Prelude
“For The Faithful”
words by Sylvia Dunstan, music by Lim Swee Hong
Processional Hymn
“Lift High the Cross” – New Century Hymnal
“Hakuna Wakaita Sa Jesu”
Welcome
Mark Miller
Invocation
Sharon Williams
Scripture Readings
Suzanne Duchesne
Isaiah 50:4 (NIV)
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning the Holy One wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Response to the Word
by Aiken Edwards, read by Sharon Hausman
The Daoist Sword Form
In Daoist teaching, the sword is the ultimate of all weapons. In ancient China, every Daoist had his or her own sword to be used for martial arts practice, self-defense, and ritual purposes. It was customary to gift a sword to a traveling Daoist to symbolize cutting away their attachments to the material world. Today, Daoist rituals and practices still wield swords as symbolic weapons to subdue evil forces. The sword is a symbol of justice and righteousness and represents the discipline used for conquering ignorance, reckless passion and aggression. A traditional Chinese adage says, “100 days of bare hand, 1,000 days of spear, 10,000 days of sword.” Mastering the sword is the highest achievement in martial arts.
Ancient Wudang Sword Poem
When we begin the sword, we practice to a refined state
Entering into its subtleties, our skiled hands manifest our spirits
Striking through the air, the sword startles the birds to flight
It shakes the earth, yet does not gather dust
The striking sword is invisible, like a gentle wind
In the multitude of changes, there is only the flash of the sword
The swordsman cannot be seen
This sword form is being performed in honor of my dear and beloved friend, Dr. Heather Elkins.
TSA Gift Presentation
Hymn
“Bound in Sacred Love”
words by Mark Miller and Laurie Zelman, music by Peter Scholtes
We are one human family and we live on one earth
We are one human family and we live on one earth
Every one a creation that possesses sacred worth
And we know we are creatures bound in love, bound in love
Yes we all are creatures bound in sacred love
We will walk with each other we will fly crawl and creep
We will walk with each other we will fly crawl and creep
Together we’ll save our earth by promises we keep
And we know we are creatures bound in love, bound in love
Yes we all are creatures bound in sacred love
The earth is a blessing we will guard with our care
Here we live with all creatures in the home that we share
And we pledge to restore the living water, land, and air
And we know we are creatures bound in love, bound in love
Yes we all are creatures bound in sacred love
Witness
The Rev. Dr. Namjoong Kim
The Rev. Dr. Tanya Linn Bennett
Response in Song
“Cool of the Day”
Amanda Rohrs Dodge, Jillian Tundidor, Crystal Paul Watson, Hayoung Kang
Witness
The Rev. Dr. Lynne Westfield
Dr. Stephen Moore
Hymn
“We are Not Our Own” – New Century Hymnal
Prayers of the People
The Rev. Dr. Michael Sniffen
Anointing and Blessing
The Rev. Dr. J. Terry Todd, The Rev. Dr. P. Kimberleigh Jordan, and Dean Javier Viera
Closing Unison Prayer
O Lord be near and hear our supplications. Guide the way of your servant Heather in the richness of your salvation so that in all the vicissitudes of the road and of this life she may be forever protected by your aid. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Drew Theo Chapel 