Please join us for a magical celebration of the turning of the year. Expect quiet resting in the dark, and a beautiful, candlelit returning of the light.
Members of the Shared Worship Team will join Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevens and Ginger Yoder for the ritual, which will take place at PCEI, 1040 Rodeo Dr., Moscow, ID. We will process to the PCEI greenhouse, which will provide shelter from the rain.
Order of Service:
Welcome at the pavilion
Procession to the Sanctuary – humming Greensleeves
Water and cedar blessing
Opening Song: In the Depths of Winter’s Quiet
(to the tune of Greensleeves)
In the depths of Winter’s quiet
Long and potent darkness
In the year’s longest night
Deep in the well of Winter
Even the moon, she hides
Her grace-bestowing face of Light
Behind the thick-quilted sky
On this Solstice Evening.
Bare, the cold and blackened arms
Of bleak and shiv’ring leafless trees
Stretch up to beg the lowering sky
Deep in the dark of the Wheel
E’en as we in turn do reach
Our yearning souls in the pregnant Dark
F’r answers, oh, for questions
Yet to be found within
In the depths of the Winter’s dark
The ocean’s eternal breathing
Ever licks the bright-frosted shore
The tides are ever turning
We bow our heads into
The dark of our Lady’s Mystery
Holding fast to the faith
Which presages the light’s returning.
Chalice Lighting
Calling the Directions
Chant: Return Again
Return again, return again.
Return to the home of your soul. (x2)
Return to where you are,
return to what you are, return to who you are,
Born and reborn again.
Return again, return again, return to the home of your soul.
Story of Amaterasu and the Cave
Song: Love is Our Power (to the tune of Away in the Manger)
In the world’s darkness, some poor souls despair
Of finding some kindness, of anyone’s care
A smile we may offer; a gentle warm hand
Can lift up the shadows that haunt this fair land.
Oh, love is our power, love is our great force
The image we’re made in, oh, love is our source
It is our compassion, our hearts’ willing peace
That is the world’s saviour, that does fear release.
A Meditation in three parts: Guided, silent and sung
Sung meditation: I will Be Gentle with Myself
I will be gentle with myself, I will love myself,
I am a child of the universe, being born each moment.
Lighting the Labyrinth
Song: Silent Night
Silent night, holy night,
Earth is calm, stars are bright.
Waiting through the longest Dark
With the death of the fire in the hearth
Sleep, o sleep ye in peace!
Sleep ye deep in peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Spirit wakes at the sight:
Glory heralds the magic at hand
Sun’s gilt rays reach over the land
Light! The Light is born!
The great light is reborn!
Silent night, holy night
All of life is the rite
Through the darkness we seek rebirth
With the light we bring it forth
Sacred spirals we spin!
Bringing Back the Light
Releasing the Directions
Recessional song: Deck the Halls
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la…
‘Tis the season to be jolly! Fa-la-la…
Don we now our gay apparel! Fa-la-la…
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol! Fa-la-la…
See the blazing Yule before us…
Strike the harp and join the chorus!
Follow me in merry measure
While I tell of yuletide treasure
Fast away the old year passes…
Hail the new ye lads and lasses!
Sing we joyous all together
Heedless of the wind and weather…
[End]
Topics: Blessing