Theme “Love”
Draw near
This is a holy place –
enter by the true and living Way,
draw near with true hearts
to consider one another
and the works of love.
Here to love
We are here to love –
to love each other,
to love our frail, wounded selves,
to love our broken world,
and to love its suffering people.
Let us worship so that
love will flow.
Ours is a caravan
Tune: O Waly Waly
Ours is a caravan of hope
For, travelling through a landscape bare,
We, in our thoughts and dreams, have scope
To find a sweet oasis there.
Ours is a caravan of peace,
For even in the jungle wild,
We’ve space to let our struggles cease
And rest as gentle as a child.
Ours
A Unitarian Gloria
This reading is inspired by the words of the Gloria in the traditional Latin Mass, which is often set to music.
We rejoice in the glory of the universe
We live in the hope of peace on earth
For all people, even those who disagree with our views.
We praise the giver of life
The parent,
In the darkness of grief
In the world’s grief and darkness
we keep a flame burning –
the flame of hope, the flame of truth,
the flame that warms the heart with loving kindness.
Benediction
May the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep our hearts and minds strong and comforted in our restlessness and confusion, and fill us with love.
Amen
Alternative Lords’ Prayer
Spirit of Life and Love, here and everywhere,
May we be aware of your presence in our lives. May our world be blessed. May our daily needs be met, And may our shortcomings be forgiven, As we forgive those of others.
Give us the strength to resist wrong-doing, The inspiration and guidance to do right,
Follow the flame
Remember the flame that guides
The journeys of our lives;
Illuminates each hour and precious day.
Its radiance we need, we’ll follow its lead –
For love will guide us and show us the way.
Remember the reasons why
We’ll never choose to walk by;
But stand for what is right and just and true.