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All Souls member Marty Shaw helps us celebrate the Winter Solstice (December 21), the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In this time of greatest darkness, the light is reborn, and the Sun begins to grow stronger and stronger. The ancients kept watch and waited, holding hope.

“THE TURNING OF THE GREAT WHEEL”

Click right here Sunday shortly before 10:00 AM to join our online service.

Order of Service
Sunday, December 19, 2021

Welcome and Board Greeting                                              Bob Wyckoff

Prelude: “Song Without Words” Op.19:1 Felix Mendelssohn,
Eva Greene, piano
Lighting Our Chalice
“The Persistent Flame” by Amy Brooks                      Karen Tyler
Even as the days grow shorter,
and our homes shrink smaller,
and our wicks burn lower,
and our will to endure flickers,
we light this chalice
to kindle a flame of warmth
as a reminder
of the connection that draws us in
to a community that opens us up
in gratitude
for the breath in our lungs
and the love in our hearts,
for the gift of this day,
alive.
Let the power and strength we embody join us together as we move through the seasons of celebration into a new year with a new vision of hope for peace on earth.
 
Opening Words
“You Are the Holiday Miracle” by Gwen Matthews                 Marty Shaw 

Opening Hymn #83  “Winds Be Still”
                  Music, Samuel Wesley; Lyrics, Richard S. Kimball
Marie Gorst, soprano

Reading: “Winter Solstice” by Rebecca Parker                    Marty Shaw

Story For All Ages: “The Longest Night”
By Marion Dane Bauer; Ted Lewin, illustrator
Read by Ellie Weiss

Offering shared with Groundworks Collaborative

Offertory: “Heart’s Ease” for fife, dulcimer and bass dulcimer
composed and played by Tom Baehr from his album, “Ancient Echoes”

Blessing of our Candles of Joy and Concern

Solstice Meditation                                                              Jody McAssey

Anthem: “This Year That Comes”
Music, Tom Baehr; lyrics, Fran Freeman
All Souls Choir, Tom Baehr, Director

Solstice Ritual
(Participants: Ellie Weiss, Jody McAssey Leslie Kinney, Karen Tyler, Jamie Gibson, Marty Shaw)

Hymn # #1063 “Winter Solstice Chant”   by Phillip Palmer
                        sung by Janis Chaillou

Extinguishing Our Chalice:
“Hope Continues” by Kevin Jagoe                                     Karen Tyler

When the candle dims,
The wax almost spent
The light turns amber like a sunset
Still it provides light
Still it provides heat
Still it can kindle new flame
And pass its glow on
And contribute to new illumination
When sunsets turn to new days
When seasons transform all
When the candle dims, all is not lost.
Hope continues, uncertain and true,
like candlelight, ready to spark again.
All is not lost.

Closing Circle and song
“Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.” (sung 2X)

Closing Words                                                                          Marty Shaw

Coffee Hour and Conversation