The origin myth of the Israelites includes many instances of despair where the Israelites’ understanding of the world was tested and their imaginations expanded. They agree to leave hardship they knew into the unknown because they dreamt of liberation. They are tested again by being told that their God is real, but invisible to them. They met obstacles that challenged their ability to imagine another world, but after forty years, they reached the promised land.
How can we fortify our imagination and move ourselves into a better world? This worship service includes a participatory Interplay element that allows us to play with reality and imagination.
Rev. Claire Eustace serves as a chaplain for a nonprofit hospice in the East Bay and is a community-affiliated minister at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. She had a few different careers prior to her work in ministry and is especially interested in the role of religious communities in bending the arc toward justice. She lives in Oakland with her family.
- Prelude
- Ring Tibetan Bowl
- Centering Music
- Opening Hymn: # 344, A Promise through the ages rings
- Welcome
- Chalice Lighting
- Wisdom Tale
- Sing the Children to their Classroom
- Call to Worship Rev Eustace
- Hymn: # 138, These things shall be
- Land Acknowledgment
- Wisdom Reading: “ Imagine “ by John Lennon
- Prayer, Candles of Joys, Sorrows & Gratitude
- Sung Prayer: Rev. Rebecca Parker
- Sermon
- Hymn: # 146, Soon the day will arrive
- Offertory
- Shared Singing: Hymn #402, From You I Receive
- Invitations
- Hymn: # 1017, Building A New Way
- Benediction
- Extinguishing the Chalice
- Invitation and Final Wave
- Postlude