We are committed to being an antiracist, anti-oppressive congregation. We celebrate people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. We honor our spiritual connection to the earth and all living things. 

Before the service: You may place a stone in water for the joys and sorrows in your heart. Please respect those seeking silence.

Announcements

Opening Greeting
Susan Marcinkus, Worship Associate

Lighting the Chalice
by Cynthia Landrum
Susan Marcinkus

We light this chalice, the beacon that calls us:
To love
To justice
To a deepening of the spirit.

Welcoming Words

Come, come, whoever you are, 
Whomever you love, 
Whatever your image of the Holy, 
Your presence here is a gift. 
All are worthy, all are welcome.

Opening Hymn
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”

Wisdom Story
I Am the Spirit of Justice, by Jemar Tisby, with Malcolm Newsome, illustrated by Nadia Fisher
Robin Jester Wootton, Director of Religious Education

New Member Recognition

Meditation & Prayer
Rev. Jude Geiger, Minister

Words, Song, Silence
“We Shall Be Known”

Music for Candle Lighting
“In Summer Fields: I. Beside a Quiet Lake & II. Sunset,” by Florence Price
Heidi Souza, piano

Sharing Our Gifts
Online Giving
Text-to-Give: 757-500-0688

In-Person Giving: Place offerings in the collection plates as they’re passed during the service. Please note that any checks placed in the collection plates or mailed to WUU should have the designated fund specified on the memo line. 

Once a month we Share the Plate with a local or nonprofit human service organization that provides a much-needed service to our community. It offers us an opportunity to extend our compassion to others in need. This week, your contributions will support the Summer Meals for Kids program. A consortium of congregations with sponsorship from Meals on Wheels will be making lunches for children living in low income neighborhoods and motels. WUU and our partner St. Martin’s Episcopal will be making sandwiches and packing lunches every Friday during the summer for approximately 300 children that would be receiving free lunches at school. Many of you have participated in this simple act of kindness in past years. This is a wonderful social justice project for families with children 8 years and older, and adults appreciate the time to catch up with friends while you’re assembling sandwiches and packing fruit, juice, and cookies into lunch bags. Congregations provide the bulk of the funding--please give as generously as you can this Sunday. We are also asking for volunteers through August 14; see the Spiral for details.

Offertory Music
SLT #210 “Wade in the Water”
John Keating, guitar & vocals

Sermon
“Juneteenth Observed”
Rev. Jude Geiger

Closing Hymn
SLT #211 “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder”

Extinguishing the Chalice
by D. Scott Cooper
Susan Marcinkus

The world aches for us to join together and bring about healing, toil for justice, and produce ever-increasing love. This is our calling. Go forth and act accordingly.

Closing Words/Benediction
Rev. Jude Geiger

Recess

Postlude
“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” by Bob Dylan
John Keating, guitar & vocals

SLT=Gray Hymnal | STJ=Teal Hymnal

New to WUU? Welcome! Learn more about WUU and Unitarian Universalism by visiting wuu.org/visit-us.