New digital OOS

Date    October 4, 2026 

Worship Leader   Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker 

Time for All Ages    

Liturgist  Kim Francis 

Music Ellen Gozion, Director of Instrumental Music; Brian Junker, Corey Layman, Greg Whitaker, Mike Shanley, Liam Lyons.   

Tech   Nicky Baldly and Emily Sweeney 

Prelude  

Welcome   Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker 

Lighting the Chalice and Call to Worship   Rev. Kate and Kim Francis 

Opening Hymn   #121 “We’ll Build a Land” 

Collective Reading Kim 

Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. 

We covenant:  

To practice Interdependence, we honor the interdependent web of all existence; 

To practice Pluralism, we celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology; 

To practice Justice, we work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive;  

To practice Transformation, we adapt to the changing world; 

To practice Generosity, we cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope; 

To practice Equity, we declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.  

We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love 

Story for All     “The Old Man’s Will”  source unknown Rev. Kate 

Singing For Our Children  #1057 Go Lifted Up  

Go lifted up, 

Love bless your way, 

moonlight, starlight 

guide your journey 

into peace  

and the brightness of day. 

Share the Plate  Laura Gallagher, Leader with PIIN (Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network)  

Stewardship Testimonial Casey Taylor 

Offering   Kim 

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 PIIN (Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network)*  

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  
 

Meditation, silence, or prayer   Rev. Kate 

Sung Response    #1013 “Open My Heart” 

Reading         “Autumn” by Ann Willever      Kim 

Sermon  “The Only Winner is Love”  Rev. Kate 

Hymn  #131 “Love Will Guide Us” 

Extinguishing the Chalice Flame   Rev. Kate and Kim 

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  Rev. Kate 

Postlude  

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 Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) is a grassroots coalition of faith congregations, organizations, and individuals committed to building power for justice in Southwestern Pennsylvania. By building potent relationships, training leaders, negotiating successfully, and publicly demonstrating its power, PIIN influences policy and practice to create conditions for flourishing, just communities. First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh was one of PIIN’s founding members over 26 years ago and Rev. Kate Walker is PIIN’s president. PIIN is currently working on five issues: Environmental Justice, Immigration Justice, Criminal & Transformational Justice, Public Education, and “Get out the Vote” activities. Community organizing requires both people and money, and 1st UU is providing both volunteer leaders and financial support. We invite you to learn more about PIIN’s justice work at our Pies for PIIN picnic next Sunday, October 11, after church. Also see: piinpa.org. Thank you for your support of PIIN.