OOS 9-11-22
Homecoming Sunday and Water Communion Service: “Finding a Way”
Led by Rev. Eric Cherry

Click HERE to view the live service. To see the lyrics of the hymns click HERE.

Thank you to our Worship Partner: Al Jeffries; Lay Pastoral Care Associate: Kamila Barzykowski; and our Ushers: Paula Greenwood and Tina Lozano

Thank you to the Hevenor Family for lighting our Chalice today.

Water finds a way – sometimes with the infinite patience of drought and other times with immediate and unstoppable force.  Water is as simple as the morning dew on the garden grass, as immense as an Arctic glacier, and as close as your tears.  We’ll gather water from many directions, seek lessons from its power, and offer it as a blessing to each other and our religious community.   

Chalice Lighting by Israel Zangwill (adapted)

Prelude:  Fugue #2 Well Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach

Opening Words  

Opening Hymn: #347 Gather the Spirit

Lyrics

1 Gather the spirit, harvest the power. Our sep’rate fires will kindle one flame.
Witness the mystery of this hour. Our trials in this light appear all the same. 

(Chorus) Gather in peace, gather in thanks. Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength. Gather to celebrate once again. 

2 Gather the spirit of heart and mind. Seeds for the sowing are laid in store.
Nurtured in love, and conscience refined, with body and spirit united once more. (Chorus) 

3 Gather the spirit growing in all, drawn by the moon and fed by the sun.
Winter to spring, and summer to fall, the chorus of life resounding as one. (Chorus) 

Unison Affirmation
Love is the spirit of this church,
and service our mission.
This is our great covenant:
To dwell together in peace,
To seek the truth in love,
And to help one another.   
Joys and Sorrows:  Water Sparks in a Sunbeam by L. Orsa

Prayer 

Song in Response:  #1011 Return Again

Return again, Return again, Return to the home of your soul.
Return to who you are, Return to what you are, Return to where you are born and reborn again. 

Offering:  In honor of Westminster’s longtime member and supporter Henry “Hank” Sharpe, Jr., our September Share the Plate Recipient is The Public’s Radio. Hank passed away recently at the age of 99. A former president of the church, he was also a philanthropist, a manufacturing leader, and a lover of nature, poetry, and music. Hank was instrumental in the founding of The Public’s Radio, which serves as the public radio station for Rhode Island and Southern New England. The Public’s Radio is committed to providing quality journalism and compelling storytelling that educates, informs and inspires community. To donate go to: https://tinyurl.com/4d9nrtfz

Offertory:  Sarabande Concerto Grosso #11 by A. Corelli

Water Communion Ceremony

Blessing of the Water

A Story

Musical Reprise: #1011 – Return Again (no singing)
Homily:  “Finding a Way”

Distribution of Water and Blessing 

Closing hymn: #100 I’ve got Peace Like a River

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a
river in my soul. I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve
got peace like a river in my soul. (in my soul) 

I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul. I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul. (in my soul) 

I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul. I’ve got love like an
ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul. (in my soul) 

I’ve got pain like an arrow, I’ve got pain like an arrow,
I’ve got pain like an arrow in my soul. I’ve got pain like an arrow,
I’ve got pain like an arrow, I’ve got pain like an arrow in my soul. (in my soul) 

I’ve got tears like the raindrops … 

I’ve got strength like a mountain …

Closing words

Carry the Flame

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