May 1st marks the celebration and passing of another Beltane, the ancient fire festival of light that celebrated fertility and the coming of the summer. But too much fire, both physical and metaphorical, can be an incredibly destructive force on the lives of many around it. Join us on this Sunday as we reflect on the many natures of fire and what the possibilities are and can be for our society around us.

May 3, The Fires of Rebirth, Pauline Nijander, Ministerial Intern

Connecting to the live-stream service

Via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92786242208?pwd=MlJsazErSWVxYUpTemFpcWRoYW5sdz09

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

Order of Service

Welcome, Pauline Nijander

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, Rev. Jennifer Kelleher, Pauline Nijander, and Friends

………………………..

Maypole Celebration, Evergreen CUUPS

Song, Bright Beltane Is Here Again [tune of: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen]
[Radically adapted by Eva Liane Foster, from lyrics by Rob Berra]

We celebrate the coming of the glory of the spring!
The Goddess has awakened; we await the Summer King,
So bid farewell to winter as in wonder now we sing:

Chorus: Blessed be! Bright Beltane is here again, here again!
Blessed be!  Bright Beltane is here again!

The season now is turning and the days are growing long.
The weather’s slowly warming and the Sun is bright and strong,
So circle in the dance with us and join us in the song:

Chorus
The Earth’s no longer frozen and the river’s running swift.
The Goddess has awakened, and renewal is her gift,
So as we dance, in praise of her, our voices now we lift:

Chorus
The green has come to tree and field, the winter’s chill is gone.
May summer yield a bounty for us all to feast upon!
The darkness that so long endured has given way to dawn –

A Virtual Maypole

Unison Blessing
The weaving is done,the May has begun,
So reach the air and touch the ground
And greet your neighbors all around –
Blessed be!

………………………..

Prayer, Rev. Bill Neely

Reflection, Lauren Foss

Interlude

Homily, The Fires of Rebirth, Pauline Nijander

Hymn #207, Earth was Given as a Garden
Earth was given as a garden, cradle for humanity;
tree of life and tree of knowledge placed for our discovery.
Here was home for all your creatures born of land and sky and sea;
all created in your image, all to live in harmony.

Show to us again the garden where all life flows fresh and free.
Gently guide your sons and daughters into full maturity.
Teach us how to trust each other, how to use for good our power,
how to touch the earth with rev’rence. Then once more will Eden flower.

Bless the earth and all your children, one creation: make us whole,
interwoven, all connected, planet wide and inmost soul.
Holy mother, life bestowing, bid our waste and warfare cease.
Fill us all with grace o’erflowing. Teach us how to live in peace.

Words: Roberta Bard, 1940 –
Music: Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1811 – 1887
Tune: Hyfrydol

Benediction, Pauline Nijander