This audio begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Helen Pohlig.

Gathering Music
Ringing the Bell
Prelude Away in a Manger — James Murray, arr. Fred Bock
Call to Worship Helen Pohlig
Lighting the Chalice
*Opening Hymn Joy to the World
*Unison Affirmation (615) The Work of Christmas
Silence
Embracing Meditation Nic Cable
Minister’s Prayer
Interlude
Reading A Christmas Poem (adapted) — Dr. Maya Angelou
Interlude
Reflection Mary, Did You Know?
*Hymn of Affirmation (409) Sleep, My Child
Homily My Lord, What a Morning
*Closing Hymn (232) The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem
Benediction
Postlude On This Day Earth Shall Ring — Personent Hodie, set by John Carter
About the Worship Leader
Nic Cable is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Religious Studies, as well as Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. Nic received his Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2014. In the few years prior to coming to Unity Church, he lived in Michigan where his wife pursued her law degree. During this time, Nic worked full time for the UUA in Stewardship and Development, and part time with the UU Church of Greater Lansing. Nic feels blessed to learn and grow as a ministerial intern at Unity Church this year and is looking forward to getting to know the community.
About the Worship Associate
Worship Associate, Helen Pohlig, was raised Lutheran and explored several spiritual traditions before finding her home at Unity Church when she moved back to St. Paul seven years ago. She teaches business law seminars around the country and also does legal document review on a part-time basis. Helen lives in south Maplewood and spends much of her spare time doing various kinds of social dancing.
About the Musician
Priscilla Morton (piano) enjoys volunteering as the accompanist for the Unity children’s choir. She also enjoys her new part-time retirement career in counseling and the extra time allowed for hobbies like table tennis (the seniors at the Y are killer players) and modern dance. Priscilla has recently added a small terrier and two capable students to her household — all of whom add joy to her life.

ORDER OF WORSHIP
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs, Co-Minister
Kevin Ward, Worship Associate

Ringing the Bell
Prelude Andante con moto — Alexandre Guilmant
Call to Worship Kevin Ward
Chalice Lighting
*Opening Hymn (295) Sing Out Praises for the Journey
*Unison Affirmation (463)
Silence
When I breathe in, I breathe in peace. When I breathe out, I breathe out love.
Minister’s Prayer Janne Eller-Isaacs
Interlude
Offering
Offering Music Michelangelo’s On Beauty — Kurt Knecht
Readings
Twenty Questions After November 9 — Marg Walker
The Sycamore — Wendell Berry
*Hymn of Affirmation (55) Dark of Winter
Sermon The Bark Heals the Wound
*Closing Hymn (225) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Benediction
Postlude Noel — Claude Balbastre

Kevin Ward has been attending Unity Church since 2010 with his spouse, Jessica Goff, and children, Murray and Olive Goff. Kevin has been an English Language Arts teacher at Avalon School since 2002.

About the Musicians
Unity Choir is the foundation on which our music program is built and is a vital and energetic presence in our community. Its members share various levels of musical experience and a wide variety of activities and interests, all of which are brought together by their love of singing. Ruth Palmer, Director

About the Offering Recipient
Avenues for Homeless Youth is a transitional housing program for twenty youth, ages 16-20. Its North Minneapolis location, staffed 24 hours a day, provides basic shelter needs, meals, intensive case management, health and wellness care, independent living skills, and help with education and employment help. The average stay at Avenues is between 90 and 120 days. Avenues also manages a host family program for homeless, queer-identified youth, the majority of whom are people of color.

This audio begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Angela Wilcox.

