ORDER OF WORSHIP | SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 | 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
Announcements
Susan Marcinkus, Worship Associate
Katrina Landon
Prelude
James Sudbury, piano
Welcome & 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.
Call to Worship
Annette Marquis, Guest Worship Leader
Opening Hymn
SLT #354 “We Laugh, We Cry” (verses 1 & 4)
Lighting the Chalice
Susan Marcinkus
We are not alone
We are this flame, ancient as the stars,
new as the vulnerable spark.
We are this chalice, rimmed by the spiral dance
of searching.
We are the light soaring, the shadow deepening,
the dance between them.
We are the heirs of the tribes and their fires,
the healers and their circles.
We are here. We are here for ourselves.
We are here for each other.
We are not alone.
Poem from the Arts Festival
“Endless Summer”
Written & read by Leslie Fabian
Wisdom Story
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.
Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
Susan Marcinkus
Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the dropbox in the Gathering Hall.
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. A recorded contribution to the operating fund, which includes contributions to pay down mortgage debt, will satisfy the annual financial contribution requirement for WUU membership (WUU Bylaws). Thank you for your support.
Offertory Music
“Colors of the Wind,” by Alan Menken; lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
WUU Choir, directed by Kim Ness, Director of Music
Reading
“Everyday Spiritual Practice,” by Scott Alexander
Annette Marquis
Sermon
“Deepening Our Spiritual Lives”
Annette Marquis
Closing Hymn
STJ #1064 “Blue Boat Home”
Extinguishing the Chalice
Susan Marcinkus
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.
Benediction
Annette Marquis
SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal
Post-service conversation on Zoom: Zoom participants are invited to stay online for virtual social time.
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