"I Am Today" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, January 25, 2026

(from Vecteezy.com)

Gathering Music

Welcome

Centering

Prelude

"A New Way"

by Mary Bopp

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Bearers of Hope & Resistance

Rev. Michelle Collins

Welcome to this place, a place where hope can be nourished. In a world that profits from despair, our gathering is a declaration of faith. We declare that joy still rises, that kindness still matters, that hope is not dead. We come to remember we are not alone. May our time together restore us to wonder, strengthen our resolve, and return us to the world as bearers of hope that sustains the work of resistance.

Opening Hymn

#126 "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Words: v. 1 Robert Robinson, v. 2-3 Eugene B. Navias

Music: John Wyeth

Come, thou fount of ev'ry blessing, tune our ears to sing thy grace.

Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

While the hope of life's perfection fills our hearts with joy and love,

teach us ever to be faithful, may we still thy goodness prove.

Come, thou fount of ev'ry vision, lift our eyes to what may come.

See the lion and the young lamb dwell together in thy home.

Hear the cries of war fall silent, feel our love glow like the sun.

When we all serve one another, then our heaven is begun.

Come, thou fount of inspiration, turn our lives to higher ways.

Lift our gloom and desperation, show the promise of this day.

Help us bind ourselves in union, help our hands tell of our love.

With thine aid, O fount of justice, earth be fair as heav'n above.

Time for All Ages

I Am Today

by Matt Forrest Esenwine

Read by Sam Taylor

Musical Interlude

Announcements

Joys and Concerns

Musical Response

Introduction to the Service

Reflections from Janet Heller

Offering

Offering Music

"Imagine"

Words and Music by John Lennon, Arr. Mary Bopp

Reflections from Maureen Flanagan

Musical Interlude

Reflections from Sam Taylor

Closing Hymn

#108 "My Life Goes On in Endless Song"

Words: Traditional, v.3 Doris Plenn

Music: Robert Lowry

My life flows on in endless song above earth's lamentation.

I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing.

It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing!

What though the tempest 'round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth.

What though the darkness 'round me close, songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I'm clinging.

Since love prevails in heav'n and earth, how can I keep from singing!

When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing,

when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing!

To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging;

when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing!

Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words

"May We Go Forth"

by Rev. Ess Baumberger

May we go forth to meet

oppression with freeing justice,

hatred with healing love,

and despair with unfailing faith.

May it be so. Amen.

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.