"Hope as a Spiritual verb"

This week we are sharing the plate with Interfaith Works, a 50-year-old charitable organization that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, essential needs and employment programs to over 35,000 Montgomery County residents each year. Although the County generally is thought of as affluent, more than 72,000 residents live at or below the federal poverty line.

The foundational principles of Interfaith Works – compassion, respect, social justice, inclusion and empowerment – are fully consistent with our own congregational principles, and many UUCR members regularly contribute their time and talents to Interfaith Works. The organization runs four year-round emergency shelters providing meals, case management and supportive resources such as vocational training, mental health and medical care and legal referrals. Interfaith Works also manages the Drop-In Center at Progress Place, a unique facility that offers laundry, showers, case management, a computer lab, therapeutic and recreational group activities and a safe space during the day.

Interfaith Works’ vocational services program provides counseling in four languages, working one-on-one with over 200 clients annually and helping them secure and retain employment. Its essential needs services include a clothing bank and a food pantry managed in coordination with the Capital Area Food Bank. The organization’s programmatic goal of empowerment rather than permanent dependency has resulted in contracts with Montgomery County and other government agencies, foundations and corporate community service projects.

Significantly, Interfaith Works also runs Montgomery County’s only two year-round, low barrier, emergency shelters for women. Each May, UUCR volunteers prepare home-cooked meals to help support the Crabbs Branch Shelter and the dozens of temporary residents who rely on its services. As you are willing and able, please join this week in supporting Interfaith Works.

Online giving options include: Realm or Paypal, at https://uucr.org/give;

Or you may mail a check to UUCR at 100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville MD, 20850

OFFERTORY ANTHEM “The Thankful Song” by Amy Heath

HOMILETTE & MITTEN TREE RITUAL - Rev. Dr. Rebekah A. Savage and Rev. Mykal O. Slack, Asst. Minister for Lifelong Faith Formation

CLOSING HYMN #1050 “Jazz Alleluia” - Congregation and Justin Furnia, Piano

BENEDICTION & CHALICE EXTINGUISHING - Rev. Dr. Rebekah A. Savage and Rev. Mykal O. Slack

POSTLUDE “Ad Astra” by Jacob Narverud - Wildberry Jam

Thank you to our members and congregants who make this service possible!

Worship Steward: Mary Drake

A/V Tech: Mike Holmes (Audio) and Ody Leonard (Video)

Ushers / Greeters: Sharon Fitzpatrick, José Clemente, Claire McDonald, Norma Noreikis, See Lam

Hospitality: Dave Fitzpatrick, Sue Hedges, and Chris Hager

Lyrics

#1000 Morning Has Home

Morning has come, arise and greet the day!

Dance with joy and sing a song of gladness!

The light of hope here shines upon each face.

May it bring faith to guide our journey home.

A new day dawns, once more the gift is giv’n.

Wonder fills this moment shared together.

The light of peace here shines upon each face.

May it bring faith to guide our journey home.

Open our eyes to see that life abouds;

open hearts to welcome it among us

The light of love here shines upon each face.

May it bring faith to guide our journey home.

“Here Together" by David M. Glasgow

We are here, here together,

in this holy moment,

and we’re grateful for

the winding road

that brought us to this place.

“Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

This is my winter song to you

The storm is coming soon

It rolls in from the sea

My voice, a beacon in the night

My words will be your light

To carry you to me

Is love alive?

They say that things just cannot grow

Beneath the winter snow

Or so I have been told

They say we're buried far

Just like a distant star

I simply cannot hold

Is love alive?

This is my winter song

December never felt so wrong

'Cause you're not where you belong

Inside my arms

I still believe in summer days

The seasons always change

And life will find a way

I'll be your harvester of light

And send it out tonight

So we can start again

Is love alive?

This is my winter song

December never felt so wrong

'Cause you're not where you belong

“The Thankful Song” by Amy Heath

There is so much I am grateful for

Every winding road

Every slamming door

Showed me that I am capable of so much more

Than what I thought, I was before.

And if life had a crystal ball

To see the future predict it all

There wouldn’t be a single revision

I don’t regret a single decision

Cause they all brought me here to this place

And this community

Means so much to me

You hold me when, I am struggling

It’s so hard to say, but easier to sing

I’m thankful for the safe space you bring

When the world outside

feels unfamiliar and strange

And I’m reeling from

the continuous change

You showed me I’m capable of making it through

With your consistency

and fresh point of view

And if life had a crystal ball

To see the future predict it all

I’d turn it down with no hesitation

Uncertainty is a chance for new creation

Oh and it all leads me back here to this place

And this community

Means so much to me

You hold me when, I am struggling

It’s so hard to say, but easier to sing

I’m thankful for the safe space you bring

Sometimes this world feels like it’s ending

I have to say I’m fine, but I’m just pretending

But here I can be

The authentic me

There’s not pretense I’m myself

Without offending

Sometimes this world feels like it’s ending

I have to say I’m fine, but I’m just pretending

But here I can be

The authentic me

There’s not pretense I’m myself

Without offending

And this community

Means so much to me

You hold me when, I am struggling

It’s so hard to say, but easier to sing

I’m thankful for the safe space you bring x3

“A La Nanita Nana” by Greg Gilpin

A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella

Mi Jesus tiene sueno, bendito sea, bendito sea

A la nanita nana, nanita ella, nanita ella

Mi Jesus tiene sueno, bendito sea, bendito sea

Fuentecilla que corres clara y sonora

Rui senor en la selva cantando lloras

Callad mientras la cuna se ballancea

A la nanita nana, nanita ella

Lullay, thou little tiny child

Bye, bye, lully, lullay

Lullay, thou little tiny child

Bye, bye, lully, lullay

Lullay, thou little tiny child

Bye, bye, lully, lullay

Lullay, thou little tiny child

Bye, bye, lully, lullay

A la nanita nana

Lully, lullay, lullay.

