Love Unbound: A Service of Remembrance
December 12 | 7:00pm
In memory of those who have touched our lives and remain forever in our hearts; to honor grief and find light in the darkness of the holiday season.
Welcome to an evening honoring grief, loss, and the fullness of life in this sacred time of year. We gather together to remember the presence of the Sacred in all of our emotions and experiences. We offer this service to all who long for a space in which wounds are named and sadness is welcomed, regardless of religious tradition or experience. We pray that this offering may be a blessing upon you.
There is a special time set aside for lighting a candle in the sanctuary toward the end of the service in memory of a loved one or in acknowledgement of something else in your life. Following the service, you are invited to choose a candle of remembrance lit during the evening to take home with you.
ENTERING INTO PRAYER
Prelude Music: Remember (Michael Gungor)
A Prayer: Little Pieces of Light (Joyce Rupp)
A Song: Keep it on Faith (Heather Masse)
THE LIGHT AND SHADOW OF ADVENT
I. The Candle of Despair & Hope
This is the candle of despair and hope. We acknowledge the presence of darkness and light in this season.
A Reading: Lament Psalm Twenty-Seven (Ann Weems)
A Song: Blackbird (John Lennon)
II. The Candle of Distress & Peace
This is the candle of distress and peace. With its light, we honor the depth and complexity of life.
A Poem: Starlings in Winter (Mary Oliver)
A Song: Life According to Raechel (Maddison Cunningham)
III. The Candle of Sorrow & Joy
This is the candle of sorrow and joy. It burns for our anguish and for our bliss.
A Poem: Adrift (Mark Nepo)
A Song: Prayer in Open D (Emmylou Harris)
IV. The Candle of Apathy & Love
This is the candle of apathy and love. We awaken our senses to the cold and pray for grace to open and warm our hearts.
A Poem: Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower (Rainer Maria Rilke)
A Song: Love Song to Life (Michael Gungor)
Silent Meditation (5 minutes)
A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE
A Poem: Epitaph (Merrit Malloy)
CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY
At this time, you may come forward and light one candle in remembrance of friends and loved ones or in honor of any loss, sadness, or experience in your life. If desired, you may name an experience or a loved one aloud.
Ceremony Music: Cover Me (Ike Sturm)
Blessing: Blessing for the Brokenhearted (Jan Richardson)
CLOSING
A Song: These Wilder Things (Ruth Moody)
Benediction: For Suffering (John O’Donohue)
SERVICE PARTICIPANTS
Phoebe Bawmann, vocals
Juli Davidson, bass and vocals
Shelley McCluskey Goldberg, guitar and vocals
Leena Waite, violin and vocals
Adam Waite, piano and vocals
Rev. Ian Cummins, liturgist
Sandy Prouty, liturgist
Cate Thieme, sound
John Goerner, video
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org