Sunday, April 21, 2024

Welcome and Announcements 

Passing the Peace   

Prelude       Nearer My God To Thee          (Arranged by Jason Tonioli)

Opening Words                                     by Jennifer Pratt-Walker

*Doxology    

From all that dwell below the skies

Let songs of hope and faith arise;

Let peace, good will on earth be sung

Through every land, by every tongue.

 *Covenant                                                                                                  Love is the spirit of this congregation and service is its life.                                           This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace,                                                    To seek the truth in love, and to help one another.                                              James Vila Blake (adapted)

*Chalice Lighting  by Shari Woodbury

*Hymn #21 For the Beauty of the Earth

Time for All Ages   “Walking with the Wind”  

based on John Lewis’s memoir

Singing the Children Out   Go now in peace, go now in peace

          May the  spirit of love surround you

                     Everywhere, everywhere, you may go

Joys and Sorrows        (you are in our hearts)

Offertory      By Moonlight                     by John Schmidt

Spoken Meditation                                              by Lyn Cox

Silent Meditation

Hymn #123      (please remain seated)     Spirit of Life             

Reading    excepts from Ten Love Letters to the Earth

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Musical Interlude      A Thankful Heart            by Marilyn Owens

Sermon “Real Pro-life is Pro-Earth” Rev. Douglas Taylor

Hymn #301         Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky  

*Chalice Extinguishing (unison) by Elizabeth S. Jones           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.

Benediction by Amy Bowden Freedman and Keith Kron

Postlude     Dreams of the Heart                    by Catherine Rollin

 ________________________________________________

Tech Support: The UUCB Stream Team    Focal Point: Ron Clupper

*please stand in body or spirit    Listening devices are available from the ushers.

*please stand in body or spirit    Listening devices are available from the ushers

Crone Con 2024 is scheduled for April 26-28.  This weekend event is open to any UU who identifies as a woman entering or in the third stage of life.  We will spend the weekend in community, eating, laughing, talking, crafting, dancing, and having all manner of silly fun and serious conversation.  Participants can plan to spend the weekend at the church or “commute”.  See the registration form at:  https://forms.gle/YTLDqxkQYpigAZQA6 . For more information or talk to Kathleen Cooke or Lisa Sienkiewicz.  

The UUCB Giving Box:  In April,  we will be collecting items for Samaritan House.

Fellowship Team Opportunity: Would you like to be a part of the team that organizes fun events like the  Last Sunday Lunch, Yankee swap Christmas party, Trunk or Treat, the Annual picnic? Talk to Karen Manzer to find out how you can be part of this fun team.

Find out about all that is happening at UUCB! Watch for twice a week emails, check out our Facebook group (UUCB Members and Friends) and our Facebook page for your current monthly Beacon Newsletter. There are printed copies of the newsletter in the wall file outside the office and at the info desk, or you can request that a copy be mailed to you at home by asking Karen in the office. Also, check out our new calendar of events by clicking the “News and Events” button on our website.

Dining for Dollars: Thank you to everyone who participated in another successful Dining for Dollars fund-raiser! All winning bidders will receive thank-you cards, including payment information, in April. Winners of the two April events have already been notified via email.

UUCB Town Hall Meeting, April 21 at 12pm: Join us for the quarterly town hall to receive updates from all of our Social Action teams including Reproductive Justice, Poor People’s Campaign, and the Giving Box, among others. The finance team will also provide an overview of the third quarter financials.

Social Hour : If you would like to help out with social hour, contact Ron Clupper or Carl Cohen for more information. Also, All of the treats we have during social hour are donated, so feel free to bring something to share on a Sunday.

Cranberry Coffeehouse April 20, at 7:30pm  Lisa Sanders

Philadelphia-born Lisa Sanders (now a native of San Diego) is an electrifying harmonizer. Her heartfelt songs are genuine with deep meaning and conviction. A musical style that can only be described as a soulful country blues, her genres include folk pop, gospel, rock and jazz. Sanders has worked with musical legends including the Truckee Brothers, Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Rait, Al Green, BB King and Babyface. She continues to songwrite, produce and collaborate with artists from all over, and founded Star Woodwork by Lisa, which specializes in handcrafting wooden materials into beautiful objects, structures and garden pieces.

Performer web page: lisasanders.com

Dressing the Chancel Table

Each week, the Chancel Table displays the beautiful Chalice that symbolizes our faith. The chalice is the focal point. Over the years, it has become a tradition to enhance the chalice with a table cover, candles, and other items that may speak to the theme of the day.

If you would like to volunteer to continue this focal point tradition, please put your name on the sign up sheet for the Sunday of your choice. You may use items and table covers found in the focal point closet and/or bring items from your home. Your arrangement is your expression and can be simple or elaborate. If you have questions, text Hope Post (607 727-1956) or contact members of the Worship Committee.

Camera Free Zone: Just so you know, the last 3 rows of the sanctuary are never in range of our online cameras.

SAVE THE DATE ANNUAL SPIRITUALITY RETREAT

SAT. MAY 11 9-5PM AT SKY LAKE IN WINDSOR, Workshops, Fellowship, lunch and plenty of time to spend on your own at this beautiful venue.  $25.00 per person includes lunch and all activities. See the insert for more information.

Stewardship Update   

Thank you to everyone who has turned in their annual pledge for the 2024 -2025 fiscal year. As of Sunday, March 24, we had received 89 pledges, totaling $218,189. (Our goal was $270,131.)  We appreciate the generosity that helps us live into our values and maintain this great community. If you missed sending in your pledge, don’t worry; you can still join us in meeting our goals. Pledges of any amount are welcomed from our members and friends. Click here to make a pledge online https://uubinghamton.org/pledgeform.

Camera Free Zone: Just so you know, the last 3 rows of the sanctuary are never in range of our online cameras.

Find out about all that is happening at UUCB! Look in your email or on our Facebook page for your current monthly Beacon Newsletter. There are printed copies in the wall file outside the office or you can request that a copy be mailed to you at home by asking Karen in the office. Also, check out our new calendar of events by clicking the “News and Events” button on our website.

Community Drum Circle: Join us on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 in the chapel for a community drum circle for all ages. See you on April 10.

CUUPS: The Covenant of UU Pagans meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the social hall. Contact Adee Wilson for info.

Choir Rehearsal: Meets Thursdays at 6:30pm. Contact Vicky Gordon at vgordon2763@gmail.com for more info about joining the choir.