Prelude Chariots of Fire by Vangelis played by Charla McGaugh

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

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. Verse 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. Chorus 1

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. Verse 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. Chorus 2

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. Verse 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. Chorus 3

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

Opening Hymn Filled with Loving Kindness words: trad Buddhist mediation adapt. Mark Hayes music: Ian W. Riddell #1031 in Singing the Journey

May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well. May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be whole. Verse 1

May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well. May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well. May you be peaceful and at ease. May you be whole. Verse 2

May we be filled with loving kindness. May we be well. May we be filled with loving kindness. May we be well. May we be peaceful and at ease. May we be whole. Verse 3

Chalice Lighting The Basta Family words by Dana Gioia

Let other mornings honor the miraculous. Eternity has festivals enough. This is the feast of our mortality, The most mundane and human holiday…

The new year always brings us what we want Simply by bringing us along— to see a calendar with every day uncrossed, A field of snow without a single footprint.

Reading Christina Dobler-Burdick Secretary, Board of Trustees words from Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally,

and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue

and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher

and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself,

then the truth will not be withheld from you.

Today’s Message New Frontiers Rev. Dr. Nori Rost

Special Ceremony Fire Communion

Offertory Reading Christina Dobler-Burdick words by Brad Gast

Brad Gast says, “No matter what happens, no matter how far you seem to be away from where you want to be, never stop believing that you will somehow make it.

Have an unrelenting belief that things will work out, that the long road has a purpose, that the things that you desire may not happen today, but they will happen.

Persist and persevere, your desired path remains possible.”

As we take up the offering, we are reminded that all we are called to do as individuals and as a church is possible so long as we never give up and always give our best.

Offertory Music Sacred Road by David Lanz played by Charla McGaugh

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

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

Closing Words Rev. Dr. Nori Rost words by Iyanla VanZant

Accept all invitations to do a new thing. Dare not limit yourself. Move toward your wildest dream, take the labels off your mind, and step boldly into your greatness.

Closing Hymn We Begin Again in Love words: Robert Eller-Isaacs music: Les Kleen #1037 in Singing the Journey

For remaining silent when a single voice would have made a difference… We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 1

For each time that our fears have made us rigid and inaccessible … We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 2

For each time we have struck out in anger without just cause … We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 3

For each time that our greed has blinded us to the needs of others … We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 4

For the selfishness that sets us apart and alone … We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 5

For falling short of the admonitions of the spirit … We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 6

For losing sight of our unity … We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 7

For those and for so many acts both evident and subtle which have fueled the illusion of separateness … We forgive ourselves and each other. We begin again in love. 8

Extinguishing the Chalice Rev. Dr. Nori Rost

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

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

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

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. 3

Postlude Trumpet Tune and Air by Henry Purcell played by Charla McGaugh

Happy New Year. Thank you for being part of our community today.