Text for the Service:
Essential Elements of the Luminescence Service
(Updated Jan 26, 2019 -- RK)
The following script is available for you to use for your congregation’s Luminescence service. These are the unique elements of a Luminescence service. If you have other parts of your regular service you would like to include, you can place them before and/or between the lighting of the candles. Please note that the [italicized text] that appears in brackets are instructions for the presenters and participants of the service and are not intended to be read aloud with the rest of the text.
[Worship Host to do the actual candle lightings to prevent the lull from readers going to the candelabrum and back]
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Welcome, everyone, as we celebrate our annual Luminescence Service, a holiday that members of this congregation created to celebrate that which makes Unitarian Universalism distinctive. We are delighted you have chosen to be here today. May you find nourishment and inspiration for your journey.
The term “luminescence” refers to the process of generating light in a way other than from burning. As happens with a match, a piece of paper, or a wood-burning fireplace, the process of burning eventually uses up the source, extinguishing the light. Today, we are celebrating the nurturing of our own personal sparks along with the light that resides in all that around us. And by calling this holiday Luminescence, we are recognizing, with delight, the fact that these lights of ours do not extinguish as they’re used. The light that resides within us GROWS each time we share it! So through nurturing, we cultivate the expansion of even more illumination throughout the world. Today, we are celebrating the principles that guide us to transformation. And we rejoice in the openness our faith provides toward seeking truth through both the blaze of spirit and the light of reason.
In this holiday, we celebrate the light that shines within each of us. We honor our Unitarian Universalist faith for allowing us to pursue spirit with reason. We express our commitment to the principles that guide us and to actions that transform the world. And we celebrate the freedom our faith provides toward seeking our own personal truths.
Later in today’s service we will be lighting five ceremonial candles, each reminding us of a spiritual concept for ourselves and the world.
We celebrate that which makes this faith our home.
CHALICE LIGHTING
Today, as every Sunday, we light the chalice, the symbol of our Unitarian Universalist faith. The flaming chalice reminds us of the values, principles, and ideals that we hold. This week, throughout the service the flame from this chalice will kindle five more candles, each one representing a different affirmation of our faith. And then by the end of the service, the Illumination from this one little chalice will be shared among every person here today, reminding us to rejoice in the light which resides within each of us and within all that is.
[Other items from your normal service]
LIGHTING OF THE FIRST CANDLE - The Light Within Ourselves
[Worship Host:] I would like to invite [First Candle Reader] to introduce the theme of the first candle -- the light within ourselves.
We light the first candle, which represents the light within ourselves. We kindle this candle from our common chalice.
[Worship Host lights the first candle from the chalice.]
This first of the five candles represents the Source of light that lives within all of us and within all that is. It is as enveloping as the awesome light of the sun that powers all that we know on Earth, and yet as intimate as the “still small voice” that is an ever-present glow within each of us.
The light within gives us spirit. It touches others. It drives our creativity and love. It radiates from each of us. And, collectively, it radiates outward from this congregation and this faith. It is the Spirit of Life, the essence behind all things.
Together we now offer the Prayer found in your Order of Service. Please join with me [wait a moment for everyone to find it]:
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I honor the Source of light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND CANDLE - The Light Within All That Is: Recognition of Diversity
[Worship Host:] I'd like to invite invite [second candle reader] to tell us about the second candle.
[Candle Reader:] We light the second candle, which is for the Light Within All that Is. Recognizing that the light is within all, leads us directly to a deep appreciation of our Diversity. We symbolically light the second candle from the first.
[Worship Host lights the second candle from the first.]
When light shines through a prism, it reveals all the individual colors that make up the entirety of light.
This candle stands for a recognition of the diversity — sometimes seen, sometimes not — in all that we experience. We affirm that it is precisely this diversity which gives strength to the totality; to the single integrated community of all life.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Recognition found in your Order of Service.
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I discern and celebrate the nuances of color, shape, and perspective that comprise the light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE THIRD CANDLE - Reflection
[Worship Host:] [Third Candle Reader] will introduce the third candle.
We light the third candle, which is for reflection.
[Worship Host lights the third candle from the first.]
This third candle represents light's reflection, as from a mirror. We look into the mirror and see ourselves revealed.
We take joy in that which we have accomplished … and have not accomplished. We take stock of our spiritual growth. We realize that sometimes we need to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and disappointments so that we can grow beyond them. We remind ourselves to periodically cast our gaze on important things that we may be just too busy to otherwise look at. This candle calls us to reflect deeply upon our very being.
Moving outward, we are reminded of the value of exploring and understanding the larger essence that we are a part of, to do our best to comprehend the nature of the things and our responsibility in it.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Reflection found in your Order of Service.
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I reflect deeply upon all that is, growing in understanding of the light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH CANDLE - Refocus
[Worship Host:] I now invite [FourthCandle Reader] to tell us about the theme of the third candle.
We light the fourth candle, which is for Refocus.
[Worchip Host lights the fourth candle from the first candle.]
