Today is our annual Remembrance Service, when we particularly call to mind all that we have loved and lost: people, animals, friendships, hopes, abilities. Whether the losses occurred long ago or recently, loom large or are comparatively small, we honor them, because that is how we nurture love in our lives. As Richard Osman writes, “Days of death are days when we weigh our relationship with love in our bare hands. Days when we remember what has gone, and fear what is to come. The joy love brings, and the price we pay. When we give thanks but also pray for mercy.” We will contemplate love, mercy, joy, fear, and loss together, with the community that holds us as we hold them all.
You are encouraged to add to today’s altar the photos and other mementos of those you have loved who are now among the ancestors, and to light candles and write their names on the provided paper when you arrive. We will speak all of the names aloud, together, during the service. For those attending online who have photos for the altar, please bring them to UUCPA or send them to Amy by 5 pm on Friday.
Today we welcome a speaker from our justice partner for November, the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, and the choir sings to us of our common link. If you have a friend who is coping with a loss, this is a very good day to invite them along.
Worship leader: Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern
Worship Associate: Richard Heydt
Special music: Be’eri Moalem, violin
Don’t forget, the clocks change at 2 a.m.!
Follow along in the order of service, bit.ly/uucpa_oos_20241103.
If you prefer to attend online, there are two options. One, join the service via Zoom bit.ly/uucpa_service_1015am_v3. To get the passcode, email sundayservice@uucpa.org or call UUCPA’s outgoing voicemail message, 650-494-0541. It is also included in the weekly update emails. Two, to watch the service live on our Facebook page (no passcode required), visit UUCPA’s live Facebook feed.
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash