Order of Service 

October 18, 2026 

Worship Leader   Kirsti Adkins and Jennifer I. Thompkins, President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Time for All Ages  Erica Shadowsong 

Music Ellen Gozion, Dir. Of Instrumental Music with The Hymn Band: Heather and Paul Cunningham and Corey Layman 

Tech Emily Sweeney and Will Snavely 

Prelude Northern Sky by Nick Drake – performed by the Hymn Band 

Welcome   Kirsti Adkins 

Lighting the Chalice and Call to Worship   Kirsti 

Opening Hymn   #188 Come, Come, Whoever You Are  

Collective Grounding   Kirsti 

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    “The Harp in the Willow Tree” Erica Shadowsong 

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. 

Stewardship Testimonial    Todd Harvey 

Offering  Kirsti 

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 October is PIIN * 

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 One Love by Bob Marley performed by The Hymn Band 

Meditation, silence, or prayer    Kirsti 

Hymn #1013 Open My Heart 

Reading     Psalm 137:4        

Sermon “How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song in a Foreign Land?” Jennifer I. Thompkins, President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Closing Hymn  Rivers of Babylon led by The Hymn Band (lyrics in Teal Book #1042) 

Extinguishing the Chalice Flame   Kirsti 

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   Kirsti 

Postlude All You Need is Love by Lennon-McCartney — Performed by The Hymn Band 

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. 

Notes on the Music: In the Rastafarian faith, the term “Babylon” is used for any political system which is either oppressive or unjust. “By the rivers of Babylon” refers to living in a repressive society and the longing for freedom. Brent Dowe, the lead singer of the Melodians, (and co-composer of this song with Trevor McNaughton) told Kenneth Bilby that he had adapted Psalm 137 to the new reggae style because he wanted to increase the public’s consciousness of the growing Rastafarian movement and its calls for black liberation and social justice. [Wikipedia.org]