Memorial Day: Service and Sacrifice

with Rev. Xolani Kacela, Ph.D.

May 24, 2026

Memorial Day honors military sacrifice while often glorifying war. This service creates space for complex feelings about military service, examining how to honor veterans, their sacrifice, and how sacrifice as a value plays into everyday living.

Sounding of the Bowl                      Rev. Xolani Kacela, Ph.D.                                

Prelude                                             Jaime Ramirez                                             

Welcome and Greeting                             Brian Asher                 

Opening Words  

Chalice Lighting            

Opening Hymn              #126 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing                                                                                                     

Covenant                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Anthem                     Mercy by Max Richter 
                            Performed by Carlos Gonzales                                       

Stone Ceremony                                                   

Reading the Community Book of Life & Pastoral Meditation 

Story Wisdom         Rolling Thunder by Kate Messner
                                                       Gary Evans                                                      

Children’s Recessional                                                                                                                                                                                           

Readings      The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah

                      The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Sermon               What We Owe the Living                                                                                                                                                                         

Invitation to Generosity                           

Offertory Music                                                                        

Closing Hymn #142 Let There Be Light

Extinguishing the Chalice/Benediction                                                               

Postlude