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Rev. Meg Barnhouse
March 14, 2021
First UU Church of Austin
4700 Grover Ave., Austin, TX 78756
www.austinuu.org
March 15 marks one year since First UU Austin began social distanced worship. Since we’ve gone inside we have continued to explore, experiment, and expand our understanding of how we exist as a community. We are looking back at this year of rapid learning and seeing how far we have come while honoring the knowledge that we are still in the midst of it all. In this time let us take a moment to observe the world, to feel the wind and the sun, to absorb the promise that there is more good to come. We aren’t yet at the end but we are getting there together.
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
ANTHEM
You can add up the parts
But you won’t have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart, every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in– Leonard Cohen
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
PANDEMIC
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath-
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.Promise this world your love-
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.-Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
Sermon
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