Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

 Centering Thought
“It takes courage ... to endure the sharp pains of self discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.”  -  Marianne Willamson

Ingathering Music

Welcome and Announcements:  Ken Langer, Intern Minister

Prelude:  “A tempo ordinario e staccato” and “Allegro” from Organ Concerto in B-flat, HWV 290 - Handel arr. Grills

Chalice Lighting:  Colleen Leary

Call to Worship:  Rev. Ellen Rowse Spero

Hymn #1028 in Singing the Journey:  “The Fire of Commitment”

For All Ages: Dolores Heredia-wood, Lifespan Faith Formation Director

As our Sunday morning faith formation participants leave for the chapel, we invite the congregation to join in singing...

This little light of mine, I am going to let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine
Everywhere I go ...
Building up a world ...

First Parish Covenant
We, the members of First Parish of Chelmsford, covenant together to sustain and strengthen our beloved community by:
Honoring and celebrating the Spirit of Life
Nurturing all souls in our search for truth and the sacred
Caring and being present to one another in our joys and sorrows
Bearing witness through service to justice and peace
And being good stewards of our congregation, our heritage, our Unitarian Universalist principles and our Earth

Nosotros, los miembros de la Primera Parroquia de Chelmsford, convenimos juntos a sostener y fortalecer nuestra amada comunidad en:
Honrando y celebrando el Espíritu de la Vida
Nutriendo toda almas en búsqueda de la verdad y lo sagrado
Cuidar y estar presentes al uno y otro en nuestras alegrías y tristezas
Dar testimonio mediante servicio a la justicia y paz.
Y ser buenos cuidadores de nuestra congregación, nuestra herencia, nuestros Principios Unitarios Universalistas y la Tierra.

Offertory:  Improvisation

Readings:
Wisdom Story: “Tikkun Olam” by Rabbi Itzhak Luria (16th century)
Modern Reading: “Returning to Ourselves” Debbie Friedman in Yom Kippur Readings, Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, ed.

Anthem: “Non Nobis, Domine” - Victor C. Johnson

Sermon: The Path of Courage: “Teshuvah: Turning Toward Brokenness”  -  Rev. Ellen Rowse Spero

Hymn #120 in Singing the Living Tradition:  “Turn Back”

Joys and Sorrows
If you have a joy or sorrow to share, you may email it to the worship leader at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 9:30 am Sunday morning or if you are attending in the building, you may write it in the Joys and Sorrows book at the back of the sanctuary before the service or during the offertory.

A Time for Meditation and Prayer

Congregational Response #123 in Singing the Living Tradition:  “Spirit of Life”  -  w/m Carolyn McDade

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.

Benediction

Postlude: “Presto ma non troppo” from Sonata in D major, Hob.XVI:37 - Haydn

Flowers:
Greeter: Caroline Snow
Ushers: Nancy Kaelin
Worship Tech: Neil Harmon
Online Chat Host: Eliot Mayer
Online Social Hour: Eliot Mayer
Vestry Social Hour:

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

Intergenerational service, led by Ken Langer and Dolores Heredia-Wood

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

Worship Leader: Rev. Ellen

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

Worship Leader: Rev. Ellen

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

Worship Leader: Rev. Ellen (and hopefully the return of the Halloween Parade!)