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If nothing else has come of the struggles of this past year, they seem to have lifted up the matter of race and inequality in America to a new level of awareness. On this Fourth of July, as we rejoice at our emerging freedom from a deadly pandemic in which Black and Brown people have so disproportionately suffered, can we celebrate this country’s independence with fireworks, picnics, and parades, but without recognizing how hollow those celebrations ring for so many among us?
On this July 4 Sunday, please join the Social and Environmental Action Committee (SEAC) in welcoming the Windham County Chapter of the NAACP, with whom we will be sharing our Sunday offerings for the month of July. Our guest at this service will be educator and activist Dr. Clff L. Wood, Chair of Special Programs for the chapter, who will speak about the group’s work in the past year and its plans for the future.
“The Rich Inheritance of Justice”
Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 AM to join our online service.
Order of Service
Sunday, July 4, 2021
“I am not included within the pales of this glorious anniversary. Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me.”
From: What To the Slave Is the Fourth Of July?
Frederick Douglass, 1852
Board Greeting & Announcements Catie G. Berg
Prelude: “Come Sunday” Duke Ellington
from his instrumental jazz suite, “Black, Brown and Beige” (1943)
Eva Greene, piano
Chalice Lighting by Barbara Wells
O Spinner, Weaver, of our lives, Your loom is love.
May we who are gathered here be empowered by that love
To weave new patterns of Truth and Justice into a web of life that is strong, beautiful, and everlasting
Opening Words Karen Tyler
Opening Hymn: “Guide My Feet” African-American traditional hymn
sung by Bob Wyckoff, tenor
George Carvill, video producer
Reading: From “A More Perfect Union,” Barack Obama, 2008
Story For All Ages
Song: “Give Light” from the writings of Ella Baker, music: Terry Leonino
sung by George Carvill, tenor
Offering Guest Speaker: Dr. Cliff Wood
Chair of Special Programs, NAACP of Windham County
Offertory: “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” Bobby Scott & Bob Russell
Eva Greene, piano
Candles of Joys and Concerns Karen Tyler
Closing Hymn: “By and By” (ca.1906) Charles A. Tindley (1851-1933)
sung by Marie Gorst and Eva Greene
Closing Words from “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman
Extinguishing the Chalice: by Barrow Dunham
“[And now], since the struggle deepens, since evil abides, and good does not yet prosper,
Let us gather what strength we have, what confidence and valor that our small victories may end in triumph, and the world awaited be a world attained.”
Closing Circle: “Carry the Flame of Peace and Love” (sung two times)
Benediction:
“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” MLK Jr.