Joy Unspeakable
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
February 4, 2024
Tracy Pepper & Gail Johnson Vaughan, Worship Leaders
JOY! Yes, joy… perhaps not where you would expect us to begin this month’s theme Exploring the Gifts of Justice and Equity. Join us this Sunday as we weave together a service of music, poetry and prose that invites us to glimpse how “joy unspeakable” has sustained Black people in America through suffering and survival. Therein lies an invitation to contemplate how Unitarian Universalist joy allows us to fulfill our mission to create a world more compassionate, sustainable and just.
Greeting Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Song for Gathering I’ve Got Peace Like a River #100, by Marvin V. Frey
with Erica Macedo, soloist and songleader
Land Acknowledgement read by Oak (Carmen) Riley
Lighting of the Chalice Justice is Our Prayer by Rev. Rebekah Savage read by Ruth Ghio
Singing the Children on Their Way
Welcome Gail Johnson Vaughan, Worship Associate
Opening Words Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson
sung by Erica Macedo, Toby Thomas-Rose, piano
Joys & Sorrows Carol Richey, Lay Pastoral Care Team
Prayer & Meditation Carol Richey
Music Smile composed by Charlie Chaplin and David Raskin, sung by Erica Macedo
Reading Joy Unspeakable by Barbara Holmes read by Tracy Pepper
Musical Interlude Toby Thomas-Rose
Reflection: Black Joy by Kimberly Quinn Johnson read by Tracy Pepper
Musical Interlude Toby Thomas-Rose
Reflection Tracy Pepper
Music Rise Up by Andra Day sung by Erica Macedo, Toby Thomas-Rose, piano
Offering Gail Johnson Vaughan with Nicole McNeely, Child Advocates of Nevada County
Offertory
Dedication Gail Johnson Vaughan
Thank you & Announcements
Closing Song Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! #201 traditional
Closing Words Joy Unspeakable reprise Erica Macedo and Tracy Pepper
Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.
Music for Going Forth