April 26, 2026

Order of Service

Worship Leader Karen Litzinger
Time for All Ages Karen Litzinger
Liturgist Kim Francis

Music Ellen Gozion, Dir. Of Instrumental Music; Maddy Izzo, flute.

Song Leader Rob Schwartz
Tech Nicky Baldy and Will Snavely
Worship Coordinator Stephanie Pawlowski

Prelude Songs of the Open Road, No. 2 – However calm these waters we must not anchor here
by Daniel Dorff – Maddy Izzo, solo flute
Welcome Stephanie Pawlowski
Lighting the Chalice and Call to Worship Kim Francis
Opening Hymn #1024: When the Spirit Says Do

You’ve got to do when the spirit says, “Do.” (x2)
When the spirit says, “Do”, you’ve got to do, oh lord,
You’ve got to do when the spirit says, “Do”.
You’ve got to sing when the spirit says, “Sing”. (x2)
When the spirit says, “Sing”, you’ve got to sing, oh Lord,
You’ve got to sing when the spirit says, “Sing”.
You’ve got to laugh when the spirit says, “Laugh”. (x2)
When the spirit says, “Laugh”, you’ve got to laugh, oh Lord,
You’ve got to sing when the spirit says, “Laugh”.
You’ve got to dance when the spirit says, “Dance”. (x2)
When the spirit says, “Dance”, you’ve got to dance, oh Lord,
You’ve got to dance when the spirit says, “Dance”.
You’ve got to do when the spirit says, “Do.” (x2)
When the spirit says, “Do”, you’ve got to do, oh lord,
You’ve got to do when the spirit says, “Do”.

Collective Grounding Kim Francis
We name our collective recommitment to care for the earth.
Knowing the ground we live upon is sacred,
We pledge to bring new life to the earth
New Life to the air
New Life to the waters
New Life to each other
For all Life is sacred

Story for All Karen Litzinger
Singing For Our Children Go Now in Peace (please remain seated)

Go now in peace, go now in peace.
May the spirit of love surround you
Everywhere, everywhere you may go.

Offering Kim Francis
Donations by check may be mailed to the church office. Electronic donations can be made
online through the church website or by texting “give” to (412) 435-1050 and
following the instructions.
Share the plate for April is the Afro American Music Institute

Joys and Sorrows: During the offertory music, you are invited to light a candle or place a stone in
Blessed Community water as you offer silent gratitude or prayers. Two tables are
in the sanctuary; one in the front, to the right of the platform, and one in the
back right alcove.

Offertory Music Deep Blue by Ian Clarke – Maddy Izzo, flute and Ellen Gozion, piano

Photos from Pexels.com assembled by Maddy Izzo

Meditation, silence, or prayer Kim Francis
Hymn #123 Spirit of Life
Reading The Sacred Dance of Life by Hafiz First Unitarian Church Dance Choir
Sermon Joy as a Birthright and Act of Resistance Karen Litzinger
Hymn #128 For All That is Our Life
Extinguishing the Chalice Flame Kim Francis
We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of
commitment: these we carry in our hearts until we are together again.
Benediction Karen Litzinger
Postlude Songs of the Open Road, No. 1 – Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road by
Daniel Dorff – Maddy Izzo, solo flute

To donate to Share the Plate  

– by check mailed to the church office, please include STP on the memo line  

– online on the church website, use the drop down to select Plate. 

– by texting “Give” to 412-435-1050 following the directions with the word share or pledge after the donation amount as appropriate. 

To make a pledge payment  

-by check, please put pledge in the memo line  

– online on the church website, keep the default General Fund 2025 option  

The Afro American Music Institute (AAMI) which was founded by the late Dr. James Johnson and his wife Pamela, is a Pittsburgh based organization dedicated to promoting the arts.   Thousands of students of all ages and from diverse communities have developed their talent at AAMI through a curriculum that embraces music throughout the African Diaspora.