Feb. 4, 2024- ’Tis a Gift to be Present

In a world too often transactional, we’ll explore the transformative power of a gift economy, where joy is the currency we trade and presence is our shared and most precious commodity. When we choose joy, our lifted spirits are just the first palpable sine of a wave that ripples outward in a wash of positive change throughout our whole community and far beyond.

Together, we’ll delve into the sacredness of intentionality in worship, the heartbeats that synchronize when shared narratives bind us, and the art of presence that turns a gathering into a congregation. This service is an invitation to experience the profound joy that arises when we offer our talents, time, and love as gifts to one another—gifts that nurture our communal well-being and empower us to co-create a church that transcends the ordinary. Come, be part of this joyous communion, and let us journey towards a more empathetic and collaborative world, one heartbeat at a time.

Opening Hymn- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee- Aimee K. Bryant (:33)

Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Arif Mamdani (5:11)

Time for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (12:59)

Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us (23:48)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Nanette Stearns (25:49)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (34:41)

Offertory- 'Tis a Gift to be Simple- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (44:22)

Reading from Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer- Nanette Stearns (48:03)

Anthem- His Eye Is On the Sparrow by Civilla Durfee Martin- Aimee. K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (52:59)

Message- Tis a Gift to be Present- Rev. Ashley Harness (56:19)

Hymn- Make Channels for the Streams of Love (1:15:19)

Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (1:16:56)