Music for Contemplation: Goldberg Variations #1 Aria, #10 Variatio 9 a 1 Clav. Canone alla Terza, #8 Variatio 7 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav., and #5 Variatio 4 a 1 Clav. by J.S. Bach, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka. Photos by Steve Schmidt, Matthias Groenevald at Pexels.com, and © Soul Matters.

Prelude: Minuet #1, partita in B flat BWV 825 by J.S. Bach, pianist Molly Ruggles

Opening Words: A New Day Awaits by Rev. Scott Tayler

Welcome

Chalice Lighting: The Spark Between from Spilling the Light by Theresa I. Soto

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 #347: Gather the Spirit words and music by Jim Scott (Singing the Living Tradition) singers: Shaina Sawyer and Brendan O’Brine, pianist Molly Ruggles

Gather the spirit, harvest the power.
Our separate fires will kindle one flame.
Witness the mystery of this hour.
Our trials in this light appear all the same.

Gather in peace, gather in thanks.
Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength.
Gather to celebrate once again.

Gather the spirit of heart and mind.
Seeds for the sowing are laid in store.
Nurtured in love, and conscience refined,
with body and spirit united once more.

Gather in peace, gather in thanks.
Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength.
Gather to celebrate once again.

Gather the spirit growing in all,
drawn by the moon and fed by the sun.
Winter to spring, and summer to fall,
the chorus of life resounding as one.

Gather in peace, gather in thanks.
Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength.
Gather to celebrate once again.

Candles of Joy, Sorrow and Milestones

Meditation

Offering: Minuet #2, Partita in B Flat BWV 825 by J.S. Bach, pianist Molly Ruggles

Reading: Spilling the Light from Spilling the Light by Theresa I. Soto

Music: Come Sunday by Duke Ellington, pianist Molly Ruggles

Sermon: Freedom and Belonging

Hymn #318: We Would Be One words by Samuel Anthony Wright, music by Jean Sibelius (Singing the Living Tradition) singer & pianist Molly Ruggles

We would be one as now we join in singing
our hymn of love, to pledge ourselves anew
to that high cause of greater understanding
of who we are, and what in us is true.
We would be one in living for each other
to show to all a new community.

We would be one in building for tomorrow
a nobler world than we have known today.
We would be one in searching for that meaning
which binds our hearts and points us on our way.
As one, we pledge ourselves to greater service,
with love and justice, strive to make us free.

Closing Words: by Sidney L. Freeman

Postlude: Heather on the Hill words by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Loewe, pianist Molly Ruggles