Entering Into Sacred Space

Prelude: Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude – Yo Yo Ma

Greetings

Chalice Lighting: A Flame to Light Our Path, words by Debra Burrell

Hymn: Spirit Of Life, words and music by Carolyn McDade, performed by Alex Daum

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.

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.

Building Beloved Community

Candles of Joy, Sorrow and Milestones: Melissa Radzyminski

Music: When I’m Gone, words and music by Phil Ochs, performed by Andey Amata

There's no place in this world where I'll belong, when I'm gone
And I won't know the right from the wrong, when I'm gone
And you won't find me singin' on this song, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't breathe the bracing air, when I'm gone
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares, when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

Won't see the golden of the sun, when I'm gone
And the evenings and the mornings will be one, when I'm gone
Can't be singing louder than the guns, while I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

All my days won't be dances of delight, when I'm gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight, when I'm gone
Can't add my name into the fight, while I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

There's no place in this world where I'll belong, when I'm gone
And I won't know the right from the wrong, when I'm gone
And you won't find me singin' on this song, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it
I guess I'll have to do it
Guess I'll have to do it
While I'm here.

Meditation

Sermon: While I’m Here, Andey Amata, adapted from a 2015 sermon by Rev. Frank Clarkson of the UU Church in Haverhill, MA

Sending Forth

Hymn: For All That Is Our Life, words by Bruce Findlow, music by Patrick L. Rickey, performed by Alex Cumming

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.

Closing Words: To Soulfully Survive the World’s Mayhem, Heather Rion Starr