Beauty Calls Us Together…Again


Last year, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first flower ceremony as created by Norbert Čapek in Prague, with story and music created especially for this occasion.  The service was so moving, we’ve decided to offer it again this year.  We’ll hear our choir, listen to Čapek’s story, and sing together.  And we’ll make a communal bouquet with the flowers you bring, and take them home as reminders of the blessing we are to each other.

You are invited to bring a flower or two to share at this service. We will have extra flowers for anyone who needs them.

Worship Associate: Deb Myrbo

  • The Share the Plate for Sunday May 26th and Sunday June 2 is Madison Veterans for Peace, the local chapter of a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. They inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Their work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars.

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Order of Service

  • Gathering Song:  #188 “Come, Come, Whoever You Are”

  • Welcome

  • Prelude:  “Flower Prelude” by Ruben Piirainen

  • Call to Worship

  • Lighting the Chalice and Musical Response

  • Shared Music “Almond Trees, Renewed in Bloom” #59 (gray hymnal)

  • Introduction, Part 1  by Suzelle Lynch

  • “Interlude”  by Ruben Piirainen

  • Time for All Ages:  “Have You Ever Seen a Flowers” by Shawn Harris

  • Shared Music:  “You Bring an Aster” by Suzelle Lynch

  • Special Music:  “Čapek’s Journey” by Kathryn Canan, arr.  Ruben Piirainen

  • Introduction, Part 2  by Suzelle Lynch

  • Special Music:  “In the Depths of My Soul” words by Norbert Čapek trans. Richard Henry, music by Kathryn Canan and Anne Merdinger

  • Centering Prayer/Meditation

  • The Flower Communion

  • Offering:  “Mother Spirit, Father Spirit / Beloved” melody by Norbert Čapek and Suzelle Lynch, arr. Ruben Piirainen; words by Norbert Čapek trans. Paul and Anita Munk, English version by Frederick Boeke; additional lyrics by Suzelle Lynch

  • Shared Music: “We Are One” by Suzelle Lynch, arr. Ruben Piirainen

  • Extinguishing the Chalice and Benediction

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