"We Believe - Adult Credos" -- UUSE Virtual Worship, July 27, 2025

Gathering Music (Dorothy Bognar)

Welcome and Announcements (Martha Larson)

Centering

Prelude

"On Golden Pond

by Dave Grusin

Dorothy Bognar, piano

Chalice Lighting

"We Believe"

from Martha Larson's childhood Unitarian church in Harvard, Mass.

We believe in the beauty of tolerance,

The quest for truth,

The path of love,

The goal of character

And the fellowship of the church

Introduction to the Service

Opening Hymn

#347 "Gather the Spirit"

Words and music by Jim Scott

Gather the spirit, harvest the power.

Our sep'rate fires will kindle one flame.

Witness the mystery of this hour.

Our trials in this light appear all the same.

(Chorus)

Gather in peace, gather in thanks.

Gather in sympathy now and then.

Gather in hope, compassion and strength.

Gather to celebrate again.

Gather the spirit of heart and mind.

Seeds for the sowing are laid in store.

Nurtured in love, and conscience refined,

with body and spirit united once more.

(Chorus)

Gather the spirit growing in all,

drawn by the moon and fed by the sun.

Winter to spring, and summer to fall,

the chorus of life resounding as one.

(Chorus)

First Credo - Mike Baxter

Second Credo - Dorothy Bognar

Welcoming Visitors, Sharing Joys and Concerns

Musical Interlude

Reading

a poem by Nikita Gill

read by Sam Taylor

Third Credo - Liz Garmise

Offertory

Now is the time when we pause to share our gifts with our beloved community and reach out to our neighbors beyond. We do not give because we are rich. We are rich because we give - to support our UUSE community, the causes we believe in, and to further justice in the world around us. Fifty percent of the undesignated cash collected in July and August will be shared with three area food pantries: MACC, Hockanum Valley, and CT Mutual Aid East of the River.

Offertory Music

"Ashoken Farewell

by Jay Unger

Dorothy Bognar, piano

Reading

"Desiderata"

by Max Ehrmann, c. 1952

read by Mike Baxter

Fourth Credo - Sam Taylor

Closing Hymn

"Go Lifted Up"

#1057 in Singing the Journey

Words and music: Mortimer B. Barron

Go lifted up,

Love bless your way,

moon-light, star-light

guide your journey

into peace

and the brightness of day

Extinguishing the Chalice

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.