December Soul Matters Theme is Opening to Joy


  



A Light in the Darkness: 
Opening to Joy in Relationship
Sunday, December 5 - 10:15 am
In-Person or Youtube Livestream






Welcome to the Unitarian Church of Evanston’s Worship Service. 
If you are participating in-person, please refrain from singing. You may hum or mouth along with the words. If you are participating from home, please feel free to join in full-throated singing!
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ENTER TO WORSHIP 
Ringing the Chime 
 
Welcome and Announcements


Opening Reading                        by Rev. Gretchen Haley
                                                        
Introit                          Prelude #2 op.11 by Alexander Scriabin                                      Gregory Shifrin, piano 


Land Acknowledgement                                                                          


Chalice Lighting                        by Rev. Sean Parker Dennison
        
        Leader: There is no competition between this light
                   And the darkness which holds it.
                   Both the light and the darkness are holy.


All: We light our chalice not to defeat the darkness,
              But because, for a time, we need the gifts of flame:
              Warmth and light to guide and help us in our endeavors.
             And when the time comes, we will embrace
             Again the gentle dark which allows us rest.
Leader: And so, we kindle this light with awareness and gratitude
                  For light and dark and all that lies in-between.
                  Each with its gifts, each with its beauty,
                  Each part of a sacred and necessary whole.
                                                                           
*Covenant                                                   by James Vila Blake 


Love is the spirit of this church, 
And service is its law. 
This is our great covenant: 
To dwell together in peace, 
To seek the truth in love, 
And to help one another. 
   
*Hymn No. 345                With Joy We Claim the Growing Light (verses 1 & 2)                                                                                                            Kiley Korey, vocals; Gregory Shifrin, piano


With joy we claim the growing light, advancing thought, and widening view, the larger freedom, clearer sight, which from the old unfold the new.
 
With wider view, come loftier goal; with fuller light, more good to see; with freedom, truer self-control; with knowledge, deeper reverence be.


Story for All Ages           Elliot is Brahman: UU Principles and the Bhagavad Gita                by Bob Mesle


Hymn No. 118         The Little Light of Mine (verse 1)                Kiley Korey, vocals; Gregory Shifrin, piano


This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. 
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.


Joys and Sorrows


Prayer and Meditation                                                                              Rev. Eileen Wiviott


Sung Response: Hymn No. 1002        Comfort Me (verses 1 & 4)        
                                                                          Kiley Koren, vocals; Gregory Shifrin, piano


Comfort me, comfort me, comfort me, oh my soul. 
Comfort me, comfort me, comfort me, oh my soul.
 
Dance with me, dance with me, dance with me, oh my soul. 
Dance with me, dance with me, dance with me, oh my soul.


Offering                        


We share our offering today with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.
 
Offertory Music           Nocturne in C# Minor op. Posth. by Frederic Chopin        Gregory Shifrin, piano


Chalice Reading and Chalice Lighting


Anthem  Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles) by Flory Jagoda         Lizzy Powers, vocals & ukulele


Reflection                                                                                             Rev. Eileen Wiviott         


Extinguishing the Chalice        


Though the flame is extinguished
We carry with us the warmth of community,
The light of truth, and
The fire of commitment,
Until we are together again.


Hymn No. 225                 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1 & 3)                  
                                                                           Kiley Korey, vocals; Gregory Shifrin, piano


O come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell. Give comfort to all exiles here, and to the aching heart bid cheer. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Love to dwell.
 
O come, you Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by your presence here. And dawn in every broken soul as vision that can see the whole. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Light to dwell.
  
Benediction                                                                                         Rev. Eileen Wiviott




















Faith Formation Hour: Spiritual Practices for All Ages at 11:35 am


* Forum Discussion – Rm 6 and on Zoom. 
* Ornament Sunday - Sanctuary


Today’s worship leaders: Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Senior Minister; Rev. Susan Frances, Assistant Minister for Congregational Life; Cindy Sammons, Worship Associate; Lizzy Powers, vocals & ukulele; Bob Mesle, storyteller; Kiley Korey, UCE Choir, vocals; Gregory Shifrin, piano; Adam Gough, Congregational Life Assistant & A/V Tech. 


* Please rise in body or spirit. If participating from home, we invite you to sing along. If you are participating in-person, please hum or mouth the words.