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In
the freedom of Truth, and in the spirit of Love, we unite for the
worship of God, and the service of Humanity.
I. Enter into the Spirit
of Worship Feel free to light a candle. Feel free to play soft
music in the background.
Recite a Prayer, or recite
your own:
* Giver of Life, God
above all names, I seek your fellowship and spirit. May my mind be
open to new knowledge, and may my heart be open to new wisdom. May
the light of Truth always guide me. And may I always do what is
good for the sake of others. Amen.
* God, I am only human,
but I ask for divine guidance. I am only human, but I ask for
divine goodness. I am only human, but I ask for divine justice. I
am only human, but I ask for divine strength. Amen.
* Great nameless Spirit,
divine principle behind and within all natural and moral law, I
ask for your continued presence and guidance. Amen.
II. Be Mindful of Your
Faith Feel free to recite this to yourself, or together with
others among you.
As a member of the American
Unitarian faith community, I affirm: that God is known in many ways;
that God gives us Reason and Free Will; that humility, tolerance, and
freedom of conscience are central to any religious experience; that,
as a Unitarian, reason in religion, tolerance, and the unity of God is
of importance; that Revelation is on-going; that works of mercy and
compassion should be part of any religious experience.
III. Learn from Humanity's
Wisdom
Choose, read and/or recite
from any of the following excerpts (recommended 2 per worship
period/week), or find your own. They're not in any order.
* Remember your Creator
while you are still young, before those dismal days and years come
when you will say, "I don't enjoy life." ...Our bodies
will return to the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will
go back to God, who gave it to us. - Ecclesiastes 12:1 & 7
* Be on your guard
against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the
outside, but on the inside they are really like wolves. You will
know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and
briers do not bear figs. A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a
poor tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit,
and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. And any tree that does not
bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. So then, you
will know the false prophets by what they do. - Matthew 7:15-20
* I rejoice to have been
born in this age. I still hope for the human race. ...human nature
was made for growth... Danger we cannot avoid. It is a grand
element of human life. It is a privilege to have lived in an age
so stirring, so pregnant, so eventful. It is an age never to be
forgotten. Its impression in history is indelible. - William E.
Channing, "The Present Age"
* Say: He, God, is One.
God is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten.
And none is like Him. - Koran, 112:1-4
* Like Jonah and the
Psalmist, American Unitarians find God at the edge. Through our
Faith, Freedom and Reason, we unite with the universal message of
God’s redemption and forgiveness for all persons, not just those
persons within limited defined boundaries. - Gary Elkins,
"Finding God at the Edge"
* A blessing in the
world: reverence to your mother. A blessing: reverence to your
father as well. A blessing in the world: reverence to a
contemplative. A blessing: reverence for a brahmin, too. A
blessing into old age is virtue. A blessing: conviction
established. A blessing: discernment attained. The non-doing of
evil things is a blessing. - Dhammapada, 23, translated by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
* I affirm, and would
maintain, that true religion consists in proposing, as our great
end, a growing likeness to the Supreme Being. Its noblest
influence consists in making us more and more partakers of the
Divinity. For this it is to be preached. Religious instruction
should aim chiefly to turn men's aspirations and efforts to that
perfection of the soul, which constitutes it a bright image of
God. - William E. Channing, "Likeness to God"
* We urge you, our
friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be
patient with everyone. See that no one pays back wrong for wrong,
but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to
all people. Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in
all circumstances. This is what God wants from you. Do not
restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages. Put
all things to the test, keep what is good and avoid every kind of
evil. - 1 Thes 5:14-22
IV. Reflect on Your
Spiritual Journey Take a few moments to silently pray or meditate.
Remember those who love you and whom you love. Feel free to write in a
journal.
V. Exit out of the Spirit
of Worship If you lit a candle, blow it out reverently.
Recite a Prayer, or recite
your own:
Thank you, God, for all Life
brings, for health and play and all good things. And help me use my
heart and mind to make me strong and keep me kind. Amen.
Kindly offered by D. J. Dulin.
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