“I’m just not that interesting.” This phrase, spoken by a patient to whom I was to provide a spiritual care intervention, resonated deeply with me. At 85 years-old, this person, at the twilight of their life, assessed the whole of their 85 years in a simple and dismissive way. Every day, whether it feels like it or not, contains the profound miracle which is life; a profound miracle that too many are robbed of daily, while others live in contented mindlessness. So whether you’ve lived 85 years, or more, or less – we all have a story to tell, and we have a responsibility to ourselves, to our loved ones, and to memories of those who have gone before, to give voice to our own story, and to assume a posture of curiosity that we may provide opportunity for others to tell theirs.
Service Coordinator: Jill Moats
Sermon Video
Sermon text: We All Have a Story to Tell- Andre Vanderstoep February 11, 2024
(copyright 2024: Please obtain permission before posting or reproduction in whole or large part; short quotes may be used citing the author – contact Andre at 204-558-7464 or send him an email at care (@) uuwinnipeg.mb.ca. )
Order of Service
Centering Thought
“Sing the song that only you can sing, write the book that only you can write, build the product that only you can build… live the life that only you can live.”
– Naval Ravikant
Prelude
God Be In My Head, by D. G. Mason, sung by the first UU Choir
Welcome
Jill Moats
Gathering Hymn
#360 Here We Have Gathered
Chalice Lighting
words by Adam Slate, read by Jill Moats
Opening Words
words by Leah Ongiri, read by Jill Moats
Affirmation
Love Is the Spirit, music written by PJ Buchan
Story Wisdom
Oh, the Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss, read by Andre Vanderstoep
Sing and Rejoice
sung as youth head downstairs for religious exploration
Meditation
The Dash, by Linda Ellis, read by Jill Moats
Joys and Sorrows
Andre Vanderstoep
Please submit your Candles of Caring to candles@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca and your congregational announcements to worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca before 9:00 am each Sunday morning.
Pastoral Hymn
#1057 Go Lifted Up (repeat up to 3 times, sung seated)
Share the Plate Partner:
video message from West Central Women’s Resource Centre
Offering
A Greater Good for Ourselves and Our World, by Kayla Parker read by Jill Moats
Our Share the Plate Partner for February is the West Central Women’s Resource Centre. West Central Women’s Resource Centre empowers women, and their community, to move from where they are to where they want to be, by providing responsive programming, facilitating knowledge sharing and connection, and contributing to culture shift and policy transformation.
The offering will be gratefully received, both right now, and continuing when our stream ends. To donate via e-transfer/Interac use office@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca; in the note, you MUST include your name and whether your donation is for the Sunday offering or your pledge. You can also send a cheque by mail to the church at First UU Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Cr. Winnipeg, MB R3M 0A7
To see these options later, click here: https://uuwinnipeg.mb.ca/stewardship/give/
Offertory Music
Prelude #15 by F. Chopin, performed by Kelvin Seifert
Reading
Telling, by Laura Hershey, read by Jill Moats
Anthem
Be Ye Lamps Unto Yourselves, from the Sarum Antiphonal, sung by the first UU Choir
Note: We will begin recording the sermon following the anthem, with apologies for the interruption by the Zoom announcement of recording.
Sermon
We All Have a Story to Tell, by Andre Vanderstoep
Closing Hymn
Circle of the Sun, by Sally Rogers, led by Kelvin Seifert
Announcements
Jill Moats
Closing Words
from Use Our Inner Lights, by Amanda Alice Uluhan, read Jill Moats
Chalice Extinguishing
Carry the Flame
Transition for Breakout Rooms
Arthur Burstow or Simer Kaur (Zoom only)
Gratitude
Gratitude to all who helped make this service happen:
- Leader: Andre Vanderstoep
- Coordinator: Jill Moats
- Music Director: Joseph Nguyen
- Accompanist: Daniel Clark
- Religious Education: Ana Gabriela Castaneda Aguilera, CLRE (coordinator), Paulina Hernandez (childcare provider), Debby Lake, Sylvie and Maxine Hébert
- Pastoral Care Coordinator: Andre Vanderstoep
- Tech Team: Arthur Burstow, Simer Kaur, Ashlyn Noble, Christina Swindells-Nader
- Hymn Lyrics Coordinator: Debby Lake
- Music for Affirmation: Composed by P.J. Buchan
- Ushers: Krishna Nimmagadda, Norm Cobb, Jim Gardiner, and others
- Greeter: Paula Keirstead, Ann LeDuc
- Set Up/Maintenance: Michael Thiessen, Jim Gardiner, Norm Cobb, others
- Hospitality: Shar Lynn, Adina Lyon, Cheryl Simmonds, and others
- Chalice Sculptor: Jo’Anne Kelly
- Chalice Logo Designer: Nancy Gilbert
- Website Support: Karin Carlson
- Communicator Editor: Marjorie Doyle
- All-Church Email Bulletin: Lorie Battershilll
To contact SunServ (Sunday Services Team), please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca
Want to help setting up on Sunday mornings? Please contact Norm Cobb or Jim Gardiner.
Please refrain from taking photographs and making recordings during and after the service without the express permission of all people involved. Also, please turn off electronic devices during the service. Thank you.
Topics: Life and Death, Spirituality