"Flower Communion" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, May 18, 2025

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp)

Welcome (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 ...

Announcements

Centering (Emmy Galbraith)

Prelude

"The Lovers' Waltz"

By Jay Ungar and Molly Mason

Anhared Stowe, violin

Mary Bopp, piano

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

#434 "May We Be Reminded"

anonymous

Beth and Rosemary Ventura, chalice lighters (11:00)

May we be reminded here of our highest aspirations,

and inspired to bring our gifts of love and service

to the altar of humanity.

May we know once again that we are not isolated beings

but connected, in mystery and miracle, to the universe,

to this community and to each other.

Hymn

#1009 Meditation on Breathing"

By Sarah Dan Jones

When I breathe in,

I'll breathe in peace.

When I breathe out, I'll breath out love.

Time for All Ages

Children's Choir

"My Roots Go Down"

By Sarah Pirtle, et al

My roots go down, down into the earth

My roots go down, down into the earth

My roots go down, down into the earth

My roots go down.

I am a willow, bending in the wind ...

I am a waterfall skippin' home ...

I am an acorn waiting to be born ...

I am an oak tree, tall and bold ...

My roots go down, down into the earth ...

Joys and Concerns

Musical Prayer

"Prayer for Connection"

Words by Cyndi Krupa

Music by Mary Bopp

May peace, light and love

Infuse all living beings

With a feeling of connection

And knowing we are one.

Offering

Offering Music

Theme from "Schindler's List"

By John Williams

Anhared Stowe, violin

Mary Bopp, piano

Homily (Rev. Josh Pawelek)

Flower Communion

Flower Communion Prayer

"Consecration of the Flowers"

By the Rev. Norbert F. Capek

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.

Chalice Extinguishing

"The Flame in Our Hearts"

By Mary Bopp

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 for all the days to come.