"The Tipping Point"

Presenter
Rev Richard J Trudeau
Date

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 allow 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

Today’s Guest Minister:

The Reverend Richard Trudeau 

Rev. Richard Trudeau was for 17 years the minister of the UU Church of Weymouth, Mass. and for 35 years a teacher of math and the history of astronomy at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. He is the author of two books for UUs: Universalism 101 and Bible Stories for Skeptics.  Now semi-retired, he is a member of the Unitarian Church in Fall River, Mass. He is married to Susan O'Connor, who after many careers is spending her retirement as a genealogist.

The Unitarian Church in Fall River

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Prelude: Nancy Donnelly, pianist

Welcome & Lighting of the Chalice

Hymn: #347 “Gather the Spirit"

Affirmation:  Love is the doctrine of this church, the quest of truth is its sacrament, and service is its prayer. To dwell together in peace,  to seek knowledge in freedom, to serve human need,  to the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the Divine— thus to we covenant with each other and with God.

Announcements

Invocation

Prayer or Meditation

Hymn (please remain seated) #123: “Spirit of Life”

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.

Reading: from “Broken Windows” by James Q. Wilson & George L. Kelling

Musical Selection

Sermon: The Tipping Point” -- Social phenomena often have a “tipping point,” at which a small effort can have a big effect. This is why small efforts to make the world better are important, even when they appear to have no effect at all.

Offertory

Sharing of Joys & Concerns

Hymn: #121 “We’ll Build a Land"

Closing Words: from Theodore Parker

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. The Zoom link is 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82879461348 and the passcode is FallRiver (no space).

To join by phone, call    1 646 876 9923. The meeting ID is  828 7946 1348  and the passcode is 556537114