MEMORIAL DAY

		FOR WHOM IS THE MEMORIAL May 30, 2022 A Time Of Meditation This is a day when traditionally we remember the cost of civil freedom and war lifting up in prayer those whose lives were given in service to our nation. On this day, in the year 2022, however, there are losses ffresh upon our hearts and minds and souls. It is ironic at best that their lives were taken by the very freedom we proclaim as a people whose history is tangled inseparable in gun violence. The use of arms to become and be the people of the United States of America goes back as far as those first days when white, European, visitors and colonizers murdered peoples and robbed them of their land and resources in the name of patriotidsm. And, throughout the years until this day, the right to bear arms and the use of such to maintain a status quo of injustice and systemic evil, has laid waste to countless lives. The events of Uvelda, Texas, in this past week are but an indication that our nation bears the original sin, not only of racism, misogyny, gender exclusion, and capitalist consumerism, but also the idolatry of guns that are sacrificed daily of the altar we claim to be law, order, and the protection of our civil rights. It is a day to mourn the loss of those who have suffered for such vain and selfish acts that are heinous in character and an atrocity in morality. May God have mercy on those in loss and grief, on those who are national and local leaders of governance, and on us all. We gather on a somber holiday. We remember with sadness those we have loved and lost. Let us not glorify the conflicts and violence that tear our loved ones from us. Let us, rather, give glory to God, who calls us to use our freedom peaceably. Our God is a God of all nations and peoples. May our worship of God unite rather than divide. Spirit of Life whom we have called by many names in thanksgiving and in anguish— Bless the poets and those who mourn Send peace for the soldiers who did not make the wars but whose lives were consumed by them Let strong trees grow above graves far from home Breathe through the arms of their branches The earth will swallow your tears while the dead sing "No more, never again, remember me." For the wounded ones, and those who received them back, let there be someone ready when the memories come when the scars pull and the buried metal moves and forgiveness for those of us who were not there for our ignorance. And in us, veterans in a forest of a thousand fallen promises, let new leaves of protest grow on our stumps. Give us courage to answer the cry of humanity's pain And with our bare hands, out of full hearts, with all our intelligence let us create the peace. —By Barbara J Pescan “Little Coffins” The Rev. Carol Hallman, Pastor + First United Church of Christ 207 West Horah St. Salisbury, NC 28144 May 27, 2022 little coffins holding tiny bodies ashes to ashes dust to dust another child dead another life taken in the land of the free and the home of the brave they strike us the hardest little ones murdered as they were learning to read and write to name the Presidents laughing as they played tag on the playground excited about summer vacation there are other coffins though there in Texas and in Buffalo Colorado, Florida back to Sandy Hook from schools to churches to shopping malls a wide swath of death all dying on the altar of gun violence each time thoughts and prayers offered never a solution sought a way found a path lit which could lead to prevention in the land of the free we cannot even talk about guns or laws about guns or mental health or seek the answers to the “why” these things happen no, here we just wait for the furor to die down and next time… because—as surely as the sun rises— there will be a next time again we will offer thoughts and prayers then we will forget unless, except if we are among those standing by those coffins tears flowing hearts broken among the grieving life will never be the same —thanks to Maren C. Tirabassi for posting on her blog (https://giftsinopenhands.wordpress.com) Spirit of Life, We enter into this season of Memorial Day surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses. We remember, first of all, the women and men who are currently serving in the armed forces and we pray for their safe return. We also acknowledge that there are women and men who will not return, as we grieve their passing in the daily paper. We pause to honor their service and their sacrifice. (Silence for a time) We also pause this hour to give thanks for all the women and men who have served in the nation's armed services. Those who have not served cannot fully imagine the experience of war, but we do know war's aftermath and the toll that it can take on the human heart. This day remembers and acknowledges loss and so do we remember those whom we have loved and lost. We hold their names and their faces in our mind's eye. We recall the gifts they gave to us through the strength of their being, the depth of their love, the courage of their dying, and the fullness of their living. In the Holy Quiet of this hour, their names surround us and they live with us in blessed memory. May we remain together in silence, as a tribute to all that they have meant to us. (Silence for a time) Amen. —By Wayne B Arnason (https://www.uua.org/worship/words/meditation/5639.shtml)

