*Gathering Hymn                                     Step by Step the Longest March                                            Waldemar Hille

                                                                    Step by step the longest march can be won, can be won.

                                                                    Many stones can form an arch, singly none, singly none.

                                                                    And by union, what we will can be accomplished still;

                                                                    Drops of water turn a mill, singly none, singly none.

 

Prelude                                                     Aqvavebula                                                                         Traditional Georgian

 

Welcome                                                  Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur

 

Chalice Lighting                                      Paice Van Ooyen, YRUU Youth Group

 

*Opening Hymn                                      #1000 Morning Has Come

 

*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

 

Time for All Ages

 

Song of Blessing                                    Go now in peace, go now in peace,

                                                                   May the spirit of love surround you

                                                                   As you go, as you go on your way

 

Life Together

 

Pulpit Message                                      Faith in Action

 

Offering                                                    Dragana I Slaveja                                                                Traditional Bulgarian

 

Devotional Time

 

 Silence

 

Musical Response                                 Pecen Za Angel                                                                  Traditional Bulgarian

 

Responsive Reading                             #567 To Be Of Use                                                                         Marge Piercy

 

Music for the Morning                            Rasodi Se Tanka Neda                                                    Traditional Bulgarian

 

Sermon                                                     A Fighting Chance                                                 Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur

 

*Closing Hymn                                        #168 One More Step

 

*Benediction

 

Musical Response                                  Dushko Moja                                                        Traditional Ukrainian Romani

 

*Please stand in body or in spirit

 

 

Greeters:                                                   Tom Foretich, Denise Helton & Jila Tayefehnowrooz

Ushers:                                                      Linda Van Ligten & Greg Wood

Coffee:                                                       Peggy Rhoads & Alicia Van Ooyen

Bookstore:                                                 Nancy Babbitt

 

We are delighted to welcome Nevenka as our guest musicians, this morning. Nevenka is a Los

Angeles-based women's folk chorus performing songs from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia, Albania,

Russia, Greece, and Georgia, as well as Ladino Sephardic and Romani songs. The group was formed in

1976 by women who shared a common interest in the complex harmonies and compelling rhythms

typical of Balkan music. Very much in the Eastern European tradition, Nevenka includes women of all

ages making music together. www.nevenka.org.

 

Today, 60% of our offering will go to Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of Los Angeles

(CLUE-LA). CLUE-LA was founded in 1996 to bring together clergy and lay leaders of all faiths to join

low-wage workers in their struggles for justice. Please join Faith in Action, CLUE, and community

leaders to learn more about raising the minimum wage and continuing the movement for higher standards

right here in Santa Monica at 5:30pm on Wed, Sept 9 in the Sanctuary. RSVP to fia@uusm.org.

 

Nevenka: The Meaning Behind the Songs

 

Aqvavebula: Georgian (traditional instruments), A young man professes his love to his honey-eyed

sweetheart. He says, “Come, I will be part of you and together we will conquer the mountains”.

 

Dragana I Slaveya: Bulgarian (choral), A young woman has a singing contest with a nightingale. If

Dragana wins, she can clip the bird’s wings and keep it for a pet. If the bird wins, Dragana will have to

cut off her beautiful braid. Dragana wins the contest, but she lets the bird have its freedom.

 

Pecen Za Angel: Bulgarian (choral), A mother says to her son, “Don’t go off to war – instead take a

wife and have children.” He replies that he must go to protect his country.

 

Dushko Moja: Ukrainian, Romany (guitar, mandolin, violin & drum), The man singing this song is

ending his affair with his lover because he can no longer split his love between two women!

 

Rasodi Se Tenka Neda: Bulgarian (choral), Young Neda goes to the well for water and there she has a

flirtatious encounter with a young man.