Order of Service

Worship With Us on Sunday March 23 2025
Join Us in our Sanctuary or Online


Worship Greeter: Chuck Bordman Coffee: Robert Hall
Visual Focus: Ellen Schoenfeld-Beeks
Zoom Host: Graham Babbitt Zoom Chat: Edele Panessidi

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10:00 AM Family Worship: Thundercake

In our family service today we will read and discuss a book by Patricia Polacco called Thundercake. Are you afraid of thunder? What helps you be brave? We will also reflect on our UU Value of Interdependence together. What does cake have to do with the interdependent web of all existence?

Music Upon Entering Mel Springer, Music Director
3 “love” songs “L-O-V-E” ) by Bert Kaempfert (1923-1980) “Love Is a Simple Thing” by A Siegal (1924-1994) and “It’s De-Lovely” by Cole Porter (1891-1964)

Welcome & Announcements Ellen Bordman, Worship Coordinator

Chalice
We light this chalice for Unitarian Universalism.
This is a congregation of open minds.
This is a congregation of helping hands.
This is a congregation of loving hearts.
Together we work for peace and friendship in our world.

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 humanity in fellowship,
To the end that all souls shall grow
Into harmony with the divine:
Thus we do covenant together.

Joys & Concerns (from Hymn #146)
“Wait and see, wait and see, what a world there can be,
if we share, if we care, you and me..”
Meditation Hymn #1009 Meditation on Breathing

Story & Discussion: Thundercake by Patricia Polacco, Ellen Bordman

Chant 387 The Earth, Water, Fire, Air

Closing Words
In the rest of our time together and in the days ahead,
May we listen to our deepest selves.
May we be open to life’s gifts.
And may we be moved to serve needs greater than our own.

Go Now In Peace Adapted from Hymn #413


10:30 Worship: Guest Speaker from Father Bills/Mainspring House

Our Social Justice Committee is focusing on Housing Justice, delving deep into the topic of homelessness and affordable housing. This Sunday, we will welcome a guest speaker from the staff of FBMH to help us reflect further on this important topic as a congregation. Rev. Jolie is off today.

 

Music Upon Entering Mel Springer, Music Director
2 songs by Duke Ellington (1899-1974) “Satin Doll” and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”

Welcome & Announcements Ellen Bordman, Worship Coordinator

Prelude 2 songs by Johnny Burke (1908-1964) and James van Heusen (1913-1990) It Could Happen to You” and “Swinging On a Star”

Opening Words Gare Reid, Social Justice Committee

Opening Hymn #389 Gathered Here

Chalice Lighting & Covenant (see above)

Centering Hymn #123 Spirit of Life

Centering Breath

Joys & Concerns (from Hymn #146)
“Wait and see, wait and see, what a world there can be,
if we share, if we care, you and me..”

Stewardship Testimonial Val Hall

Housing & Homelessness Introduced by Gare Reid

I Am, a poem from Michael Frada, read by Ellen Schoenfeld-Beeks

Personal Reflection on MainSpring House and UCS Lisa Uebelacker

Report from the Streets Youth Reflection on the City Reach Program

Excerpt from Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder read by Ellen Schoenfeld-Beeks

Guest Speaker Lynn Calling from Father Bills & MainSpring House

Offertory “I’ve Heard This Song Before” by Sammy Chan (1913-1973) and Jule Styne (1905-1994)
The March Brown Envelope donations will support the programs of Father Bill’s & MainSpring (helpfbms.org), whose mission is to end and prevent homelessness in Southern Massachusetts. They offer programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. Thank you for your generous support for their work. Text “Give” to (781) 614-7277 to donate to the Unitarian Church of Sharon.

Closing Hymn #168 One More Step

Closing Words by Martha Kirby Capo Gare Reid

Postlude “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t (Ma Baby)? words and music by Billy Austin (1896-1964) and Louis Jordan (1908-1975)


Zoom Link for our Virtual Sanctuary

Zoom information: Meeting ID: 945 6326 5033 Password: 3652

More Zoom information including the phone numbers can be found here



If you are joining for the first time, please sign our Visitor Guest book