Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome (Sage Nitzan)

Announcements ((Sage Nitzan)

Centering (Sage Nitzan)

Prelude

“Vienna”
by Billy Joel
Will Alexson, vocals; Molly Rourke, piano; Mateo Garcia, flute

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words 

“Experience”
by Sage Nitzan
Read by Mateo Garcia & Sage Nitzan

Opening Hymn

#1007 “There’s a River Flowin’ in My Soul”
Words and music by Rose Sanders

There’s a river flowin’ in my soul.
There’s a river flowin’ in  my soul.
And it’s tellin’ me that I’m somebody.
There’s a river flowin’ in my soul.

There’s a reiver flowin’ in my heart…
There’s a river flowin’ in my mind…

There’s a river flowin’ in my soul. 

Words from Affirmation Advisor (Gianna DiMaiolo)

Credo Statements & Responses — Part I
Indi Bender and Kaitlyn Blesso
Will Alexson and Laurie Semprebon

Moment of Silence and Candle Lighting (Indi Bender)

Offering (Gianna DiMaiolo)
During the month of June, the recipient of our community outreach offering will be Trans Voice and Visibility-365. TV-365 is a ministry dedicated to uplifting and supporting the wellbeing of transgender individuals in Connecticut by providing basic human needs, information and referral, service coordination and support to individuals. Their emphasis is on those most under-served, neglected, victimized and oppressed. This includes, but is not limited to, transgender women and men of color, those with disabilities, youth and elderly immigrants (documented and undocumented), low income and victims of crime.”

Offering Music

“Endings and New Beginnings”
Composed & recorded by Lilly Coleman

Credo Statements & Responses — Part II
Mateo Garcia and Jim Adams
Sage Nitzan and Kate Kimmerle

Poetry Interlude

“Reflections”
Written & read by Lilly Coleman

Moment of Movement (Gina Campellone)

Credo Statements & Responses — Part III
Molly Rourke and Lisa Sementilli
Lilly Coleman and Kevin Holian-Borgnis

Minister’s Reflection (Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Affirmation Ceremony
          Presentation of Celebrants
Giving of the Chalices
Congregational Affirmation

Introductions

Wishes from the Director of Children & Youth Ministry (Gina Campellone)

Closing Hymn

#1021 “Lean on Me”
Music & Lyrics by Bill Withers

Sometimes in our lives
we all have pain,
we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise
we know that there’s
always tomorrow. 

Chorus:
Lean on me when you’re not strong
and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on,
For it won’t be long ’til I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on.
Please swallow your pride
if I have things
you need to borrow,
For no one can fill
those of your needs 
that you won’t let show.

Bridge:
Just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’d understand. 
We all need somebody to lean on.

Chorus
Bridge
If there is a load
you have to bear
that you can’t carry,
I’m right up the road,
I’ll share your load
if you just call me.
Call me…call me…

Extinguishing the Chalice & Closing Words (Molly Rourke)

“May We Go Forward”
by Matt Meyer

Closing Circle (Molly Rourke)
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of Earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come. 

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome, Announcements & Introduction to the Service (Vivian Carlson)

Centering 

Prelude

“We Journey Together” by Mary Bopp

Chalice Lighting 

Words by Rev. Julianne Lepp
of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

We seek our place in the world
and the answers to our hearts’ deep questions.
As we seek, may our hearts be open to unexpected answers.
May the light of our chalice remind us that this is a community of warmth,
of wisdom and welcoming of multiple truths. 

Opening Hymn

#298 “Wake Now My Senses”
Words: Thomas J. S. Mikelson
Music: Traditional Irish melody, harmony by Carlton R. Young
Led by Jeannine Westbrook

Wake now my senses and hear the earth call,
Feel the deep power of being in all,
Keep, with the web of creation your vow,
Giving, receiving as love shows us how.

Wake now my reason, reach out to the new,
Join with each pilgrim who quests for the true;
Honor the beauty and wisdom of time,
Suffer thy limit and praise the sublime.

Wake now compassion, give heed to the cry,
Voices of suffering fill the wide sky,
Take as your neighbor both stranger and friend,
Praying and striving their hardship to end. 

