"Flower Communion" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, May 17, 2026

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome and Announcements (Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Processional Hymn

#361 "Enter, Rejoice and Come In"

by Louise Ruspini

arr. by Betty Wylder

Enter, rejoice, and come in.

Enter, rejoice, and come in.

Today will be a joyful day;

enter, rejoice and come in.

Open your ears to the song ...

Open your hearts ev'ryone ...

Don't be afraid of some change ...

Enter, rejoice, and come in ...

Centering

Prelude

"Greet the Sunny Day"

by Andy Ricci

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

#463, excerpt from "Dream of a Common Language"

by adrienne rich

My heart is moved by all I cannot save: / so much has been destroyed

I have to cast my lot with those / who age after age, perversely,

with no extraordinary power, /reconstitute the world.

Child Dedication

Kai William Hanson (9)

Ezra Ailill Morgan (11)

Wesley Roland Bernier (11)

Lou-Ethel Beverly Covino (11)

Montario Jamar Mango (Rio) (11)

Cillian Mac Lisle (11)

Congregational Commitment

We each bear responsibility for the care and nurture of all children. Our task is to seek peace and justice so that children may live without the threat of violence. Our task is to be good stewards of the earth, so that children may inherit a healthy planet. Our task is to seek truth and meaning, so that children may know by our example the value of spiritual living. Because our children learn to live as we live and learn to love as we love, we commit to live well and love deeply all the days of our lives.

Song

"What a Wonderful World"

Bob Thiele and George David Weiss

I see trees of green

Red roses too

I see them bloom

For me and you

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue

And clouds of white

The bright blessed day

The dark sacred night

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow

So pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces

Of people going by

I see friends shaking hands

Saying, "How do you do?"

They're really saying

I love you.

I hear babies cry

I watch them grow

They'll learn much more

Than I'll ever know

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world Yes, I think to myself

What a wonderful world.

Joys and Concerns

Musical Meditation

Offering

Hartford Deportation Defense says "we are an immigrant organization in Hartford, CT, working alongside our neighbors to build a just and dignified future for our families and communities in the Hartford region." They engage in a variety of activities in support of immigrants, including fundraising (especially for people facing health emergencies), providing resources for families with a loved-one in detention, working with immigration attorneys, rapid response, accompaniment to hearings and legislative advocacy.

Offering Music

"Blue Boat Home"

by Peter Mayer

Gonzalez Family

Homily

Flower Communion

Flower Communion Prayer

"Consecration of the Flowers"

by the Rev. Norbert F. Capek

adapted by Rev. Josh Pawelek

Closing Hymn

#155 "Circle 'Round for Freedom"

by Linda Hirschhorn

Circle 'round for freedom, circle 'round for peace,

for all of us imprisoned, circle for release,

circle for the planet, circle for each soul,

for the children of our children, keep the circle whole.

Extinguishing the Chalice

The flame in our hearts, never ceases burning

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.