THE UNITARIAN CHURCH IN FALL RIVER
A Member of the Unitarian Universalist Association
309 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720
508-678-9700 ### www.unitarianchurchfr.org
We welcome all visitors, friends old and new, to the Unitarian Church in Fall River. We do not have a doctrine to which all adhere, nor is it finite. We can and should be learning, changing, and exploring. Life teaches, or presents us, with opportunities and challenges to which we must respond. We need to develop inner strength or personal philosophies to help us live these moments to the fullest of our capabilities. Through a sense of spirit or a spiritual life, we can expand and enhance our time of being. One way to do this is to learn from the wisdom of those who have gone before us – the resources of the ages. Another way is to share our experiences and revelations with our fellow seekers.
Please remember that your help in keeping current with your pledge or any donations is more than appreciated. Thanks for your help. . It will certainly help us to continue with our mission. And, sign up for one of our volunteer activities, to help with the upkeep on our Church home.
Our Service On Sunday Morning Starts at 10:30 AM
- The front entrance is the only door to be accessible, leading directly into the sanctuary; the community room will be off limits
- Everyone will be requested to wear a mask and socially distance
- No food or coffee will be provided, however individuals may bring their own coffee or beverage
- Social hour will be in the sanctuary
The Unitarian Church in Fall River
September 19, 2021
Rev Richard M Fewkes
Today’s Guest Minister:
Welcome to Rev. Richard M. Fewkes . Dick Fewkes has served three churches in the Ballou Channing District: (1) First UU Society in Middleboro (1964-69), (2) is the Minister Emeritus of the First Parish in Norwell, Mass. where he served from 1969 to 2000, and (3) as Interim Minister at the First Parish UU Church, Bridgewater, 2000 – 2002. He resides with his partner Connie Johnson in Sagamore Beach, has a summer home on Cape Cod in West Dennis, is a grandfather to eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and is a member of the UU Meeting House in Chatham, MA.
The Unitarian Church in Fall River
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Thought For Contemplation:
Conscience is still God-with-us; a Prayer is deep as ever of old; Reason as true; religion as blest. Faith still remains the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Love is yet mighty to cast out fear. The soul still searches the deeps of God; the pure in heart see God. The substance of the Infinite is not yet exhausted, nor the well of Life drunk dry. (Theodore Parker)
Prelude
Words of Welcome and Lighting of Chalice
*Opening Hymn “ Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire” #281
*Affirming Our Covenant #471
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Responsive Reading : “To Love Truth” – John M. Kolbjornsen
To love truth even when it is harsh and painful; to recognize truth in the midst of many falsehoods;
To discriminate between opinion and knowledge;
To revere all goodness whatever its setting; to be able to see beauty, even though there is much that is ugly.
To allow nature’s pageantry of rain and flower, of cloud and sunshine to weave their spell upon us;
To keep the imagination of a child amid the experience of maturity;
To be citizens of the world, and feel our kinship to all that is;
To be patient in the face of mysteries beyond our human ken; to seek understanding of ourselves and others;
To drink deeply from every cup life offers; to know good and evil, and prefer the good;
To hear the discord that is a part of life, and not be afraid of it; to take that discord and create order out of it;
To have the wisdom to love and not succumb to the death that is hatred;
To prove all things, and hold fast to that which is beautiful and true;
To enjoy, and in our joy to serve: to do these things is to worship and to know God.
Meditation and Prayer
Offertory & Response “Spirit of Life” #123
Reading “The Depth of Existence” – Paull Tillich
Sermon “A RELIGION OF DEPTH”
Rev. Richard M. Fewkes, Minister Emeritus
First Parish of Norwell, Mass.
*Closing Hymn “Mysterious Presence, Source of All” #92
Closing words and Choral Amen
Postlude
We will attempt to simulcast our service via Zoom. For those participating by Zoom, the experience will be different than previously. The hymns and other material will not be on the screen, and those present in the sanctuary will not be able to see or hear you. If you have an Announcement or a Joy or Concern to share, you should communicate it in advance to someone who will be physically present.