Welcome:
We come to you in the comfort of your own homes, and we take great comfort is seeing you all here this morning.
If you are new to Olympia Brown, we invite you to check out our website to learn more about us and where you can access today’s and past services.
Call to Worship: “On Claiming This Time for Renewal” by Rev. Gretchen Haley
Though you have been warned
and given plenty of explanations
reasons to do otherwise
you have persisted
to claim a life of joy, and justice, and to carve out
this time for renewal
of your own heart
despite the din
demanding your attention
luring you towards fear
and cynicism
you persist
with gratitude
for this day, this life that has been given
this chance to begin again
despite all the forces of fragmentation
the disappointing ways we fail each other,
fail ourselves
we must refuse to let grief undo us, or
to let our dreams get lost along the way –
in spite of all of the evidence
we keep showing up at the edge of our own longing –
and then,
we keep going
remembering this duty we have to life,
in a greater sense,
this duty we have to each other,
our children, and their children –
this hope that is also a choice we make
this promise we fight for:
to persist in kindness,
persevere in compassion
and prevail in a life that is bound
entirely to love – Come let us worship, together
Prelude: “Voluntary by John Traverse,” Anna Kojovic-Frodel
Chalice Lighting:
Gesture of Friendship:
Message for All Ages:
Children’s Blessing:
Reflection on Renewal: Lisa Scott Ptacek
Ecological Renewal: Melissa Warner
Hymn: Blue Boat Home by Peter Mayer
Meditation: by Rev Rebecca C. “Becket” Coppola
Music: Return Again by Neshama Carlebach
Personal Renewal Reflection: Debra Hall
Extinguishing the Chalice
Postlude: Over The Rainbow, Anna Kojovic-Frodel