As we prayerfully consider the intersections of holidays, holy days, and seasonal happenings a theme often emerges.  In this Sunday worship offering we encounter and engage the theme together by honoring and exploring the sacred teacher we all share - the human body. 

Participants are invited to offer their unique embodied wisdom and Divine understandings as we grapple with practices and questions each week, weaving a co-creative “sermon” together by sharing the insights, awareness, and Love intelligence revealed to us, individually and collectively. 

This is a radically inclusive space where all religious identities and mixities are welcomed and celebrated.  Rev. Amelia teaches from the well of embodied practices she is in mindful, reflective, and ongoing relationship with.  Primarily (though not exclusively) these stem from the Bhakti, Sufi, and Christian traditions where her religious identity, practice life, and leadership is rooted.

 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.

Please stand in body or spirit

Welcome                                                             Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur

Prelude                                                                 The Face We Wear                                                  Daniel Gledhill

Choral Prelude                                                   The Blue Bird                                                  Charles V.  Stanford

Chalice Lighting                                        Jo An Gaines (11:00)

Opening Hymn #126                                 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Covenant

 Love is the doctrine of this church.     

The quest of 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, good will on earth be sung

Through every land, by every tongue.                 

~ based on Isaac Watts

Offering for the Westside Food Bank

Story for All Ages                               Celebrating 50 Years Together: An Interview with Edna and Phil Bonacich

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.                                                                  

~ Natalie Sleeth

A Time for Community

Pulpit Message                                                      Fundraising Committee

Offertory                                                                   Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing           arr. Daniel Gledhill

Devotional Time

    Pastoral Prayer

    Silence

    Sung Meditation                                                 Comfort Me

Responsive Reading #489                                  When Love is Felt or Fear is Known                          Max A. Coots

Music for the Morning                                         Continuing On                                                           Daniel Gledhill

Choral Anthem                                                      Shaker Gifts                                           Dorothy Lamb Crawford

Sermon                “In the Beginning”                            Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur

Closing Song #1017                                       We are Building A New Way                                                                            

Please remain standing in body or spirit and hold hands for the benediction.

Benediction

Please be seated for the postlude.

Postlude (9:00)                                                       Clair de lune                                                          Claude Debussy

Choral Response (11:00)                                     Consider the Lilies                                                  Gordon Young

Extinguishing the Chalice

Service Notes

Today’s Generous Congregation of 50% of the non pledge offering will go to the UU Service Committee, a nonsectarian organization that advances human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world. Through a combination of advocacy, education, and partnerships with grassroots organizations, UUSC promotes economic rights, advances environmental justice, defends civil liberties, and preserves the rights of people in times of humanitarian crisis.