Sunday Service 03/23/2025

​Countering Despair with Joy

Countering Despair with Joy​
with Special Guest The Reverend
​DL Helfer & Elaine Edmiston

March 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM PT
​​
Come worship with the UUs!

See Order of Service below or HERE

About the Service
​In tumultuous times, our reptilian brains blink brightly, reminding us of all this is wrong. ​

But joy counters that, enlivens us, and reminds us what we’re fighting for. How do we get more joy in ourselves and our communities, so survive and thrive together?

About The Reverend DL Helfer
The Rev. DL Helfer is non-binary, and in general avoids boxes which traps them into “this” or “that.” Instead, they search for possibility, for deeper truths, and share those glimmers of possibility with others. Rev. DL is also a licensed social worker, presently working for a community health agency.. Rev. DL hails from Southern California but now calls Providence, RI home. They share that home with their beloved partner and two overzealous cats.

You are welcome to join us in-person at our physical location:

3616 East Lake Mead Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89115

​If you are unable to join us live because of concerns for your health or other reasons, please join us online at Zoom.

You can join us at Zoom here: ​https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84823621393 
The password is chalice.
​
The Zoom room opens at 10:25 AM.
​Worship begins at 10:30 AM

​Click here to submit your announcement

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Order of Service
Countering Despair with Joy​
March 23, 2025

Prelude: “Song Without Words” by Felix Mendelssohn with Maggie Mooha on piano (She/Her)
Welcome Words with Elaine Edmiston

Greeting & Ringing the Bell with Elaine Edmiston

Land Acknowledgment/Appreciation with Elaine Edmiston

Chalice Lighting with Elaine Edmiston
“All that we have ever loved, And all that we have ever been
Stands with us on the brink, Of all that we aspire to create:
A deeper peace, A larger love,
A more embracing hope, A deeper joy in this life we share.”
    By Rev. Leslie Takahashi

Opening Words/Invocation with The Reverend DL Helfer
“Inviting Spaciousness,” Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer 

Opening Song: #146, “Soon the Day Will Arrive” with Maggie Mooha on piano

Story for All Ages with The Reverend DL Helfer

Ritual with Elaine Edmiston
Congregational Response: “May we hold all that was spoken and all that is kept in the silence of our hearts in love and compassion.”
Music: ”To My Bea” by Giovanni Marradi with Maggie Mooha on piano

Guided Meditation with The Reverend DL Helfer


Middle Song: #1051, “We Are” with Maggie Mooha on piano

Gratitudes with Elaine Edmiston
Congregational Response: “Beloved community, we are grateful for all that you are and all that you do.”
Music: Meditation #3 by Clif Hardin with Maggie Mooha on piano


Stewardship Talk with Viviana Torres

Sermon with The Reverend DL Helfer
    Countering Despair with Joy

Closing Song: #131, ”Love Will Guide Us” with Maggie Mooha on piano 

Call to Action with Elaine Edmiston

Benediction with The Reverend DL Helfer
“We Hold Hope Close,” by Rev. Julian Jamaica Soto

Chalice Extinguishing with Elaine Edmiston
Congregational Response: “We release that which was called with love and gratitude, and we extinguish the flame, but not our commitment to being a beacon in the desert. This burns brightly until we gather again.”

Announcements with Elaine Edmiston

Postlude: “Prelude in A Major” by Frederic Chopin with Maggie Mooha on piano