From the sky above to the earth below, we live according to the grace and gifts of nature. Though we act with a sense of dominion over her, it is only nature’s embrace that gives us life. On this Earth Day weekend, let us honor the earth with reverence, abandon our sense of dominion, and humble ourselves before her beauty and power.

April 19, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

Worship Leader: Rev. Bill Neely

Worship Associate: Paige Cupp

Music: Nick Tiberi, piano; Marjorie Herman

Connecting to the live-stream service

For Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95375768176?pwd=cEJ6RGZEU09jZXlEOXArOTRsZlRUdz09

-The Zoom room will open at at 10:15. YouTube live-stream will start at 10:25.

Order of Service

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton
April 19, 2020, 10:30 a.m.
Live via Zoom and YouTube Live

Welcome, Rev. Bill Neely

Prelude, Nick Tiberi

Chalice Lighting, Margie Herman

Unison Affirmation
We are a church of open minds,
Helping hands, and loving hearts.

Hymn 123, Spirit of Life
Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice,
Roots hold me close, wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

Words and music by Carolyn McDade, 1935 –

Story, Jackie McSheene

Annual Giving Testimonial, Jason McSheene

Music, Color and Fragrance, Rebecca Nice-Parrone and Margie Herman

Earth Day Prayer, Pauline Nijander

Reflection, Paige Cupp

Hymn 21, For the Beauty of the Earth (Tune: DIX 7.7.7.7.7.7)

For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
Source of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight.
Source of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour, of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light.
Source of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human care, sister, brother, parent, child,
For the kinship we all share, for all gentle thoughts and mild.<
Source of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
Words: Folliott Sandford Pierpoint, 1835-1917, adapted
Music: Conrad Kocher, 1786-1872, abridged

Homily, Earth, Sky, and Us, Rev. Bill Neely

Hymn # 1064, Blue Boat Home (Tune: HYFRODOL, 8.7.8.7)

Though below me, I feel no motion
Standing on these mountains and plains
Far away from the rolling ocean
Still my dry land heart can say
I’ve been sailing all my life now
Never harbor or port have I known
The wide universe is the ocean I travel
And the earth is my blue boat home

Sun, my sail and moon, my rudder
As I ply the starry sea
Leaning over the edge in wonder
Casting questions into the deep
Drifting here with my ship’s companions
All we kindred pilgrim souls
Making our way by the lights of the heavens
In our beautiful blue boat home

I give thanks to the waves upholding me
Hail the great winds urging me on
Greet the infinite sea before me
Sing the sky my sailor’s song
I was born upon the fathoms
Never harbor or port have I known
The wide universe is the ocean I travel
And the earth is my blue boat home

Words: Peter Mayer, 1963 –
Music: Roland Hugh Prichard, 1811-1887, adapted by Peter Mayer
Keyboard arr.: Jason Shelton, 1972

Benediction, Rev. Bill Neely