Order of Service - Sun, June 18, 2017 "Change Matters"

Date of Service: 
June 18, 2017
 
        June 18, 2017                                                                                                                      Change Matters
 
“Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. “We’re afraid,” they said.
“Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said. “We’re afraid,” they said.
“Come to the edge of the cliff,” he said.
They came. He pushed. They flew.
~ Guillaume Appollinaire
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*Gathering Hymn                                       #361 Enter, Rejoice, and Come In
 
Prelude                                                     Sonata #1 in B Minor for Flute & Piano                                  J.S. Bach
 
Welcome
 
Chalice Lighting
 
*Opening Hymn                                        #359 When We Are Gathered
 
*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
 
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
 
Offering                                                   Romance #2 for Flute & Piano                                    Robert Schumann
 
Devotional Time
 
Responsive Reading                                                  
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                    #196 Singer of Life
 
Music for the Morning                           Far and Away                                                                          John Williams
 
Sermon                                                Change Matters                                               Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
 
*Closing Hymn                                      #1021 Lean on Me
 
Extinguishing the Chalice
 
*Benediction
 
Musical Response                                  Amen in Bb
 
*Please rise in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                                            Roberta Frye, Wendi Gladstone, Audrey Lyness & David Olson
Ushers:                                               Tom Early & Kit Shaw
Coffee:                                                Sheila Cummins & Pam Teplitz
Welcome Table:                                  Barbara Gibbs & Wendi Gladstone
Bookstore:                                          Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Common Ground: the Westside HIV Center, now housed at the Venice Family Clinic. Venice Family Clinic is the first choice in free and affordable healthcare for low-income, uninsured and homeless families and individuals on the Westside and from across Los Angeles County. Common Ground is committed to helping everyone know their HIV status and making sure that people living with the virus find – and stay connected to – medical care. More information is available at: http://commongroundhiv.org.
 
The Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins is an organizational development consultant based in Los Angeles. She is a consultant to pastors of many faith traditions, and specializes in people and organizations in transition. She is a member of our congregation and represents us on the Board of Directors. With Joyce Holmen and Karen Hsu Patterson, she leads the Heart and Soul Contemplative service held on Second Sundays at 5pm.
 
We are thrilled to have our very own Kenneth Alexander offering music for today’s service. Thank you, Ken! Ken Alexander is a mathematics professor at USC, a UUSM member, and, when those other obligations allow, a flutist. He is principal flute of the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra.
 
 
Responsive Reading
 
After a while we learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul.
              And we learn that love doesn't mean leaning and
              company doesn't mean security.
And we begin to learn that kisses aren't compromises and presents aren't promises.
              And we begin to accept our defeats
              with our head up and our eyes ahead,
              with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.
And we learn to build all our roads on today because
tomorrow's ground is too uncertain,
and plans and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
              After a while we learn that
              even sunshine burns if we ask too much.
So we plant our own garden and decorate our own soul,
instead of waiting for someone to buy us flowers.
              And we learn that we really can endure,
              that we really are strong, and we really do have worth.
And we learn. And we learn. And we learn.
 
— Adapted from Veronica A. Shoffstall