Responsive Call to Communion You and I and all of us have flowed over the world like the waters of summer: Rushing like white water rapids, meandering slowly, Sitting still like deep and tranquil pools. The streams of our lives have diverged: some of us have come to know far-away places, some of us have come to know home in a different and deeper way. We honor the mysteries of distance and the mysteries of the close-at-hand. Now is the time for gathering in. As we mix the waters from our journeys, we celebrate our return to the body of this loving community. We gather in this conspiracy of hope, this communion of struggles. We have much to share: We bring our joys and our sorrows our love, our work, and our prayers. We bring our questions, our convictions, and our commitment. We have much to do: We come to strengthen our best intentions, to be nourished in the spirit. We join together to heal our wounds and to bind up the wounds of the world. We gather to build this community of memory and hope that it may embrace all who seek of a free faith and stand as a beacon for future generations.
First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati September 10, 2017 Water Communion
Welcome Home! September 10, 2017 Prelude Whoever You Are Jera Cox Hal Walker Danny Groh First Unitarian Singers Welcome Doxology Call to Worship Opening Hymn Come, come, whoever you are wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving ours is no caravan of despair come, yet again come. #151 I Wish I Knew How Meredith Plummer Rev. Benjamin Maucere Chalice Lighting Alyssa Hildebrand Blessed is the fire of our faith and the chalice of our community. Blessed is the living tradition that we carry forward in our work and in our love. Blessed is the transient flame we kindle here, Blessed is the illuminated moment of our gathering. Blessed is the light of the eternal; Blessed is the sacred call of life to which we give ourselves in answer. Pastoral Hymn #1064 Blue Boat Home Candles of Joys and Sorrows Vision Song Shelley Jackson Denham We are a liberal religious haven, welcoming wonder, and spiritually free. We re sustained by a loving tradition, moved and inspired by the future we see. Boldly seeking and working for justice, gently transforming lives through deeds great and small. Young and old, sharing meaning and mission, we joyfully offer our vision to all! Meditation Prayer
Musical Response Invitation to Offering Offertory Homily Communion Hymn Wade in the Water Arr. by Mark Hayes Welcome Home! #128 For All That Is Our Life Responsive Call to Communion (see OOS back) Water Communion Time for All Ages Closing Hymn Benediction Postlude #116 I m On My Way Joshua Fit the Battle Arr. by Mark Hayes Next Sunday, Sept. 17, from the Rev. Benjamin Maucere Eternity in an Hour - Optimal Experience and how to improve the odds. The flowers today are given by Pat Smart to honor the members of the First Church Search Committee who are working so hard to locate our new minister. Sunday Morning Volunteer Program (MVP) Team Two is handling the duties of greeting, ushering, providing coffee service and clean-up today. Team Two is led by Katie Campbell. She is joined by Bruce Bowdon, Allen Fluery, Molly Gillespie, Ray Sinclair, Lisa Davis Roberts, Bret Davis Roberts, Jane Hopson, Joe Rohling, Jean Rohling, Lela Ruth Cooper, Michelle Ellis, Mimi Gingold and Becky Algenio. Sound Technician: Sallie Barringer Assistive Listening Devices for people needing hearing enhancement are available at the rear of the sanctuary. All are invited to write their Joys and Sorrows in the book at the back of the sanctuary.
ESPECIALLY FOR VISITORS We're delighted you're here! Join us after the service for coffee, tea and conversation and stop by the Welcome Counter (as you entered this morning) to sign up for our newsletter so you can find out about the many events and opportunities at First Church. Questions about Unitarian Universalism or First Church? Come to a casual orientation to get your questions answered. The next one is after church on Sun., Oct. 1. No need to RSVP. Childcare is provided; we'll be finished by noon. Contact Carol Lloyd 513-515- 6891 or calloyd1102@gmail for more information. Ready to join? If you've been visiting for a while and have participated in an orientation, it may be time to officially join First Church. The next opportunity to sign the membership book is today following the service. Please contact Carol Lloyd. TODAY Today in Sunday School your prekindergarten to Senior High youth will honor the end of summer with a water fight on the playground! Today Sept. 17 Remember to sign up for a Ministerial Search Input Group! There are 6 groups still open, but seats are going fast. Register in the lobby or by contacting: barb1rider@aol.com 513-324-8862 Today at 11:15 - in Room 207 - Join a conversation about the continuation of Book Discussions. Do you believe that book-reading in this digital age is still an important and valuable activity? Is there something you might be willing to do to make church book discussions a more meaningful, shared experience? Please consider joining the conversation. RSVP to joyhaupt@gmail.com or 513-221-7726. Today at 11:45 in the Fisher Room, join the First Church HUUmanists.
UPCOMING EVENTS Mon., Sept.11, 11:30 a.m. Meditation Group in the Sanctuary. Thurs., Sept 14, 21 and 28 and Oct. 5 7 p.m. in the Ellen Hall Room - the Portland Curriculum's "Being White in a Black Lives Matter Movement". Is our country's culture and our very way of thinking suffused with a hard-to-see but pervasive bias against people of color? Explore the answer here. Angela Gray-Girton will again facilitate. Child care and refreshments provided. Class size limited. RSVP to Jane Hopson (JRHopson07@Gmail.com). Sponsored by ARE and Social Justice Committees. Sat., Sept. 23, 10 a.m. First Church Hiking Club meets at French Park. No need to RSVP, just show up and bring a friend. More information about the hike will be posted as the date gets closer. If you have questions, contact Dave Wallace at dwallace6275@gmail.com. Sun., Sept. 24 - First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati Annual Meeting will be held following the worship service. If you are a member of First Church, but have not yet attended a congregational meeting, you may establish your voting rights for voting at future congregational meetings by attending this meeting. Childcare will be provided for this meeting. RSVP to Dan Schneider for childcare, danschneider1227@yahoo.com or 513.561.0849. Sat., Oct. 14, - Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) Justice Assembly, Strength for the Journey: Expanding Our Skills, Engaging Our Spirits. Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware OH 43015. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check in and registration at 9:30 a.m. Keynote: The Holy No! from the Revs. Mel Hoover and Rose Edington. Choose one of four afternoon workshops. To register, go to the UUJO web site: http://uujo.org. Registration is on a sliding scale from $25 to $60 and includes lunch. Childcare is available, but register by Oct. 1. Dan Schneider, danschneider1227@yahoo.com or 513.561.0849.