ORDER OF WORSHIP | SEPTEMBER 15, 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
SLT #389 “Gathered Here”
Opening Words
Rev. Michelle Collins, Interim Minister
Opening Welcome
Leslie Fabian, Worship Associate
Announcements
Prelude
Andante molto from Sonata Op. 7, by Edvard Grieg
Heidi Souza, piano
Opening Greeting
Leslie Fabian
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 #360 “Here We Have Gathered”
Lighting the Chalice
Leslie Fabian
We light this chalice
With all our soul’s longing,
To be who we are,
To be who we will become,
To be ourselves.
Communal Spiritual Practice
Rev. Michelle Collins
Special Music
“Simple Song” from MASS, by Leonard Bernstein
Chris Mooney, Music Director, and Heidi Souza, piano
Meditation & Prayer
“The Richness of Our Differences,” by Julianne Lepp
Rev. Michelle Collins
Music for Meditation
“Spirit of Life”
From the Heart
Fred Gilbertson
Reflection
“The Power of the Small (Groups)”
Rev. Michelle Collins
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.
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. Thank you for your support.
Offertory Music
“Weeping Willow,” by Scott Joplin
Heidi Souza, piano
Closing Hymn
STJ #1021 “Lean on Me”
Extinguishing the Chalice
Leslie Fabian
Never has it been more true than now:
We extinguish this flame,
But the sparks within us remain alight.
From each of us, in our supposed solitude,
The signals buzz and hum, sparkling through space one to another,
Connecting us invisibly
But palpably.
We are one.
And from every window,
Our light shines.
Closing Words
Rev. Michelle Collins
SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal
New to WUU? Welcome! Learn more about WUU and Unitarian Universalism by visiting wuu.org/about/.