"The Idea of America" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, July 5, 2026

Gathering Music

Welcome

Announcements

Centering

Prelude

"Fanfare for the Common Man"

By Aaron Copland; arr. by Mary Bopp

Performed by Mary Bopp, piano

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Opening Hymn

#205 "Amazing Grace"

Words by John Newton

Mary Bopp, piano

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.

"Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;

how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

'tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,

we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.

Joys and Concerns

Hymn

#153 "Oh, I Woke Up This Morning"

African American spiritual

Oh, I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom.

Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom.

Woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom.

Hallelu, Hallelu, Halleluia.

I was walking and talking with my mind ...

I was singing and praying with my mind ...

Oh, I woke up this morning with my mind ...

Offering

Each Sunday, we dedicate half of the unallocated collections from our offertory to organizations that are working to improve people's lives in the Manchester area. The recipients of our July Community Outreach offering are the MACC Food Pantry, the Hockanum Valley Food Pantry, the CT Mutual Aid East of the River Food Pantry, and the TLC Foundation.

Offering Music

"Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor"

Words and music by Irving Berlin

Performed by Mary Bopp, piano

Reflection (Rob Napier)

"The Idea of America"

Closing Hymn

#169 "We Shall Overcome"

African American spiritual

Mary Bopp, piano

We shall overcome,

we shall overcome,

we shall overcome someday!

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe

we shall overcome someday!

We'll walk hand in hand ...

We shall all be free ...

We shall live in peace ...

Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words

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.