Open Wide the Doors: A Service in the Spirit of Passover and Easter

Transcription

1 Open Wide the Doors: A Service in the Spirit of Passover and Easter SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2018 Although we have been made to believe that if we let go we will end up with nothing, life reveals just the opposite: that letting go is the real path to freedom. Sogyal Rinpoche In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

2 ORDER OF SERVICE April 1, *Opening Music Go Down, Moses African American Spiritual, arranged by Bill Ingram Musical Offering Heleluyan Traditional Muscogee (Creek) Indian; arranged by Jerry Ulrich Opening Words Jay Leach, Minister *Opening Song African American Spiritual Oh, I Woke Up This Morning Oh, I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom. (3 times) I was walking and talking with my mind stayed on freedom. (3 times) I was singing and praying with my mind stayed on freedom.

3 *Chalice Lighting Words *Chorus by Dillman Baker Sorrells Kelly Greene, Membership Coordinator African American Spiritual Oh, I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom. (3 times) Readings o Alla Renee Bozarth an excerpt of her poem Passover Remembered o by Claribel Alegría Resurreccion in Fugues trans. by D.J. Flakoll Song 151 [Gray Hymnal] I Wish I Knew How Sermon Open Wide the Doors A Time for Silent Reflection Musical Interlude Oh, Freedom African American Spiritual Welcome and Personal Reflection

4 Concerns of the Congregation Meditation and Aspiration Musical Offering The Opening Doors words by Olympia Brown, music by John Kramer Lift high the gates, open wide the doors, give liberty to all. Open wide the doors for all to a larger life and higher ideal, Give us eyes to see the divine in all. Ev ry one a child of God, Worthy of respect needing justice and liberty to thrive, Lift high, open wide the doors, give liberty to all Offering Words Music My Lord, What a Mornin African American Spiritual, arranged by Calvin Taylor

5 *Closing Song I m On My Way Traditional African American folk arr. by Mary Allen Walden I m on my way, to the freedom land. (3 times) I asked my siblings, come and go with me. (3 times) If they say no, I ll go anyhow. (3 times) I m on my way, to the freedom land. (3 times) *An Affirmation of our Faith from Deep Is the Hunger and Extinguishing the Chalice by Howard Thurman It takes no strength to give up, to accept shackles of circumstance so that they become shackles of soul, to shrug the shoulders in bland acquiescence. This is easy. But do not congratulate yourself that you have solved anything. In simple language, you have sold out, surrendered, given up. It takes strength to affirm the high prerogative of your spirit. Give me the strength to be free.

6 Music Joy and Hope Abounding by Cathy Moklebust Service Notes Thank you to the pledging members of this congregation whose generosity makes our Sunday services possible. Kelly Greene, John Herrick, and Jay Leach contributed to the planning of this service. The Chamber Choir and Handbell Ensemble are under the direction of John Herrick, accompanied by Shannon Faryadi on piano. John Herrick plays the piano, organ and flute. Ben Schomp, Greg Schropp and Doug Swaim assist with A/V for today s services. Large print copies of the Order of Service and personal hearing assistance devices are available on the table at the entrance to the Sanctuary. Images Today s theme Open Wide the Doors is depicted in the following images projected throughout the service: 1. photograph by Jay Leach 2. Doorway Marcus Stone (Date unknown) 3. three photographs by Jay Leach 4. Sketch of a Doorway with a Water Barrel William Dyce (Date unknown) 5. St. Prex, Doorway, Garden with Rainbow Marianne von Werefkin (1916) 6. Small Door of the Old Mill Henri Matisse (1898) 7. The Open Door Louis Marcoussis (1928) 8. two photographs by Jay Leach 9. The Terrace Door on the Shore of Villefranche-sur-Mer Henri Le Sidaner (1924) 10. The Pink Door Georges Valmier (1927) 11. photograph by Jay Leach 12. Colorful Architecture Paul Klee (1917) 13. The Small Doorway at Trianon Henri Le Sidaner (1926) 14. photograph by Jay Leach 15. Open Door, Brittany Henri Matisse (1896) 16. photograph by Jay Leach 17. The Open Door Jakub Schikaneder (Date unknown)

7 18. The Open Door Édouard Vuillard (circa ) 19. Venetian Doorway (also known as Venetian Passageway ) John Singer Sargent (circa ) 20. photograph by Jay Leach 21. Open Doorway, Morocco John Singer Sargent (1880) 22. Doorway at Moniaive James Paterson (1891)