The Angels Sing Glory
Songs along the arc of justice
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 10:25 am
Online on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/738363620
Passcode: BUF
Zoom by phone, for audio only: (346) 248-7799
Meeting ID: 738 363 620
Passcode: 306220
Gathering Music A CELEBRATION OF CAROLS, arr. Faber
ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY, arr. Keveren
Welcome
Choir THE GLORY OF THE FATHER, by Egil Hovland
Chalice Lighting THE BIRTH OF JESUS AND THE CHOIR OF ANGELS
Luke 2: 1-14, King James version
Covenant
Love is the spirit of this fellowship, and service gives it life.
Celebrating our diversity, and joined by a quest for truth,
We work for peace, and honor all creation.
This is our covenant.
All Sing HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
(lyrics below, one verse)
Choir THERE IS NO ROSE (from “Ceremony of Carols”)
by Benjamin Britten
All Sing ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
(Hymn #231, two verses)
Children’s Focus A VERY NOISY CHRISTMAS, by Tim Thornborough
read by Lizz Roberts
All Sing THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
(Hymn #118, three verses)
Message 1 Joel Gabriel Johnson
All Sing IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
(Hymn #244, four verses)
Message 2 Walt Ellis
All Sing GLORY GLORY, Traditional
(lyrics below, five verses)
Choir SHOUT GLORY! by Byron Smith
solos: Lizz Roberts, Matt Novak, Noah Dougen, Annie Sorich
HARK! I HEAR THE HARPS ETERNAL, Southern Hymn, arr. Parker
solos: Ahwren Ayers, Jessica Cartwright,
Jane Ronca-Washburn, Kjerstie Nelson
GLORY (from “Selma”), by Common and Legend
arr. Rogers
solos: Joel Gabriel Johnson, Walt Ellis
Collection Restorative CommUnity Coalition
speaker: Debbie David, RCC President
Offertory ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH, arr. Keveren
All Sing GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
(Hymn #239, three verses)
Benediction
All Sing #155, Circle ‘Round
Circle ‘round for freedom, circle ‘round for peace.
For all of us imprisoned, circle for release.
Circle for the planet, circle for each soul.
For the children of our children, keep the circle whole.
Selected Lyrics
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim “Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the new-born king”
GLORY, GLORY
- Glory, glory hallelujah! since I laid my burden down (2x)
- Feel like shouting hallelujah! . . .
- Life is sweeter, so much sweeter . . .
- Feel like dancing hallelujah! . . .
- Love is shining all around me . . .
Personnel
Minister Rev Paul Beckel
Celebrants & Soloists Joel Gabriel Johnson, Walt Ellis
Music Director Kevin Allen-Schmid
Keyboard Artists Melanie Rieck and Kevin Allen-Schmid
Rhythm Section Drums: Aspen Bentrim, Bass: Gage Brown
Hymn Leaders Lawrence Allen, Karen FitzGerald, Elie Friedlob,
Barbara Gilday, Carrie Koehnline, Don Loft
Tech Crew Jeff Copland, Quinn Williams, Albert Snow,
Mark Allyn, Rory McLeod, Jim Reimer
Choir Members
Chalice Choir, Phoenix Ensemble and Phoenix Ensemble Plus
Lawrence Allen, Mark Allyn, Ahwren Ayers, Claire Bowden, Robin Brown, Jessica Cartwright, Patricia Conover, Jayme Curley, Noah Dougen, Walt Ellis, Gabe Epperson, Karen FitzGerald, Mimi Freshley, Alan Friedlob, Elie Friedlob, Barbara Gilday, Ruth Ann Hanlin, Lisa Heezen, Wendy Howard, Joyce Jimerson, Joel Gabriel Johnson, Carrie Koehnline, Steve Lamm, Don Loft, Kjerstie Nelson, Tom Nicholas, Matt Novak, Carl Nyblade, Grace Nyblade, Pete Olson, Cindy Pfeiffer-Hoyt, Khoré Phoenix, Becky Pillai, Jim Reimer, Don Reinke, Melanie Rieck, Lizz Roberts, Jane Ronca-Washburn, Carol Smith, Annie Sorich, Nancy Steele, Ann Stevenson, Barbara ten Hove, Jaco ten Hove, Allegra Zifflle
Afterward
If you’re with us on Zoom today, please stay after the service for our online coffee hour. If you’re here in person, please join us downstairs for coffee and conversation. Visitors: you may wish to use a red cup — then we’ll know you’re open to a bit of orientation.
If you’re new, we’d be grateful to have you provide us with contact information so we can let you know what’s happening here. There are buff-colored visitor contact cards in the pew racks, and in the entryway, that you can drop in the collection basket. Or provide your contact information HERE.
Contributions payable to “BUF” may be sent to:
1207 Ellsworth Street, Bellingham 98225
For info about donating online (credit card or PayPal), by automatic bank transfer, or via phone apps, see the “give” button in the upper right-hand corner at buf.org or contact the office: (360) 733-3837 / admin@buf.org
Announcements
Upcoming Sundays
December 17 Solstice – Rev Paul Beckel
December 24 Revs Barbara ten Hove and Paul Beckel
This is a traditional service with candlelight and carols
No religious education or childcare will be provided
Our Christmas Eve service takes place at 7 PM
Please note that we will not meet on the morning of Sunday Dec 24
December 31 Wholeness in Divisive Times
Music, art, poetry, and short reflections by BUF members and friends.
If you would like to share (3-5 minutes), send an email to Su Livingston (sulivingston@gmail.com) with a description of what you’d like to contribute. Please help us welcome the new year by contributing your gifts to this service.
Quotes about the “Arc of Justice”
Theodore Parker (1810-1860), Unitarian Theologian
“I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends toward justice.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), paraphrasing Theodore Parker
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
Cover art
2012 painting by Susan Supola, a member of the Crown of the Continent Choir in Kalispell, Montana; depicting Kevin Allen-Schmid, their founding director, Marlene Anderson, their on-fire accompanist, and a multitude of the heavenly host.