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. 

 

Gathering Music

“Waiting on an Angel” by Ben Harper
“Don’t Carry It All” by The Decemberists
“Sleep of the Blessed” by Glen Phillips
Jenn Richard, guitar and vocals

Welcome (Gina Campellone, Director of Children and Youth Ministry)

Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek, Minister)

Centering

Prelude

“Ae Fond Kiss” (traditional)
“Jenny Nettles” (traditional lowland reel)
Ben Elzerman, bagpipes; Vera Elzerman, djembe

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“Chalice Lighting in Times of Conflict” (adapted)
by Amy Russell
spoken by Gina Campellone, Genna Bender, and Rev. Josh Pawelek

Song

#1010 “We Give Thanks”
Words and music by Wendy Luella Perkins; arr. by Susan Peck
Jenn Richard, guitar, Ben Elzerman, bagpipes

Oh, we give thanks for this precious day,
For all gather’d here, and those far away;
For this time (food) we share with love and care.
Oh, we give thanks for this precious day.

Meditation (9:00 service)

“A Litany of Wholeheartedness”
by Dawn Skjei Cooley

Girl Scout Sunday (11:00 service)

Girl Scout Song (11:00 service)

“Make New Friends, but Keep the Old”
Words by Joseph Parry; musical source unknown

Make new friends 
But keep the old
One is silver
And the other gold

A circle is round
It has no end
That’s how long
I want to be your friend

Joys and Concerns

Song

#1009 “Meditation on Breathing”
by Sarah Dan Jones
Jenn Richard, guitar; Ben Elzerman, bagpipes

When I breath in, I’ll breath in peace
When I breathe out, I’ll breathe out love.

Offering
The recipient of our March community outreach offering is Moral Monday CT, a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations, rooted in the social justice and civil rights movements. Based in Hartford, Moral Monday CT gathers voices in the struggle for freedom and justice for black and brown people. Their areas of focus, activism and social change work include police accountability, voting rights, and workers rights. Moral Monday CT was founded by Bishop John Selders and Lady Pamela Selders.

Offering Music

“Jack’s Gone A-Shearing” (17th century tune with variations by Matt Seattle)
Ben Elzerman, bagpipes; Vera Elzerman, djembe

Story

“Giraffe Asks for Help”
by Nyasha Chikowore
told by Gina Campellone

Conversations

Share a time in your life when you asked for help. What happened?

Homily

“The Moral Obligation to Ask for Help”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Song

“Love Prepare Me”
ad. from Randy Scruggs and John Thompson
Jenn Richard, guitar

Love Prepare me
To be a sanctuary
Sure and steady
Tried and true
With thanksgiving
I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for you.

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

“Hosea”
Western Priory, Gregory Norbet, O.S.B.
Monastic tradition; prayer and song
Janet Fall, guitar and voice

Come back to me with all your heart
Don’t let fear keep us apart.
Trees do bend though straight and tall;
So must we to others’ call.
Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life.

The wilderness will lead you to your heart where I will speak.
Integrity and justice, tenderness you shall know.
Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life.

You shall sleep secure with peace; faithfulness will be your joy.
Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life.

Come back to me with all your heart
Don’t let fear keep us apart.
Trees do bend though straight and tall.
So must we to others’ call.
Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life.

Welcome and Announcements

Centering

Opening Chant

“So-I Sunandarhee”
Sikh tradition, in Gurmukhi language
Janet Fall, harmonium and voice

LEADER: so-i sunandarhee mayraa tan man maulaa; naam japandarhee laalee, naam japandarhee lalee

pandh julandarhee mayraa andar thandhaa; gur darshan daykh nihaalee, gur darshan daykh nihaalee

waaheguru waaheguru waaheguru waahe jee-o

ALL: waaheguru waaheguru waaheguru waahe jee-o

LEADER: waaheguru waaheguru waaheguru waahe jee-o

ALL: waaheguru waaheguru waaheguru waahe jee-o

LEADER: so-i sunandarhee mayraa tan man maulaa; naam japandarhee laalee, naam japandarhee laalee

ALL: Hearing of thee, my body and mind blossom,
I contemplate the name of my Beloved; I contemplate the name of my Beloved

LEADER: so-i sunandarhee mayraa tan man maulaa; naam japandarhee laalee, naam japandarhee laalee

ALL: Hearing of thee, my body and mind blossom,
I contemplate the name of my Beloved; I contemplate the name of my Beloved

LEADER: pandh julandarhee mayraa andar thandhaa; gur darshan daykh nihaalee, gur darshan daykh nihaalee

ALL: Walking thy path my inner being is cooled
Seeing thy vision, I am blessed; seeing thy vision I am blessed.

LEADER: pandh julandarhee mayraa andar thandhaa; gur darshan daykh nihaalee, gur darshan daykh nihaalee

ALL: Walking thy path my inner being is cooled
Seeing thy vision, I am blessed; seeing thy vision I am blessed.
Seeing thy vision, I am blessed; seeing thy vision I am blessed.

LEADER: gur darshan daykh nihaalee, gur darshan daykh nihaalee.

Translation:

Hearing of thee, my body and mind blossom,
I contemplate the name of my Beloved; I contemplate the name of my Beloved
Walking thy path my inner being is cooled
Seeing thy vision, I am blessed; seeing thy vision I am blessed.
Ecstatic is the experience of the Guru, the One who brings you into wisdom.
Ecstatic is the experience of the soul within that connects with the Divine.

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“A Legacy of Caring”
By Thandeka
Spoken by Rev. Josh Pawelek

Chant
“Mandam” (Slowly)
Children’s song from Tamil
Janet Fall, musician

Mandam Mmmm, Mandam;  Mandam Mmmmm Mandam
Mandam Mmmm, Mandam ; Mandam Mmmmm Mandam
Gachchhati Bala Mandam Mandam
Udayati Suryah Mandam Mandam
Gachchhati Bala Mandam Mandam
Udayati Suryah Mandam Mandam
Vikasati Pushpam Mandam Mandam
Vihasati Chandhah Mandam Mandam
Mandam Mmmm, Mandam;  Mandam Mmmmm Mandam
Mandam Mmmm, Mandam ; Mandam Mmmmm Mandam

Translation:

Slowly, MMM, Slowly
Move slowly like a child (every moment is important)
The sun rises slowly
Flowers blossom slowly
Moon sets slowly
Slowly, MMM, Slowly

Silence

Meditation

excerpt from M Archive: After the End of the World
by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
spoken by Rev. Josh Pawelek

Chant “Om” (sound of creation; beginning of sound; sacred sound of the universe)
(3 times)

Joys and Concerns

Chant “Om” (sound of creation; beginning of sound; sacred sound of the universe)
(3 times)

Offering

The recipient of our March community outreach offering is Moral Monday CT, a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations, rooted in the social justice and civil rights movements. Based in Hartford, Moral Monday CT gathers voices in the struggle for freedom and justice for black and brown people. Their areas of focus, activism and social change work include police accountability, voting rights, and workers rights. Moral Monday CT was founded by Bishop John Selders and Lady Pamela Selders.

Offering Music

“Om Namah Shivaya”
Hindu tradition
Janet Fall, musician

Om Namah Shivaya, om namah shivaya, om namah shivaya
Shivaya namah om; shivaya namah om; shivaya namah om; shivaya namah

Translation: Salutations benevolent one.

Sermon

“That’s How We Learned to Get Through This”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Chant

Rakhay rakhanahaar
Sikh tradition, in Gurmukhi language;
Janet Fall, musician

Rakhay rakhanahaar aap ubaari-an
Gur kee pairee paa-I kaaj savaari-an
Ho-aa aap da-i-aal manah(u) na visaari-an
Saadh janaa kai sang bhavajal taari-an

Saakat nindak dusht khin maa-he bidaari-an
Tis sahib kee tayk naanak mania maa-he
Jis simarat sukh ho-I sagalay dookh jaa-he

End: sagalay dookh jaa-he; sagalay dookh jaa-he; sagalay dookh jaa-he;
All troubles depart; all troubles depart; all troubles depart)

Translation:

The Great protector, the One who protects, that One who exists within us of Himself or Herself lifts us up.

That One gave us the Lotus Feet of the Guru on our foreheads and so all of our affairs and work are taken care of.

God is merciful, kind, and compassionate so that we do not forget God in our mind.

In the company of the Holy, we are carried across the challenges, calamities, and scandals of the world.

Attachment to the world and the energy of slanderous enemies from within or without are destroyed.

That great Lord is my anchor. Nanak, keep firm in your mind and cultivate the vibration of peace by meditating and repeating God’s Name.

In remembering God’s Name, all happiness comes while sorrows and pain go away. (all troubles depart).

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.

 

About today’s musician:  Janet Fall is a music therapist who has had a lifetime love of chants. She has recently completed several classes in harmonium Sikh chants, NY Open Center Sound and Music Institute program, and Silvia Naakaach’s Yoga of the Voice within which she has learned several of today’s chants.

 

 

 

Gathering Music  (Mary Bopp, pre-recorded)

Welcome (David Klotz)

Announcements (David Klotz)

Centering (David Klotz)

Prelude

“Prague” by Dan Thompson
Dan Thompson, guitar

Chalice Lighting

“For All of Those…”
by Rev. Scott Tayler
read by David Klotz

Hymn

“Comfort Me”
Words & music: Mimi Bornstein-Doble
#1002 in Singing the Journey
Dan Thompson, guitar; Sandy Johnson, vocals

Welcoming Visitors and Sharing Joys and Concerns (David Klotz)

Musical Interlude (Dan Thompson)

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 March will go to Moral Monday CT. Moral Monday CT, is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations, rooted in the social justice and civil rights movements. Based in Hartford, Moral Monday CT gathers voices in the struggle for freedom and justice for black and brown people. Their areas of focus, activism and social change work include police accountability, voting rights, and workers’ rights. Moral Monday CT was founded by Bishop John Selders and Lady Pamela Selders.

Offering Music

“The Old Way” by Sandy Johnson
Sandy Johnson, vocals; Dan Thompson, guitar

Introduction to the Service

Defining Vulnerability
by Anne Vogel

Song

“I Am a Rock” by Paul Simon
Dan Thompson, guitar; Sandy Johnson, vocals

First Reflection

“The Courage of Risking Vulnerability”
by Anne Vogel

Poem

“To Risk”
by William Arthur Ward
read by David Klotz

Second Reflection

Quote from Susan Gabriele
read by Anne Vogel

Musical Interlude (Dan Thompson)

Third Reflection

“True Experience”
by Anne Vogel

Closing Hymn

“Lean on Me”
Words & music: Bill Withers
#1021 in Singing the Journey
Dan Thompson, guitar; Sandy Johnson, vocals

Closing Words

“Vulnerability is a Doorway”
by Rev. Scott Tayler
read by David Klotz

Extinguishing the Chalice (David Klotz)

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. 

 

Gathering Music

Welcome and Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“Rhythm in Bb” from 12 Jazz Duets by Jack Gale
Andy Caruk, Trumpet

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“This House”
by Kenneth Patton

Opening Hymn

#126 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Words by Robert Robinson and Eugene Navias
Music by John Wyeth
Dorothy Bognar, piano

Come, thou fount of ev’ry blessing, tune our ears to sing thy grace.
Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
While the hope of life’s perfection fills our hearts with joy and love,
teach us ever to be faithful, may we still thy goodness prove.

Come, thou fount of ev’ry vision, lift our eyes to what may come.
See the lion and the young lamb dwell together in thy home.
Hear the cries of war fall silent, feel our love glow like the sun.
When we all serve one another, then our heaven has begun.

Come, thou fount of inspiration, turn our lives to higher ways.
Lif our gloom and desperation, show the promise of this day.
Help us bind ourselves in union, help our hands tell of our love.
With thine aid, O fount of justice, earth be fair as heav’n above. 

New Member Welcome

Introductions (Membership Committee co-chairs)
Noah Lisewski and Jennifer Bergeron (9:00)
Pam Maccabee, Yakhonda Mwenelupembe, and Eric and Jane Rosenberg (11:00)

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 do what is within our power to strengthen the bonds of community.

Responsive Hymn

“What is this Church?
words adapted from Eugene Sander
Music by Jean Sibelius
Dorothy Bognar, piano

What is this church?
A place of love and gladness.
Where all may meet, to seek the common good.
A source of strength, to face each doubt and sadness.
Where every dream is known and understood.
What is this church? Ask those who came before,
And found themselves, by crossing through its door. 

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Offering

The recipient of our March community outreach offering is Moral Monday CT, a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations, rooted in the social justice and civil rights movements. Based in Hartford, Moral Monday CT gathers voices in the struggle for freedom and justice for black and brown people. Their areas of focus, activism and social change work include police accountability, voting rights, and workers’ rights. Moral Monday CT was founded by Bishop John Selders and Lady Pamela Selders.

Offering Music

“All of Me”
by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons
Andy Caruk, Trumpet

Sermon

“Investing in Our Future: An Annual Appeal Sermon”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Hymn 

#123 “Spirit of Life”
by Carolyn McDade
Dorothy Bognar, piano

Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. 

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

“All You Need is Love” by John Lennon
Performed by the UUS:E Singers; Dorothy Bognar on piano

Welcome & Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Eliot Vadas (piano)

Introduction to the Service

Chalice Lighting & Opening Words

Reading

“The Thank You Letter”
by Jan Caberea

Opening Hymn

“Filled with Loving Kindness”
#1031 in Singing the Journey
Words: Traditional Buddhist Meditation
Adapted by Mark W. Hayes
Music: Ian W. Riddell
Led by Sandy Johnson

First Verse

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.

Second Verse

May you be filled …

Third Verse

May we be filled…

Love Notes #1  (Elizabeth Thomas)

Welcoming Visitors and Sharing Joys & Concerns

Musical Response

“Scherzo” by Carl Webster
Performed by Simone Ford (cello) and Dorothy Bognar (piano)

Offering

Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, and in recognition of Black History Month, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month of February will go to Manchester’s African American and Black Affairs Council or AABAC.

AABAC is a community-based organization whose mission is to uphold all aspects of the lived experiences of Black people through advocacy, education, and community endeavors. AABAC strives to eliminate injustices experienced by Black people in Manchester, CT, through engagement with Manchester residents, community partners, and allies.

Offering Music

Gavotte from Cello Suite #6 in D Major, by J. S. Bach
Performed by Margeaux Ford (violin)

Love Notes #2 (Elizabeth Thomas with Genna Bender, Margeaux Ford and Charlie Schultz)

Homily

“Reflections on Love” (Sheila Foran)

Closing Hymn

“When Our Heart is in a Holy Place”
Words and Music by Joyce Poley; Arr. Lorne Kellett
#1008 in Singing the Journey
Led by Sandy Johnson

Chorus:

When our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place,
We are bless’d 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 our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place,
We are bless’d with love and amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place.

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 our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place,
We are bless’d with love and amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place. 

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.

When our heart is in a holy place. 

Closing Words & 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

Beethoven, Adagio Cantabile
from Sonata Pathetique
performed by Chris Crossgrove (piano)

Welcome and Announcements

Centering

Prelude

“All the Things You Are”
by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern
performed by Chris Crossgrove

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Opening Hymn

#18 “What Wondrous Love is This?”
American folk hymn, ad. by Connie Campbell Hart
Melody from The Southern Harmony, 1835

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this that brings my heart such bliss,
and takes away the pain of my soul, of my soul,
and takes away the pain of my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath my sorrows ground,
friends to me gather’d round, O my soul, O my soul,
friends to me gather’d round, O my soul.

To love and to all friends I will sing, I will sing,
to love and to all friends I will sing.
To love and to all friends who pain and sorrow mend,
with thanks until the end I will sing, I will sing,
with thanks unto the end I will sing.

Reading

Love in the Complicated Places
Rev. Jo VonRue
spoken by Rev. Josh Pawelek

Musical Meditation (Chris Crossgrove)

“To a Wild Rose” by Edward MacDowell
performed by Chris Crossgrove

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation (Chris Crossgrove)

“Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet”
by Nino Rota & Henry Mancini
performed by Chris Crossgrove

Offering

Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, and in recognition of Black History Month, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month of February will go to Manchester’s African American and Black Affairs Council or AABAC.

AABAC is a community-based organization whose mission is to uphold all aspects of the lived experiences of Black people through advocacy, education, and community endeavors. AABAC strives to eliminate injustices experienced by Black people in Manchester, CT, through engagement with Manchester residents, community partners and allies.

Offering Music

“Azure-Te (Paris Blues)
by Bill Davis & Don Wolf
performed by Chris Crossgrove

Sermon

“The Spiritual Discipline of Love”
Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Hymn

#131 “Love Will Guide Us”
words by Sally Rogers
music: traditional, arr. by Betty A Wylder

Love will guide us, peace has tried us,
hope inside us will lead the way
on the road from greed to giving. 
Love will guide us through the hard night.

If you cannot sing like angels, 
if you cannot speak before thousands,
you can give from deep within you. 
You can change the world with your love.

Love will guide us, peace has tried us,
hope inside us will lead the way
on the road from greed to giving.
Love will guide us through the hard night.

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 (Dorothy Bognar)

Welcome and Announcements

Centering

“Know Only That You are Loved”
By Rev. Gretchen Haley

Prelude

“If We Only Have Love”
By Jacques Brel, lyrics by Mort Shuman & Eric Blau
Performed by Dorothy Bognar, piano
and the UUS:E Singers

Chalice Lighting & Opening Words

“Out of a Great Need”
Hafiz

Opening Hymn

“There Is More Love”
#95 in Singing the Living Tradition
Words and music: African American Hymn
Performed by Dorothy Bognar

There is more love somewhere
There is more love somewhere
I’m gonna keep on til I find it
There is more love somewhere

Verses:
There is more hope somewhere …
There is more peace somewhere …
There is more joy somewhere …

Reading

From “Where Do We Go From Here – Chaos or Community?”
By Martin Luther King, Jr.

Musical Response (Dorothy Bognar)

Joys and 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 February will go to Manchester’s African American and Black Affairs Council (AABAC).  AABAC is a community-based organization whose mission is to uphold all aspects of the lived experiences of Black people through advocacy, education, and community endeavors. AABAC strives to eliminate injustices experienced by Black people in Manchester, CT, through engagement with Manchester residents, community partners and allies.

Offertory Music

“Love is a Healing Power”
Velal Rose’s Pagan Songbook (source unknown)
Performed by the UUS:E Singers

Reading:  From a sermon by the Rev. Darcey Laine

Musical Response (Dorothy Bognar)

Homily

“Love is the Power That Holds Us Together”
by Vivian Carlson

Closing Hymn

“Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire”
#34 in Singing the Living Tradition
Words: Hal Hopson. Music: Trad. Melody Adapt. by Hal Hopson
Performed by Dorothy Bognar

Though I may speak with bravest fire
And have the gift to all inspire
And have not love, my words are vain
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,
and striving so my love profess,
but not be given by love within,
the profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed,
by this we worship, and are freed. 

Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words

“A Lifelong Sharing”
#562 in Singing the Living Tradition
by Mother Teresa

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

“Calling the Moon” by Dar Williams
“The Gathering of Spirits” by Carrie Newcomer
“The Parting Glass,” traditional Scottish

Welcome and Announcements

Calling The Quarters

excerpts from “Quarterdance”
by Mary Bopp and Josh Pawelek

Spirit of the East, we invite your presence. Come air, come breath, come knowledge.

Spirit of the South, we invite your presence. Come fire, come heat, come turning.

Spirit of the West, we invite your presence. Come moisture, come water, come mystery.

Spirit of the North, we invite your presence. Come earth, come roots, come wisdom.

Prelude

Brighid
by Kellianna
performed by Jenn Richard

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

“Opening”
Adapted from Ravenna Angelline
spoken by Rev. Josh Pawelek

Opening Hymn

#57 “All Beautiful the March of Days”
Words by Frances Whitmarsh Wile
Music, English melody arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams

All beautiful the march of days, as seasons come and go;
the hand that shaped the rose hath wrought the crystal of the snow;
hath sent the hoary frost of heaven, the flowing waters sealed,
and laid a silent loveliness on hill and wood and field. 

O’er white expanses sparkling clear the radiant morns unfold;
the solemn splendors of the night burn brighter through the cold;
life mounts in every throbbing vein, love deepens round the hearth,
and clearer sounds the angel-hymn, “Good will to all on earth.”

O Thou from whose unfathomed law the year in beauty flows,
thy self the vision passing by in crystal and in rose.
Day unto day doth utter speech, and night to night proclaim,
in ever changing words of light, the wonder of thy name.

Introduction to Imbolc (Peggy Gagne & Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Meditation

“Imbolc”
by Erin Williams and Madeleine Breault
spoken by Madeleine Breault

Musical Meditation (Mary Bopp)

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation (Mary Bopp)

Offering 

Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls and in recognition of Black History Month, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month of February will go to Manchester’s African American and Black Affairs Council or AABAC. AABAC is a community-based organization whose mission is to uphold all aspects of the lived experiences of Black people through advocacy, education, and community endeavors. AABAC strives to eliminate injustices experienced by Black people in Manchester, CT, through engagement with Manchester residents, community partners and allies.

Offering Music

“Send the Sun”
by Nikki Lane
performed by Jenn Richard

Reflection

“Hope”
by Peggy Gagne

Reflection

“Imbolc”
by Sudha Sevin

Reflection

“Pagan at Heart”
by Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Hymn

#163 “For the Earth Forever Turning”
by Kim Oler, arranged by Nick Page

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 word 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

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 (begins at 10:50)

“River Flowing in My Soul”
performed by Kate Howard-Bender, guitar & vocals,
and Jeannine Westbrook and Gianna DiMaoilo, vocals

Welcome & Announcements (Gianna DiMaiolo)

Centering (Gianna DiMaiolo)

Introduction to Prelude (Marsha Howland)

Prelude

“Wind Beneath My Wings”
Words by Larry Henley; Music by Jeff Silbar
Performed by Jeannine Westbrook

Chalice Lighting (Kate Howard-Bender)

Opening Words

From Summer Island by Kristin Hannah
Spoken by Marsha Howland

Opening Hymn

“Come Sing a Song with Me”
Words and Music by Carolyn McDade
#346 in Singing the Living Tradition
led by Jeannine Westbrook

Come, sing a song with me,
come, sing a song with me,
come, sing a song with me,
that I might know your mind

(Chorus)
And I’ll bring you hope
when hope is hard to find,
and I’ll bring a song of love
and a rose in the wintertime.

Come, dream a dream with me,
come, dream a dream with me,
come, dream a dream with me,
that I might know your mind.

(Chorus)

Come, walk in rain with me,
come, walk in rain with me,
come, walk in rain with me,
that I might know your mind.

(Chorus)

Come, share a rose with me,
come, share a rose with me,
come, share a rose with me,
that I might know your mind.

Introduction to the Service (Marsha Howland)

Speaker (Donna Johnson)

Special Reading – Written and presented by Gianna DiMaiolo

Welcoming Visitors and Sharing Joys & Concerns (Gianna DiMaiolo)

Musical Meditation

Offering (Kate Howard-Bender)
The recipient of our January 29th (fifth Sunday) Community Outreach Offering is the UUA Disaster Relief Fund. As a series of atmospheric rivers continue to pour rain onto California, many parts of the state are facing flooding, mudslides, and more damage from winds and water. Contributions to the UUA Disaster Relief Fund will enable the UUA to grant recovery funds right away to California congregations and their members who are facing natural disasters in the days or weeks immediately following them.  The Fund is a concrete, material way that we show up and support our fellow UUs and their communities in the wake of more frequent climate disasters.

Offering Music

“Landslide”
Words and music by Stevie Nicks
Performed by Jeannine Westbrook and Kate Howard-Bender

Speaker (Marsha Howland)

Closing Hymn

“Love Will Guide Us”
Words by Sally Rogers; Music traditional, arr. by Betty A. Wylder
#131 in Singing the Living Tradition
led by Jeannine Westbrook

Love will guide us, peace has tried us,
hope inside us will lead the way
on the road from greed to giving.
Love will guide us through the hard night.

If you cannot sing like angels,
if you cannot speak before thousands,
you can give from deep within you.
You can change the world with your love.

Love will guide us, peace has tried, us,
hope inside us will lead the way
on the road from greed to giving.
Love will guide us through the hard night.

Extinguishing the Chalice (Gianna DiMaiolo)

Closing Words – from Mother Theresa (Marsha Howland)

Closing Circle (Giana DiMaiolo)
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.