Reading

“Reverend” by Marsha Howland

Musical Response 

Introductions, Joys and Concerns 

Offering
In keeping with our congregation’s 2018 resolution to become a sanctuary congregation, our community outreach offering for May is dedicated to two important immigrants’ rights groups in Connecticut.

Hartford Deportation Defense say “we are an immigrant-led mutual aid collective that fights for the rights of all immigrants in the Hartford area, so that we can all have access to a dignified, peaceful, and joyful life.

Unidad Latina en Accion or ULA, was founded in New Haven in 2002, with the goal of building grassroots immigrant power across Connecticut to win economic and racial justice.

Offering Music

“Vincent” by Don McLean
Performed by Mary Bopp & Jeannine Westbrook

Reading (Vivian Carlson)

“All That We Share is Sacred”
by Andree Mol

As we gather together
May we remember
When you share with me what is most important to you,
That is where listening begins.
When I show you that I hear you,
When I say your life matters,
That is where compassion begins.
When I open the door to greet you,
That is where hospitality begins.
When I venture to bring you to shelter,
That is where love begins.
When I risk my comfort to ease your suffering,
When I act against hatred, violence, and injustice,
That is where courage begins.
When we experience the full presence of each other,
Because of our shared humanity,
Because of our differences,
That is where holy gratitude begins.
May this space be a table that is not complete until all are welcome.
May this table be a space of beauty where together we create a series of miracles,
And where all that we share is sacred.
May it be so.  

Reflection on Shared Ministry #1 (Nancy Madar)

“The UUS:E Model – How It Evolved”

Reflection on Shared Ministry #2 (Beth Hudson Hankins)

“Shared Ministry as Spiritual Practice”

Reflection on Shared Ministry #3 (Sheila Foran)

“Treasured in Equal Measure”

Closing Hymn 

#1020 Woyaya
Words and music: Loughty Amoa, Solomon Amarfio, Robert M. Bailey,
Roy Bedeau, Francis T. Osei, Whendell K. Richardson, and Mac Tontoh
Transcribed from Ysaye M. Barnwell; arr. Jeannie Gagne
Led by Jeannine Westbrook

We are going, heaven knows where we are going, but we know within.
And we will get there, heaven knows how we will get there, but we know we will.
It will be hard we know, and the road will be muddy and rough,
But we’ll get there, heaven knows how we’ll get there, but we know we will. 

Wo-ya-ya, Wo-ya-ya, Wo-ya-ya, Wo-ya-ya

We are going, heaven knows where we are going, but we know within.
And we will get there, heaven knows how we will get there, but we know we will.

Wo-ya-ya, Wo-ya-ya, Wo-ya-ya, Wo-ya-ya
Wo-ya-ya. yi-ya-ya Wo-ya-ya. Yi-ya-ya. Ya!

Closing Prayer (Vivian Carlson)

“Peace Bede”
(anonymous)

In the world, let there be peace.
May we overcome hate with love.
Protect those who must fight for freedom.
Grant courage to all who face hate.
Guide our leaders through difficult choices.
May we stand for what is right and fair.
Keep us from destroying ourselves.
Strengthen those who grieve.
Remember the hurting children.
May we offer tender words.
May our hands be quick to help.
Be our shelter in times of fear.
Heal our land; heal our world.
Grant us tolerance, wisdom and compassion.
May we stand united upon this earth.

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle
May faith in the spirt of life
And hope for the community of Earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

 

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome

Announcements

Centering

Opening Hymn and Procession of the Flowers

#361 “Enter, Rejoice, and Come In”
Words and music by Louise Ruspini
arr., by Betty A. Wylder

Enter, rejoice, and come in.
Enter, rejoice, and come in.
Today will be a joyful day;
enter, rejoice, and come in.

