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Order of Service Archive

 
       July 30, 2017                                                                                                          Comfort in Difficult Times
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*Gathering Hymn (standing)                        #1010 We Give Thanks
 
Prelude (seated)                                         Hineh Mah Tov                            Psalm 133 “How Good and Pleasant”
                                                                    Youth Summer Choir
 
Welcome
 
Chalice Lighting
 
*Opening Hymn (standing)                        #168 One More Step
 
*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 (seated)
 
Time for All Ages
 
Song of Blessing                                      #118 This Little Light of Mine
                                                                 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                                                    Sonata III in G major for Flute and Piano                           G. F. Handel
 
Devotional Time
 
Silence
 
Music For the Morning                             Sonata V in E minor for Flute and Piano                             J. S. Bach
 
Sermon                                                    Comfort in Difficult Times                          Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels
 
*Closing Hymn (standing)                        #1002 Comfort Me
 
*Benediction and Dismissal
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                                        Bryan Cahill & Barbara Gibbs
Ushers:                                           Bonnie Brae & David Goetz
Coffee:                                            Rebecca Crawford, Linda Marten, Susan Stahl & Alicia van Ooyen
Welcome Table:                              Barbara Gibbs
Bookstore:                                      Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Step Up On Second. Step Up delivers compassionate support
to people experiencing serious mental illness to help them recover, stabilize, and integrate into the
community. With 100 permanent supportive housing units at six locations in Santa Monica and on
the Westside of Los Angeles, Step Up now serves over 1,800 individuals each year with a focus on
offering help, hope, and home. More information available at www.StepUpOnSecond.org.
 
Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels was the founding rabbi of Temple Shir Shalom, one of the two temples
that have come together to become Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica. A graduate of UCLA, Rabbi
Comess-Daniels was ordained in 1979 at the Hebrew Union College and is often asked to mentor
young rabbinic students. He brings his passionate expression of Judaism and his strong sense of
social justice to the pulpit. Rabbi Daniels’ personal commitment is to organizations that deal with
interracial and interfaith relations and homelessness issues. He has chaired the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Westside Coalition and the Interfaith Holocaust Service and also serves on the boards of the
Western Region of the Jewish Federation Council and the Westside Interfaith Council.
 
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.
 
 
      July 23, 2017                                                                                                                       The Secret of Life
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*Gathering Hymn (standing)                  #188 Come, Come, Whoever You Are                                words by Rumi
                                                              Come, come, whoever you are,                                        arr by Lynn Ungar
                                                               wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
                                                              Ours is no caravan of despair.
                                                              Come, yet again come.
 
Prelude (seated)                                    Secrets                                                                                     Amy Beach
 
Welcome
 
Chalice Lighting
 
*Opening Hymn (standing)                  #347 Gather the Spirit
 
*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
 
Time for All Ages (seated)
 
Song of Blessing                                #413 Go Now in Peace
                                                           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
 
Offering                                              The Thorn Birds Theme                                                          Henry Mancini
 
Devotional Time                                 Universal Spirit of love,
                                                           O God within each one of us                 by Rev. Dr. Dorothy May Emerson
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                 #1009 Meditation on Breathing                                     by Sarah Dan Jones
                                                          When I breathe in, I breathe in love
                                                          When I breathe out, I breathe out peace
 
Reading                                             An Eternal Verity                                                      W. W. Waldemar Argow
 
Music for the Morning                        Prelude Op. 28, No. 15                                                       Frederick Chopin
 
Sermon                                              The Secret of Life                                                            Rev. Arvid Straube
 
*Closing Hymn (standing)                  #131 Love Will Guide Us                                                          Sally Rogers
 
*Benediction
 
Postlude (seated)                               Minute Waltz                                                                       Frederick Chopin
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                                    Wendi Gladstone, Michael Young & Steve Young
Ushers:                                       Kit Shaw & Jila Tayefehnowrooz
Coffee:                                        Sylvia Young
Welcome Table:                         Carol Ring
Bookstore:                                  Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Step Up On Second. Step Up delivers compassionate support
to people experiencing serious mental illness to help them recover, stabilize, and integrate into the
community. With 100 permanent supportive housing units at six locations in Santa Monica and on
the Westside of Los Angeles, Step Up now serves over 1,800 individuals each year with a focus on
offering help, hope, and home. More information available at www.StepUpOnSecond.org.
 
