Next Sunday, April 28 – Try to Remember/The Way We Were – Rev. Connie Simon and Caleb Cambron

The Flowers this Morning come from the Family Programming Committee to help the children and the congregation to celebrate Easter.

Sunday Morning Volunteer Program (MVP) Team Three is handling the duties of greeting, ushering, providing coffee service and clean-up today. Team Three is led by Linda Miltner. She is joined by Sallie Barringer, Rose Conley, Ruth Cooper, Carol Lloyd, Denise Olden and Ann Retford.

Sound Technician: David Johnson

Assistive Listening Devices for people needing hearing enhancement are available at the rear of the sanctuary.

All are invited to write their Joys and Sorrows in the book at the back of the sanctuary.

Cover Credit: Photo by Susan West, April 30, 2015 - the light through the dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati

536 Linton Street * Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 (513) 281-1564 * www.firstuu.com

Rev. Connie Simon, Minister revconnie@firstuu.com

First Unitarian Church

of Cincinnati

We’re Not Sure What Happened:

Making Peace with Easter

April 21, 2019 Rev. Connie Simon Meredith Plummer,

Director of Family Programming

We’re Not Sure What Happened: Making Peace with Easter

April 21, 2019 Rev. Connie Simon, Minister Jera Cox, Director of Music

Meredith Plummer, Director of Family Programming Gabe Conley, Worship Associate

Noriko Matsui, Piano

Welcoming and Announcements Prelude Onbre Mai Fu

G. F. Handel

Call to Worship and Chalice Lighting Vision Song

We are a liberal religious haven, welcoming wonder, and spiritually free. We’re sustained by a loving tradition, moved and inspired by the future we see. Boldly seeking and working for justice, gently transforming lives through deeds great and small. Young and old, sharing meaning and mission, we joyfully offer our vision to all!

Shelley Jackson Denham

Greeting One Another

Hymn #1010 We Give Thanks

Story for All Ages Singing the Children Out

You bring us hope and help to see our future world that’s yet to be. You teach us much as years go by. You are our strength, our joy, our pride.

Dot Christenson

Sharing of Concerns Easter Blessings Meditation Offering Offertory “Fantasy “Sakura Sakura (Cherry Blooms)”

Kozaburo Y. Hirai Reading Luke 24: 1-12

(NRSV)

Interlude

Reading We’re Not Sure What Happened Rev. Daniel Budd

Sermon Making Peace with Easter Community Singing Hallelujah

George F. Handel Extinguishing the Chalice

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.

Elizabeth Sella Jones

Benediction Postlude Fruhlingslied (Spring Song)

F. Mendelssohn

ESPECIALLY FOR VISITORS

Welcome! We’re glad you’re here today. Stop by the Welcome Counter as you entered the building for a pre-stamped info card you can com-plete at home and mail back– or fill out a card if you have time this morning. We’ll send you our newsletter and information on what’s hap-pening at First Church.

Want to find out about Unitarian Universalism and First Church? Come to “Getting to Know YoUU,” an informal session with Rev. Connie next Sunday, April 28 after the service in the Fisher Room (just beyond the coffee). Get your questions answered and meet others searching for a church home. RSVPs are not needed and childcare is provided. Ready to join First Church? If you’ve attended a Getting to Know YoUU session or have been a member of a UU church elsewhere and are interested in joining First Church, please contact Carol Lloyd, 513.515.6891 or calloyd1102@gmail.com.The next chance to join is dur-ing the service on May 19.

TODAY

Today in Sunday School we are mixing things up! Instead of staying in the sanctuary for an intergenerational service, all children in the prekin-dergarten to Fifth Grade are invited to join Ms. Meredith and Ms. Kymm outside of the sanctuary for an Easter Children’s Chapel. Youth in the Sixth to Twelfth Grade are invited to join Mr. Stephen and Ms. Camille in hiding Easter Eggs for our annual Easter Egg Hunt (to take place right after the service – see insert in your OOS for more infor-mation.)

Today’s Family Programming Volunteers: Frank Carpenter - Infant and Toddlers.

Today in the Ellen Hall Room - Call it a Seasonal Celebration, Spring Fling or good old-fashioned Easter Brunch, but do make plans to come to the Ellen Hall Room for a potluck meal following church services and the children's Easter Egg hunt. Please bring a favorite dish to share, or a suggested $5 donation if you prefer not to cook. (If possible, message Lois Gish or Janet Walsh in advance to let us know if you're choosing the no-cook option.) Join us for food, fun and fellowship -- and maybe just a little sugar. Bunny hops and Easter Bonnets optional!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Now in progress – a minor change in the Office Administrator’s office hours. The hours will remain the same Monday to Thursday, but Friday will also be from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mon, April 22 (and every Monday), 11:30 a.m. – Meditation in the Sanctuary led by Fran Turner. Bring a brown bag (or your choice of container) and join the group afterwards in lunch and conversation.