Open your ears to the song…

Open your hearts ev’ryone…

Don’t be afraid of some change…

Enter, rejoice, and come in…

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“All of Us Are Beautiful”
by Thomas Rhodes
spoken by Gina Campellone

Music

“Chanson de Matin”
by Edward Elgar
Anne Stowe, violin; Mary Bopp, piano

New Member Welcome

Introductions (Membership Committee co-chairs)
Angela Fournier – 9AM
Carole Boster – 9AM (membership reinstatement)
Andy Ricci and Jackie Muschiano – 11AM
Olie Cohen – 11AM
Jan and Dick Knotts – 11AM

The Charge (Minister)
As you take up membership in the Unitarian Universalist Society: East, I charge you to share with us who you are. Share your creativity, your experiences, your questions, your doubts, your beliefs, and all your discoveries of life’s meaning. I charge you to shake us up with your ideas, to stir us up with your conscience, to inspire us with your actions, and to stimulate our hopes with your dreams of what life can be.

Congregational Welcome (Congregation)
We welcome you as companions in the search for truth and meaning. We invite you to share in our mission of caring for one another, encouraging each other in spiritual growth, working for justice and peace in the wider community, and living in harmony with the earth. We join our gifts with yours, trusting in the power of community to bring freedom, healing, and love.

New Member Affirmation (New Members)
We join the Unitarian Universalist Society: East out of a desire and willingness to participate in a liberal religious congregation. We pledge to share our time, energy and gifts; to diligently seek our spiritual truths; and to strengthen the bonds of community.

Music

“What a Wonderful World”
by Bob Thiele (George Douglas) and George David Weiss
UUS:E Choir

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Offering
In keeping with our congregation’s 2018 resolution to become a sanctuary congregation, our community outreach offering for May is dedicated to two important immigrants’ rights groups in Connecticut.

Hartford Deportation Defense say “we are an immigrant-led mutual aid collective that fights for the rights of all immigrants in the Hartford area, so that we can all have access to a dignified, peaceful, and joyful life.

Unidad Latina en Accion or ULA, was founded in New Haven in 2002, with the goal of building grassroots immigrant power across Connecticut to win economic and racial justice.

Offering Music

Sonata in C minor (second movement)
Edvard Grieg
Anne Stowe, violin; Mary Bopp, piano

Story

“The Flower Ceremony, a Plain and Simple Beauty”
ad. from a story by Janeen K. Grohsmeyer in
Lamp in Every Corner: Our UU Storybook
told by Gina Campellone
illustrations by Mia, Charlotte, and Claudia Gonzalez

Music

“Hatikvah” (trad. melody)
Spencer Vadas, piano

Homily

“Flower Communion, 100 Years”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Flower Communion

Closing Hymn

#61 “Lo, the Earth Awakes Again”
Words by Samuel Longfellow; music by Lyra Davidica

Lo, the earth awakes again — Alleluia!
From the winter’s bond and pain.
Alleluia! Bring we leaf and flower and spray — Alleluia!
to adorn this happy day. Alleluia!

Once again the word comes true, 
Alleluia! All the earth shall be made new. Alleluia!
Now the dark, cold days are o’er, Alleluia!
Spring and gladness are before. Alleluia!

Change, then, mourning into praise, Alleluia!
And, for dirges, anthems raise. Alleluia!
How our spirits soar and sing, Alleluia!
How our hearts leap with the spring! Alleluia!

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of Earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

 

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome

Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“Nautilus”
by Mary Bopp

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“Circles of Life”
by Suzy Kassem

Opening Hymn

“Dear Weaver of Our Lives’ Design”
#22 in Singing the Living Tradition
words by Nancy Dorian
music by Nikolaus Herman, harmonized by J. S. Bach

Dear weaver of our lives’ design
Whose patters all obey;
With skillful fingers gently guide
The sturdy threads that will survive
The tangle of our days.

Take up the fabric of our lives
With hands that gently hold;
Bind in the ragged edge that care
Would sunder and that pain would tear
And mend our rav’ling souls.

Let eyes that in the plainest cloth
A hidden beauty see;
Discern in us our richest hues,
Show us the patterns we may use
To set our spirits free.

Silence

Reflection

excerpts from The Earth Path: Grounding Your Spirit in the Rhythms of Nature
by Starhawk

Musical Meditation (Mary Bopp)

Joys and Concerns

Musical Response (Mary Bopp)

Offering
In keeping with our congregation’s 2018 resolution to become a sanctuary congregation, our community outreach offering for May is dedicated to two important immigrants’ rights groups in Connecticut.

