Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
Each month we Share the Plate with one of the local organizations that provides 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 Colonial Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The CASA program works with children determined by the court to have been abused or neglected by a caregiver. CASA recruits, trains, and supports court-appointed volunteers who get to know families thoroughly to make recommendations to the juvenile court on what is in the child’s best interest. CASA’s objective is to ensure children are in safe and permanent homes where they have the opportunity to thrive. Your contributions are a big help! In addition to donating, volunteering and sharing about the program is a major benefit to CASA and the children.

Offertory Music
“Love and War,” by Neil Young
Dave Robbins, Piano

Readings
From “If you can’t take in anymore, there’s a reason,” by Nadia Bolz-Weber
Micah 4:3-4
Nicki Peet

Sermon
“Swords and Plowshares”
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig

Closing Song
Down by the Riverside
Dave Robbins, Piano

Extinguishing the Chalice
Nicki Peet

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
by Paul Robeson
Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig


Post-service Zoom groups: All are invited to join a discussion group to connect after the service.

  • Sermon discussion group with Membership Team representative Trenna Tankersley: To join, simply wait at the end of the service for the discussion to begin in the main room. Please ignore the breakout room invitation.
  • Social group: To join, accept the invitation to join a breakout room at the end of the service.

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