Budget Conversations will take place two times prior to the May 19 congregational meeting. Those conversations will take place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, in the Ellen Hall Room, and at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, in the Fisher Room. Please join us. Finance Chair Dennis Finney and Treasurer Dick Miltner will be available to answer questions and listen to comments about the budget the Board of Trus-tees will propose for approval at the congregational meeting. Dan Schneider, danschneider1227@yahoo.com or 513.652.8966

Sun. April 28 - 11:30 a.m. in the Ellen Hall Room, “Homelessness in Cincinnati”. Dr. Mark Mussman of the Homeless Coalition will be bringing us up to date on the present situation of homeless in Cincin-nati. Coffee, snacks and if you need childcare, contact Ann Black by phone: 513.563.8467 or email at annblack@cinci.rr.com. Sponsored by the First Church Social Justice and Peace Committees.

Sun., May 5, 11:15 a.m. Don't forget to sign up for the Secret Pals Ice Cream Social which is taking place after church on May 5th. Adults bring a gift under $5. Children make the Sundaes. Everyone bonds over sugar and silly questions. Sign up after church now through April 21.

Sat., May 11 - Laughter, shared wisdom, friendship, growing your soul, rest, even a Happy Hour; these are all parts of the Women’s Retreat. This annual event will be held at the Transfiguration Spirituality Center in Glendale. Stop by the Women’s Retreat table in the lobby before or after church to take care of your registration. If you have questions, or need to ask about a full or partial scholarship, contact Susan Christy at susan.christy42@gmail.com

There will be a no-candy Easter Egg Hunt after service today! Here’s what

you need to know…

For children in PreK—5th grade:

• The egg hunt will be held either in the basement or on the playground

(depending on weather) after Children’s Chapel.

• Plastic bags will be made available for your child’s convenience.

• Each child is welcome to 7 eggs. For a variety of goodies your child will

want one of each kind of egg.

• Your child will want to keep an eye out for the ‘Special Egg.’ It has $20!

Here’s a hint: It doesn’t look like ANY of the other eggs.

• When your child is done, please have them put their empty eggs in the

basket located in the breezeway.

For children 0—3 years of age:

• The egg hunt will be held in the sanctuary. Feel free to begin anytime

after the service is over.

• For your convenience, there are plastic bags outside the sanctuary doors.

• Each child is welcome to 7 ‘eggs’ (aka, Goodie Bags). For a variety of

goodies, your child will want one of kind of egg. Note: These goodies

have been chosen specifically for this age group!

VIP Lounge for Very Inquisitive People

Children learn by participating. When we welcome kids into worship, we invite them to experience the sacred in community with adults.

Guidelines for Children

The following rules apply when using the VIP Lounge.

1. Choose ONE activity at a time. If someone is playing with something you want, you can ask to join them, or you can choose another activity.

2. If someone asks to join you, you have the right to say ‘no.’ However, if you say no, you should return your activity to the shelves, and choose another activity, after 10 minutes. This way, another child can have a turn.

3. You may take an activity back to your seat, but you must return it to the shelves when you are done with it.

4. Quiet voices are welcomed. Loud noises are not. Everyone worships differently, please be respectful of those who need quiet to worship.

Guidelines for Parents

Parents, all children need reminded of the rules from time to time. Please be mindful of the list of rules above. If your child has chosen to play in the front of the sanctuary, please sit where you can intervene readily.

Guidelines for the General Congregation

Children using the VIP Lounge will make noise. They will move when asked to be still. They will engage at their own developmental level. If you anticipate this will make it difficult for you to worship, you may want to sit where you cannot see or hear them as easily. The back of the sanctuary is one option.

Sacred Connections

Cincinnati Festival of Faiths offers Sacred Connections,

an opportunity to learn about each other and enjoy

fellowship in unique sacred places. It is First Church’s

turn on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. We will welcome

about 50 guests who want to learn more about

Unitarian Universalists.

Worship will begin at

10:15 a.m.,

giving the first 15

minutes to a Q&A

between Rev. Connie

and our guests.

In 1961, Unitarianism and Universalism merged to form

Unitarian Universalism, a non-credal faith that draws from many

religions and human experience to promote a love-and-justice-

based movement that honors the worth and dignity of all.

Following worship, we will join together for lunch and dialogue.

(All of our guests are invited, and as many First Churchers as

will fit in the Ellen Hall Room.)