Gathering Music (begins at 9:50)
“Sleep of the Blessed”
by Glen Phillips
“Call it Dreaming”
by Iron & Wine
“Closer to Fine”
by the Indigo Girls
performances by Jenn Richard
Welcome, Announcements and Centering (Rev. Josh Pawelek)
Prelude
“Let the Mystery Be”
by Iris DeMent
performance by Jenn Richard
Chalice Lighting and Opening Words
“The Womb of Stars”
by Joy Atkinson
#445 in Singing the Living Tradition
(responsive reading)
Leader: The womb of stars embraces us; remnants of their fiery furnaces pulse through our veins.
Congregation: We are of the stars, the dust of explosions cast across space.
Leader: We are of the earth: we breathe and live in the breath of ancient plants and beasts.
Congregation: Their cells nourish the soil; we build our communities on their harvest of gifts.
Leader: Our fingers trace the curves carved in clay and stone by forebears unknown to us.
Congregation: We are a part of the great circle of humanity gathered around the fire, the hearth, the altar.
Leader: We gather anew this day to celebrate our common heritage.
Congregation: May we recall in gratitude all that has given us birth.
Opening Song
“Love Prepare Me”
ad. from Randy Scruggs and John Thompson
led by Jenn Richard
Love Prepare me
To be a sanctuary
Sure and steady
Tried and true
With thanksgiving
I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for you.
Silence
Meditation
“That Which Holds All”
by the Rev. Nancy Shaffer
Musical Interlude (Jenn Richard, piano)
Story
“God’s Quiet Things”
by Nancy Sweetland
illustrations by Rick Stevens
Musical Interlude (Jenn Richard, piano)
Joys and Concerns
Musical Interlude (Jenn Richard, piano)
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 July will be split among MACC Food Pantry, Hockanum Valley Food Pantry, and CT Mutual Aid East of the River Food Pantry.
Offering Music
“Look for the Good”
by Jason Mraz
performance by Jenn Richard
Homily
“God Quiets Things”
Rev. Josh Pawelek
Community Sharing
Closing Song
“Go Lifted Up”
by Mortimer Barron
#1057 in Singing the Journey
Led by Rev. Josh Pawelek
Jenn Richard, piano
Go lifted up,
Love bless your way,
moonlight, starlight
guide your journey
into peace
and the brightness of day.
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.
