OOS 12-4-22Service Date: 12/4/22
“Expanding the Mystery”
Led by Rev. DL Helfer

Today we explore the beauty of the not-knowing, the in-between spaces, and the questions to which we will never have answers.  

Soul Matters Theme: Wonder

Thank you to our Worship volunteers: Worship Partner Rev. Eric Cherry; Ushers: Renee Bucklin and Sandra Norris; and our Coffee Angel Sponsors: SEEJ Committee

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Chimes

Welcome and Announcements 

Chalice Lighting:

Prelude:  Preludium by M. Van Den Gheyn

Opening Words: “Knowledge as An Island In A Sea of Mystery,” by Chet Raymo

Opening Hymn: #389 Gathered Here

Gathered here in the mystery of the hour. Gathered here in one strong body. Gathered here in the struggle and the power. Spirit, draw near. 

Unison Affirmation
Love is the spirit of this church
And service its mission
This is our great covenant
To dwell together in peace
To seek the truth in love
And to help one another

New Member Ceremony

Time for All Ages, “What the Turtle Taught Theodore,” Rev Gary Kowalski

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: Variations D’Hiver by Pechemelba

Prayer 

Sung Response: #352 Find a Stillness

1 Find a stillness, hold a stillness, let the stillness carry me. Find the silence, hold the silence, let the silence carry me. In the spirit, by the spirit, with the spirit giving power, I will find true harmony. 

2 Seek the essence, hold the essence, let the essence carry me. Let me flower, help me flower, watch me flower, carry me. In the spirit, by the spirit, with the spirit giving power, I will find true harmony.

Call for the Offering 

Our December Share the Plate Recipient Is Community Music Works: Community Music Works Mission is to create a cohesive urban community through music education and performance that transforms the lives of children, families, and musicians. Their model is centered around the teaching, mentoring, program design, and performance activities of our musicians-in-residence, the MusicWorks Collective. Community Works Students live predominantly in Providence’s South Side neighborhoods, receive instruments free of charge, and participate in a variety of activities, including lessons, studio classes, and workshops. CMW was founded on a commitment to social justice. To donate click www.westminsteruu.org/donate.

Offertory:  Impromptu by F. Schubert

Reading:  “In This Spirit of Searching,” by Rev. Joan Javier-Duval

Interlude

Sermon: “Expanding the Mystery”

Closing hymn: #1051 We Are

For each child that’s born, a morning star rises and sings to the universe who we are. For each child that’s born, a morning star rises and sings to the universe who we are. 

We are our grandmothers’ prayers and we are our grandfathers’ dreamings, we are the breath of our ancestors, we are the spirit of God. We are mothers of courage and fathers of time, we are daughters of dust and the sons of great visions, we’re sisters of mercy and brothers of love, we are lovers of life and the builders of nations, we’re seekers of truth and keepers of faith, we are makers of peace and the wisdom of ages. 

We are our grandmothers’ prayers and we are our grandfathers’ dreamings, we are the breath of our ancestors, we are the spirit of God. For each child that’s born, a morning star rises and sings to the universe who we are.

Closing words: “Mysteries, Yes,” by Mary Oliver

Carry the Flame