In what is becoming a tradition on the first Sunday in December, we welcome our friends from Groundworks Collaborative. Join us as we celebrate their vital work creating solutions to hunger and homelessness, and building a community in which all people have their basic needs met.
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 for in-person attendance.When attending in person, please completely power off your cell phone during the service to preserve the Church’s WiFi bandwidth for our Zoom attendees.
“Coming Home”
Order of Service
December 4, 2022
Announcements and Board Greeting Elizabeth Lewis
Prelude: Adagio, Octet in F (“Prayer”) Franz Schubert
Lakshmi Dasari, cello; Eva Greene, piano
Chalice Lighting by Jean L. Wahlstrom Trish Murtha
In this small flame dwell the beacon light of lanterns guiding travelers home; the warmth of hearth fires tended through the generations. May these blessings be kindled in each of us.
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.
Opening Words Karen Tyler
Opening Song: “Until the Dark Time Ends” by Alouette Iselin
Led by Steve Squires and Marie Gorst
1. Now is the dark time and the cold time too,
Gather round, circle of friends
The comfort of singing voices will see us through,
Until the dark time ends.
CHORUS:
Until the dark time ends,
Until the dark time ends.
We need the comfort of singing voices,
Until the dark time ends.
2. We give each other company,
Gather round, circle of friends
Singing in sweet harmony,
Until the dark time ends.
CHORUS
3. In a cage of bone we keep our wings,
Gather round, circle of friends
If we would fly, then we all must sing,
Until the dark time ends.
CHORUS
Story for All Ages: “December” by Eve Bunting
Read by Ellie Weiss
Anthem: “Remembering Decembers” words and music by Pinkzebra
All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director
Offering Guest Speaker: Jon Hoover, Director of Operations, Groundworks Collaborative
Inviting the Offering
Offertory: “December” from The Seasons Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Eva Greene, piano
Reflection on Joys and Concerns
Affirmation: Love Is Our Greatest Purpose [adapted from Jay Abernathy]
We affirm that love is our greatest purpose.
Accepting one another is the truest form of faithful living.
The search for truth is our constant star.
We pledge our hearts, minds, and hands:
To challenge injustice with courage;
To find hope in times of fear;
And to live out our values every day as a beloved community.
Thus do we covenant with each other and with all that is sacred in life.
Closing Song: “The Solstice Song” by Alouette Iselin
Led by Steve Squires and Marie Gorst
CHORUS:
Let me come in and share your light
for I’m without a friend tonight.
Let me come in and share your light
and a warm place by your fire.
1. It looks so golden warm within
sheltered from the winter wind,
songs and laughter, friends and kin
have brought me to your door.
CHORUS
2. Open your door, for here I stand
my only gift is my empty hand,
an empty heart and broken plans,
this dark day of the year.
CHORUS
3. I am without a home today
and soon I will be on my way.
I only ask you to let me stay
for an hour by your fire.
CHORUS
Extinguishing the Chalice Trish Murtha
We extinguish this flame, but we carry it in our hearts to lighten the darkness of winter and to bring hope to those who despair.
Closing Circle: “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” (sung two times)
Benediction:
“You will fear the darkness only to the extent that you yourself are not providing light.”
– Marianne Williamson
Coffee Hour and Conversation