What’s UUp 8/24/25?

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What’s UUp August 24?
Religious Exploration Click here for more information
Families Welcome / Childcare Available beginning at 9:30
 

August 24 at 10:00am – Adult RE: Chalice Circles Sampler
With the new Chalice Circles groups forming, we’re offering a chance to “kick the tires” and take the Chalice Circles experience out for a brief “test drive” as we explore August’s worship theme, “Coming Together.”
 

This Week’s Children’s RE at 11am – 
Theater Games (Because why wouldn’t we?)
We will begin in the sanctuary, then children will leave the sanctuary during the Song for the Children after the Moment for All Ages Hymn Sing.
 

Chalice Circle Registration is Now Open
You may complete a paper registration form, available on the counter in the Volunteer Area, online or see your Midweek Update for other options and more information.

Celebration of Life – 11:00am 
 
Hope is a Verb
Speaker: Rus Funk

We often refer to and
experience Hope as
something that we find or give.
In the noun form of the word – it’s as if hope is something outside of ourselves that we come across.  What if we change our relationship to hope and experience it as a verb – something that is embodied within ourselves and which we practice?

What if we relate to hope as something that we do – which it is!
Practicing hope is so critical in days such as these, which seem so challenging, dark and threatening  In this service, we will explore the practice of hoping and hopefulness in ways that encourage our living hope (as individuals and in our collectives).

About the Speaker: Rus Funk is a long-time UU, having got his start in the UU community at the Sojourner Truth Congregation in Washington, DC.  Rus is a long-time activist and organizer both in the United States and in several other countries.  He is currently the director of the Justice Center at All Peoples, where he works to engage and mobilize interfaith efforts to advance justice more broadly. Rus lives in the highlands with his partner, their teenage child and a cat who belongs to himself.   He enjoys long walks, hiking, gardening, and good conversations with friends.
 

For the zoom link, Click here. The Meeting ID is 4508929882 if you can’t attend in person.  You will not need a password. Contact the volunteer desk if you have trouble getting online.

The Order of Service (Bulletin)
Gathering Music     
In a Daydream by Freddy Jones Band
Pulse by Melissa Ethridge
Rise Up by Andra Day,
Work Hard and Be Nice by Michael Franti
                                      
Chime and Welcome          Jane Buckley

Prelude             Ethan

Lighting the Chalice and the Black Lives Matter Candles
Rus Funk and Bev Daly

Opening Words       Hopefulness in Bad Times        Rus
from You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train by Howard Zinn

Hymn #161      Peace! The Perfect Word     Ethan
Words: Odel Shepard; music from The Southern Harmony

Moment for All Ages  Children’s Hymn Sing     Ethan

Song for Our Children           Ethan
Go in love, our hearts go with you.
Go in joy, our hopes go too.
Learn in love and grow in wisdom.
Shine your light in all you do.

Our Mission and Covenant           Bev
We are a church of reason and spirit,
that witnesses for progressive faith,
nurtures our community and transforms our world.
                                                        
Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its law.
This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace,
to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.

Joys and Sorrows        Bev and Valerie

Musical Response #95    There is More Love Somewhere      Ethan
Words and music: traditional African American hymn

Meditation and Common Prayer      Valerie
          A Prayer for Hope by Christin Green

Musical Response #391       Voice Still and Small          Ethan
Words and music: John Corrado

Invitation to Generosity         Valerie

Offertory       Ethan

Sermon    Hope Is a Verb    Rus Funk

Hymn   #155    Circle ‘Round for Freedom   Ethan
Words and music: Linda Hirschhorn

Extinguishing the Chalice   Bev and Valerie
We extinguish these flames, but not the light of truth,
the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment.
These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.

Postlude         Ethan

Benediction     Words by May Sarton    Valerie

Next Week: August 31: Water Day (It’s Water Communion Day!)