Welcome We’re glad you’re here! Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation Sunday December “Assuming the Best” Cary Ragsdale Worship Leader Judy Raymond

Unitarian Universalism Draws From Many Sources: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder; Words and deeds of prophetic women and men; Wisdom from the world's religions; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings; Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions.

Unitarian Universalism Principles Being Upheld in this Service: The inherent worth and dignity of every person Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

This is a time for quiet reflection and spiritual centering …

AWWW! When’s the baby due? I’m a dude!

Welcome to the faith! Now, here’s your complimentary box, outside of which you should never ever think again.

I made the mistake of assuming the manager of a Christian bookstore wouldn’t have a gun!

Call to Worship- “ Mosaic Welcomes ” Opening Words and Introductions Chalice Lighting Festival of Lights Hymn- “There Is More Love Somewhere” Responsive Reading Offering of Gifts Meditation Silent Joys and Sorrows Response Hymn- “Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire” Homily- “Assuming the Best” Cary Ragsdale Hymn- “Deck the Halls” Chalice Extinguishing Order of Service Dec 13 th 2015

1/2 Mosaic calls, our spirits fly, Embrace the earth and touch the sky. We welcome all, no strangers here. Come share with us, and shed your fear. The universe now opens wide. The joy we know no fear can hide. So take my hand, and I’ll take yours. Come sing with us – your spirit soars. MOSAIC CALLS

2/2 It matters not where you come from. Believe it all or none or some. We have the room for all inside; Mosaic calls both far and wide. Our spirit home, Mosaic sings The joy and hope compassion brings. Now is the time, the chalice bright Will mark our home both day and night. MOSAIC CALLS

1/2 Mosaic welcomes all those who come here From faithful old friends to spirit pilgrims Come in and join us; you make us better Mosaic was made for you and me. We have no creed here; we offer freedom To walk your pathway, to sing your own song Where you have come from is your own story Mosaic was made for you and me. MOSAIC WELCOMES

2/2 No judgment lives here; we welcome rainbows Of all the colors and all the voices A joyful noise now is what we make here Mosaic was made for you and me. So please come join us, your hand in our hand You make us stronger; our voices echo Compassion calls us and spirits brighten Mosaic was made for you and me. MOSAIC WELCOMES

OPENING WORDS AND INTRODUCTIONS

Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation Sunday December “Assuming the Best” Cary Ragsdale Worship Leader Judy Raymond

Call to Worship- “ Mosaic Welcomes ” Opening Words and Introductions Chalice Lighting Festival of Lights Hymn- “There Is More Love Somewhere” Responsive Reading Offering of Gifts Meditation Silent Joys and Sorrows Response Hymn- “Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire” Homily- “Assuming the Best” Cary Ragsdale Hymn- “Deck the Halls” Chalice Extinguishing Order of Service Dec 13 th 2015

CHALICE LIGHTING1/1 The flaming chalice is the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. It is as an everlasting flame For this community. It offers its warmth to those who are cold. It provides light to those who would see. It purifies and transforms this sanctuary Into sacred space, This congregation into sacred community. May its flame burn true and High and strong.

Festival of Lights

There is more love somewhere. I’m gonna keep on ‘til I find it. There is more love somewhere. There is more hope somewhere. I’m gonna keep on ‘til I find it. There is more hope somewhere. 1/2 THERE IS MORE LOVE SOMEWHERE

There is more peace somewhere. I’m gonna keep on ‘til I find it. There is more peace somewhere. There is more joy somewhere. I’m gonna keep on ‘til I find it. There is more joy somewhere. 2/2 THERE IS MORE LOVE SOMEWHERE

"Wake Up O My Soul!" (Ma Theresa Gustilo Gallardo) 1/1 RESPONSIVE READING

Offering

We bless you on your sacred quest. We send you with love on your journey. A journey that has no beginning or end. May you grow and be filled with your spirit. Children Send Off

SOCIAL JUSTICE MOMENT

Meditation

Ritual of Joys and Sorrows

Leader: May our joys and concerns surrounded by the healing waters of our beloved community be acknowledged here today. Congregation: May we share with each other the meaning in our lives. 1/2

Leader: May all these joys and concerns be enfolded in the warmth of this community. Congregation: And may that warmth extend in sympathy and compassion to all who are hurting in our wider world. 2/2

Though I may speak with bravest fire, And have the gift to all inspire, And have not love, my words are vain, As sounding brass, and hopeless gain. Though I may give all I possess, And striving so my love profess, But not be giv’n by love within, The profit soon turns strangely thin. THOUGH I MAY SPEAK WITH BRAVEST FIRE 1/2

Come, spirit, come, our hearts control, Our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guide ev’ry deed; By this we worship, and are freed. THOUGH I MAY SPEAK WITH BRAVEST FIRE 2/2

ASSUMING THE BEST Cary Ragsdale

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la la! 'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la! Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la la! Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la la! DECK THE HALLS 1/3

See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la la! Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la la! Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la la! While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la la! DECK THE HALLS 2/3

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la la! Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la la! Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la la! Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la la! DECK THE HALLS 3/3

Perhaps love is like a resting place A shelter from the storm It exists to give you comfort It is there to keep you warm And in those times of trouble When you are most alone The memory of love will bring you home 1/4PERHAPS LOVE

Perhaps love is like a window Perhaps an open door It invites you to come closer It wants to show you more And even if you lose yourself And don't know what to do The memory of love will see you through 2/4PERHAPS LOVE

Oh, love to some is like a cloud To some as strong as steel For some a way of living For some a way to feel And some say love is holding on And some say letting go And some say love is everything And some say they don't know 3/4PERHAPS LOVE

Perhaps love is like the ocean Full of conflict, full of change Like a fire when it's cold outside Or thunder when it rains If I should live forever And all my dreams come true My memories of love will be of you 4/4PERHAPS LOVE

As we leave this hallowed place, may our feet remember its feel, so that wherever we walk, we know ourselves to be on hallowed ground. May we know that we are kin with every soul, every star, every stone and leaf of grass. And may our words be gentle and our touch be kind. Blessed be. (Amy Zucker Morgenstern) CHALICE EXTINGUISHING1/1

Thanks for visiting us at Mosaic UUC. Please let us know how we can serve you and how, together, we can serve our shared community better.

Are You Fair Trading? coffees Teas Chocolates/cocoa

“Out of the work of hands, hearts, and minds emerges a meaningful life” Mosaic HaikUU