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Congregation Unitarian Universalist
Yom Kippur
En Español
Forgiveness
Jewish Year 5770 :
sunset Sunday September 27 (Kol Nidre)
- nightfall nightfall Monday September 28, 2009 -
There is probably no more profound or more difficult spiritual practice
than learning both how to offer and receive forgiveness, and yet it is
central to any hope of wholeness in our lives.
Hymn:
Hakayitz avar, hachom hagado!
Shanah chadashah ba'ah le'cho
Hu ya'ase shalom aleynu Shanah chadashah hitchilah hayom
Heyi na tovah uvo'ech leshalom
Hu ya'ase shalom aleynu
For remaining silent when a single voice would have made a difference
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For each time that our fears have made us rigid and inaccessible
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For each time that we have struck out in anger without just cause-
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For each time that our greed has blinded us to the needs of others-
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For the selfishness which sets us apart and alone-
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For falling short of the admonitions of the spirit-
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For losing sight of our unity-
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For forgetting we are all part of one family.
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For those and for so many things big and small that make it seem we are separate.
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love. For those and so many acts both evident and subtle which have fueled the illusion of separateness-
We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.
Lighting the Chalice:
We gather in this hour as people of faith
With joys and sorrows, gifts and needs
We light this beacon of hope, sign of our quest for truth, meaning, and community.
Today we honor the tradition of Yom Kippur by looking inward, considering 0ur year and starting afresh in Love . In celebration of the life we share together. Spirit, draw near
Joys and Concerns: (We throw a small stone into this bowl filled with water, to symbolize our thoughts, which move in circular rings eternally, like concentric waves.)
Prayer: (Followed by a moment of silent meditation) Blessed with another week of life we give thanks to the source of life. For all the good we have known during these days that have passed, we are very grateful. We know that we have not always responded with our best effort, but often we did earnestly try. We have tried to give our family and friends love and devotion, and we hope that we grow more loving as the days and years pass. Even as we regret our weaknesses, we rejoice in our accomplishments. Let these achievements lead to many others. May we be blessed each week with the sense of having grown in goodness and compassion. We remember the hurricanes of years past and are especially grateful for every day of sunshine. May we never take for granted the water and energy that flow into our homes as well as the telephone and internet that make communication from our small island across distances possible.
Story for All Ages: (the children go to Religious Education at the end of the story and the adults sing "Spirit of Life" )
Hymn::
First Reading
* Second Reading:
Discussion Theme: Forgiveness (Copyright: First Unitarian Church San José)
Our discussion this week will be forgiveness. It can be a sensitive topic but we hope that our small group has become an environment in which people are encouraged to share what they can and feel loved and supported. We will not try to answer all the questions, rather they are there to guide our thoughts and reflections on the subject.
Forgiveness means remembering that everyone sometimes makes bad choices. We are human, we are not perfect. Think of a situation where you have made a poor choice or where you may have judged or criticized others. Have others made bad choices that have affected us? Can you find a way to forgive them? How would you acknowledge that forgiveness?
How is it possible the the same bible that recommends "an eye for an eye..." also commands us to love our neighbor then insists on this holiest of holy days to repent and offer forgiveness?
Which of our Seven Principles calls us most strongly to forgive and to love?
Extinguishing the Chalice:
Hymn and Closing Circle of Hands We link arms while we sing Go Now in Peace
*Hymn: Final Thought:
Without forgiveness, there is no future.
-- Desmond Tutu
Opening Words of Welcome:
Litany of Atonement ( to be read responsively)
Ose shalom bimromav
Ose shalom bimromav
We invite you to share your joys and concerns since our last meeting
# 123 (STLT)
"Spirit of Life" by Carolyn McDade (adapted)
Spirit of Life, come unto us,
Sing in our hearts all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in our hands, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold us close; wings set us free;
Spirit of Life, come to us, come to me.
If you want to see the heroic,
look at those who can love
in return for hatred.
If you want to see the brave,
look for those who can forgive.
-- Bhagavad Gita
Forgiveness honors the heart's greatest dignity.
Whenever we are lost, it brings us back
to the ground of love.
With forgiveness we become unwilling
to attack or wish harm to one another.
Whenever we forgive, in small ways
at home, or in great ways
between nations,
we free ourselves
from the past.
-- Jack Kornfield
What have you done or could still do to correct the wrongs that may have resulted?
And now we extinguish our chalice but not:
The warmth of community,
The light of hope, hope for change that brings new blessings into our lives and the lives of those around us continues to burn brightly, we carry hope in our hearts until we are together again.The spirit of gratitude,
Or
The fire of commitment and shared compassion of this community.
Go now in Peace
Go now in Peace, Go now in Peace,
May the Love of God surround you
Everywhere, everywhere, You may go
