April 23, 2017                                                                                                                                      Earth Sunday

 

*Gathering Hymn                                  #21 For the Beauty of the Earth                                                Conrad Kocher

                                                                 For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies

                                                                 For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:

                                                                 Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

                                                                 

                                                                 For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night

                                                                 Hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light:

                                                                Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.

 

Prelude                                                  Nature’s Bounty                                                                                  Betsy Grant

 

Welcome

 

Chalice Lighting

 

*Opening Hymn                                   #1068 Rising Green

 

*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                               #118 This Little Light of Mine                                                                 Traditional

                                                              This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine...

                                                              Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine...

 

Life Together

 

Pulpit Message                                  Right Relations Task Force

                                                              Emily Linnemeier (9am)

                                                              Vilma Ortiz (11am)

 

Offering                                                Forgive You                                                                                      Leslie Beauvais

 

Devotional Time

 

Sung Response                                #123 Spirit of Life

 

Responsive Reading                       #536 Morning Poem

 

Music for the Morning                       Frozen                                                                                                 Leslie Beauvais

 

Reflection                                            Rick Teplitz (9am)

                                                              James Witker (11am)

 

Sermon                                              Becoming A Green Sanctuary                                Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur

 

*Closing Hymn                                 #309 Earth Is Our Homeland

 

*Benediction

 

Musical Response                           Sacred Trust                                                                                         Nancy Nordlie

 

*Please stand in body or in spirit

 

❦ ❦ ❦ ❦

 

Service Participants: Sheila Bjornlie, Bonnie Brae, Hugo Contreras, Nina Emerson, Barbara Gibbs,

Sarah Harper, Glen Howell, Nancy Howell, Audrey Lyness, Barbara Kernochan, Leah Moore, Carol

Ring, Michael Young, Steve Young & Sylvia Young

 

Today 40% of our non-pledge offering will go to Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. With locations in Culver City and throughout Los Angeles, Didi Hirsch transforms lives by providing quality mental health care and substance abuse disorder services in communities where stigma or poverty limit access.

 

Two weeks ago, we launched the Undy Sunday Challenge. Your response, including a generous individual who donated over 240 pairs of socks and 90 undies, has been tremendous - thank you! So far we have collected 296 pairs of undies and 349 pairs of socks, bringing us about halfway to our goal of 600 of each, (the equivalent of 100 6-packs, not 100 pairs as we wrote incorrectly last week). Help us reach our goal by bringing a donation to the collection box during coffee hour, or by ordering online for delivery to: Didi Hirsch - Excelsior House, 1007 Myrtle Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301. All donations received, (or ordered, if you let us know that you have done so), by April 30 will be included in our total.

On March 17, 2017, after a decade of effort, we were formally recognized as a UUA Accredited Green Sanctuary! The Green Sanctuary Program provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and action for today's environmental challenges - including climate change and environmental justice. Green Sanctuary Congregations demonstrate a commitment to examining their current environmental impact, and moving towards developing sustainable practices grounded in Unitarian Universalism in four focus areas:

 

        1. Environmental Justice acknowledges that marginalized communities are often hit first and

              hardest by environmental crisis. In partnering with these communities we are able to address

              human and environmental needs at the same time. Environmental Justice emphasizes a shift

              from providing charity to working in solidarity with the communities most affected by climate change.

        2. Worship and Celebration is the heart of Unitarian Universalism. As we work together towards a

                cleaner, more just and sustainable world, worship enables us to stay connected to each other

                 and to celebrate the work we have accomplished.

        3. Religious Education shapes more than just minds. It shapes attitudes and practices.

        4. Sustainable Living requires us to treat the world more gently by using fewer resources and being

               mindful of the choices we make.