Donate Online/PledgeOOS 10/30/2022
“Guided by Ancestors”
Led by Rev. Eric Cherry
Service Blurb: Hallowed tradition teaches that at this corner of the year the veil between the living and the departed thins. We invite individuals and families to bring a precious symbol of someone they hold in their heart to the service this morning – photos and a variety of items are welcome. We’ll embrace each other in memory and grief as we share these items on our All Souls altar.
Soul Matters Theme: Courage
Thank you to our Worship Volunteers: Worship Partner: Christine Ariel; Ushers: Renee Bucklin and Laura Giusti; Coffee Angel: Laura Giusti
Welcome and Announcements
Chalice Lighting by Rev. Florence Caplow
Prelude: Sentimental by C. Clement
Opening Words
Invitation to the Altar and Memory Tree
Opening Hymn and Litany for the Saints: # 103 For All The Saints
For all the saints, who from their labor rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, Most Holy, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Congregation Response: BE HERE BESIDE US!
All Sing:
Thou wast their rock, their shelter, and their might:
Thou strength and solace in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness deep, their one true Light.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Congregation: BE HERE BESIDE US!
All Sing:
O blest communion of the saints divine!
We live in struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Congregation: BE HERE BESIDE US!
All Sing:
And when the strife is fierce, the conflict long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong
Alleluia, alleluia!
Congregation: BE HERE BESIDE US!
All Sing:
For all the saints, who from their labor rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, Most Holy, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Unison Affirmation
Love is the spirit of this church
And service our mission
This is our great covenant
To dwell together in peace
To seek the truth in love
And to help one another
Time for All Ages: The Memory Tree
Children’s Recessional
As you journey – As you journey
May you know – May you know
Love and hope go with you –
Love and hope go with you
Learn and grow – Learn and grow
-Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques
Words by Ann Hossler
Joys and Sorrows
Piano Interlude: Octobre by C. Delvalle
Prayer
Sung Response: #1011 Return Again
Return again, Return again, Return to the home of your soul. Return to who you are, Return to what you are, Return to where you are born and reborn again.
Call for the Offering: The Sharing Locker is one of Westminster’s outreach projects and has been in operation since February 2010. Westminster reaches out to anyone in Washington or Kent County as well as Cranston residents who are experiencing a need for assistance by offering household goods, a seasonal farmer’s market, and/or pet food. Our operation is, by design, closely aligned with our Westminster vision and mission. We have continued to serve clients even during the pandemic. To donate: http://34.197.179.157/donate/
Offertory: October Air by E. Weiss
A Visit to the Memorial Garden
Sermon: “Guided by Ancestors”
Closing Hymn: #1001 Breaths
Listen more often to things than to beings, listen more often to things than to beings, ’tis the Ancestor’s breath when the fire’s voice is heard, ’tis the Ancestor’s breath in the voice of the waters. Zah Whsshh Aahh Whsshh
- Those who have died have never, never left. The dead are not under the earth. They are in the rustling trees, they are in the groaning woods, they are in the crying grass, they are in the moaning rocks. The dead are not under the earth.
So Whsshh Listen more often to things than to beings, listen more often to things than to beings, ’tis the Ancestor’s breath when the fire’s voice is heard, ’tis the Ancestor’s breath in the voice of the waters. Whsshh Aahh Whsshh Zah Zah
- Those who have died have never, never left. The dead have a pact with the living. They are in the woman’s breast, they are in the wailing child, they are with us in our homes, they are with us in this crowd. The dead have a pact with the living.
Closing Words
Carry the Flame