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube was in UU parish ministry for 33 years before beginning a ministry of spiritual
direction, spiritual coaching and teaching. He has served congregations in Washington State, North
Carolina, and, most recently as Lead Minister of the First UU Church of San Diego. He earned a Master
of Arts in Divinity at the University of Chicago and a Doctor of Ministry degree at Meadville Lombard
Theological School in Chicago, where he now teaches. In 2013 Meadville Lombard awarded him with
an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.
 
 
      Sunday, July 16, 2017                                                                            Can We Make Room Enough for Love?
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*Gathering Hymn (standing)            #1007 There’s a River Flowin’ in My Soul
 
Prelude (seated)                                                                                                                                   Daniel Gledhill
 
Welcome
 
Chalice Lighting                               #418 Margot Page
 
Opening Hymn (standing)               #298 Wake Now My Senses
 
*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 (seated)
 
Time for All Ages                               I’m In Love With A Big Blue Frog                                       Leslie Braunstein
 
Song of Blessing                               #118 This Little Light of Mine
                                                           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                                              Stephie’s Song                                                                      Leslie Beauvais
 
Devotional Time                                  #490 Wild Geese
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                #1031 Filled with Loving Kindness
 
Music for the Morning                       Interpret the Sky                                                                    Leslie Beauvais
 
Sermon                                             Can We Make Room Enough for Love?                                         Ian Dodd
 
*Closing Hymn (standing)                #301 Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky!
 
*Benediction                                                                                                                                                 Ian Dodd
 
Postlude (seated)                                                                                                                                 Daniel Gledhill
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                        Roberta Frye, Audrey Lyness & David Olson
Ushers:                           Barbara Kernochan & Peggy Kharraz
Coffee:                            Sheila Cummins, Eileen McCormack & Pam Teplitz
Bookstore:                      Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Step Up On Second. Step Up delivers compassionate support to people experiencing serious mental illness to help them recover, stabilize, and integrate into the community. With 100 permanent supportive housing units at six locations in Santa Monica and on the Westside of Los Angeles, Step Up now serves over 1,800 individuals each year with a focus on offering help, hope, and home. More information available at www.StepUpOnSecond.org.
 
Thank you to Leslie Beauvais for the gift of her music, this morning! Leslie has performed extensively in musical theatre over some 30 years, including the Broadway company of “Les Miserables.” She started writing her own songs in 1995 when in between Musical Theatre performances. She has since recorded two albums of mostly original songs under the artist name Leslie Clemmons. Her third and most recent album CHEMISTRY, released under her first and favorite name Leslie Beauvais, features songs that she wrote all on her own, with the exception of two songs that were co-written by Leslie and her friend and teacher Severin Browne. You can find
out more about Leslie on her website, www.lesliebeauvais.com.
 
 
     Sunday July 9, 2017                                                                             Voices Lifted: Singing as Direct Action
 
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
~ James Weldon Johnson
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*Gathering Hymn                                           #123 Spirit of Life
 
Prelude                                                          We Shall Overcome                                        Traditional Protest Song
 
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
 
Offering for the Westside Food Bank
 
Time for All Ages                                            Horace, Boris, and Dolores Join the Chorus
 
Song of Blessing                                            #413 Go Now in Peace (canon)
 
Life Together
 
Pulpit Message                                                                                                                                          Vilma Ortiz
                                                                                                                                                        Dorothy Steinicke
 
Offering                                                          De Colores                                             Traditional Mexican Folksong
 
Devotional Time
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                             Umoja                                                                   Dr. Zanaida Robles
 
Sermon                                                         Voices Lifted: Singing as Direct Action             Dr. Zanaida Robles
 
*Closing Hymn                                              #1021 Lean on Me
 
*Benediction
 
Postlude                                                       Go the Distance                                                              Alan Menken
 
Dismissal
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                          Dwight Flowers & Jila Tayefehnowrooz
Ushers:                             Steve DePaul & Michael Young
Coffee:                              Phyllis Kory, Jila Tayefehnowrooz & Linda van Ligten
Welcome Table:                Sheila Cummins
Bookstore:                        Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Step Up On Second. Step Up delivers compassionate support to people experiencing serious mental illness to help them recover, stabilize, and integrate into the community. With 100 permanent supportive housing units at six locations in Santa Monica and on the Westside of Los Angeles, Step Up now serves over 1,800 individuals each year with a focus on offering help, hope, and home. More information
available at www.StepUpOnSecond.org. 
 