ASCENSION DAY

		Peter Rogers (1933- ) Acts 1: 6–11 In the centre of the picture Jesus ascends in a whitish-gold cloud, his body already off the ground, arms raised upwards and his head thrust back, almost horizontally, in profile, in a style reminiscent of William Blake. On the left, the two men clad in white are standing in the embrace of a deep-red flame that descends from the heavens and curves beneath them, while on the right a group of disciples, undifferentiated except perhaps for Mary in a brown robe, gaze upwards as Jesus is lost to view within the cloud and ascends to heaven. This all takes place against a black and inky background with a faint glow on the horizon. The Festival Of Ascension May 26, 2022 A Liturgy For Worship And Meditation
		SONG OF ASCENSION Alleluia! Sing To Jesus (Click Here For Music) Hymn written by William Chatterton Dix and Rowland Hugh Prichard. Performed by Sara Anthony, Randy Bachand, Wes Lockfaw, and Lori Royer. Christ Church, Easton, MD. 1. Alleluia! sing to Jesus, His the scepter, His the throne; Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone. Hark, the songs of His redeemed ones Thunder like a mighty flood: Jesus out of every nation Hath redeemed us by His blood. 2. Alleluia! not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now; Alleluia! He is near us, Faith believes, nor questions how. Though the clouds from sight received Him When the forty days were o’er, Shall our hearts forget His promise, “I am with you evermore“? 3. Alleluia! Bread of heaven, Thou on earth our food, our stay; Alleluia! here the hungry Come to Thee from day to day. Advocate and Intercessor, My Redeemer pleads for me, On the throne of the Almighty Now and to eternity. 4. Alleluia! sing to Jesus, His the scepter, His the throne; Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone. Hark, the songs of His redeemed ones Thunder like a mighty flood: Jesus out of every nation, Hath redeemed us by His blood. OPENING PRAYER Risen and ascended Christ, you surround us with witnesses and send us the Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, who opens our minds to understand your teaching. Bless us with such grace that our lives may become a blessing for the world now, and in the age to come. Amen. READING—Acts 1:4-11 4. On one occasion, Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem. “Wait, rather, for what God has promised, of which you have heard me speak,” Jesus said. 5. “John baptized with water, but within a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6. While meeting together they asked, “Has the time come, Rabbi? Are you going to restore sovereignty to Israel?” 7. Jesus replied, “It’s not for you to know times or dates that Abba God has decided. 8. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” 9. Having said this, Jesus was lifted up in a cloud before their eyes and taken from their sight. 10. They were still gazing up into the heavens when two messengers dressed in white stood beside them. 11. “You Galileans—why are you standing here looking up at the skies?” they asked. “Jesus, who has been taken from you—this same Jesus will return, in the same way you watched him go into heaven.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. RESPONSE Jesus lingered awhile. It was hard to leave them. But the Beloved of God had to go so God could give them the gift of the Spirit. Christ, in your Spirit, let us be witnesses. Let us take your life gift of love and forgiveness to the ends of the earth. CANTICLE FOR ASCENSION—Revelation 15.4 "Mighty and wonderful are your works, O God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O Ruler of the nations! Who would dare refuse your honor, or the glory due your Name, O God? Since you alone are holy, all nations will come and worship in your presence. Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. READING—Luke 24:44-53 44. Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke when I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the psalms had to be fulfilled.” 45. Then Jesus opened their minds to the understanding of the scriptures, 46. saying, “That is why the scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. 47. In the Messiah’s name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48. You are witnesses of all this. 49. “Take note: I am sending forth what Abba God has promised to you. Remain here in the city until you are clothed with the power from on high.” 50. Then Jesus took them to the outskirts of Bethany, and with upraised hands blessed the disciples. 51. While blessing them, the savior left them and was carried up to heaven. 52. The disciples worshiped the risen Christ and returned to Jerusalem full of joy. 53. They were found in the Temple constantly, speaking the praises of God. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. RESPONSE Jesus, here are the rich and poor, world-wide. You take all of us who believe straight to the heart of infinite love, to the creator of all things. To the prime mover and our very reason and purpose of life. Godf sent you because God is love. Give us an understanding of the infinite love that dwells in us all. We are God's gifts to you. Then let us be gifts to one another. PRAYER Precious Love, your ascended One promised the gift of holy power. Send your Spirit of revelation and wisdom, that in the blessed freedom of hope, we may witness to the grace of forgiveness and sing songs of joy with the peoples of earth to the One who makes us one body. Amen. INTERCESSION We offer our prayers on behalf of our neighbors whose needs are known to us. We pray both for the sisters and brother we know and for those who are strangers. Almighty and Ever-Loving God, help us to understand the meaning of the Ascension and to accept it, in all its wonder, along with the glorious fact of your life-on earth. May our vision of it become fuller and sharper every day; so that we may share the blessings of your first disciples. God, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Eternal God, help us to accept your going from the world, and to understand it not as deprivation but as the pathway to power unlimited by time and space. Focus our eyes to look for your coming, not in flesh that we see and touch, but by your dwelling in our places of worship and by your spirit in our minds, hearts and souls. God, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Creating God by the gift of that same spirit, help us to live a life on earth which will give to all people everywhere a full, clear vision of your grace and truth, your beauty and your reality, here and now, until you come at the end of the ages with your Realm fulfilled. God, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Redeeming God, we thank you that you ascended as the Sovereign of heaven and earth and that you are in control of all things. Help us to trust you when life is difficult and obey you at all times. We pray for the sick and troubled, for the fearful and alone, for those in pain at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews. We pray that all who suffer, may feel the Spirits healing presence. God, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Sustaining God, we pray for those kept fresh in our memory and for those long forgotten, For all who ever took the breath of life at home, at work, in the streets, and in this place. We pray for mercy and forgiveness for all people, and that those who have gone before us and those who mourn them, may they be at rest in the Spirit’s embrace as we commend them to your keeping for ever. God, in your mercy: hear our prayer. God of heaven and earth, Companion in Life, Spirit of Truth, to you alone we turn our eyes and lift our hearts to your ascended glory. Help us as we go out into the world to keep your commandments and to love one another as you love us. God, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Open our minds to understand the scriptures, O God, so that when the challenges of each day undermine our hope, we may discover the freedom of your forgiveness; when suffering and death overtake our lives, we may know the joy of your Kin-Dom; and when we feel abandoned, we may comprehend the power of the promised Spirit. Amen. SONG OF ASCENSION A Hymn Of Glory Let Us Sing! (Click Here For Music) St. Bede (AKA) the Venerable Bede Born c. 672-673 Died Ascension Day, May 26, 735 1. A hymn of glory let us sing! New songs throughout the world shall ring: Alleluia, alleluia! Christ, by a road before untrod, ascends unto the throne of God. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 2. The holy apostolic band upon the Mount of Olives stand, Alleluia, alleluia! and with his followers they see their Lord ascend in majesty. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 3. To them the shining angels cry, "Why stand and gaze upon the sky?" Alleluia, alleluia! "This is the Savior," thus they say. "This is his glorious triumph day." Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 4. "You see him now, ascending high up to the portals of the sky." Alleluia, alleluia! "Hereafter Jesus you shall see returning in great majesty." Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 5. Be now our joy on earth, O Lord, and be our future great reward. Alleluia, alleluia! Then, throned with you forever, we shall praise your name eternally. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 6. O risen Christ, ascended Lord, all praise to you let earth accord. Alleluia, alleluia! You are, while endless ages run, with Father and with Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! GOING FORTH In the peace of God we go to make peace in the world.