This fourth candle represents the focusing of light, as through a lens. It embodies the re-focusing and empowering of ourselves through action.
[Light the candle from the first (center) candle.]
The concept of focusing signifies our ability to transform things, to bend the arc of light toward the direction of justice. We work toward creating transformation at all levels.
We can change ourselves for the better. We can improve the lives of others. And we can help to heal the world.
So, the fourth candle reminds us that through Refocusing our light we uplift ourselves, enhance our communities, and transform the world.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Refocus found in your Order of Service: “In this season and in all to come, may I be moved to redirect that which is, through conscious refocusing of the light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE FIFTH CANDLE - Renewal
[Worship Host:] Our fifth and final candle read is by [Fifth Candle Reader]
We light the fifth candle, which is for Recommitment.
[Worship Host lights the fifth candle from the first candle.]
In the first 4 candles, we’ve honored the light that reside within ourselves, as well as within every individual. We understand the need to search within, as well as to refocus ourselves onto the task of transforming “what is” into a better “what will be.” Now, the fifth candle symbolizes our commitment to achieving results that embody these ideals. In this rededication, we create what we want to personally become as well as what we want our world to become.
We strive to attain all these ideals. We know that our efforts are supported on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and we hope that our efforts will help to support those who will come after. This candle reminds us of the high standard we set.
tlasts us.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Renewal found in your Order of Service.
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I be ever faithful to the highest good that may be, in honor of the source of light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
PATHWAYS
The candles we’ve lit today represent concepts that we Unitarian Universalists hold dear. They express pathways we may follow toward our own spiritual fulfillment. They symbolize goodness we want to encompass within ourselves, decency which we want to promote within our communities and the world, and what we want to pass along to future generations. They consecrate key components of our identity.
All of us encompass each of these spiritual concepts in our lives to some degree, but interestingly, they occur in different balances. We appreciate and celebrate that as individuals, each of us tends to focus our attention and interests on that which speaks most deeply to our heart.
There are those who are oriented toward the nature of the Divine, of looking at flame through prayer and meditation. There are those who focus more on knowledge and understanding of scientific and scholarly pursuits. There are those – more of us than ever -- who feel called to turn our principles into social action, making our world a better place through individual action and/or through collective social movements.
We honor all of these lights, as we do for all callings.
In the radiant light, let us honor the paths that lead to higher ideals. Let today remind us to let our character illuminate those around us. May each individual candle -- and the totality -- remind us of light is inside of each of us, of the need to appreciate the diverse individuals. Of the importance of reflection, and of our desire to live with intention by focusing our light with mindfulness and purpose.
SHARING THE LIGHT
[Sharing the Light should come toward the end of your service to wrap things up. The suggestion is to use narrow vigil candles with a "bobesh" (drip guard) to protect the facility against dripping wax, however flameless candles can be utilized for this part. Battery-powered candles are OK, but don't quite have the same effect.)
We will now hand out candles so that all of us will be able to hold the Luminescence light in our own hands. Please do not yet light your candles when you receive them.
[Volunteers hand out the candles, meditative music plays.]
Could we ask those who lit each of the five luminescence candles and the chalice today to now come forward and illuminate your candles from the candlabrum. Then please light someone else's candle. (Alternative for flameless: Then touch someone else’s candle as they illuminate theirs.) We would like everyone to pass the light along to the next person in this symbolic manner until everyone has symbolically lit their candle from the source. Continue touching someone else’s candle, allowing everyone to illuminate their candles. Until all candles are lit.
[Optional: Meditative music, but don’t start singing. When Our Spirits Unite Our Light Shines Bright - Instrumental]
While we light everyone’s candle, remember that we celebrate the spirit of our faith during each of our Sunday services, in our religious education classes, in prayer, through the sharing of ideas, in caring for those in need, in volunteer work, in social and environmental action work, and in all the wondrous activities we do as Unitarian Universalists, big and small. Let us take this opportunity to appreciate the radiance of the extraordinary principles, values, and actions that illuminate our lives.
[Sing: When Our Spirits Unite Our Light Shines Bright] (permission granted to sing during celebration of Luminescence)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Within each life pulses the light of love, of wisdom and truth - radiating these qualities into the world.
Sharing this light with one another, we illuminate the gifts of life and reveal those places in our hearts and in the world yet obscured by shadows of fear, of wounds unhealed, and futures undreamed.
Sharing this light with one another, we reveal strength and vulnerability, joy and sorrow, the need to give and the need to receive.
May it be tended well, nurtured and fed. May it inspire hope, courage and compassion, as we journey together the blessed path of our seasons. May the light of these candles remind us that even though we may be diverse in our beliefs, we share a common light, we share common goals, and we share common community.
[Worship Host:]
As we now put out our candles, we invite that in this season and in all to come, may we rejoice in the light which resides within each of us and within all that is.
May love and wisdom be in your mind.
May love and courage be in your heart.
May love and strength be in your hands.
May Spirit walk with you and through you
Today and all your days.
May the light of ALL these flames that illuminated this hour, continue to shine in our hearts and minds.
