All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church Welcome to All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church Assisted hearing devices are available at the Welcome Table in the Small Hall

Performed by Sharon Skidgel Prelude Rose by Ludovico Einaudi Performed by Sharon Skidgel

Gather Us In Gathering Song by Marty Haugen adapt. Rev. Dr. Nori J. Rost

Here in this place new light is streaming, Verse 1 Here in this place new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away; see in this place our fears and our dreaming, brought here to all in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken, gather us in no two just the same; Chorus 1 Gather us in the lost and forsaken, gather us in no two just the same; call to us now, and we shall awaken, we shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young, our lives are a myst’ry, Verse 2 We are the young, our lives are a myst’ry, we are the old with wisdom and grace; we have been sung throughout all of hist’ry, called to be light to the whole human race.

Gather us in the Buddhist and Pagan, Chorus 2 Gather us in the Buddhist and Pagan, Humanist, Atheist join in the throng; gather us in the Theist and Seeking, give us the courage to enter the song.

Not in the dark of buildings confining, Verse 3 Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven light years away; here in this place the new light is shining, now is the moment, now is the day.

Gather us in from all tribes and nations, Chorus 3 Gather us in from all tribes and nations, gather us in, no one left alone; gather us in, a great celebration, fire of love in our flesh and our bones.

Rev. Dr. Nori Rost ASUUC Senior Minister Welcome and Sounding of the Bell Rev. Dr. Nori Rost ASUUC Senior Minister

Bright Morning Stars Hymn Words: Anonymous Music: American Folk Song, arr. by James A. Lucas #357 in Singing the Living Tradition

Bright morning stars are rising. Verse 1 Bright morning stars are rising. Day is a-breaking in my soul.

Oh, where are our dear mothers? Verse 2 Oh, where are our dear mothers? Day is a-breaking in my soul.

They are sowing seeds of gladness. Verse 3 They are sowing seeds of gladness. Day is a-breaking in my soul.

Oh, where are our dear fathers? Verse 4 Oh, where are our dear fathers? Day is a-breaking in my soul.

They are in the fields a-plowing. Verse 5 They are in the fields a-plowing. Day is a-breaking in my soul.

words by William B. Rice and Bruce Southworth Chalice Lighting Tamsin Cowdery ASUUC E-Letter Editor words by William B. Rice and Bruce Southworth

It is most wise to combine flowers and children in a day of celebration, for flowers and children ever speak to us of wonders and glories yet to be, of hopes fulfilled if we tend our gardens and our homes with patience and wisdom and love. – William B. Rice

For the gift of this day and for our community of spiritual nurture and compassion, we give thanks. We light this chalice as a symbol of our faith. May our many sparks meet and merge in communion of heart and soul. – Bruce Southworth

words from Flower Sunday, 1969 Reading Gary Harrison ASUUC Treasurer words from Flower Sunday, 1969 by William B. Rice

On a day such as this may a great change come upon us. The sounds we have been hearing have been discordant; the sights we have been seeing have been violent; the words we have been reading have been hateful.

All this has been wearying, discouraging and distracting. In our hearts we had a dream of love and in our minds we had a pattern of community, but this has been a sorry season of discontent, most difficult for visions.

Today is a new day: truly an hour for hope and joy and gladness. Let us be thankful for the persistence of flowers, and open ourselves to their long wisdom. Often they grow in spite of terrible winters and miserable summers.

Strange beauty greets us in unexpected places, as if there is a particular grace that is stronger than our carelessness and indifference. But when we tend our gardens with love and care, the reward can be greater than the effort.

How Does Your Garden Grow? Today’s Message How Does Your Garden Grow? Rev. Nori Rost

Gary Harrison ASUUC Treasurer Offertory Reading Gary Harrison ASUUC Treasurer

Help us to be the always hopeful Gardeners of the spirit Who know that without darkness Nothing comes to birth As without light Nothing flowers. – May Sarton

Now is the time we can continue to plant the seeds and nurture the growth of our community and our faith. The offering will be joyously given and gratefully received.

A Mother’s Prayer Offertory Music Words and Music: Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster Performed by the ASUUC Choir Directed by Mark Arnest Accompanied by Sharon Skidgel

From You I Receive #402 in Singing the Living Tradition Offertory Response From You I Receive words and music: Joseph and Nathan Segal #402 in Singing the Living Tradition

From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, and from this we live.

Special Ceremony Flower Communion led by Rev. Dr. Nori J. Rost

words by Norbert Fabian Capek Closing Words Rev. Dr. Nori Rost words by Norbert Fabian Capek

Hear now the Communion Prayer by Norbert Capek: In the name of Providence, which implants in the seed the future of the tree and in the hearts of men [and women] the longing for people living in [human] love;

in the name of the highest, in whom we move and who makes the mother [and father], the brother and sister what they are; in the name of sages and great religious leaders, who sacrificed their lives to hasten the coming of [peace and justice]— let us renew our resolution—

sincerely to be real brothers and sisters regardless of any kind of bar which estranges [one from another]. In this holy resolution may we be strengthened, knowing that we are God's family, that one spirit, the spirit of love, unites us, and [may we] endeavor for a more perfect and more joyful life. Amen.

Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky! Closing Hymn Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky! Words and Music: Grace Lewis-McLaren #301 in Singing the Living Tradition

Touch the earth, reach the sky! Walk on shores while spirits fly Verse 1 Touch the earth, reach the sky! Walk on shores while spirits fly over the ocean, over the land, our faith a quest to understand.

Touch the earth, reach the sky! Children ask the reasons why. Verse 2 Touch the earth, reach the sky! Children ask the reasons why. In our lives the answers show, and by our love they learn and grow.

Touch the earth, reach the sky! All are born and all shall die; Verse 3 Touch the earth, reach the sky! All are born and all shall die; life's the time left in between to follow a star, to build a dream.

Touch the earth, reach the sky! Hug the laughter, feel the cry. Verse 4 Touch the earth, reach the sky! Hug the laughter, feel the cry. May we see where we can give, for this is what it means to live.

Touch the earth, reach the sky! Soar with courage ever high; Verse 5 Touch the earth, reach the sky! Soar with courage ever high; spirits joining as we fly, to touch the earth, to reach the sky.

words and music: Judy Fjell Extinguishing the Chalice / Song As We Leave This Place words and music: Judy Fjell

Now, as we leave this place, the chalice dims 1 Now, as we leave this place, the chalice dims but the fire still burns within our hearts beyond these doors.

Now, as we leave this place, mem’ries of each and ev’ry face 2 Now, as we leave this place, mem’ries of each and ev’ry face carry us ___ into the world.

for now we know ___ that something 3 And we will return for now we know ___ that something greater ___ than any of us ___ alone is part of us ___ as we leave this place.

Performed by Sharon Skidgel Postlude Flower Dance by D.J. Okawari Performed by Sharon Skidgel

Please enjoy the Fellowship Hour following service in the Small Hall Hosted by The Fellowship Team

for being part of our community today Thank you for being part of our community today