OOS 1-22-23

Fidelity in the 21st Century

Rev. Eric Cherry, Service Leader
Christine Ariel, Worship Partner
Sue Bollens, Lay Pastoral Care Associate

 

Helen Keller famously noted that ‘True happiness… is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.’  This morning we’ll consider the spiritual aspects of loyalty, allegiance, and constancy in our lives and culture – and how to remain faithful to our highest ideals when challenging circumstances arise.

Chimes

Welcome and Announcements

Chalice Lighting:
“We light this chalice
To help us move from untruth to truth;
To help us move from ignorance to wisdom;
To help us move from animosity to love;
To help us move from bondage to freedom.
We rededicate ourselves before this light
To affirm and practice truth, wisdom, love, and freedom
Today and in the days to come.”

Prelude:  Minuet by J.S. Bach

Opening Words

Opening Hymn: #163 For the Earth Forever Turning

1 For the earth forever turning; for the skies, for ev’ry sea; for our lives, for all we cherish, sing we our joyful song of peace. 

2 For the mountains, hills, and pastures in their silent majesty; for the stars, for all the heavens, sing we our joyful song of peace. 

3 For the sun, for rain and thunder, for the seasons’ harmony, for our lives, for all creation, sing we our joyful praise to Thee. 

4 For the world we raise our voices, for the home that gives us birth; in our joy we sing returning home to our bluegreen hills of earth.

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

Time for All Ages: A Retelling of “IN WHICH CHRISTOPHER ROBIN GIVES POOH A PARTY, AND WE SAY GOOD-BYE”

Children’s Recessional
As you journey – As you journey Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques
May you know – May you know
Love and hope go with you –
Love and hope go with you
Learn and grow – Learn and grow

Joys and Sorrows

Piano Interlude: Calligrammes by A. Pozilek

Sung Response:  #1009 Meditation on Breathing

When I breathe in, I’ll breathe in peace. When I breathe out, I’ll breathe out love. 

Breathe in, Breathe out, Breathe in, Breathe out

Call for the Offering:  Our January Share the Plate Recipient Is Providence’s Beautiful Day. Beautiful Day is a gourmet granola company with a mission to help refugees to enter the job market and become welcomed, self-sufficient members of their communities, helping refugees adjust to life in America by offering paid, on-the-job training. Every job in our company is designed to be part of a hands-on classroom where trainees gain critical skills and the confidence to enter the job market. To donate go to: http://34.197.179.157/donate/

Offertory: Un Jour a Yokohama by A. Pozilek

Sermon:  “Fidelity in the 21st Century”

Closing Hymn:  #108 My Life Flows on in Endless Song

1 My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation. I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing! 

2 What though the tempest ’round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth. What though the darkness ’round me close, songs in the night it giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging. Since love prevails in heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing! 

3 When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing, when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing! To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging; when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing! 

 

Closing Words:  Hosea Ballou

Carry the Flame