Order of Service 2-5-2023

“Miraculous Love”

Rev. Eric Cherry, Service Leader
Christine Ariel, Worship Partner
Renee Bucklin, Usher
Meg Carroll, Lay Pastoral Care Associate
Tech Host: Jolanda Walter

“Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. I use the word ‘love’ here not merely in the personal sense but as a state of being, or a state of grace—not in the infantile American sense of being made happy but in the tough and universal sense of quest and daring and growth.” – James Baldwin

The Unitarian Universalist Association is inviting congregations to consider a change to our Principles and Purposes that formally centers “Love” as our brightest guidepost. What would that mean, what would it change, and what can be done to prevent ‘love’ from becoming a powerless platitude? What must be done for love to remain miraculous?

We are now live-streaming our services on YouTube. To join go to our home page HERE on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Welcome and Announcements

Chalice Lighting

Prelude:  Ach Gott vom Himmel, sich Darei by J. Pachelbel

Opening Words by Rev. Joan Javier-Duval

*Opening Hymn:  #1008 When Our Heart is in a Holy Place

Chorus: When our heart is in a holy place, When our heart is in a holy place, We are bless’d with love and amazing grace, When our heart is in a holy place.
When we trust the wisdom in each of us,  Ev’ry color ev’ry creed and kind, And we see our faces in each other’s eyes, Then our heart is in a holy place.
When we tell our story from deep inside, And we listen with a loving mind, And we hear our voices in each other’s words, Then our heart is in a holy place.
When we share the silence of sacred space, And the God of our Heart stirs within, And we feel the power of each other’s faith, Then our heart is in a holy place. 

*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:  Love and the “Golden” Rule

Children’s Recessional:  Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques

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

Joys and Sorrows

Piano Interlude: O Dieu, laisse-nous T’ offrir Toutes nos Vies by L. Ponzio

Prayer by Rev. Wendy Bartel

Sung Response:  #18 What Wondrous Love

1 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul? What wondrous love is this that brings my heart such bliss, and takes away the pain of my soul, of my soul, and takes away the pain of my soul. 

2 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down beneath my sorrows ground, friends to me gather’d round, O my soul, O my soul, friends to me gathered round, O my soul. 

3 To love and to all friends, I will sing, I will sing, to love and to all friends, I will sing. To love and to all friends who pain and sorrow mend, with thanks unto the end I will sing, I will sing, with thanks unto the end I will sing. 

Call for the Offering:  Our February Share the Plate is Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the awareness, appreciation, and application of Black Storytelling in Rhode Island through performance, as well as through educational and cultural experiences. The organization offers workshops in storytelling, writing, and related arts as a part of the development of the next generation of storytellers along with professional development workshops for those interested in enhancing cultural awareness, and improving their performances and communication skills. To donate go to: https://www.westminsteruu.org/donate/

Offertory:  Jealous Blues by Pechemelba

Readings by Valerie Kaur and Rev. David Rankin

Sermon:  “Miraculous Love”

*Closing 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. 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.  

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. 

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. 

Closing Words: by Omid Safi

Carry the Flame