Collective Commitment: Our Hopes and Fears SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018 here we will be welcomed into the garden of this community, where the simple and the elegant, the fluted and frilled, the shy and the dramatic complement one another and are treasured. May we know that here, each contributes in their way to the beauty of the whole. -Meg Barnhouse from The Beauty of the Whole
Order of Service Sunday, October 14, 2018 +Opening Music Be Ours a Religion words by Theodore Parker, music by Thomas Benjamin Be ours a religion which like sunshine goes everywhere; Its temple all space, its shrine the good heart, Its creed all truth, its ritual works of love. Opening Words Eve Stevens, Minister +*Opening Song 347 [Gray Hymnal] Gather the Spirit *Chalice Lighting Words +*Chorus by Philip A Porter Gathered here in the mystery of the hour. Gathered here in one strong body. Gathered here in the struggle and the power. Spirit, draw near.
Welcome Reading by Omid Safi Seeking Community Here and Now from On Being Project + [latecomers may enter] Song Traditional Buddhist Meditation May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well. May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be whole May you May we Sermon Collective Commitment: Our Hopes and Fears A Time for Silent Reflection
Musical Offering Life Calls Us On words by Kendyl Gibbons, music by Jason Shelton Here in rev rence now we gather For the blessings we have known, With a pledge to one another That we journey not alone. Joy and sorrow make us wise, Kin to all that lives and dies; Love call us on, love calls us on. Words and deeds of those before us Waken here to keep us strong; Blend our voices in the chorus Of creation s living song. Courage bids us lift our eyes Upward to the shining skies; Hope call us on, hope call us on. Loyal guides in love and duty Lead us with a trusted light; Blest are they whose inward beauty Shows the path of truth and right. Honor is their earthly prize; By their work we realize, Faith call us on, faith calls us on.
We have shared a radiant hour When the truth has made us free, And the spirit s gracious power Dreamed of good that yet shall be. Bright the path before us lies Joyful pilgrims now we rise; Life calls us on! Life calls us on! Concerns of the Congregation Meditation and Aspiration Offering Words Music We Would Be One by Jean Sibelius, arranged by William Campbell New Member Recognition Minister: From a variety of places, an extensive array of circumstances, a wide range of religious traditions, our paths now meet here in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte. Today, we celebrate these who have recently found their ways to us and have become ones of us.
UUCC Members: We welcome those of you who are new to this congregation. May you find here inspiration for your individual journeys, support in times of trouble, encouragement in moments of despair, fellow celebrants in your occasions of joy, and the ongoing challenge to be your best selves. May you give of yourselves your time, energy, resources, and wisdom that together we may sustain and strengthen this, our spiritual community. New Members: We accept your welcome with gratitude and gladly join our lives with yours. As we have been the beneficiaries of the community you have created, we commit to partner with you in energetic and generous support of our congregation. We will strive to believe the best about our congregation and to offer our best to it. May our journey together be long and fruitful. Minister: Let us now say together the Vision of this congregation: All: We are a loving, liberating religious community inspiring spiritual, societal and environmental transformation in the larger community, in our congregation, and in the personal lives of children, youth, and adults *Closing Song 1028 [Teal Hymnal] The Fire of Commitment
*Closing Words and Extinguishing the Chalice Closing Music May the Light Around Us Guide Our Footsteps words by Kathleen McTigue music by David A. Zabriskie May the light around us guide our footsteps And hold us fast to the best and most righteous that we seek. May the darkness around us nurture our dreams, And give us rest so that we may give ourselves to the work of our world. Service Notes Thank you to the pledging members of this congregation whose generosity makes our Sunday services possible. John Herrick, Jay Leach, and Eve Stevens contributed to the planning of this service. The Adult Choir sings under the direction of John Herrick. John Herrick plays the piano, organ and djembe. Anthony Cipolletti, Niall Paule and Jim Van Fleet 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 1. Corina Ardeleanu 2. Johann Siemens 3. Haystack at Ajoux, Giverny by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, 1885 4. Flowers in a Copper Vase by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, date unknown 6. The Church at Giverny by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, circa 1899 7. Banks of the Seine, near Vernon by Blanche Hoschede- Monet, circa 1894 11. In the Garden by Blanche Hoschede- Monet, 1904 12. Landscape with Flowered Hamlet by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, date unknown 13. The Monet Rose Garden by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, date unknown 14. Path in the Garden with Roses by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, date unknown 15. The Epte Through a Pasture by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, date unknown 16. Garden Flowers by Blanche Hoschede- Monet, 1930 17. Beach on the Coast of Normandy by Blanche Hoschede-Monet, date unknown