What Would Love Do?

We’ve talked a lot this month about ways we might center love in our relationships and our actions.  And we know that we face challenges daily that pull us away from that center.  This morning, we’ll explore some grounding ideas shared by Black writers and activists and people of faith, including understandings of love that include power and justice.

Share the Plate

  • The Share the Plate for Sunday February 19th and Sunday February 26th is Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development. By lifting up Black voices and experiences with a focus on education, restoration, community empowerment and economic development, Nehemiah seeks to interrupt cycles of poverty, racism and discrimination. Programming areas include:  youth empowerment and leadership development, community leadership & capacity building, justified anger, and reentry services.


Order of Service

Click for downloadable .pdf

  • Gathering Song: #188 “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” 
  • Welcome
  • Prelude: “What the World Needs Now” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David 
  • Call to Worship
  • Lighting the Chalice and Musical Response
  • Shared Music: “These Hands, This Heart” by Heather Pierson
  • Time for All Ages: “The Perfect Heart” by Paulo Coelho
  • Shared Music: Hymn #123 “Spirit of Life”
  • Wisdom from the World’s Traditions, from Imani Perry, John Lewis, bell hooks, Howard Thurman, and Otis Moss III, with Reflections from the Rev. Karen Armina
  • Offering: “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield
  • Joys and Sorrows
  • Shared Music: Hymn #153 “Oh I Woke Up This Morning” 
  • Extinguishing the Chalice and Benediction


This Week’s Newsletter


Notes for Further Exploration and Reflection…

“To truly love we must learn to mix various ingredients – care, affection, recognition, respect, commitment, and trust, as well as honest and open communication.” – bell hooks

Imani PerryBreathe – A Letter to My Sons

John Lewis2013 Interview for On Being with John Lewis

bell hooksAll About Love: New Visions, More quotes from bell hooks

Howard ThurmanWith Head and Heart: the Autobiography of Howard Thurman

Otis Moss IIIDancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times


Collage made in today’s service of ways we have shared and received love

Topics: