Entering Into Sacred Space

Prelude: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free by Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas, performed by Molly Ruggles

Opening Words: I Dream A World by Langston Hughes

Welcome

Chalice Lighting

Covenant:

Love is the heart of this church.
We commit to:
Being a diverse, welcoming community of mutual care and respect;
Supporting each other's spiritual journey and search for truth and meaning;
Promoting justice and serving the wider community.
We hold ourselves to this promise with compassion and understanding.

Hymn #108: My Life Flows On In Endless Song, early Quaker, music: American Gospel tune, performed by Molly Ruggles

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!

Building Beloved Community

Candles of Joy, Sorrows and Milestones

Meditation

Reflecting upon our Anti-Racist Journey

Sending Forth

Hymn #119: Once To Every Soul and Nation, words by James Russell Lowell, music by Thomas John Williams, performed by Molly Ruggles

Once to every soul and nation comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side:
then to stand with truth is noble, when we share its wretched crust;
ere that cause bring fame and profit, and ‘tis prosperous to be just.

Though the cause of evil prosper, yet ‘tis truth alone is strong;
though its portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong.
Then it is the brave one chooses, while the coward stands aside,
till the multitude make virtue of the faith they have denied.

Closing

Postlude: From A Distance by Julie Gold, performed by Molly Ruggles