Service for Sunday, March 22, 2020
Below is an abbreviated worship service for use at home while limits on public gatherings are in place due to Covid-19. A new service will be posted and emailed each week until we can resume worship in the sanctuary at BUUC.
Chalice Lighting
Light a candle at home or in your mind’s eye mindful of people from our church community and around the world who, though physically separated, are gathered in spirit. Today’s chalice lighting comes from Judith L. Quarles,
On this day, in small towns and big cities, many of our sibling Unitarian Universalists are also lighting a flaming chalice.
As we light our chalice today, let us remember that we are part of a great community of faith.
May this dancing flame inspire us to fill our lives with the Unitarian Universalist ideals of love, justice and truth.
Reading/Poem for Reflection
Even When…
by Yuri Yamamoto
"I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining;
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it;
I believe in God even when he is silent."
—anonymous Jewish poem set to music by Mark A. Miller
When I directed a church choir, this arrangement of "I Believe" was one of my favorite songs. Some say that this poem was found on a wall of the Auschwitz prison camp, and others say in a cellar in Cologne. Whatever its origin, the lyrics and the song’s simple melody in a minor key seem to epitomize both the despair and hope of human conditions.
As a resident chaplain at a local hospital, I routinely witness deaths and countless other forms of human suffering. In the midst of so much suffering, I often just listen and absorb their painful stories. We call it compassionate presence, but I may be crying inside. When words fail, I pray and sing.
One night, I was listening to a family member’s stories in the hospital. Their loved one was not doing well. After what seemed like many hours, I noticed that the skyline was changing colors. It was time for me to get going. In my parting prayer, I thanked God for the sun that rose every morning, and asked for healing, strength and courage.
On my way out, I stood by a large window facing the eastern sky. Now the dark sky was becoming indigo to purple to light blue to orange, but there was a thick, grey cloud on the horizon. The edge of the cloud looked like burning, so the sun must have been right behind it.
I stood there for a moment, wanting to see the sun. But it seemed to take forever, and I was tired. As I softly sang the song, I turned away from the window. I knew that the sun would rise again, and there would be a new day, a new life, and a new joy to come.
Question(s) for reflection:
What is your response to the reading? Did it touch/move or disturb you?
In what way is the reading relevant to your life experience past or present?
What might you take from this reading into the week ahead?
Joys and Concerns
As you feel so moved, speak aloud a joy or concern you are holding, mindful you are not alone, but one among many with joys and concerns seeking expression.
Moment of Silent Meditation/Prayer
Take a moment to be still and listen to the wisdom of your heart and /or pray or chant words meaningful to you or in your own words.
Extinguishing the chalice
Blow out the candle you lit physically or in your mind’s eye.
Benediction
Recite aloud or in silence
Peace be my companion
Have courage
Hold onto what is good
Return to no person evil for evil
Strengthen the fainthearted
Support the weak
Help the suffering
Honor all beings
Amen and Blessed Be
Below is an abbreviated worship service for use at home while limits on public gatherings are in place due to Covid-19. A new service will be posted and emailed each week until we can resume worship in the sanctuary at BUUC.
Chalice Lighting
Light a candle at home or in your mind’s eye mindful of people from our church community and around the world who, though physically separated, are gathered in spirit. Today’s chalice lighting comes from Judith L. Quarles,
On this day, in small towns and big cities, many of our sibling Unitarian Universalists are also lighting a flaming chalice.
As we light our chalice today, let us remember that we are part of a great community of faith.
May this dancing flame inspire us to fill our lives with the Unitarian Universalist ideals of love, justice and truth.
Reading/Poem for Reflection
Even When…
by Yuri Yamamoto
"I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining;
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it;
I believe in God even when he is silent."
—anonymous Jewish poem set to music by Mark A. Miller
When I directed a church choir, this arrangement of "I Believe" was one of my favorite songs. Some say that this poem was found on a wall of the Auschwitz prison camp, and others say in a cellar in Cologne. Whatever its origin, the lyrics and the song’s simple melody in a minor key seem to epitomize both the despair and hope of human conditions.
As a resident chaplain at a local hospital, I routinely witness deaths and countless other forms of human suffering. In the midst of so much suffering, I often just listen and absorb their painful stories. We call it compassionate presence, but I may be crying inside. When words fail, I pray and sing.
One night, I was listening to a family member’s stories in the hospital. Their loved one was not doing well. After what seemed like many hours, I noticed that the skyline was changing colors. It was time for me to get going. In my parting prayer, I thanked God for the sun that rose every morning, and asked for healing, strength and courage.
On my way out, I stood by a large window facing the eastern sky. Now the dark sky was becoming indigo to purple to light blue to orange, but there was a thick, grey cloud on the horizon. The edge of the cloud looked like burning, so the sun must have been right behind it.
I stood there for a moment, wanting to see the sun. But it seemed to take forever, and I was tired. As I softly sang the song, I turned away from the window. I knew that the sun would rise again, and there would be a new day, a new life, and a new joy to come.
Question(s) for reflection:
What is your response to the reading? Did it touch/move or disturb you?
In what way is the reading relevant to your life experience past or present?
What might you take from this reading into the week ahead?
Joys and Concerns
As you feel so moved, speak aloud a joy or concern you are holding, mindful you are not alone, but one among many with joys and concerns seeking expression.
Moment of Silent Meditation/Prayer
Take a moment to be still and listen to the wisdom of your heart and /or pray or chant words meaningful to you or in your own words.
Extinguishing the chalice
Blow out the candle you lit physically or in your mind’s eye.
Benediction
Recite aloud or in silence
Peace be my companion
Have courage
Hold onto what is good
Return to no person evil for evil
Strengthen the fainthearted
Support the weak
Help the suffering
Honor all beings
Amen and Blessed Be
