All services are streamed via Zoom; connection details are below.
“We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward,” wrote Isabel Allende in her memoir, My Invented Country. “In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.” In the springtime, we customarily think of renewal as the bursting forth of new life, but in the seasons of human life there’s sometimes a fine line between survival and renewal. As the world struggles to survive a global pandemic, renewal might look like a simple restoration of normality. However, if survival and renewal are grounded in some hidden strength, perhaps we might hope to “explode from within,” as Émile Durkheim put it, and witness a renewal that is greater than we hoped.
Service Coordinator: Odell Havsdotter
An Explosion of Hidden Strength
April 5, 2020
“At any time, you can ask yourself: at which threshold am I now?… At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter?”
—John O’Donohue
Centering
Planting Seeds: A Song of Life by Nimo Patel and Daniel Nahmod
Welcome
Odell Havsdotter
Gathering Hymn
59 Almond Trees, Renewed In Bloom
Chalice Lighting
by Rev. Dawn Skjei Cooley
Opening Words
“Unfailing Renewal of Life” by Leonard Mason
Affirmation
Love Is The Spirit, words by James Vila Blake (adapted); music by PJ Buchan
Story Wisdom
“Juggling the Egg: a Shelter-In-Place Fable” by Katharine Childs
Candles of Caring
Unison Words
Spirit of Life, help us to sense that beneath us is the strength we need to keep us grounded. Help us to feel that behind us is the protection we need to feel safe facing our fears. Help us to know that before us lies the beauty we seek to feel astounded. Help us become aware of the vastness of our sky and of our spirit, and help us to know that within our hearts lies the love we need to complete the circle of connection in our lives. May we use all of our gifts to bring Love into this hurting world; this world which we so value, which we cherish.
Hymn
1020 Woyaya
Reading
“Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak
Hymn
194 Faith Is a Forest
Meditation
“Between Seasons” by Elizabeth Tarbox
Share the Plate Testimonial
Curt Hull, Climate Change Connection
Offering
Our online-only format is a morally sound response by our community to the current pandemic on our planet. This also means that we are emphasizing remote giving during our offering this morning:
- Donations can now be sent via e-transfer/Interac to office@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca; in the note, you MUST include your name and if your donation is for the Sunday offering, your pledge, or our capital campaign.
- You may always mail cheques to the church!
- We are also using Canada Helps to receive online donations. Go to their website to donate in this way.
Offertory
Sermon
Rev. Stefan Jonasson
Hymn
102 We the Heirs of Many Ages
Announcements
Odell Havsdotter
Benediction
“May Hope Never Die” by Magnús J. Skaptason
Chalice Extinguishing
Carry the Flame
Transition Time to Connecting & Conversation Time
(If you do not wish to participate in our small groups for connecting and conversation, now is the time to leave the Zoom session. At the end of the song, all remaining participants will be put into a small group.)