 
         July 2, 2017                                                                                                          Poetry of Protest & Praise
 
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
~ Mary Oliver
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*Gathering Hymn                                            #389 Gathered Here                                                 Philip A. Porter
                                                                       Gathered here, in the mystery of the hour,
                                                                       Gathered here in one strong body.
                                                                       Gathered here in the struggle and the power,
                                                                       Spirit, draw near.
 
Prelude                                                           The Ash Grove                                                                 Traditional
                                                                        Lynn Angebranndt, cello
 
Welcome                                                         James Witker, pulpit host
 
Chalice Lighting                                               Diana Spears
 
*Opening Hymn                                               #159 This Is My Song
 
*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
 
Story for All Ages                                            Henry Climbs a Mountain                                           D.B. Johnson
 
Song of Blessing                                             #413 Go Now in Peace
                                                                       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
 
Offering                                                          Summer Song                                                           Carson Cooman
 
Responsive Reading                                      #646 The Larger Circle                                                Wendell Berry
 
Silence
 
Introduction                                                    Poetry of Protest & Praise                                            Rima Snyder
 
                                                                       Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey              (excerpt)
                                                                       read by James Witker                                           William Wordsworth
 
                                                                       I Am Waiting                                                     Lawrence Ferlinghetti
                                                                       read by Emmy Cresciman
 
Music for the Morning                                    Summertime                                                           George Gershwin
 
Two poems from                                            This Day: Collected and New Sabbath Poems          Wendell Berry
                                                                       read by Rima Snyder
 
*Closing Hymn                                               #342 O Slowly, Slowly, They Return
 
*Benediction
 
Postlude                                                        Pastorale                                                                Domenico Scarlatti
 
Extinguishing the Chalice
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                                 Barbara & Kim Andres and Denise Helton
Ushers:                                    Linda van Ligten & Greg Wood
Coffee:                                    Deirdre Dietel, Kit Shaw & Alicia van Ooyen
Welcome Table:                      Barbara Gibbs & Linda van Ligten
Bookstore:                              Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to to Step Up On Second. Step Up delivers compassionate support to people experiencing serious mental illness to help them recover, stabilize, and integrate into the community. With 100 permanent supportive housing units at six locations in Santa Monica and on the Westside of Los Angeles, Step Up now serves over 1,800 individuals each year with a focus on offering help, hope, and home. More information available at www.StepUpOnSecond.org.
 
 
 
    June 25, 2017                                                                                           Forgiveness - A Practical Approach
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*Gathering Hymn                                  #188 Come, Come, Whoever You Are
 
Prelude                                                 Gracias por el amor                                                           arr. Ross/Robles
 
Welcome
 
Chalice Lighting                                     Margot Page
 
*Opening Hymn                                     #1 May Nothing Evil Cross This Door
 
*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                                   We All Need Forgiveness                                                     Mercer Meyer
 
Song of Blessing                                    #118 This Little Light of Mine
                                                              This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine...
                                                               Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine...
 
Life Together
 
Pulpit Message                                      Beth Brownlie
                                                               Spirit Level Foundation Grant Fundraiser
 
Offering                                                  Comfort Me                                                               Mimi Bornstein-Doble
 
Devotional Time
 
Responsive Reading                             #477 (untitled)                                                                     Vivian Pomeroy
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                    #1013 Open my Heart
 
Music for the Morning                          Caro Mio Ben                                                                      Tomaso Giordani
 
Sermon                                                Forgiveness - A Practical Approach                                    Bart Campolo
 
*Closing Hymn                                     #1010 We Give Thanks
 
Extinguishing the Chalice
 
*Benediction                                         #681 (untitled)                                                    adapted from Gaelic Runes
 
Musical Response
 
Invitation to Fellowship
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                                          Michael Young & Steve Young
Ushers:                                             Nina Emerson & Tom Foretich
Coffee:                                             Sylvia Young
Welcome Table:                               Barbara Gibbs & Carol Ring
Bookstore:                                       Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Common Ground: the Westside HIV Center, now housed at 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.
 
