If Love Is the Spirit of This Church

A red heart being held by two hands

Every week, this congregation sings an affirmation that begins with the words, “Love is the spirit of this church.” What do we mean by that? Or, as the old pop song asks, “What’s love got to do with it?” What do we even mean when we speak of love in such a manner? We will explore the idea of love, which is far more than a “second-hand emotion,” and consider its significance for liberal churches.

Service Coordinator: Norm Cobb


Sermon Video


Order of Service

Centering Thought

Love isn’t something natural. Rather it requires discipline, concentration, patience, faith, and the overcoming of narcissism. It isn’t a feeling, it is a practice.”

― Fromm, Eric, The Art of Loving

Centering Music

We’ve Only Just Begun  

By Roger Nichols, Paul Williams, arranged by Philip Keveres

Welcome

Norm Cobb

Gathering Hymn

May Nothing Evil Cross This Door  #1

Chalice Lighting

Hymnal 447 – At Times Our Own Light Goes Out

Opening Words

Hymnal 416 – Holy and Beautiful the Custom

Affirmation

Love Is The Spirit  lyric sheet on video screen

Story Wisdom

How the Bear Got Its Stumpy Tail, Rev. Stefan Jonasson  

Sing and Rejoice

Singing children down to their rooms

Sharing and Caring

Colleen Millikin

Unison Words

We set aside this time of quiet to listen to the spirits of others, to create a space for them within our own , that they might feel the power of our attention and the strength of our love. Such is the gift of our hearts. So may it be.

Hymn

What Wondrous Love  # 18

Reading

From the Art of Loving  by Eric Fromm, read by Rev Stefan Jonasson

Meditation

From Hymnal 481

The sound of the bell and two minutes of silence will follow the spoken meditation.

Offering

Norm Cobb

Thank you  for supporting the church with your funds, time, talent and energy.  Direct deposit or post-dated cheques simplify giving.  You may use a donation envelope, which is located at the back of the grey hymnal, to receive a tax receipt for accumulated cash gifts over $10.  Please ask an usher for details if you do not find an envelope.

Share the Plate Partner for February:  Sunshine House

Offertory

Cradle Song by Edward Greig

Hymn

1029  Love Knocks and Waits for Us to Hear

Sermon The Art of Loving

Rev Stefan Jonasson

Hymn

1014 Standing on the Side of Love

Announcements

Norm Cobb

Closing Words

I  Am Only One   by Edward Everett Hale

Chalice Extinguishing

Carry the Flame (lyric sheet, or songleading video)

Gratitude

Gratitude for our staff and our lay leaders who made this service happen:

  • Leader: Rev Stefan Jonasson
  • Coordinator:  Norm Cobb
  • Tech Team:, Ashlyn Noble, Arthur Burstow, Christina Swindells-Nader
  • Music: Daniel Clark
  • Sharing/Caring Host: Esmat Elhami
  • Webmaster: Karin Carlson
  • Communicator Editor: Marjorie Doyle
  • Songleader Videos: PJ Buchan, Music Director, and the FUUW Choir; Daniel Clark  accompanist
  • To contact the Sunday Services Team please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca