September 19, 2021: “Fall Equinox WUU”

ORDER OF WORSHIP | SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 | 10:00 AM ONLINE SERVICE

Gathering
Linda Cole, Zoom Greeter

Announcements
Susan Walkley, Guest Worship Leader

Prelude
“Linus & Lucy,” by Vince Guaraldi
Dave Robbins, Assistant Director of Music, Piano

Welcome & Greeting
Susan Walkley

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
“Sing for Justice, Sway in Hope, Play with Purpose,” by Rev. Gretchen Haley
Liz Wiley, Guest Worship Leader

Opening Hymn
“Shall We Gather at the River”
Dave Robbins, Piano

Lighting the Chalice
with words by Melanie Davis
Susan Walkley

Under the right circumstances,
playing with fire is a delight—
imagine being gathered round a firepit
as the crackling flames
invite us to sing, dance, and roast a marshmallow or two.
Our chalice also invites us to play,
although with ideas rather than with marshmallows.
The flame encourages us to explore who we are,
who our neighbors are, and where we are on our spiritual journeys.
Today, we light this chalice in the spirit of play.
Let us trust the light to guide us in this hour
and in the days to come, finding joy along the way.

Wisdom Story
Austen Petersen, Director of Religious Education

From the Heart
On Soul Matters
Linda Lane-Hamilton

Meditation & Prayer, Sung, Spoken & Silent
Susan Walkley

Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688
Today’s offering will go towards the UUA Disaster Relief Fund. It helps cover the cost of food, water, shelter and sanitation during natural disasters, supporting not only Unitarian Universalists experiencing hardship, such as congregations damaged by natural disasters but also the broader communities with which our congregations are in relationship. The majority of Disaster Relief funds are deployed in the larger community through grassroots organizing networks. Your support makes it possible for people who may not be able to access FEMA, Red Cross or other institutional resources to find help through their local UU congregation or partner.

Offertory Music
“Peppermint Patty,” by Vince Guaraldi
Dave Robbins, Piano

Reading
“Autumn Psalm of Contentment,” by Edward Hayes
Susan Walkley

Sermon
with video “The Art of Sacred Play,” by Jason Silva
Liz Wiley

Closing Music
“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” by Starship

Extinguishing the Chalice
Susan Walkley

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
Liz Wiley


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

  • Sermon discussion group with Membership Team representative Peter Mellette: 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.

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