Hartford Deportation Defense say “we are an immigrant-led mutual aid collective that fights for the rights of all immigrants in the Hartford area, so that we can all have access to a dignified, peaceful, and joyful life.”

Unidad Latina en Accion or ULA was founded in New Haven in 2002, with the goal of building grassroots immigrant power across Connecticut to win economic and racial justice.

Offering Music

“Spiraling”
by Mary Bopp

Sermon

“Spiraling”

Closing Hymn

“We Are Dancing Sarah’s Circle (Spiral)”
#212 in Singing the Living Tradition
Words by Carole A. Etzler
music: African American spiritual

We are dancing Sarah’s circle (spiral)
We are dancing Sarah’s circle (spiral)
We are dancing Sarah’s circle (spiral)
Sisters, brothers, all.

Here we seek and find our history …

We will all do our own naming …

Every round a generation …

On and on the circle’s (spiral’s) moving …

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of Earth
and love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come. 

 

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome, Announcements, & Introduction to the Service

Centering

Prelude

Steel Tongue Drum Improvisation
by Kristen Dockendorff

Chalice Lighting

Words by Rev. David Pyle
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harrisonburg, Virginia

We light this chalice as a symbol of the creativity of our liberal faith:
The creativity to explore new avenues of religious insight;
The creativity to develop a caring community;
The creativity to envision a world of peace and freedom

Opening Hymn

“When Our Heart is in a Holy Place” #1008
Music and lyrics by Joyce Poley

Chorus:
When our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place
We are blessed with love and amazing grace
When our heart is in a holy place.

When we trust the wisdom in each of us,
Ev’ry color, ev’ry creed and kind,
And we see our faces in each other’s eyes,
Then our heart is in a holy place.

Chorus

When we tell our story from deep inside,
And we listen with a loving mind,
And we hear our voices in each other’s words,
Then our heart is in a holy place. 

Chorus

When we share the silence of sacred space,
And the God of our Heart stirs within,
And we feel the power of each other’s faith,
Then our heart is in a holy place.
Then our heart is in a holy place.

Opening Reading

Orange Energy
by Jennifer Healey

All I want to do is delight–
Throw the mask off,
Not care and not worry,
Not explain what I mean nor
Define what I do.
Just be whatever I feel like being.
Just relish in the energy of this moment.
I want to be so alive that
I feel like the moon,
Throwing tides just for fun,
Creating because it’s what  I’m
Here to do.
I want to love the color orange,
Just because it craves delight too.
I want to cry because
I’m so in love with the miracle of
Being alive.
I don’t want to feel like I’m
Striving.
I want to try and feel like I’m
Flying.

I want to write the poetry,
Read the poetry, and
Breathe the poetry.
I want my life to be a
Beautiful,
Messy mosaic that even I
Can’t help but fall in love with.

Create! Create!
I feel the winds of fury
Blowing through me.
Even my bones are smiling.
I hear my veins pulsing with
Desire, like branches
Dancing in the breezes.
Wildflowers are waving and
The ocean blossoms with a new idea.
Crazy and beautiful is
How I want my life to feel.

Let it be. Let it be.
I write to be free.
I read to tap in.
I absorb the poetry.
And so it shall be.
And now I am this energy.

Introductions, Joys and Concerns

Offering
For the month of May, half of the undesignated Sunday collections will be split between the Hartford Deportation Defense AKA Colectivo de Defensa Hartford and Unidad Latinas en Accion.

Offering Music

“Make Something Beautiful”
by Ben Rector, sung by Jeannine Westbrook

Reflection on Creativity #1 (Beth Hudson Hankins)

Reflection #2: Creativity in the Garden (Sharon Gresk)

Reflection on Creativity #3 (Stacey Musulin)

Closing Hymn

“When the Spirit Says Do” #1024
Music and lyrics by Gretha Boston

You got to DO when the spirit says DO!
You got to DO when the spirit says DO!
When the spirit says DO, you got to DO, oh Lord!
You got to DO when the spirit says DO!

Spirit says DO!
Spirit says DO!
Spirit says DO!
Spirit says DO!
Spirit says DO!
Spirit says DO!

