Spirit of Life, come unto me
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice
Roots hold me close, wings set me free
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

Explanatory note: This service is not a pagan ritual, but we wanted to include at least a couple pagan traditions in the service. We were happy to find a very mainstream noe-pagan invocation to the directions in our hymnal. I will ask you to stand, if willing and able, and turn your hymnal to number 446.

We have set up altars in each of the directions, and since the invocation begins with East, I will ask you to turn around and face the east, which is at the back of the sanctuary. After east is read, we’ll turn clockwise to the south, and continue around all four directions. Let us begin…

Invocation #446 (by Joan Goodwin)

Spirit of the East, spirit of air,
of morning and springtime:
Be with us as the sun rises,
in times of beginning,
times of planting.
Inspire us with the fresh breath of courage
as we go forth into new adventures.

Spirit of the South, spirit of fire
of noontime and summer:
Be with us through the heat of the day
and help us to be ever growing.
Warm us with strength
and energy for the work that awaits us.

Spirit of the West, spirit of water,
of evening and autumn:
Be with us as the sun sets
and help us to enjoy a rich harvest.
Flow through us with a cooling,
healing quietness and bring us peace.

Spirit of the North, spirit of earth,
of nighttime and winter:
Be with us in the darkness,
in the time of gestation.
Ground us in the wisdom of the changing seasons
as we celebrate the spiraling journey of our lives.

Opening Hymn “Our World is One World” #134

Our world is one world:
what touches one affects us all:
the seas that wash us round about,
the clouds that cover us,
the rain that falls.

Our world is one world:
The thoughts we think affecct us all:
the way we build our attitudes
with love or hate we make
a bridge or wall.

Our world is one world:
its ways of wealth affect us all:
the way we spend, the way we share,
who are the rich or poor,
who stand or fall?

Our world is one world,
just like a ship that bears us all:
where fear and greed make many holes,
but where our hears can hear
a different call.

Moment with Young People

A reading of All I See Is Part of Me (Amazon.com link)

A Sharing of Joys and Sorrow

Meditation

A Time of Silence

Musical Response “Song to the Secret Name of the Star Goddess” T. Thorn Coyle

Here is a link to a snippet of this song. This is not the Concord UU choir, but is taken from T. Thorn Coyle's CD "Give Us a Kiss."

Responsive Reading #445

The Womb of Stars - by Joy Atkinson

The womb of stars embraces us;
remnants of their fiery furnaces pulse through our veins.

We are of the stars,
the dust of the explosions cast across space.

We are of the earth :
we breathe and live in the breath of ancient plants and beasts.

Their cells nourish the soil;
we build our communities on their harvest of gifts.

Our fingers trace the curves
carved in clay and stone by forebears unknown to us.

We are a part of the great circle of humanity
gathered around the fire, the hearth, the altar.

We gather anew this day
to celebrate our common heritage.

May we recall in gratitude all that has given us birth.

Sermon Connected and Interconnected

Offertory “Turn the World Around”

Closing Hymn We Celebrate the Web of Life #175

Closing Words and Benediction

As we began the service by addressing and welcoming the directions and elements, we will end the service by acknowledging and thanking them. We will start in the north, and move counterclockwise around the circle until we reach the center.

Spirit of the north, of earth and wisdom, thank you for your presence at this gathering, and at all times in our lives. Blessed be.

Spirit of the west, of water and emotion, thank you for your presence at this gathering, and at all times in our lives. Blessed be.

Spirit of the south, of fire and the energy of action, thank you for your presence at this gathering, and at all times in our lives. Blessed be.

Spirit of the east, of air and inspiration, thank you for your presence at this gathering, and at all times in our lives. Blessed be.

(Now, if you will turn and face the center)

Mother Goddess, Father God, spirit of all, in all, we thank you for your presence at this gathering, and at all times in our lives. Blessed be.

The closing words are from Robert Mabry Doss

For all who see God, may God go with you.
For all who embrace life, may life return your affection.
For all who seek a right path, may a way be found…
And the courage to take it, step by step.
Blessed be, and go in peace.

Postlude

Unison Benediction (Sung with hands held)

From you I recieve, from you I give,
Together we share, and from this we live.

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