Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville
One Edwin Place, Asheville, North Carolina 28801
~ A Welcoming Congregation ~

The Ethics of Hope
The Rev. Mark Ward, Minister
April 9, 2006

For information about assistive listening devices,
LARGE PRINT orders of service, infant care
or for help with wheelchairs, please ask any usher.

*Please stand where indicated

Gathering

Call To Worship

Prelude ~ Largo in G…………………………Georg Frideric Handel
Lenora Thom, Music Director

Words of Welcome & Chalice Lighting

The chalice flame is kindled in silence.
With the kindling of this light of community and hope,
our worship service begins.

Minister’s Greeting ~ The Rev. Mark Ward, Minister

Shaping Our Community

*Hymn 63 ~ Spring Has Now Unwrapped the Flowers

Affirmation
Minister: Each spring the Earth teaches us the important lesson of awakening.

All: Beneath the leaf mold, in the chill, hardened soil, life pushes urgently toward the warmth-giving sun.

Minister: Leaf and bud, tormented by blustery winds and late frost, open all the same, impelled by a truth woven deep within them: they are meant for flowering, meant to grow.

All: Whatever winter brings, life returns.

Minister: We, too, are durable beings. Whatever our disappointments or hardships, there is a pulse beating within us that calls us to rise up, to live as we were meant to live.

All: To be human is to live with our eyes and hearts open, our minds inquiring and engaged.

Minister: Joined together in community centered in freedom and love, we celebrate this striving and the hope it engenders.

All: The hope that the sparks of truth we find, and compassion we discover will illumine our lives and bring healing to a troubled world.

Reflecting

Musical Reflection ~ Reverie
Felix Mendelssohn, Op. 85, No. 1

Spoken & Silent Meditation

*Hymn 83 ~ Winds Be Still

Reading ~ Michael Lerner

Anthem: How Can I Keep From Singing?
American folk hymn, arr. by R. Staheli/L. Thom
9 AM ~ Instrumental
11 AM ~ Choir
Darleen Benson and Kristina Pontin, soloists

My life flows on in endless song
above earth's lamentation;
I hear the real though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul:
how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble sick with fear
and hear their death knell ringing
when friends rejoice both far and near
how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell or dungeon vile
our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled
how can I keep from singing?

What if my joys and comforts die?
I know that truth is living.
What tho’ the darkness ‘round me close
How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is life to heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin,
I see the blue above it.
And day by day this pathway smoothes,
Since first I learned to love it.

The peace from love makes fresh my heart,
A song of hope is springing.
All things are mine since truth I’ve found,
A song of hope is springing.

My life flows on in endless song.
How can I keep from singing?

Sermon ~ The Ethics of Hope
The Rev. Mark Ward, Minister

Offertory ~ Ein Adir
Jewish folk hymn, arr. Emily Maxson Porter

If you wish to silently raise up a joy or concern,
you are invited to come forward and
light a candle in the chalice.

Going Forth Together

*Hymn 323 ~ Break Not the Circle

*Closing Words

*Closing Song
~ traditional words; music by Dave Bates (sung twice)

May the long time sun shine upon you,
And all love surround you.
May the pure light within you
Guide your way home.

Postlude ~ Jig Fugue…………………………….Dietrich Buxtehude

A Time of Fellowship and Community

Please stay for refreshments and conversation in Sandburg Hall, immediately across the foyer.