"The Nature of Resilience" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, February 1, 2026

Gathering Music

Welcome

Centering

Prelude

"Wellspring"

Composed & performed by Mary Bopp

Chalice Lighting and Opening Words

Opening Hymn

#169 "We Shall Overcome"

African American spiritual adapt. by William Farley Smith

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'll walk hand in hand,

we'll walk hand in hand someday!

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe

we'll walk hand in hand someday!

We shall live in peace,

we shall live in peace,

we shall live in peace someday!

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe

we shall live in peace someday!

Time for All Ages

"The Hugging Tree"

by Jill Neimark

Read by Stacey Musulin

Musical Interlude

Announcements

Introduction to the Service - Paula Baker

Joys and Concerns

Musical Interlude

Prayer and Reflection - Stacey Musulin

"Prayer for Resilience"

by Rev. Dr. Michelle Collins

Source of Love, Spirit of Interdependence,

we give thanks for the web that holds us,

the hands that have steadied us,

the voices that remind us we are not alone,

the presence of those who have leaned on us

just as we have leaned on them.

Resilience is not a solitary triumph.

It is woven through community:

shared meals, gentle questions,

laughter that breaks through grief,

courage borrowed from one another

when our own runs thin.

In this moment, let us remember that

we are stronger together than apart.

May we continue to offer and receive care,

trusting that our connections sustain us

even when we cannot behold the whole picture.

Blessed be the bonds that hold and that keep holding.

Offering

Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month of February will be shared with Manchester's African American and Black Affairs Council.

Offering Music

"Stairway to Heaven"

Music by Jimmy Page

Lyrics by Robert Plant

Performed by Will Alexson, guitar

Reflection from Heather Alexson

"Sacred Defiance"

Closing Hymn

#100 "I've Got Peace Like a River"

Words & Music: Marvin V. Frey

I've got peace like a river,

I've got peace like a river,

I've got peace like a river in my soul.

(sing 2x)

I've got joy like a fountain,

I've got joy like a fountain,

I've got joy like a fountain in my soul.

(sing 2x)

I've got love like an ocean,

I've got love like an ocean,

I've got love like an ocean in my soul.

(sing 2x)

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.