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Gathering Music "Adagio Cantabile" by Ludwig van Beethoven Welcome, Announcements & Introductions Centering Prelude "Bluesette" by Jean Thielemans Chalice Lighting: Chalice Lighting for Winter Solstice by Sharon Wylie Opening Hymn #175 "We Celebrate the Web of Life" by Melchior Vulpius words by Alicia S. Carpenter Reading: Pine Forest Fugue by Elizabeth Tarbox Introductions, Joys and Concerns Musical Response "Waltz for Debby" by Bill Evans Offering Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our undesignated Sunday plate collections for the month of December will go to three area shelters: McKinney Men's Shelter (Hartford), East Hartford Community Shelter, and Cornerstone Shelter (Rockville). Offering Music "Gymnopedie, No. 1" by Erik Satie Story: The Legend of Mother Deer Reflection: Yuletide and Ancient Sami Wisdom Reflection: Inner Practices at Yule Closing Hymn #15 "The Lone, Wild Bird" by William Walker words by H. R. MacFayden Closing Words: Beloved Mystery Hold Us Close by Rebekah A. Savage 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 and Introduction Centering Chalice Lighting Opening Song #248 "O We Believe in Christmas" Words: Percival Chubb, 1860 -1960, © 1955 American Ethical Union Music: American folk hymn melody in The Revivalist , 1868 O we believe in Christmas, and we keep Christmas day; and we will honor Christmas the ancient worldwide way: the Christmas of all peoples, the sun’s returning cheer rung out from towers and steeples at midnight of the year. And we will join at Christmas the song of hope and joy that finds its theme at Christmas in every girl and boy. The flame of life will dwindle as fades the sunset sky until a child shall kindle new light and raise that high. Then sing we all at Christmas the song of that new birth which holds the hope of Christmas and brings its joy to earth; which knits the generations, each daughter and each son, beyond all tribes and nations, and makes the many one. Shine out ye lights of Christmas from hearth and tree and star! And let the warmth of Christmas shed kindness near and far! And clang, ye bells of Christmas, upon the frosty air! And may the joy of Christmas spread gladness everywhere! Reading: Luke 2: 1-14 Silence Hymn #1061 For So the Children Come Words: Sophia Lyon Fahs, 1876 - 1978 Music: Jason Shelton, 1972 - , © 1998 Jason Shelton Chorus: Each night a child is born is a holy night: A time for singing, A time for wondering, A time for worshipping, Each night a child is born is a holy night. Story: "The Birds of Bethlehem" by Tomie de Paola Carol #246 "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Words: Phillips Brooks. Music: Lewis H. Redner O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondrous love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth! How silently how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in. Winter Solstice and Christmas Eve Prayer by Rev. Josh Pawelek Silence Carol #231 "Angels We Have Heard on High" Words: Earl Marlatt; Music, French carol Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. (Chorus) Gloria, in excelsis Deo. Gloria, in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer? What great brightness did you see? What glad tidings did you hear? (Chorus) See him in a manger laid whom the angels praise above; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while we raise our hearts in love. (Chorus) Poem “A Blessing for Traveling in the Dark” by Jan Richardson Offering for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund Offering Music “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin Story: “The Holly King and the Oak King” by J. C. Artemesia Carols #241 In the Bleak Midwinter Words ad. By John Andrew Storey from Georgina Rossetti; Music by Gustav Theodore Holst In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter long ago. Christ a homeless stranger, so the gospels say, cradled in a manger and a bed of hay; in the bleak midwinter, stable-place sufficed Mary and her baby, Jesus Christ. Once more child and mother weave their magic spell, touching hearts with wonder words can never tell; in the bleak midwinter, in this world of pain, where our hearts are open love is born again. #244 "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" Words by Edmund Hamilton Sears; Music by Richard Storrs Willis It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their hearts of gold! Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven’s all gracious King! The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled And still their heavenly music floats O’er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing And ever o’er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing. Yet with the woes of sin and strife The world hath suffered long. Beneath the angel strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong: And man, at war with man, hears not The love song which they bring, O hush the noise, ye men of strife, And hear the angels sing. For lo the days are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold, When, with the ever-circling years, Shall come the Age of Gold; When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendor fling, And all the world give back the song Which now the angels sing. “245 Joy to the World Music by George Frederic Handel Text by Isaac Watts Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing, and heaven nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! The Savior reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and flocks, Rocks hills and plainsong Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, And wonders and wonders of his love. #251 Silent Night Words by Joseph Mohr Music by Franz Xaver Gruber Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born! Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at thy birth, Jesus Lord at thy birth. 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. Silent leaving

Gathering Music and Slide Show Prelude "Ave Verum Corpus" W. A. Mozart Dorothy Bognar, piano Opening Words (Rev. Josh Pawelek) Words of Welcome Chalice Lighting (Max and Anna Roy) Hymn #108 "My Life Flows on in Endless Song" Early Quaker song, set to American gospel tune Dorothy Bognar, piano Sandy Johnson, hymn leader My life flows on in endless song above earth's lamentation I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing! What though the tempest 'round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth. What though the darkness 'round me close, songs in the night it giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I'm clinging. Since love prevails in heav'n and earth, how can I keep from singing! When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing, when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing! To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging; when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing! Reading "Sailing to Byzantium" by William Butler Yeats spoken by Lisa Gates Music "Take Five" by Paul Desmond Ethan and Julian Roy Eulogy Tim Roy and Rev. Josh Pawelek Testimonials Mike DiRaimo Don Williams Olivia Roy Ethan Roy Alexandra Roy Closing Song "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie Dorothy Bognar, piano Sandy Johnson, vocals Ethan Roy, banjo Mike Roy, guitar Alexandra Roy Julian Roy Anna Roy Chorus: This land is your land, and this land is my land From California to the New York island From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and me. As I went walking that ribbon of highway And I saw above me that endless skyway I saw below me that golden valley This land was made for you and me. Chorus I roamed and rambled, and I've followed my footsteps To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts All around me, a voice was sounding This land was made for you and me. Chorus There was a big, high wall there that tried to stop me A sign was painted said "Private Property" but on the backside, it didn't say nothing This land was made for you and me. Chorus When the sun come shining, then I was strolling And the wheat fields waving, and the dust clouds rolling The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting This land was made for you and me. Chorus Extinguishing the Chalice Benediction 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 "Concerto in C minor for Violin and Oboe (adagio)" by J. S. Bach Performed by Anhared Stowe, Marilyn Krentzman, Ryan Ford, & Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting Words paraphrased from "Inner Practices for the Twelve Nights of Yuletide" by Anne Stallkamp and Werner Hartung The twelve magical nights of the Yuletide season are a single great festival, a threshold, a time of transition, a moment in which to stop and take stock and yet a time for looking ahead to the coming year. In general, we believe that the end of something simultaneously marks the start of something new. However, there is a space between an end and a new beginning, an interval. Right now, this space is Yuletide. Given the busy time in the lead up to the holidays, the beginning of this period might not appear to be the most convenient moment in which to take some time out to explore our feelings, but in fact, it is particularly sutitable. The space between the ending and the beginning will suddenly open up, and the gates of time will unlock. Today is calling on you to stand still, to pause for a moment, and to be completely calm. Fill this space of silence and emptiness, this place of power, creation, and creativity with your love and your truth. Chalice Lighting Music "One Candle, One Flame" by Linda Sobo Performed by UUSE Choir with Dorothy Bognar, pianist Opening Hymn #253 "O Come, All Ye Faithful" O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold him born the King of angels; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Lo humble shepherds, hasting to his cradle, Leaving their flocks in the fields, draw near We, too, with gladness thither bend our footsteps; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Story: "The Shortest Day" by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis Musical Meditation (9:00 a.m. service only) Children's Choir (11:00 a.m. service only) Welcoming Visitors & Sharing of Joys & Concerns 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 December will go to three area shelters: McKinney Men's Shelter (Hartford), East Hartford Community Shelter, and Cornerstone Shelter (Rockville) Offering Music Holiday Favorites Performed by the Ford Family Trio (Margeaux, Simone, & Ryan Ford) Responsive Reading: "We are Waiting" This is the season of anticipation, Of expecting, of hoping, of wanting. This is the time of expecting the arrival of something--or someone. We are waiting. This is the time of living in darkness, in the hues of unknowing. Of being quiet, of reflecting on a year almost past. Waiting for a new beginning, for a closing or an end. This is the time for digesting the lessons of days gone past, anticipating the future for which We are waiting. Waiting for a world which can know justice. Waiting for lasting peace. Waiting for the bridge to span the divides which separate us. Waiting for a promise or a hope. For all of this We are waiting. Amen and blessed be. Music Shine on Me by Rollo Dilworth Night of Silence by Daniel Kantor One Candle by Andy Beck Performed by UUSE Choir with Dorothy Bognar, piano; Steve Dauphinas, drums Closing Hymn #388 Dona Nobis Pacem Dona nobis pacem, pacem, Dona nobis pacem. Dona nobis pacem, Dona nobis pacem. Dona nobis pacem, dona nobis pacem. Closing Words excerpt from "Winter Solstice" by the Rev. Rebecca Parker Let there be a season When holiness is heard, and The splendor of living is revealed. Stunned to stillness by beauty We remember who we are and why we are here. There are inexplicable mysteries. We are not alone. In the universe there moves a Wild One Whose gestures alter earth's axis toward love. In the immense darkness Everything spins with joy. The cosmos enfolds us. We are caught in a web of stars, Cradled in a swaying embrace, Rocked by the holy night, Babes of the universe. Let this be the time we wake to life, Like spring wakes, in the moment of winter solstice. 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 and Announcements Prelude "The Oneness of Everything" Words/Music by Jim Scott Opening Words: "The Mockingbird" by Mary Oliver Chalice Lighting Opening Hymn #1007 "There's a River Flowin' in My Soul" Words/Music: 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 river flowin' in my heart ... There's a river flowin' in my mind ... Introduction to the Service Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude 1st Homily (Coryn Clark) Musical Interlude 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 December will go to three area shelters: McKinney Men's Shelter (Hartford), East Hartford Community Shelter, and Cornerstone Shelter (Rockville). Offering Music "The Forest Primeval" Improvisational piano piece by Mary Bopp 2nd Homily (Sandy Johnson) Musical Interlude 3rd Homily (Alan Ayers) Closing Hymn #21 "For the Beauty of the Earth" Words/music: Jason Shelton For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies, For the love which from our birth over and around us lies: Source to all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind's de-light, For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight: Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light: Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of human care, sister, brother, parent, child, for the kinship we all share, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. Reading: "Poem of the World" by Mary Oliver 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 and Announcements Centering Prelude "Meditations on Emmanuel" by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting and Opening Words: "Untitled" by Anonymous Opening Hymn #298 "Wake Now My Senses" Words: Thomas J. S. Mikelson Music: Traditional Irish melody, harmony by Carlton R. Young Hymn Leader: Sandy Johnson 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. Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Offertory Continuing our practice of sharing out gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our undesignated Sunday plate collections for the month of December will go to three area shelters: McKinney Men's Shelter (Hartford), East Hartford Shelter, and Cornerstone Shelter (Rockville). Offertory Music "As the Earth Draws Dark" by Mary Bopp Introduction to the Service Reading: "You See, But Do Not Observe" Holy Clues by Rev. Stephen Kendrick Responsive Reading #568 "Connections are Made Slowly" by Marge Piercy Connections are made slowly, sometimes they grow underground. You cannot tell always by looking what is happening. More than half a tree is spread out in the soil under your feet. Penetrate quietly as the earthworm that blows no trumpet. Fight persistently as the creeper that brings down the tree. Spread like the squash plant that overruns the garden. Gnaw in the dark and use the sun to make sugar. Weave real connections, create real nodes, build real houses. Live a life you can endure: make love that is loving. Keep tangling and interweaving and taking more in, a thicket and bramble wilderness to the outside but to us interconnected with rabbit runs and burrows and lairs. Live as if you like yourself, and it may happen: Reach out, keep reaching out, keep bringing in. This is how we are going to live for a long time: not always, For every gardener knows that after the digging, after the planting, after the long season of tending and growth, the harvest comes. Meditation Musical Meditation Homily: "Holy Clues" (Rev. Stephen Kendrick) Closing Hymn #225 "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" Words: Latin c. 9th cent., trans. Composite based on John Mason Neale Music: Adapted by Thomas Helmore, harmony by John Weaver Hymn Leader: Sandy Johnson O come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell. Give comfort to all exiles here, and to the aching heart bid cheer. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Love to dwell. O come, you Splendor very bright, as joy that never yields to might. O come, and turn all hearts to peace, that greed and war at last shall cease. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Truth to dwell. O come, you Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by your presence here. And dawn in every broken soul as vision that can see the whole. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Light to dwell. O come, you Wisdom from on high, from depths that hide within a sigh, to temper knowledge with our care, to render every act a prayer. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Hope to dwell. Benediction Extinguishing the Chalice Special Thanks 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 "Autumn Leaves" By Eva Cassidy Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude "Kind and Generous" By Natalie Merchant Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn #128 "For All That Is Our Life" Words: Bruce Findlow Music: 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. Service Introduction Reading "The Gift" By Marsha Howland Generosity Observations Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Reading "The Circus" By Dan Clark Offering Offering Music "Give a Little Bit" By Supertramp Generosity Observations Musical Meditation Generosity Observations Closing Hymn #118 "This Little Light of Mine" Words and Music: African American spiritual This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Ev'rywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine ... Building up a world, I'm gonna let it shine ... Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words 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. Postlude "Thankful" By the Juicebox Jukebox

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude "Flying Home" by Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton Performed by Laurie Mazich Semprebon, clarinet, and Chris Crossgrove, piano Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn "We Gather Together" #349 in Singing the Living Tradition Words: Dorothy Caiger Senghas and Robert E. Senghas Music: Adrian Valeru's "Nederlandtsch Gedenckclank" We gather together in joyful thanksgiving, acclaiming creation whose bounty we share; both sorrow and gladness we find now in our living, we sing a hymn of praise to the life that we bear. We gather together to join in the journey, confirming committing our passage to be a true affirmation, in joy and tribulation, when bound to human care and hope--then we are free. Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Offering Offering Music Lullaby by Bill Douglas Performed by Laurie Mazich Semprebon, clarinet and Chris Crossgrove, piano Story for All Ages "Those Shoes" by Maribeth Boelts Told by DCYM Emmy Galbraith Meditation Music Introduction to Theme Topic: Generosity Guest Speaker: "Generosity" (Jerry Myers) Closing Hymn "We Give Thanks" #1010 in Singing the Journey Words by Wendy Luella Perkins Arranged by Susan Peck Oh, we give thanks for this precious day, For all gathered here, and those far away; For this time we share with love and care, Oh, we give thanks for this precious day. Oh, we give thanks. Oh, we give thanks for this precious day, For all gathered, all gathered here, far away; For this time we share with love and care, Oh, we give thanks for this precious day. Oh, we give thanks. 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 and Announcements Centering Prelude “For What It’s Worth” Music and Lyrics by Stephen Stills Performed by Kate Howard-Bender Service Introduction Chalice Lighting and Opening Words “The Task of the Religious Community” By Mark Morrison-Reed The central task of the religious community is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all. There is a connectedness, a relationship discovered amid the particulars of our own lives and the lives of others. Once felt, it inspires us to act for Justice. It is the church that assures us that we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community. The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed. Opening Hymn “My Life Flows on in Endless Song” #108 in Singing the Living Tradition Words: Early Quaker song Music: American gospel tune My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation. I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing! What though the tempest ‘round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth. What though the darkness ‘round me close, songs in the night it giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since love prevails in heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing! When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing, when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing! To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging; when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing! Joys and Concerns Offering For the month of November, our regular community outreach offering will be dedicated to Manchester Senior, Adult, and