BEYOND BELIEF: SOME THOUGHTS ON THE DIVINE

Transcription

1 BEYOND BELIEF: SOME THOUGHTS ON THE DIVINE Sunday, June 17, 2018 I have been looking for the words that come before words: the ones older than silence, the ones not mine, that can t be found by thought the ones that hold the beginning of the world and are never used up, which arrive loaned, and make me weep. -Nancy Shaffer from Lifting our Voices: Readings in the Living Tradition

2 ORDER OF SERVICE June 17, Opening Music Morning, So Fair to See words by Vincent B. Silliman, music by Hoffmann von Fallersleben, arranged by David N. Johnson Morning so fair to see, night, veiled in mystery glorious the earth and resplendent skies! Pilgrims, we march a long, singing our joyous song, as through an earthly paradise. Opening Words Eve Stevens, Minister +*Opening Song 1000 [Teal Hymnal] Morning Has Come *Chalice Lighting Words Mehgan Beverley, Lay Service Leader

3 +*Chorus words by Mark L. Belletini music Musicalisches Handbuch, Hamburg, 1690 Whenever sounds the sacred sigh beneath this gable of the sky, the forms of art and spirit blend by craft and morn our hearts transcend. Reading by Jane Kenyon Briefly it Enters, And Briefly Speaks from Otherwise: New and Selected Poems Musical Offering Mystery by Jeremy R. Geffen And it lives in the seed of a tree as it grows. You can hear it if you listen to the wind as it blows It s there in the river as it flows into the sea. It s the sound, in the soul of one becoming free. And it lives in the laughter of children at play, And in the blazing sun, that gives light to the day. It moves the planets and the stars in the sky. It s been the mover of mountains, since the beginning of time.

4 Oh Mystery, you are alive, I feel you all around. You are the fire in my heart. You are the holy sound. You are all of life. It is to you that I sing. Grant that I may feel you, always in everything. And it lives in the waves as they crash upon the beach. And in the Gods that some have tried to reach. I feel it in the love we live for so much. And I know it in your smile my love, when our hearts do touch. And when I listen deep inside, I feel best of all, Like a moon that s glowing wide, I listen to your call. And I know you will guide me, I feel like the tide, Rushing to the ocean of my heart that s open wide. Oh Mystery, you are alive Reading The Beauty of What We ll Never Know from TED Summit June 2016 by Pico Iyer +*Song 209 [Gray Hymnal] O Come, You Longing Thirsty Souls Sermon Beyond Belief: Some Thoughts on the Divine

5 Reflection in Silence Musical Interlude Native American Flute Personal Reflection and Welcome Concerns of the Congregation Meditation and Aspiration Offering Words Music Every Time I Feel the Spirit African American Spiritual, arranged by Pepper Choplin We invite anyone to light a candle of celebration, concern or remembrance As all honor this time with respectful silence.

6 *Affirmation of Our Faith by Sarah York We receive fragments of holiness, Glimpses of eternity, Brief moments of insight. Let us gather them up For the precious gifts that they are And, renewed by their grace, Move boldly into the unknown. *Closing Song African American Spiritual Come and go with me to that land, Come and go with me to that land, Come and go with me to that land where I m bound. [repeat] There ll be freedom in that land There ll be justice in that land There ll be singing in that land *Closing Words and Extinguishing the Chalice

7 Closing Music Hymn by Liz Story Service Notes Thank you to the pledging members of this congregation whose generosity makes our Sunday services possible. Mehgan Beverley, John Herrick and Eve Stevens contributed to the planning of this service. John Herrick plays the piano, organ and Native American flute. Shana Blake sings the musical offering and is accompanied by Keith Shamel on guitar. Manny Allen, Chris Clark and Niall Paule 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 The images projected in today s service are: 2. Beach by Pierre Bonnard "Campagne, le Labour" by Pierre Bonnard circa Public Domain 6. by Donald Hall 7. "Cagnes Landscape" by Pierre Bonnard "Boats at Antibes" by Pierre Bonnard Public Domain 11. Public Domain 12. "Cannes" by Pierre Bonnard "Cannet Landscape" by Pierre Bonnard Public Domain 17. "Blue Morning" by Pierre Bonnard 1927