Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City 2124 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94062 Where Grace has been Blooming November 14, 2021 Deep within our UU theology is a commitment to a covenant that connects us with each other, with our neighbors, and with all beings. When we turn our gaze from the “I” to the “we” spaces where grace has been blooming start to come into focus. Exploring the connection between covenant and grace we start to discover what is uniquely ours, individually and collectively to bring to the healing and flourishing of all in beloved community. Worship Leaders: Dr. Melissa James, Rev. Ben Meyers & Rev. Brian Ferguson Musical Directors: Dawn Reyen & Joel Chapman Pianists: Larry Chinn & Paul Zawilski Please silence all electronic devices and join us at this moment. Gathering of our Community RINGING OF BELL: Rev. Brian Ferguson CHORAL WELCOME: #389 “Gathered Here” performed by UUFRC Choir WELCOME: Rev. Brian Ferguson & Rev. Ben Meyers LIGHTING THE CHALICE Dr. Melissa James & Rev. Brian Ferguson We are not alone. We are this flame, ancient as the stars, new as the vulnerable spark. We are not alone. We are this chalice, rimmed by the spiral dance of searching. We are not alone. We are the light soaring, the shadow deepening, the dance between them. We are not alone. We are here. We are here for ourselves. We are here for each other. And... We are not alone. - Michael DeVernon Boblett HYMN: #347 “Gather the Spirit” led by Dawn Reyen Connecting within Our Community COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Polly Ragusa JOYS AND SORROWS: Rev. Brian Ferguson PASTORAL PRAYER: Rev. Ben Meyers Deepening MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Metta Chant, UUSM Choir READING: “My Plans Keep Changing, But I’ll Keep Trusting” by Morgan Harper Nichols Read by Dr. Melissa James SPECIAL MUSIC: “In Sweet Fields of Autumn” Written by E. Madison & W.J. Kirkpatrick performed by UUFRC Choir SERMON: Where Grace has been Blooming - Dr. Melissa James Returning to Life in Service OFFERING AND OFFERTORY: Rev. Brian Ferguson “I Know This Rose Will Open” by Mary Grigolia performed by Joel Chapman ONE JUST THING: Rev. Ben Meyers CLOSING HYMN: “Where Do We Come From” by Paul Gaugin and Brian Tate performed by Joel Chapman EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME: Rev. Brian Ferguson “We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.” — Elizabeth Sëlle Jones CLOSING WORDS: Dr. Melissa James “We receive fragments of holiness, glimpses of eternity, brief moments of insight. Let us gather them up for the precious gifts that they are, and, renewed by their grace, move boldly into the unknown.” - Rev. Sarah York Thank you for joining us. Please stay after the service for virtual coffee.
Transcript
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City2124 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94062
Where Grace has been BloomingNovember 14, 2021
Deep within our UU theology is a commitment to a covenant thatconnects us with each other, with our neighbors, and with all
beings. When we turn our gaze from the “I” to the “we” spaceswhere grace has been blooming start to come into focus.
Exploring the connection between covenant and grace we start todiscover what is uniquely ours, individually and collectively to
bring to the healing and flourishing of all in beloved community.
Worship Leaders: Dr. Melissa James, Rev. Ben Meyers& Rev. Brian Ferguson
Musical Directors: Dawn Reyen & Joel ChapmanPianists: Larry Chinn & Paul Zawilski
Please silence all electronic devices and join us at this moment.
Gathering of our Community
RINGING OF BELL: Rev. Brian Ferguson
CHORAL WELCOME: #389 “Gathered Here”performed by UUFRC Choir
WELCOME: Rev. Brian Ferguson &Rev. Ben Meyers
LIGHTING THE CHALICE Dr. Melissa James &Rev. Brian Ferguson
We are not alone. We are this flame, ancientas the stars, new as the vulnerable spark.
We are not alone.
We are this chalice, rimmed by the spiraldance of searching.
We are not alone.
We are the light soaring, the shadowdeepening, the dance between them.
We are not alone.
We are here. We are here for ourselves. Weare here for each other. And...
We are not alone.
- Michael DeVernon Boblett
HYMN: #347 “Gather the Spirit”led by Dawn Reyen
Connecting within Our Community
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Polly Ragusa
JOYS AND SORROWS: Rev. Brian Ferguson
PASTORAL PRAYER: Rev. Ben Meyers
Deepening
MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Metta Chant, UUSM Choir
READING: “My Plans Keep Changing, But I’ll KeepTrusting” by Morgan Harper Nichols
Read by Dr. Melissa James
SPECIAL MUSIC: “In Sweet Fields of Autumn”Written by E. Madison & W.J. Kirkpatrick
performed by UUFRC Choir
SERMON: Where Grace has been Blooming- Dr. Melissa James
Returning to Life in Service
OFFERING AND OFFERTORY: Rev. Brian Ferguson“I Know This Rose Will Open” by Mary Grigolia
performed by Joel Chapman
ONE JUST THING: Rev. Ben Meyers
CLOSING HYMN: “Where Do We Come From”by Paul Gaugin and Brian Tate
performed by Joel Chapman
EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME: Rev. Brian Ferguson
“We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth,the warmth of community, or the fire of
commitment. These we carry in our hearts until weare together again.” — Elizabeth Sëlle Jones
CLOSING WORDS: Dr. Melissa James“We receive fragments of holiness, glimpses of eternity,brief moments of insight. Let us gather them up for theprecious gifts that they are, and, renewed by their grace,move boldly into the unknown.” - Rev. Sarah York
Thank you for joining us. Please stay after the service for virtual coffee.
Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City
If you would like more information about this liberal religious congregation, check out the UUFRCFacebook page (facebook.com/uufrc), visit our website (RedwoodCityUU.org) for news and events, orrequest a call from our Minister.
Visitors: Visitors are always welcome to participate in UUFRC events and activities. During this time,some are being conducted virtually. To see what is happening, please check out our Facility Calendaron our website: https://www.uufrc.org/upcoming-events/calendar-of-events/. For more informationabout this liberal religious congregation, please request a call from our Connections Coordinator, learnmore at: https://www.uufrc.org/connection/visiting-us/
Sunday Offering: A familiar Sunday Service is a critical part of life for many of us. We are happy youjoined us. If you would like to support our programs, you can donate now!https://www.uufrc.org/community/giving/
Thank you our hybrid service support teamWe would like to give a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all the wonderful volunteers working on and offscreen during today’s service. It definitely takes a dedicated and hard-working team to make the virtualservice run as wonderful as they do.
Zoom Manager: Elisabeth Rossi Slide Production: Crystal Valdez-Chandra
Video Manager: Steve Hill Music Support: Dawn Reyen, Larry Chinn,Paul Zawilski & Joel Chapman
Audio Manager: Liz Davis Announcements: Polly Ragusa
Website Support: Crystal Valdez-Chandra Grounds Crew: Nick Kibre & John Kim
Video ProductionSupport:
Larry Chinn &Joel Chapman
Vaccination Checkers:& Greeters
Alex Stagner &Martha Beetley
Center of Interest: Reilly DeCardy
Mission Statement UUFRCWe are a welcoming and inclusive community of individuals of all ages who seek spiritual meaning,empower personal growth, build connections with our neighbors, act for justice, and inspire others tojoin us.
Our Principles in BriefThis congregation is part of the larger Unitarian Universalist Association. Together, we covenant to affirmand promote Seven Principles:
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at
large;6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Staff and Board Contact InformationMinister: Rev. Brian Ferguson: [email protected], 650-365-1426
Interim Director of Youth and Family Programming: Lillian Svec: [email protected]
