"Do UU Know Your History?" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, November 16, 2025

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome and Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek) 

Centering

Prelude

“Gather the Spirit”

by Jim Scott

adapted by Mary Bopp

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Excerpt from “I Call That Church Free”

by James Luther Adams

Opening Hymn

#145 “As Tranquil Streams”

lyrics by Marion Franklin Ham

music: Musicalisches Hand-buch, Hamburg, 1690, adapt.

As tranquil streams that meet and merge and flow as one to seek the sea,

our kindred hearts and minds unite to build a church that shall be free--

Free from the bonds that bind the mind to narrow thought and lifeless creed;

free from a social code that fails to serve the cause of human need:

A freedom that reveres the past, but trusts the dawning future more;

and bids the soul, in search of truth, adventure boldly and explore.

Prophetic church, the future waits your liberating ministry;

go forward in the power of love, proclaim the truth that makes us free.

Time for All Ages

Parting Hymn

#352 "Find a Stillness"

words by Carl G. Seaburg

music: Transylvanian hymn tune

Find a stillness, hold a stillness, let the stillness carry me.

Find the silence, hold the silence, let the silence carry me.

In the spirit, by the spirit, with the spirit giving power.

I will find true harmony.

Seek the essence, hold the essence, let the essence carry me.

Let me flower; help me flower, watch me flower; carry me.

In the spirit, by the spirit, with the spirit giving power,

I will find true harmony.

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Offering

The recipient of our November Community Outreach offering is Manchester Senior, Adult and Family Services, which provides social work and conservator services to any Manchester resident over age 18. Social work services can include providing information, guidance, assistance completing applications, advocacy, referrals, and outreach/wellness checks. Services are provided in-person (office, home, community), by phone, email or Zoom.

Offering Music

"Spirit of Life"

by Carolyn McDade

adapted by Mary Bopp

Sermon

"Do UU Know Your History?"

Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Hymn

#287 "Faith of the Larger Liberty"

Lyrics by "Vincent B. Silliman"

Music: Bohemian Brethren, Kirchengesang, 1566

Faith of the larger liberty, source of the light expanding,

law of the church that is to be, old bondage notwithstanding:

faith of the free! By thee we live --

by all thou givest and shalt give our loyalty commanding.

Heroes of faith in every age, far-seeing, self-denying,

wrought an increasing heritage, monarch and creed defying.

Faith of the free! In thy dear name

the costly heritage we claim: their living and their dying.

Faith for the people everywhere, whatever their oppression,

of all who make the world more fair, living their faith's confession:

faith of the free! Whate'er our plight,

thy law, thy liberty, thy light shall be our blest possession.

Extinguishing the Chalice

Closing Circle

May faith in the spirit of life

And hope for the community of earth

And love of the light in each other

Be ours now, and in all the days to come.