Reclaiming Righteousness
Sunday, February 4, 2024 – 10 a.m.

Our live stream begins here at 10 a.m.

“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Talia Raymond 

PRELUDE –  “Without You Without Them” by Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus, offered by Fiona Hammond, Mira Lemstrom, Mae McGinnis

CALL TO WORSHIP – adapted from H. Rebecca Lockwood and Diane Lockwood Wendorf, offered by Rev. Ellen Ribe

ONE: Creator of the stars and moon, you beckon us with your lights to reach and to dream.

ALL: You tease and entice us to reach for the sky. You help us believe it is within our grasp.

ONE: Weaver of the fields and meadows, you move us with a gentle breeze, nurturing our curiosity.

ALL: You show us layers of life that surround us, the tall grass above and the tiny ants below.

ONE: Goddess of the ocean, you teach us balance: when to push and when to pull.

ALL: We learn there is a time for giving and a time for receiving; a time for learning and a time for teaching. All take part in the cycle.

ONE: You who dance to the rhythm of the river,

ALL: We experience different currents throughout our lives. We give thanks for the ability to grow, to change, and to evolve.

ONE: Our hearts learn to expand and to explore.

ALL: We are grateful for the many ways to grow beyond our edges, for the constant stream of love and support, and for the cycle that promises new life from every meeting of curious souls. Amen.

OPENING SONG – “Come, Teach Us, Spirit of Our God”

TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “Noticing” written by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Elise Hurst – Rev. Talia Raymond

INTERLUDE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

PRAYER RESPONSE – “She Changes Everything”

READING – by Pema Chödrön, offered by Maria Vera
“There is a common misunderstanding among all the human beings who have ever been born on earth that the best way to live is to try to avoid pain and just try to get comfortable. You see this even in insects and animals and birds. All of us are the same. A much more interesting, kind and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop our curiosity, not caring whether the object of our curiosity is bitter or sweet. To lead a life that goes beyond pettiness and prejudice and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our own terms, to lead a more passionate, full, and delightful life than that, we must realize that we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are and what this world is, how we tick and how our world ticks, how the whole thing just is. If we are committed to comfort at any cost, as soon as we come up against the least edge of pain, we’re going to run; we’ll never know what’s beyond that particular barrier or wall or fearful thing.”

SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “Wonderful Life” words and music by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, offered by Jasmine Angelini-Knoll, Hannah Norton, and Judy Parsons, vocals; Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano

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Take a look around and see the world we think we know,
And then look closer.
There’s more to life than meets the eye, a beauty to behold.
It’s all much bigger than we know,
It’s only just beginning to unfold,
So let it all unfold.

(Chorus)
Far beyond all reason in your mind, there’s a world mysterious
There for you to find.
All these questions that we always have,
All we are is curious; There’s nothing wrong with that.
So go ’round every corner, search every part of the sky.
‘Cause a life that’s full of wonder is a wonderful life.

Dig beneath the surface, find the lessons there to learn,
And then dig deeper.
Feed your intuition, don’t leave any stone unturned.
Be the seeker of the truth.
Listen when you hear it calling you. You know it’s calling you.
(Chorus)

SCRIPTURE READING – Proverbs 4: 1-9 – Rev. Talia Raymond

SERMON – “Curiosity as Virtue” – Rev. Talia Raymond

CLOSING SONG – “One Ohana”

Here in the garden of creation,
Here is the home of life and love,
Circled ‘round by endless blessings,
Earth below and sky above.

Chorus: All of creation, one ohana,
All of creation sings in you;
Many the voices, one great music,
Part of me and part of you.

We are a part of all creation,
There is a mystery all around.
All the creatures, all that grows here,
Light and darkness, every sound.
Chorus

Hiding within the seed in winter,
Rising anew in every spring,
Dancing through the hill and forests,
God is alive in everything.
Chorus

If you would know and love your Maker,
If you would learn the Sacred Way,
Treasure every plant and creature,
Treasure each other every day.
Chorus
         
BENEDICTION

ALLELUIA

 Here are our UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!