One of the quips often made about Unitarian Universalists around Easter is that our Unitarian history means we’re the folks who believe that Jesus didn’t get back up again. How can we use the story of Easter in these times of illness and despair to remind of the hope and joy we can kindle in ourselves and each other in our community? We will also celebrate our child dedications during this online service.
Hope in a Time of Despair
April 12, 2020
“You don’t have to believe in physical, bodily resurrection to celebrate Easter. Resurrection can be the fact that you live through defeat. I don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead. I believe resurrection happened to his friends, they continued on after losing their loved one. It takes strength to keep going when your world falls apart. You can do it, though. That is resurrection. Resurrection isn’t something that happened once, thousands of years ago. It’s the daily choice to keep moving forward when you think you can’t.”
— John Hetherington
Centering
Jesus, The Missing Years by John Prine
Welcome
Dylan Fijal
Hymn of the Month
59 Almond Trees, Renewed In Bloom
Chalice Lighting
“Call to Worship on Easter” by the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth M. Strong
Opening Words
“In the Rising Sun Today” by the Rev. Joel Miller
Affirmation
Love Is The Spirit, words by James Vila Blake (adapted); music by PJ Buchan
Child Dedication Ritual
Congregational Response:
We receive you into this community and dedicate ourselves to you, to nourish your growth in body and spirit, to provide examples of faithful living for you, and to support your spiritual development in the principles of our Unitarian Universalist faith.
Candles of Caring
Unison Words:
The journey of our lives have brought us this morning to this place, to be here, together. What a miracle this is to share these moments and to be nourished by each otherʼs presence. May we approach this time with gratitude and hope. So may it be.
Hymn
266 Now the Green Blade Riseth
Homily I
Rev. Meghann Robern
Meditation
Reading
“Easter Again” by the Rev. Lindasusan Ulrich
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
Homily II
Rev. Meghann Robern
Question of the Day
How can you, and how can we, love the next world into being? How can we shape a safer and better future for all, now that we know our world will never be the same again?
Hymn
107 Now Sing We of the Brave of Old
Announcements
Dylan Fijal
Guess what? There’s an Easter egg hunt happening today! 85 UU congregations all over Canada and the US worked together to help the Easter Bunny make some deliveries – only these are all online! To start the virtual Easter egg hunt, click here! 🐰🐣🥚
Thinking about raising your own vegetables and fruit this year? Consider getting a rain barrel or two to water your garden. Rain barrels reduce your use of treated municipal water for watering plants outside and reduce the strain on our storm sewers during heavy rain events. Our barrels are made from re-purposed food-grade containers. Accessories are also available. Delivery is now on Friday May 29. All proceeds will be used for new refugee sponsorships to reunite a family from Burundi. Please order by May 18 at http://rainbarrel.ca/uuwinnipeg. Questions? Email FriendsofRefuge@gmail.com Thank you!
Benediction
“Closing Words for Easter” by the Rev. Alex Holt
Chalice Extinguishing
Carry the Flame
Transition to Connecting & Conversation Time
Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah) by Andy Grammer
(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.)
Topics: Atheism, Christianity, Community, Easter, Holidays, Humanism, Paganism, Unitarian Universalism