You got to SING …

You got to DANCE…

You got to LAUGH …

You got to SHOUT…

You got to DO…

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

Special Instructions for Zoomers for the May 7th Service:

The goal of today’s service is to encourage creativity. At the end of the service, everyone will be invited to engage in one or more activities in the sanctuary as a reminder of the creative beings we are. You can do these same activities at home.

The activities include:

“X’s & O’s”: Mark a sheet of paper full of X’s or O’s. Then make as many things as you can think of with those X’s and O’s.

• What can you add to your life to create a spiritual practice?

“Black Out Poetry”: Grab a sheet of newsprint or rip out a page from an old magazine. Using a thick black marker, cross out certain words or lines. The words you leave can form a poem or statement. You can also form a visual picture.

• What can you selectively eliminate from your life to create a spiritual practice?

“Junk” Art: Select some objects from your recycling bin, and find some glue, rubber bands, or tape. Create something.

• What is already a part of your life that you can repurpose to create a spiritual practice?

Collage: “What Creativity Means to Me (Us)”: What words, pictures, sounds, feelings, and thoughts come to you when you think of creativity? Using a variety of media, compose a collage to express your ideas. If you can, try working on this project with another person.

• Does creativity change when you involve other people?
• How might the spiritual practices of a community differ from those we may create as individuals?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gathering Music

Welcome & Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“I Reach Out”
By Sandy Johnson
Sandy Johnson, vocals; Dan Thompson, guitar

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Excerpt from Sy Montgomery

Opening Hymn

#298 “Wake Now My Senses”
Words by Thomas Mikelson
Music: traditional Irish melody, harmony by Carlton R. Young

Wake, now, my senses, and hear the earth call;
feel the deep power of being in all;
keep, with the web of creation your vow,
giving, receiving as love shows us how.

Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new;
join with each pilgrim who quests for the true;
honor the beauty and wisdom of time;
suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime.

Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry;
voices of suffering fill the wide sky;
take as your neighbor both stranger and friend,
praying and striving their hardship to end.

Wake, now, my conscience, with justice thy guide;
join with all people whose rights are denied;
take not for granted a privileged place;
God’s love embraces the whole human race.

Wake, now, my vision of ministry clear;
brighten my pathway with radiance here;
mingle my calling with all who will share;
work toward a planet transformed by our care.

Silence 

Meditation

Musical Meditation

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Offering
We are taking a special fifth Sunday offering on behalf of DRUUMM (Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries), the UUA’s oldest national People of Color organization. DRUUMM’s spring fundraiser and national worship service is on May 11th. We will publish the registration information for those who’d like to attend. As always, thank you for your generosity!

Offertory Music

“Holy Now”
By Peter Mayer
Dan Thompson, guitar; Sandy Johnson, vocals

Sermon

“All Life is Sacred”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Hymn

#155 “Circle Round for Freedom”
Words and music by Linda Hirschhorm

Circle ’round for freedom, circle ’round for peace,
for all of us imprisoned, circle for release,
circle for the planet, circle for each soul,
for the children of our children, keep the circle whole.

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle
May faith in the Spirit of Life
And hope for the community of Earth
And Love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

 

Gathering Music

Welcome

Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“Blue Boat Home”
Words by Peter Mayer, melody by Rowland Huw Prichard

Introduction  

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Excerpt from Indigenous Wisdom Regarding the Future
By Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper, Onondaga Nation

The Peacemaker taught us about the Seven Generations. He said, when you sit in council for the welfare of the people, you must not think of yourself or of your family, not even of your generation. He said, make your decisions on behalf of the seven generations coming, so that they may enjoy what you have today. 