“Jazz Bell Carol” by John Purifoy

Hark! Hear the sound, voices singing around

Gladly calling us here, friends from both far and near

Snowflakes are falling, children are calling

Come, here the sound of Christmas again

Merry are the days of happy singing

Caroling while hearing sleighbells ringing!

Hark! Hear the sound, voices around,

Calling us here, both far and near

Come hear them sing!

Bells ring-a-ling!

Ding, dong, ring!

This time of year, yuletide blessings and cheer

To each valley and hill, bringing peace and goodwill

Snowflakes are falling, children are calling

Come, here the sound of Christmas again

Merry are the days of happy singing

Caroling while hearing sleighbells ringing!

Hark! Hear the sound, voices around,

Calling us here, both far and near

Come hear them sing!

Bells ring-a-ling!

Ding, dong, ring!

Ringing!

#1050 Jazz Alleluia

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Allelu.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

“Ad Astra” by Jacob Narverud

Ad Astra per aspera (to the stars through difficulties)

Sursum (look upward)

Movere deinceps (move forward)

Sine cura, post omnes (leave all cares behind).

Upcoming Events & Announcements

You’re invited to join us right after service TODAY for our annual Getting Ready for the Holidays (GR4TH) celebration! Enjoy an exciting afternoon full of crafts, live music, and delicious food—including vegetarian and vegan options. Everyone is welcome!
Our next Midweek Vespers is on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:30p, led by Brian Sullivan with music by Amy Heath!
Worship at UUCR are the living waters of spiritual community, which means Everyone! Would you, your partner and/or your family like to come forward to light our chalice? Just let Rev. Rebekah, Rev. Mykal or Chloe Ockey know and we’ll include you in our worship planning. All are welcome!
Advent Services -The UU Christian Fellowship group will be holding half hour Advent services on Zoom at 5:30PM on December 7th and December 14th. All are welcome!
The Book(ish) Group will meet on Friday, December 12th from 6 to 7p in Room 44 and on Zoom. Be sure to RSVP on Realm, where you can also volunteer to bring a small snack to share. For more information, contact Claudinna Rowley and Lexy Chadd.
The UUCR Second Saturday Hiking Group will meet on December 13th at 9 a.m. for a seasonal stroll along Little Bennett Creek. We'll meet again at the Hyattstown Mill, at 14901 Hyattstown Mill Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871. Anyone wishing to carpool please reach out to Adam West, at 240.889.8912. Thanks to all who make these hikes such a gift every month of the congregational year. Best wishes for the holidays.
Would you like to help people make connections at UUCR? We’re in search of one or two folks to coordinate Dinners for 8. There is a mailing list of people who have expressed interest in dining together. Once per month, you send out a letter asking for *hosts* and invitees to respond if they can come. It's on the second Saturday. Once you have hosts and guests, you divide the groups so that each host has about 8 (6 to 12) total people and notify the hosts. The hosts then notify the guests. In addition, you give new folks the chance to sign up and add them to the mailing list. For additional information contact Nita and Spence Hines. We thank them for all of the fun and friendship at Dinners for 8 during their tenure.
Welcome Breakfast with Rev. Rebekah - Sunday, December 14th at 9a in Founders Hall - All Newcomers, Visitors, and New Members to UUCR over the past year or so are invited to attend a Welcome Breakfast with our minister, Rev. Dr. Rebekah A. Savage. If you’ve come to UUCR in that time, please take this opportunity to meet (or re-meet) and be in conversation with Rev. Rebekah! If you’re able to join, please do register to let us know you’re coming so that we can be sure to have enough food to go around! Come, even if you haven’t registered, and even if you’ve attended another breakfast recently...we’d love to have you join us again!
Blue Vespers with Rev. Dr. Rebekah A. Savage. - Dec. 17th at 7:30p. Each year we hold space for when the merriment of the holidays does not honor where everyone is. You may be grieving, mourning, feeling cast adrift. "Blue Vespers" is for you, and all of us, who are carrying all of life within.
Wheel of the Year: Winter Solstice, Yule, and burning the Letters of Forgiveness - Sunday, December 21st at 5:30p. Come join us on this longest night of the year as we await the returning light and the rebirth of the sun. This is also when Rev. Rebekah joins us as she burns the congregation members' letters of forgiveness, releasing past regrets before we start a new year. We will rest in the darkness on the evening of the 21st, kindle the fire to call the sun to return, feeding it with the letters of forgiveness and rejoice in the promise of returning light. You are welcome to bring drums and percussion. Ritual clothing is welcome but not required. Childcare will be available; registration is required for Childcare. Please send questions to woty@uucr.org.
Earth Ceremony with Peter Brooks - Saturday, January 3rd at 5p - Join artist Peter Brooks for a rejuvenating and centering "Earth Ceremony". Stop the world and get off for two peaceful hours of the values of the indigenous peoples - to the planet Earth with gratitude for human pluralism. Join us for a ceremony like none other, one that provides space to experience personal peace in an embodied worship using "paleohumanism" - a humanism rooted in the earliest human experience. By combining the various global indigenous traditions into one, we reach a point where decisions are made with a planetary consciousness to benefit the 7 generations to come.

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