Order of Service 3-5-2023
“The Human Stories of the Carceral State”
Dr. Christopher West, Service Leader
Stephen Conlon, Worship Partner
Ken DiPrete and Nina Rose, Usher
Meg Carroll, Lay Pastoral Care Associate
Tech Host: Jolanda Walters

 

Chimes

Welcome and Announcements

Chalice Lighting by Thich Nhat Hanh

Look deeply: I arrive in every second
to be a bud on a spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with wings still fragile,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.
I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
in order to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and
death of all that are alive.
My joy is like spring, so warm it makes flowers bloom in all
walks of life.
My pain is like a river of tears, so full it fills the four oceans.
Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughs at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.
Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up,
and so the door of my heart can be left open,
the door of compassion.

Prelude: Hope by M.A. Labolida

Opening Words 

Opening Hymn #116 I’m On My Way
I’m on my way to the freedom land. I’m on my way to the freedom land. I’m on my way to the freedom land. I’m on my way, great God, I’m on my way.
I asked my sister, come and go with me. I asked my sister, come and go with me. I asked my sister, come and go with me. I’m on my way, great God, I’m on my way.
I asked my brother, come and go with me. I asked my brother, come and go with me. I asked my brother, come and go with me. I’m on my way, great God, I’m on my way.
If they say no, I’ll go anyhow. If they say no, I’ll go anyhow. If they say no, I’ll go anyhow. I’m on my way, great God, I’m on my way.
I’m on my way, and I won’t turn back. I’m on my way, and I won’t turn back. I’m on my way, and I won’t turn back. I’m on my way, great God, I’m on my way. 

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:  

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 Per Te by L. Orsa

Prayer 

Sung Response #123 Spirit of Life
Spirit of Life, come unto me. Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

Call for the Offering: Our March Share the Plate is MENTOR Rhode Island. MENTOR Rhode Island is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the expansion of quality mentoring services for Rhode Island youth. Mentor Rhode Island coordinates school-based mentoring programs supporting a statewide network of 53 mentoring programs serving 37 Rhode Island cities and towns. To donate go to: http://34.197.179.157/donate/

Offertory Dim Light by M.A. Labolida

Reading The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying:

1 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

3 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

4 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

5 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

6 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

7 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

8 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

9 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 

10 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Sermon “The Human Stories of the Carceral State”

Closing Hymn #118 This Little Light of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine. Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine. Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Building up a world, I’m gonna let it shine. Building up a world, I’m gonna let it shine. Building up a world, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Closing Words 

Carry the Flame