ORDER OF WORSHIP
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs, Co-Minister
Angela Wilcox, Worship Associate

Gathering Music
Words of Welcome Rob Eller-Isaacs
Ringing the Bell
Prelude
Something Within — words and music Lucie Eddie Campbell; arr. Robert L. Morris
... Something within me I cannot explain. All that I know there is something within.
Call to Worship Angela Wilcox
Chalice Lighting
*Opening Hymn Earth Moves in a Mysterious Way
Earth moves in a mysterious way, her wonders to unfold
She fashions beauty out of clay, like straw spun into gold
I lose her voice amid the din, and clamor all around
But if I listen to the wind, I hear her sacred sound
And though this human enterprise, is poised ’tween hope and hell,
Earth circles in her endless dance, and whispers “All is well”
Earth moves in a mysterious way, her wonders to unfold
She fashions beauty out of clay, our mother and our home
*Responsive Affirmation (439) We Gather in Reverence
Silence
When I breathe in, I breathe in peace. When I breathe out, I breathe out love.
Embracing Meditation
Minister’s Prayer
Interlude
Offering Music
The Heaven’s Flock (Paulann Petersen) — Eriks Ešenvalds
Stars, you are the heavens’ flock tangling your pale wool across the night sky.
Stars, you’re bits of oily fleece catching on barbs of darkness to swirl in black wind.
You appear, disappear by thousands, scattered wide to graze but never straying.
While I, a mere shepherd of these words, am lost.
What can I do but build a small blaze and feed it with branches the trees let fall:
that twiggy clatter strewn along the ground.
And lichen crusting such dead limbs glows silver, glows white.
The earthfood for a fire so unlike and like your own. Oh, what can I do but build a small blaze.
Readings Sweet Darkness — David Whyte
Leaf Huts and Snow Houses — Olav H. Hauge
Interlude
Reflection Deep Listening
*Hymn of Affirmation
Listen, listen, listen to my heart’s song. (2x)
I will never forget you. I will never forsake you. (2x)
Sermon Love Begins With Listening
*Closing Hymn (226) People, Look East
Benediction
Postlude Allegretto — Daquin

About the Worship Associate
Angela Wilcox was pulled to Unity Church ten years ago by her children, after they attended one day of religious education and declared that this was “for sure” their church. They were right. Those two children, Lucy and Nelson, have now launched themselves to Los Angeles and Scotland, and Angela is focusing more of her energy on issues of equity in education and cultivating a healthy sense of curiosity of what’s next. She lives in St. Paul and is grateful that we no longer have to pay large sums of money to make long distance phone calls.

About the Musicians
Unity Singers is Unity Church’s auditioned, a cappella, chamber choir. Each singer’s involvement is built on a passion for singing and willingness to work towards an ensemble of excellence capable of sharing varied musical genres with the community. All singers volunteer their talents to offer the musical gift of this ensemble and are deeply involved in the life of this church community. Ruth Palmer, Director 

About the Music
Luci Eddie Campbell (1885-1963) stands fourth in the line as one of the creators of Gospel Music. She is the first woman composer of Gospel music in the Black American Tradition. Her Gospel ballads, coupled then-current everyday language with archaic words to provide an impressive and emotional look into the singer’s mind and soul. She preferred the songs to be performed using both Gospel and European singing traditions. A good number of her existing songs have made their way into music books of almost every denomination that sings hymns.
Robert L. Morris is a highly respected choral conductor and teacher. Locally he taught at Macalester College and Concordia University. He is founder and artistic director of the Leigh Morris Chorale.

Begins with a reflection from Worship Associate Sherry Essen.

There is a challenging passage in the Gospel of Matthew (2:16-18) to which we return, year after year. We ask what scared King Herod so much that he unleashed such violence upon the world. What strength within us is tough enough to resist him?

Every great religious tradition kindles new light in the midst of the darkness.

This question is legitimately asked by people new to Unitarian Universalism. Though our religious taproot is the Judeo-Christian heritage, our religious perspective and inspiration is not confined there. At the same time, we do not throw away the powerful stories or images that exist in the Christian narrative. This Sunday we will celebrate the ancient invitation to rebirth and renewal. This podcast includes the Story for All Ages delivered by Kerri Meyer.

Is our relationship with Jesus beyond repair? We say we follow Jesus but we do not worship him. What exactly might that mean? As we once again await his birth, we will reconsider our relationship to Jesus.