FPC Service Reflections from Minneapolis 1/25/26

January 25, 2025: 10:00 a.m. Gathering Prelude “Bella Ciao” Trevor Berens Accompanist Welcome & Announcements Karen Kinnear, Small Group Ministry Opening Words “Our Journey Is to Transform” by Elizabeth Nguyen Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum & Yaakov Trek Reef, Intern Minister Chalice Lighting “To Be a Unitarian Universalist” by Erika Hewitt, inspired by words by Elizabeth Nguyen Hymn “One Foot/Lead With Love” Melanie DeMore Centering Covenant and Affirmation Yaakov Trek Reef, Intern Minister Land Acknowledgement Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum Joys and Sorrows Ann Wickham, Lay Minister Joys and Sorrows is a time for the things on our hearts and minds to be heard by the gathered community. If you would like a follow-up call by a lay minister or the minister, email [email protected]. Prayer or Meditation Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum In Words by Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt In Silence In Song #123 “Spirit of Life” Singing the Living Tradition Exploring Slide Show Sharing Our Gifts This month we share our weekly offering with Bridges to Malawi. You may donate by check made out to First Parish Church, online at fpc-stow-acton.org/donate, or text (978) 310-3309. Anthem “We Give Thanks in Hard Times” FPC Choir Amanda Udis-Kessler Chris Hossfeld, Music Director In these days full of fear when the future’s so unclear, When our best, even our best, may not suffice, We take a breath and start again. We reach for hope. We face the pain And we give thanks, we offer thanks in these hard times. We give thanks in hard times for the hope that we find In the faces of the ones who struggle on. Every time they take a stand, they bring healing to the land And we give thanks, we offer thanks in these hard times. In these days full of rage, full of violence uncontained, When we feel that there’s no way to ease our minds, We take a breath and start anew. We reach for peace in all we do And we give thanks, we offer thanks in these hard times. We give thanks in hard times for the peace that we find In the silence that we hold within our hearts. Every time we seek that guide, there is healing deep inside, And we give thanks, we offer thanks in these hard times. In these days full of hate, when the cruelty seems too great, When we fear all we can do is be resigned, We take a breath and start once more. We live so love will be restored And we give thanks, we offer thanks in these hard times. We give thanks in hard times for the love that we find In the daily acts of kindness all around. Every time our caring shows, we bring healing as we go, And we give thanks, we offer thanks in these hard times Reflections “Reflections from Minneapolis” Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum & Yaakov Trek Reef, Intern Minister Returning Hymn “Rooted in Fertile Ground” Sing Out Love Amanda Udis-Kessler Benediction Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum & Yaakov Trek Reef, Intern Minister Closing Song Postlude ”Meditation No. 4” Trevor Berens John Kramer Greet Your Neighbor * * Thank you to: Kim Kinnear, Zoom Host Our staff and leadership