June 23, 2024: "Looking Back, Looking Forward"
Reverend Connie Grant
Sarah Montgomery, Worship Associate
How can acknowledging grief and loss help us move into hope? How do the things we’ve been through help us carry on?
View the video archive of this service here:
Order of Service
Our order of service is available both here on our website and in print.Ringing of the World Bell
Congregational Prelude
“Come Sing a Song with Me” by Carolyn McDade
Welcome & Announcements
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator
Land Acknowledgement
Lighting the Chalice Flame
Patsy Flint
“For Renewal of Our Faith” by Suzelle Lynch
Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
Opening Words
“Come into this Circle of Community” by Andrew Pakula
Reverend Connie Grant
Opening Hymn
#347 “Gather the Spirit”
Story
“Roses and Thorns” by Sarah Montgomery, Worship Associate
Musical Interlude
Covenanting with New Members
Congregation: We welcome you into membership in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, knowing that we are changed by your presence among us.
New Members: We gladly join with you in a spirit of goodwill and collaboration, knowing that we too are changed.
All: We covenant together as members of this congregation, bringing our gifts and needs to this community. Together, we support the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington through our contributions and our participation. We pledge to do our part to create and sustain this community of encouragement and strength for each other and for the common good of the world.
Pastoral Prayer and Meditation
“Our House” by Michael DeVernon Boblett
Offertory
“Irlandaise” by Claude Bolling
Beverly McGahey, piano
Alain Barker, flute
During the Offertory, you are invited to silently light a candle to represent a joy or sorrow in your life.
You are invited to participate in this morning’s offering by contributing as the basket passes or online at uucb.churchcenter.com/giving. You may make a non-pledge gift or a contribution towards your annual pledge, or both, at that site. This fiscal year, 25% of our non-pledge Sunday offerings will be given to All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center, which provides cloth and disposable diapers/wipes, pregnancy tests, feeding supplies, and other essentials to families in need. See alloptionsprc.org for more information.
Reading
“Together” by Luke Adam Hawker
Gift of Music
“Baroque and Blue” by Claude Bolling
Beverly McGahey, piano
Alain Barker, flute
Sermon
“Looking Back, Looking Forward”
Reverend Connie Grant
Closing Hymn
#318 “We Would Be One”
Extinguishing the Chalice Flame
“Blessed is the fire that burns deep in the soul” by Eric A. Heller-Wagner
Benediction
Choral Benediction
“Benedictus” by Mary Goetze and Violet Cookie Lynch