Entering Into Sacred Space

Call to Worship: Sarabande from the G Major Cello Suite, by J.S. Bach; reading from The Book of Pi, by Betty Hauck

Welcome and Greeting: Ilene Lerner

Chalice Lighting: poem by Betty Hauck, read by Ilene Lerner

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 #1021: Lean On Me

Sometimes in our lives 
we all have pain,
we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise
we know that there’s
always tomorrow.

(Chorus:)
Lean on me when you’re not strong
and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on,
For it won’t be long ‘til I’m gonna need
somebody to lean on.

Please swallow your pride
if I have things
you need to borrow,
For no one can fill
those of your needs
that you won’t let show.

(Chorus)

If there is a load
you have to bear
that you can’t carry,
I’m right up the road,
I’ll share your load
if you just call me.

(Chorus)

Just call on me brother when you need a hand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’d understand.
We all need somebody to lean on. 

Time for All Ages: Mimi Olivier

Special Music: Wash Your Hands, written and sung by Betty Hauck

Building Beloved Community

Candles of Joys, Sorrows and Milestones: Ilene Lerner

Hymn #1029: Love Knocks And Waits For Us To Hear

Love knocks and waits for us to hear, to open and invite;
Love longs to quiet every fear, and seeks to set things right.

Love offers life, in spite of foes who threaten and condemn;
embracing enemies, Love goes the second mile with them.

Love comes to heal the broken heart, to ease the troubled mind;
without a word Love bids us start to ask and seek and find.

Love knocks and enters at the sound of welcome from within;
Love sings and dances all around, and feels new life begin.

Sermon: Looking For The Hidden Gifts, Betty Hauck

Sending Forth

Hymn #108: My Life Flows On In Endless Song

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!

Closing Words: Ariosto by J.S. Bach; Buddhist prayer; played and read by Betty Hauck

Parting Music: Alex Cumming