There is much to resist from violence to injustice, racism and homophobia. How do we transform our resistance into an embrace of the good, and the power held within a community? 

 

We anticipate that this service will be both in-person and on Zoom. Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 a.m. to join via Zoom. Click here to read our protocols

“From Resistance to Embrace”
with Rev. Telos Whitfield
Greeter: Kathy Squires

 

Order of Service
Sunday, April 23, 2023

Greeting                                                                       Rev. Telos

Board Welcome & Announcements                        Barbara Woods

Prelude for Lute, BWV 998   J.S. Bach
   Eva Greene, piano

Chalice Lighting                                                          Marty Shaw
The kindling of our flame once again, an opportunity to open ourselves to this community and all that we offer each other. If we are feeling isolated or burdened, may this feeling be transformed into knowing we are connected and held. Our common light is a blending of all that we bring, of who we are, together.                                                            

Lighting Our Children’s Chalice
We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism. We are the church of the open minds. We are the church of the helping hands.  We are the church of the loving hearts.

Call to Worship                                                                 Rev. Telos                                                   

Opening Hymn #153:    Oh, I Woke Up This Morning

Time For All of Us: Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle

Reflection                                                                        Elizabeth Lewis

Sharing Readings

Anthem: “Things That Never Die”
words by Charles Dickens, music by Victor C. Johnson
 All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director
These Things Shall Never Die

The pure, the bright, the beautiful
That stirred our hearts in youth,
The impulses to wordless prayer,
The streams of love and truth,
The longing after something lost,
The spirit’s yearning cry,
The striving after better hopes —
These things can never die.

The timid hand stretched forth to aid
A brother in his need;
A kindly word in grief’s dark hour
That proves a friend indeed;
The plea for mercy softly breathed,
When justice threatens high,
The sorrow of a contrite heart —
These things shall never die.

Let nothing pass, for every hand
Must find some work to do,
Lost not a chance to waken love,
Be firm and just and true.
So shall a light that cannot fade
Beam on thee from on high,
And angel voices say to thee —
“These things shall never die.”

Charles Dickens

Sermon: “From Resistance to Embrace”                            Rev. Telos

Hymn #348:     Guide My Feet

Offering shared with ECDC

Offertory: Bondens Sang [Peasant’s Song], Op. 65:2  Edvard Grieg
Eva Greene. piano

Our Candles of Joys and Sorrows

Hymn #1020:  Woyaya

Extiinguishing the Chalice  by Elizabeth Selle Jones           Marty Shaw
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: “Carry the flame of peace and love
Until we meet again.” (sung two times)

Benediction                                                                            Rev. Telos