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Rev. Meg Barnhouse
March 7, 2021
First UU Church of Austin
4700 Grover Ave., Austin, TX 78756
www.austinuu.org
Almost all faith traditions lift up the power of words: to encourage, to comfort, to mislead, to hurt, to cast a spell, to incite a riot. What kind of attention should we pay to the words we say and to the promises we make?
Chalice Lighting
This is the flame we hold in our hearts as we strive for justice for everyone. This is the light we shine upon systems of oppression until they are no more. This is the warmth that we share with one another as our struggle becomes our salvation.
Call to Worship
Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.
– Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
Affirming Our Mission
Together we nourish souls, transform lives, and do justice to build the Beloved Community.
Learn more about Beloved Community at this link. – The King Center
Meditation Reading
A SINGLE WORD CAN BRIGHTEN THE FACE
by Yunus Emre
English version by Kabir Helminski & Refik Algan
Original Language TurkishA single word can brighten the face
of one who knows the value of words.
Ripened in silence, a single word
acquires a great energy for work.War is cut short by a word,
and a word heals the wounds,
and there’s a word that changes
poison into butter and honey.Let a word mature inside yourself.
Withhold the unripened thought.
Come and understand the kind of word
that reduces money and riches to dust.Know when to speak a word
and when not to speak at all.
A single word turns the universe of hell
into eight paradises.Follow the Way. Don’t be fooled
by what you already know. Be watchful.
Reflect before you speak.
A foolish mouth can brand your soul.Yunus, say one last thing
about the power of words —
Only the word “I”
divides me from God.
Sermon
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