Opening Hymn (Mary Bopp)

#203 “All Creatures of the Earth and Sky”

All creatures of the earth and sky,
come, kindred, lift your voices high,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Bright burning sun with golden beam,
soft shining moon with silver gleam:

(Chorus) Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Swift rushing wind so wild and strong,
white clouds that sail in heav’n along,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Fair rising morn in praise rejoice,
high stars of evening find a voice:

(Chorus)

Cool flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for all life to hear.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Dance, flame of fire, so strong and bright,
and bless us with your warmth and light:

(Chorus)

Embracing earth, you, day by day,
bring forth your blessings on our way,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
All herbs and fruits that richly grow,
let them the glory also show:

(Chorus)

All you of understanding heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Let all things now the Holy bless,
and worship God in humbleness:

(Chorus)

Report on “Tree of Hope”

Musical Meditation & Slide Show

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Offertory
Every month, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collection goes to a local charity or organization. The recipient of this month’s community outreach offering is the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Offertory Music

“The Garden Song”
by Dave Mallet

Sustainable Living Speakers

Sharon Gresk, “Native Plants and Three Sisters”

Steve Simon, “Reflections on 50 Years of Environmental Activism”

Mary Lawrence, “Seventh Generation and Sustainability”

Closing Hymn 

#163 “For the Earth Forever Turning”
by Kim Oler

For the earth forever turning; for the skies, for ev’ry sea;
for our lives, for all we cherish, sing we our joyful song of peace.

For the mountains, hills, and pastures in their silent majesty;
for the stars for all the heavens, sing we our joyful song of peace.

For the sun, for rain and thunder, for the seasons’ harmony,
for our lives for all creation, sing we our joyful praise to Thee.

For the world we raise our voices, for the home that gives us birth;
in our joy we sing returning home to our bluegreen hills of earth.

Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words

From The Prophecy of Crazy Horse
Oglala Lakota leader

I see a time of seven generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again. In that day there will be those among the Lakota who will carry knowledge and understanding of unity among all living things, and the young white ones will come to those of my people and ask for this wisdom.
I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells.
For when you are at that center within you and I am in that place within me, we shall be as one.

Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of earth
And love of the light in each other 
Be ours now, and in all the days to come. 

Gathering Music

Welcome

Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“Fear Burns Away”
by Mary Bopp

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“After the Fire”
by James Crews
spoken by Rev. Josh Pawelek

Opening Hymn

#396 “I Know This Rose Will Open”
words and music by Mary Grigolia

I know this rose will open.
I know my fear will burn away.
I know my soul will unfurl its wings.
I know this rose will open.

Meditation

excerpts from Music of the Mind
by Darryl Reanney

Musical Meditation

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Stewardship Presentation

Offering
For the  month of April, the recipient of our Community Outreach Offering is the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Their mission is to create communities free of sexual violence and to provide culturally affirming, trauma-informed advocacy, prevention, and intervention services centered on the voices of survivors. The Alliance seeks to create a world in which everyone believes sexual violence is a preventable problem and actively plays a role in ending it.

Offering Music

“First Flame”
by Mary Bopp

Sermon

“The Necessary Flames”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Hymn

#128 “For All That Is Our Life”
words by Bruce Findlow
music by Patrick L. Rickey

For all that is our life we sing our thanks and praise;
for all life is a gift which we are called to use
to build the common good and make our own days glad.

For needs which others serve, for services we give,
for work and its rewards, for hours of rest and love;
we come with praise and thanks for all that is our life.

For sorrow we must bear, for failures, pain, and loss,
for each new thing we learn, for fearful hours that pass:
we come with praise and thanks for all that is our life.

For all that is our life we sing our thanks and praise;
for all life is a gift which we are called to use
to build the common good and make our own days glad.

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of Earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come. 

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

“Rebirth”
Improvisations by Mary Bopp

Welcome (Gina Campellone)

Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Centering (Gina Campellone)

Prelude

“Hymn of Promise”
by Natalie Sleeth (from the 1989 Methodist Hymnal)
Dorothy Bognar, piano; Peggy Webbe, flute

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“May We Come Back”
by Rev. Josh Pawelek
inspired by “If I Can Come Back” by Eileen Driscoll

Opening Hymn

#38 “Morning Has Broken”
words by Eleanor Farjeon, trad. Gaelic melody, arr. by David Evans
Dorothy Bognar, piano

Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!

Story

The Easter Story (adapted from Karen Hager)
Gina Campellone, narrator

Musical Meditation (Mary Bopp, video)

Joys, Concerns and Introductions

Music

“If I Can Come Back”
composed and performed by Eileen Driscoll

Offering
For the month of April, the recipient of our Community Outreach Offering is the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Their mission is to create communities free of sexual violence and to provide culturally affirming, trauma-informed advocacy, prevention, and intervention services centered on the voices of survivors. The Alliance seeks to create a world in which everyone believes sexual violence is a preventable problem and actively plays a role in ending it.

Offering Music

“Let There be Peace on Earth”
by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson (1989 Methodist Hymnal)
Dorothy Bognar, piano; Peggy Webbe, flute

Sermon

“Easter Is”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Music

“Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison
video by Dan Thompson and various UUS:E musicians

Closing Song

#203 “All Creatures of the Earth and Sky”
first 3 verses
words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, German melody from 1623,
arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Mary Bopp, piano

All creatures of the earth and sky,
come, kindred, lift your voices high,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Bright burning sun with golden beam,
soft shining moon with sliver gleam:

(Chorus)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Swift rushing wind so wild and strong,
white clouds that sail in heav’n along,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Fair rising morn in praise rejoice,
high stars of evening find a voice:

(Chorus)

Cool flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for all life to hear,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Dance, flame of fire, so strong and bright,
and bless us with your warmth and light:

(Chorus)

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle
May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

The flower arrangement today was given in loving memory
of Bob and Marilyn Richardson by their family.

Gathering Music

“We Shall Not Be Moved”
Author unknown
Performed by The Tens:
Alan Ayers: guitar, vocals
Kathy Ayers: violin, vocals
Dan Thompson: guitar, vocals
Linda Duncan: bass guitar, vocals

Welcome and Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“None of Us Are Free”
By Brenda Russell, Barry Mann, & Cynthia Well
Video [Performed by Jeannette LeSure, vocals; and Dan Thompson, instruments & production]

Chalice Lighting

Opening Words

“Persist in Faith”
By Pat Uribe-Lichty

We face a challenge to democracy:
a challenge that calls us to hope in moments of despair,
a challenge that asks us to persist in faith
that we can and must make a difference.
May our flaming chalice recommit us to truth in our words and our actions,
that we may live as we believe people should live.

Opening Hymn

#142 “Let There Be Light”
Words: Frances W. Davis; Music: Robert J. B. Fleming
Performed by The Tens

Let there be light, let there be understanding,
let all the nations gather, let them be face to face.

Open our lips, open our minds to ponder,
open the door of concord, opening into grace.

Perish the sword, perish the angry judgment, 
perish the bombs and hunger, perish the fight for gain.

Let there be light, open our hearts to wonder,
perish the way of terror, hallow the world God made.

Introduction to the Service

First Speaker: Rhona Cohen

Musical Meditation based on “Building a New Way”

Second Speaker:  Molly Rourke

Joys and Concerns

Silence

Offering
Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month of April will go to CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Offering Music

“When Shall We Learn”
Words: W. H. Auden
Music: Carl Flentge Schalk
Performed by Alan & Kathy Ayers

Third Speaker:  Sandra Gustafson

Musical Meditation based on “Let It Be Light”

Concluding Remarks

Closing Hymn

#1017 “Building a New Way”
Words & Music: Martha Sandefer
Performed by The Tens

We are building a new way.
We are building a new way.
We are building a new way,
feeling stronger ev’ry day,
We are building a new way.

We are working to be free.
We are working to be free.
We are working to be free,
hate and greed and jealousy.
We are working to be free.

We can feed our every need.
We can feed our ev’ry need.
We can feed our ev’ry need,
Start with love, that is the seed.
We can feed our every need. 

Peace and freedom is our cry.
Peace and freedom is our cry.
Peace and freedom is our cry,
Without these this world will die.
Peace and freedom is our cry.

Reading

Excerpt based on #1028 in Singing the Journey
By Mary Katherine Morn

When the fire of commitment sets our mind and soul a blaze
When our hunger and our passion meet to call us on our way
When we live with deep assurance of the flame that burns within,
Then our promise finds fulfillment and our future can begin. 

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Words

May faith in the spirit of life
And hope for the community of earth
And love of the light in each other
Be ours now, and in all the days to come.