Saving Paradise
Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains
April 20, 2025
Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Gail Johnson Vaughan, Worship Associate
With this Easter Sunday and Earth Day in such close proximity, in this month that asks what joy has to do with anything and everything, we’ll let the first thousand years of Christian imagery – not portrayals of crucifixions, but instead lush scenes depicting this world as paradise – speak to us of joy, and the stones we may need to roll away to meet it.
Song for Gathering All Creatures of the Earth and Sky words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, melody from a Catholic hymnbook circa 1623, Heather Grove, piano, Michael Bankston trumpet
Greeting Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Land Acknowledgement read by Jax
Lighting of the Chalice For Holy Days on Which We Recall the Old Stories by Dillman Baker Sorrells, read by Bev Lyon
Candle of Compassion, Resistance, and Resilience
Singing the Children on Their Way
Welcome Gail Johnson Vaughan, Worship Associate
Sorrows & Joys Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Poem Joy by Gene Giligan
Song, Prayer & Meditation Ancient Mother #1069 with Charge From the Earth (partial) by Irene Glasse and Rebekah Savage
Reading What Gives Us Life by Vanessa Rush Southern and Alyson Jacks read by Viv Tipton
Message Saving Paradise Rev. Kevin Tarsa
Song Easter Alleluia by Kevin Tarsa, based on Pachelbel’s Cannon, Heather Grove, soloist
Offering Gail Johnson Vaughan
Offertory Heather Grove, piano
Dedication Gail Johnson Vaughan
Thank you & Announcements
Closing Words & Song
Community Benediction / Extinguishing of the Chalice
Carry the flame of peace and love until we meet again.
Music for Going Forth