Over three decades of Christian ministry, Bart Campolo became increasingly committed to building loving relationships, working for social justice and cultivating a sense of gratitude for the wonders of life. Now, as a community builder, counselor, podcaster, and humanist chaplain at the University of Southern California, he inspires and supports non-believers who are banding together to actively pursue goodness in an openly secular way. More information is available at www.bartcampolo.org.
 
 
        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
 
 
     June 11, 2017                                                                                                           Hopes & Wishes & Dreams
 
The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best -
- and therefore never scrutinize or question.
~ Stephen Jay Gould
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*Gathering Hymn                                  #188 Come, Come, Whoever you Are
                                                             Come, come, whoever you are,
                                                             Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving
                                                             Ours is no caravan of despair.
                                                             Come, yet again come.
 
Prelude                                                 Hope on the Horizon                                                              Jack Walker
 
Welcome
 
Chalice Lighting                                   Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
 
*Opening Hymn                                   #1060 As We Sing of Hope & Joy
 
*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
                                                            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                                               TaReKiTa                                                                                  Reena Esmail
 
Devotional Time
 
Responsive Reading                          #600 The Space Within
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                #1009 Meditation on Breathing
 
Music for the Morning                       Open Up Your Heart                                                                     Jack Walker
 
Sermon                                             You Gotta Have Hope                                        Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
 
*Closing Hymn                                   #1057 Go Lifted Up
 
*Benediction
 
Musical Response                           Amen in Bb
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                                     Dwight Flowers, Katie Malich & Jila Tayefehnowrooz
Ushers:                                       Dan Patterson & Ned Wright
Coffee:                                        Phyllis Kory, Jila Tayefehnowrooz & Linda van Ligten
Welcome Table:                          Sheila Cummins
Bookstore:                                  Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Common Ground: the Westside HIV Center, now housed at Venice Family Clinic. Venice Family Clinic’s mission is to provide quality primary health care to people in need. 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 organization development consultant who works with faith-based organizations, non-profits, and university faculty who are in transition - or ought to be. She is a trans-traditional Presbyterian minister and a member of our congregation. More information is available at: www.KikanzaNuriRobins.com.
 
We welcome musician Jack Walker , who has written over 1,000 songs, scored over 100 films, and written many commercial jingles including “Switch to Ralphs,” [Supermarket]. His work includes anthems and songs for church, and two musical productions. From 1975 to 2003 he was Minister of Worship and Music at Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. Jack’s most recent work is a CD of children’s songs, “Singing with Grandpa.” Jack lives in Santa Monica. More information is available at: www.spiritunes.com.
 
 
 
          June 4, 2017                                                                                                                   Celebration Sunday
 
We enter the story in the middle.
~ Paul Elie
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*Gathering Hymn                                     Gracias por el amor                                          arr. William James Ross
                                                                Gracias por el amor del cielo, gracias por el inmenso mar,
                                                                Gracias por el cantar del bosque. ¡Aleluya!
 
                                                                 Gracias por este nuevo día, gracias por nuestra gran unión,
                                                                 Gracias por todas las bondades. ¡Aleluya!
 
Prelude                                                                                                                                               Daniel Gledhill
 
Call to Worship (Responsive)                  #437 Let Us Worship
 
Chalice Lighting                                      Cassie Winters
 
*Opening Hymn                                     #126 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
 
*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                                    Flower Ceremony
 
Song of Blessing                                    #1053 How Could Anyone
                                                               How could anyone ever tell you you were anything less than beautiful?
                                                               How could anyone ever tell you you were less than whole?
                                                               How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle?
                                                               How deeply you’re connected to my soul.
 
Life Together
 
Pulpit Message                                     Faith In Action
                                                              Roberta Frye
 
Offering                                                Montana                                                                           arr. DeReau Farrar
 
Devotional Time                                  #723 Flower Communion Prayer
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                  #1002 Comfort Me
                                                            Comfort me, comfort me, comfort me oh my soul.
                                                            Comfort me, comfort me, comfort me oh my soul.
                                                            Walk with me...
                                                            Dance with me...
                                                            Hold my hand...
                                                            Comfort me...
 
Music for the Morning                          Gratitude Rima Snyder
 
Message                                                                                                                       Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
 
*Closing Hymn                                  #1064 Blue Boat Home
 
*Benediction
 
*Musical Response
 
Chalice Extinguishing
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                                        Barbara & Kim Andres, Denise Helton
Ushers:                                           Hugo Contreras & Peggy Kharraz
Coffee:                                           Deirdre Dietel & Kit Shaw
Welcome Table:                             Barbara Gibbs & Linda van Ligten
Bookstore:                                      Mark Warkentin
 
Service Notes
 
Today’s flowers are given by the Farewell Committee in appreciation of Rev. Rebecca. We wish you all the best!
 
Today, 40% of our offering will go to Common Ground: the Westside HIV Center , now housed at Venice Family Clinic. Venice Family Clinic’s mission is to provide quality primary health care to people in need. 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.
 
 
          May 28, 2017
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*Gathering Hymn                                Gracias por el amor                                                 arr. William James Ross
                                                            Gracias por el amor del cielo, gracias por el inmenso mar,
                                                            Gracias por el cantar del bosque. ¡Aleluya!
                                                            Gracias por este nuevo día, gracias por nuestra gran unión,
                                                            Gracias por todas las bondades. ¡Aleluya!
 
Prelude                                                Prelude Op. 28, No. 4                                                         Frederic Chopin
 
Welcome
 
Chalice Lighting                                   Jila Tayefehnowrooz (9am)
                                                            Tom Peters (11am)
 
*Opening Hymn                                   #112 Do You Hear?
 
*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                                #1053 How Could Anyone
                                                           How could anyone ever tell you you were anything less than beautiful?
                                                           How could anyone ever tell you you were less than whole?
                                                           How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle?
                                                           How deeply you’re connected to my soul.
 
Life Together
 
Pulpit Messages                                 Farewell Committee
                                                           Gretchen Goetz (9am)
                                                           Cathie Gentile (11am)
 
                                                            Faith in Action
                                                            Peggy Rhoads (11am)
 
Offering                                               It’s A Life (9am)                                                                  Burkhard Dallwitz
                                                           Dahil Sa Iyo (11am)                            Miguel Velarde, arr. Fabian Obispo Jr.
 
Devotional Time
 
Silence
 
Sung Response                                #1037 We Begin Again in Love
                                                         We forgive ourselves and each other.
                                                         We begin again in love.
 
Music for the Morning                      Goodbye My Love (9am)                                                      Stephen Flaherty
                                                         I Will Be Earth (11am)                                                           Gwenyth Walker
 
Sermon                                            Living in the Future                                            Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
 
*Closing Hymn                                 #1028 The Fire of Commitment
 
*Benediction
 
Musical Response                           Amen in Bb
 
*Please stand in body or in spirit
 
❦ ❦ ❦ ❦
 
Greeters:                              Glen Howell, Kris Langabeer, Michael Young & Steve Young
Ushers:                                 Tom Foretich, David Goetz, Jila Tayefehnowrooz & Ned Wright
Coffee:                                 Sheila Bjornlie, Nancy Howell, Leah Moore & Sylvia Young
Welcome Table:                   Barbara Gibbs & Carol Ring
Bookstore:                           Sarah Harper
 
Service Notes
 
Today 40% of our non-pledge offering will go to Unitarian Universalism beyond our congregation. Today we send our gifts to our Unitarian Universalist Association to promote social justice and liberal religion through public advocacy, leadership development, faith formation, and support for over 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States and around the world.
 
About Our Guest Accompanist
Travis Reynolds is a composer, pianist, and educator recently based out of Los Angeles. He has held positions as staff accompanist at The Boston Conservatory, pianist for St. Anthony Shrine in downtown Boston, teacher at Belmont Music School, and co-artistic director for SoundWave Milwaukee and Soundry; he currently teaches out of his studio in Inglewood and at West Hollywood Academy of Music. His music has been performed by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, St. Luke’s Chamber Series, Calliope, and others. Travis is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory, where he studied with Jan Swafford and Dalit Warshaw.
 
“Dahil Sa Iyo” Translation
My life has been full of hardship and suffering.
Because of you, I want to live.
You alone, my love, are my hope.
I became happy.
All this is because of you.