Order of Service
Earth Day Service
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Beth Curtis, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, and Kris Kines, Worship Leaders
Dr. Gary Smart, Pianist
Opening Words
Special Music: “The Ash Grove,” performed by Hannah Fridenmaker
Hymn #21, “For the Beauty of the Earth”
A Time for All Ages
Children’s RE 2024 Video Project: “A Dream for Our Planet”
Children proceed to Religious Education Classes, the congregation remains seated for “As You Go” by Rev. Suzelle Lynch and Ruben Piirainen
Chalice Illumination
*Call to Worship:
From all that dwell below the skies
Let faith and hope and love arise.
Let beauty, truth, and good be sung,
Through every land by every tongue.
Welcome
Our Congregational Covenant:
We covenant to engage one another with honesty, kindness, and respect; to value diversity, seek understanding of our differences, and practice gracious accountability with care, love, and empathy.
We make these promises to those who are here, and those yet to come, so that we may be a safe, welcoming, and beloved community of acceptance, learning, and transformation.
Sharing of Personal Joys and Concerns
*Hymn enclosed: “We Belong to the Earth” written by Dr. Gary Smart
Offering/followed by *Offertory Hymn #123, “Spirit of Life”
Reflective Reading
Sermon: “Earth Day—Our Bright and Sacred Future” by Beth Curtis
*Closing Hymn #1064, “Blue Boat Home” (Teal Hymnal)
*Benediction and Extinguishing of the Chalice
*Please rise in body or spirit