Family Services, which works to improve the quality of life and help maintain the independence of Manchester residents by offering information, referral, outreach, advocacy, assessment of needs and individual consultation on human services benefits and programs. Offering Music “Blowin' in the Wind” By Bob Dylan Performed by Kate Howard-Bender Sermon “Why Faith-Based Community Organizing Matters” (Marika Stewart) Closing Hymn “We’ll Build a Land” #121 in Singing the Living Tradition Words by Barbara Zanotti (Isaiah/Amos), adapt., Music by Carolyn McDade We’ll build a land where we bind up the broken. We’ll build a land where the captives go free, where the oil of gladness dissolves all mourning. Oh, we’ll build a promised land that can be. (Chorus) Come build a land where sisters and brothers, anointed by God, may then create peace: where justice shall roll down like waters, and peace like an ever flowing stream. We’ll build a land where we bring the good tidings to all the afflicted and all those who mourn. And we’ll give them garlands instead of ashes. Oh, we’ll build a land where peace is born. (Chorus) We’ll be a land building up ancient cities, raising up devastations from old; restoring ruins of generations. Oh, we’ll build a land of people so bold. (Chorus) Come, build a land where the mantles of praises resound from spirits once faint and once weak; where like oaks of righteousness stand her people. Oh, come build the land, my people we seek. (Chorus) Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words “Commitment” By Dorothy Day People say, what is the sense of our small effort. They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There’s too much work to do. 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, Introduction to the Service and Guest Centering (Rev. Sarah Pirtle) Prelude (played by Sarah Pirtle on wooden flute made by Hawk Henries, Nipmuk) Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn "Everyday Bravery" Words and music by Rev. Sarah Pirtle Collaboration on words with Rev. Jan Thomas and Bonnie Lockhart Led by Sarah Pirtle With every hard choice that we make, we keep the flame alive. With ancient embers that we rake, we keep the flame alive. With devoted creativity and rooted authenticity, With flowing generosity, we keep the flame alive. Chorus: Keep the flame alive and let it show. Light your candle and hold it high and the light will grow. Through stormy waters we have crossed, we keep the flame alive. Every time we try when we think we've lost, we keep the flame alive. With joyful celebrations and far-reaching revelations, With unsung generations, we keep the flame alive. Chorus When we move through fear and let trust ring, we keep the flame alive. Every time we stop to shout and sing, we keep the flame alive. With every mountain, every tree, with water pouring to the sea, With daily acts of bravery, we keep the flame alive. Chorus Meditation: "The Heart of the World" Joys and Concerns Musical Response Offering For the month of November, our regular community outreach offering will be dedicated to Manchester Senior, Adult, and Family Services, which works to improve the quality of life and help maintain the independence of Manchester residents by offering information, referral, outreach, advocacy, assessment of needs and individual consultation on human services benefits and programs. Offering Music Improvisation by Mary Bopp Sermon: "Beacons Who Light Our Way" (Rev. Sarah Pirtle) Closing Chant Part I "We're Not Alone" Written by Rev. Sarah Pirtle Thanks Closing Chant "Peace Prayer" by Sarah Pirtle I hold you in my heart (4x) Shalom, shalom, shalom. As-salamu alaykum. Shalom, shalom, shalom. Alaykum as-salamu. 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.

meets on 4th Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. Important Note: Rather than the usual 4th Thursday meeting, our November/December meetings will be combined and meet on Thursday December 7. How does science inform our beliefs? Where do science and religion meet? Where are they in opposition? Members of this ongoing group will select and discuss readings covering myriad topics and the way we look at the Big Questions. This hybrid group meets at UUSE in the Children's Chapel on the lower level, and you can also participate via Zoom. All are welcome. Contact Linda Duncan for a list of discussion questions and to get the Zoom link. November/December Topic: "Sustainable Architecture" with Greg Dupuis. #eBlast-11-01

The Fair is coming! The Fair is coming! What: The UUSE Artisan Holiday Market When: Friday November 17th 6:30-9:00 pm & Saturday November 18th 10:00 am-3:00 pm ​ What to Expect: Baked Goods, an Auction, Jewelry, Pottery, Mosaics, Art Prints, Knit, Crochet & Sewn Items, UUSE Swag, Kid’s Toys, Books, Tag Sale Goodies, Christmas Crafts, One-Of-A-Kind Wood Items, Antiques and so much more! ​ What Can You Do: Volunteer your Time: set-up, break-down, in a booth, covering breaks, security, finance, greeter. Donate: books, jewelry, kid’s items, antiques, household items, something for the auction. Make: Baked goods, handmade items, UUSE branded swag, knit, crochet & sewn items. Questions?: Email the Fair Team at mailto:Fair@uuse.org Thank you in advance for helping to make this Holiday Fair the most successful ever!