MOTHER'S DAY—May 8, 2022

REMEMBERING AND CELEBRATING THE DIVINE FEMALE Mother's Day May 8, 2022 A Liturgy For Worship and Meditation
		CALL TO WORSHIP —based on Psalm 71 God alone is our refuge and hope, our shelter and protection. From our very first breath to our last, God’s love and compassion never fails. So come, lift your voices in praise to God. Bear witness to God’s acts of mercy and love. Proclaim God’s glory to all who will listen. Let’s worship God together. PRAYER FOR WORSHIP Ever-loving Mother, from whom we have come to life— to you all hearts are open, all desires are know, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts that we may perfectly love You, even as You love us, and worthily magnify your holy Name, the Name above all names. To You our Mothering God, be praise and glory, honor and power, now and forevermore. Amen. OPENING WORDS Womb of life so blessed so blessing God the birther of all living God the Mother of us all. God's creation sings Her glory Creating One who blessed it all in the words that "it is good" God was pleased by what was done. God's own people to Her belonging made in Image so Divine made to praise Her in each movement all for just peace through and true. God's own Kin-Dom gifting always like a Mother's Child is nursed all sustaining goodness nurtured presence with us does abide. God the Alpha and Omega Mother always never less was before and will be after in all the times our Mother best. —G Lake Dylan © 2022, All Rights Reserved READING —Psalm 139 13 You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. PRAYER Loving God, Like a mother, you brought all things into being. Through trial and truth-telling, touch, and tenderness, you nurture your people and lead us in the ways of justice and peace. Send your Holy Spirit upon all people, that everyone would know your love for them and all creation. Amen. READING —Proverbs 8 22 ‘God brought me forth as the first of her works, before her deeds of old 23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be 24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, 26 before she made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. 27 I was there when she set the heavens in place, when she marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, 28 when she established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29 when she gave the sea its boundary so that the waters would not overstep her command, and when she marked out the foundations of the earth. 30 Then I was constantly at her side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in her presence, 31 rejoicing in her whole worldbr /> and delighting in the human race. SONG Praise to God, the World’s Creator Praise to God, the world’s creator, source of life and growth and breath, cradling in her arms her children, holding them from birth to death. In our bodies, in our living, strength and truth of all we do, God is present, working with us, making us creators too. Praise to God our saving Wisdom, meeting us with love and grace, helping us to grow in wholeness, giving freedom, room, and space. In our hurting, in our risking, in the thoughts we dare not name, God is present, growing with us, healing us from sin and shame. Praise to God, the Spirit in us, prompting hidden depths of prayer, firing us to long for justice, reaching out with tender care. In our searching, in our loving, in our struggles to be free, God is present, living in us, pointing us to what shall be. — Jan Berry PRAYER OF CONFESSION O Divine Lover, Your life pulses in each of our hearts, and your love permeates each of our lives. We, your daughters and sons, praise you. Your care sustains us in each moment, and your compassion guides us in each situation. We, your daughters and sons, praise you. When we fall, you lift us, when we fail you restore us, When we are wounded, you nurse us, when we grieve, you weep with us. We, your daughters and sons, praise you. But, we have failed to love as you do, we have abused our bodies and those of others, we have filled our minds with selfish dreams, and violent plans, we have made our hearts cold and empty of compassion, we have forgtten our spirits, and distorted your image within us. As a mother disciplines her children, we ask you to discipline us; As a mother forgives the sons and daughters who hurt her, we ask you to forgive us; As a mother calls her children to be reconciled with their siblings, we ask you to lead us to reconciliation with one another. Amen. —by John van de Laar on the Sacredise website INTERCESSION Because you are a God of compassion, a Mother who protects and provides for her daughters, a Mother who comforts and nurtures her sons, we bring our prayers in faith, and with thanksgiving. Wherever there is war and violence, we pray for peace and reconciliation; Wherever there is crime and corruption, we pray for integrity and lawfulness; Wherever there is poverty and inequality, we pray for sharing and generosity; Wherever there is disease and death, we pray for healing and comfort; Wherever there is oppression and tyranny, we pray for liberation and freedom; And wherever people need the healing touch of your grace and mercy, we pray that we may be your hands, your embrace, your kindness. Amen. —by John van de Laar on the Sacredise website SENDING FORTH As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. (Isa. 66:13). Go now in the comfort and peace of the One who gave birth to us. Go in the assurance that the Comforter is with us always. Go to give comfort and peace to others. Divine Wisdom guide us as we go forth on Her paths of peace. May She give us blessings more precious than silver or gold (Prov. 3:13-15, 17). May we find joy in sharing these blessings with others. May Wisdom empower us to change our world! Amen. —written by Jann Aldredge-Clanton www.jannaldredgeclanton.com