“Always the same story: two people, one tree, not enough land
or light or love.“  – from the poem One Tree by Philip Metres.

Prelude – offered by Phillip Herr-Klepacki

Welcome and Announcements – Andy Bachmann

Lighting the Unity Candle, Sounding the Chime

Call to Worship- “The Facts of Life” by Padraig O’Tuama (excerpts)

Leader: That you were born and you will die.
People: That you will sometimes love enough
Leader: and sometimes not.
People: That you will lie
Leader: If only to yourself. That you will get tired.
People: That you will learn most from situations you did not choose.
Leader: that you will avoid questions most urgently in need of your attention.
People: That life isn’t fair.
Leader: That life is sometimes good
People: And sometimes even better than good.
Leader That life is often not so good.
People That life is real.
Leader: And if you can survive it, well, survive it well, with love and art and meaning given where meaning’s scarce.
People: That you will learn to live with regret.
Leader: That you will probably be ok.
People: That you must accept change before you die
Leader: But you will die anyway. So you might as well live.
People: and you might as well love.

Opening Song- “Dayspring”

The doubts of my faith rise from unanswered deep,
the life that I offer is still incomplete.
I find myself seeking a mer-cy yet,
of God who waits silent in shadows unmet.

God’s call to abandonment rings in my ears,
to risk more, to give more in spite of my fears.
The call stays un-finished deep in my heart
yet God gently comforts and will not depart.

The deep fears that chill me, the loving that warms,
are gathered and held in God’s strong gentle arms.
When doubt overcomes me and sadness I face,
the light shatters night in the Dayspring of grace.

Responsive Reading – featuring quotes from Martin Luther King Jr., Patrick Henry, Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Malcolm X, Dorothy Day

Leader: You have heard it said that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice!”  But you have also heard:
People: “Give me liberty or give me death!”
Leader: You have heard it said, “My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing (God).” but you have also heard:
People: “You have enemies? Good. It means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
Leader: You have heard it said, “Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.” But you have also heard:
People: “I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.” 

Sung response: “When Darkness Falls”

When darkness falls on every side, when hatred stains the hurting heart,
To you we call, most powerful Guide, to kindle now the precious spark.

Lift high the lantern’s living light, that mercy’s song may on us fall.
Way-show-er in uncharted night, shed your dear light upon us all.

Prayers of the People – Rev. Talia Raymond

Sung response: 

Lift high the lantern’s living light, that mercy’s song may on us fall.
Way-show-er in uncharted night, shed your dear light upon us all.

Special Music  – “Salut d’ Amour, Op. 12” by Edward Elgar. Offered by the Pandemic Pooldeck Players: Cheryl Poe, Jackie Davis, Mary Fukuyama, Sally Simonis, Michael Plaut and Wendy Visscher.

A Reading – “One Tree,” by Philip Metres

They wanted to tear down the tulip tree, our neighbors, last year. It throws a shadow over their vegetable patch, the only tree in our backyard. We said no…I want no trouble…Always the same story: two people, one tree, not enough land or light or love. Like the baby brought to Solomon, someone must give.

Scripture – 1 Kings 3:5-28

Sermon- “Blood and Blossoms,” Andy Bachmann

Final Song- “May the Blessings of God”

May the blessings of God rest upon you.
May God’s peace abide with you.
May God’s presence illuminate you heart,
Now and Forever more.

Benediction and Alleluia

Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week.