Order of Service - October 26, 2014 "Living on the Edge"
Date of Service:
October 26, 2014
In being with dying, we arrive at a natural crucible of what it means to love and be loved.
And we can ask ourselves this: Knowing that death is inevitable, what is most precious
today?
- Roshi Joan Halifax
Gathering Hymn Oh, we give thanks for this precious day,
For all gathered here, and those far away;
For this time we share with love and care,
Oh, we give thanks for this precious day.
Prelude The Water is Wide (9am) Traditional
In Paradisum, Requiem in D minor (11am) Gabriel Fauré
Call to Worship Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
Chalice Lighting Christine Suarez
Opening Hymn #322 Thanks Be for These
Covenant Love is the doctrine of this church.
The quest for truth is its sacrament,
And service is its prayer.
To dwell together in peace,
To seek knowledge in freedom,
To serve humankind in fellowship,
Thus do we covenant with each other.
Hymn of Praise From all that dwell below the skies
Let songs of hope and faith arise
Let peace, goodwill on earth be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.
Offering for the Westside Food Bank and Turning Point
Time for All Ages
Song of Blessing Vision for humanity, all around the child.
Loving as one family, all around the child.
Life passages well understood, known and felt around the earth;
Light of love and joy extend all around the child.
Life Together
Pulpit Message from the 2015 Commitment Campaign Rick Rhoads
Offering Looking Back (9am) Daniel Gledhill
Can’t Cry Hard Enough (11am) arr. John Maas
Responsive Reading #660 To Live Deliberately Henry David Thoreau
Devotional Time
Sung Response Open my heart to all that I seek;
Let me be part of the Love You give.
Sermon Living on the Edge Nica Eaton-Guinn
Music for the Morning Being Alive, Company Stephen Sondheim
DeReau K. Farrar, bass-baritone
Closing Hymn #331 Life is the Greatest Gift of All
Benediction We Are All Dying Mark Morrison-Reed
Musical Response When She Loved Me (9am) Randy Newman
The paper reeds by the brooks (11am) Randall Thompson
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
There is no need to be afraid of death. It is not the end of the physical body that should
worry us. Rather, our concern must be to live while we’re alive – to release our inner
selves from the spiritual death that comes with living behind a façade designed to
conform to external definitions of who and what we are. Every individual human being
born on this earth has the capacity to become a unique and special person unlike any
who has ever existed before or will ever exist again… When you live as if you’ll live
forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things you know that you must do. You
live your life in preparation for tomorrow or in remembrance of yesterday, and
meanwhile, each day is lost. In contrast, when you fully understand that each day you
awaken could be the last you have, you take the time that day to grow, to become more
of who you really are, to reach out to other human beings.
- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Service Notes
Service participants: Nancy Babbitt, Sheila Bjornlie, Tom Foretich, Barbara Gibbs, Dave
Hallinan, Glen Howell, Nancy Howell, Carrie Lauer, Leah Moore, Sue Stoyanoff, Ned
Wright, Michael Young, Steve Young, Sylvia Young.
Our Community Offering will go to Our House Grief Support Center. Grief is a natural
reaction after the death of someone close. Yet in our society few people are prepared
for the intensity and duration of the grief process. Our House was founded on the
premise that grievers need understanding, support, and connection. If you or someone
you care about is grieving, we are here to help.
For support:1.888.417.1444. http://www.ourhouse-grief.org.