Go in peace, walk in love, and be a light unto the world!
[The service is now over]
Essential Elements of the Luminescence Service
(Updated Jan 26, 2019 -- RK)
The following script is available for you to use for your congregation’s Luminescence service. These are the unique elements of a Luminescence service. If you have other parts of your regular service you would like to include, you can place them before and/or between the lighting of the candles. Please note that the [italicized text] that appears in brackets are instructions for the presenters and participants of the service and are not intended to be read aloud with the rest of the text.
- Chalice Lighting (read by Chalice Lighter)
- Lighting of the First Candle -- The Light Within Ourselves (read by First Candle Reader)
- Lighting of the Second Candle -- Recognition of Diversity (read by Second Candle Reader)
- Lighting of the Third Candle -- Reflection (read by Third Candle Reader)
- Lighting of the Fourth Candle -- Refocus (read by Fourth Candle Reader)
- Lighting of the Fifth Candle -- Renewal (read by Fifth Candle Reader)
- The Many Paths (read by Worship Host)
- Sharing the Light (read by Worship Host and song)
- Concluding Prayer (read by Concluding Prayer reader)
[Worship Host to do the actual candle lightings to prevent the lull from readers going to the candelabrum and back]
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Welcome, everyone, as we celebrate our annual Luminescence Service, a holiday that members of this congregation created to celebrate that which makes Unitarian Universalism distinctive. We are delighted you have chosen to be here today. May you find nourishment and inspiration for your journey.
The term “luminescence” refers to the process of generating light in a way other than from burning. As happens with a match, a piece of paper, or a wood-burning fireplace, the process of burning eventually uses up the source, extinguishing the light. Today, we are celebrating the nurturing of our own personal sparks along with the light that resides in all that around us. And by calling this holiday Luminescence, we are recognizing, with delight, the fact that these lights of ours do not extinguish as they’re used. The light that resides within us GROWS each time we share it! So through nurturing, we cultivate the expansion of even more illumination throughout the world. Today, we are celebrating the principles that guide us to transformation. And we rejoice in the openness our faith provides toward seeking truth through both the blaze of spirit and the light of reason.
In this holiday, we celebrate the light that shines within each of us. We honor our Unitarian Universalist faith for allowing us to pursue spirit with reason. We express our commitment to the principles that guide us and to actions that transform the world. And we celebrate the freedom our faith provides toward seeking our own personal truths.
Later in today’s service we will be lighting five ceremonial candles, each reminding us of a spiritual concept for ourselves and the world.
We celebrate that which makes this faith our home.
CHALICE LIGHTING
Today, as every Sunday, we light the chalice, the symbol of our Unitarian Universalist faith. The flaming chalice reminds us of the values, principles, and ideals that we hold. This week, throughout the service the flame from this chalice will kindle five more candles, each one representing a different affirmation of our faith. And then by the end of the service, the Illumination from this one little chalice will be shared among every person here today, reminding us to rejoice in the light which resides within each of us and within all that is.
[Other items from your normal service]
LIGHTING OF THE FIRST CANDLE - The Light Within Ourselves
[Worship Host:] I would like to invite [First Candle Reader] to introduce the theme of the first candle -- the light within ourselves.
We light the first candle, which represents the light within ourselves. We kindle this candle from our common chalice.
[Worship Host lights the first candle from the chalice.]
This first of the five candles represents the Source of light that lives within all of us and within all that is. It is as enveloping as the awesome light of the sun that powers all that we know on Earth, and yet as intimate as the “still small voice” that is an ever-present glow within each of us.
The light within gives us spirit. It touches others. It drives our creativity and love. It radiates from each of us. And, collectively, it radiates outward from this congregation and this faith. It is the Spirit of Life, the essence behind all things.
Together we now offer the Prayer found in your Order of Service. Please join with me [wait a moment for everyone to find it]:
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I honor the Source of light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND CANDLE - The Light Within All That Is: Recognition of Diversity
[Worship Host:] I'd like to invite invite [second candle reader] to tell us about the second candle.
[Candle Reader:] We light the second candle, which is for the Light Within All that Is. Recognizing that the light is within all, leads us directly to a deep appreciation of our Diversity. We symbolically light the second candle from the first.
[Worship Host lights the second candle from the first.]
When light shines through a prism, it reveals all the individual colors that make up the entirety of light.
This candle stands for a recognition of the diversity — sometimes seen, sometimes not — in all that we experience. We affirm that it is precisely this diversity which gives strength to the totality; to the single integrated community of all life.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Recognition found in your Order of Service.
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I discern and celebrate the nuances of color, shape, and perspective that comprise the light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE THIRD CANDLE - Reflection
[Worship Host:] [Third Candle Reader] will introduce the third candle.
We light the third candle, which is for reflection.
[Worship Host lights the third candle from the first.]
This third candle represents light's reflection, as from a mirror. We look into the mirror and see ourselves revealed.
We take joy in that which we have accomplished … and have not accomplished. We take stock of our spiritual growth. We realize that sometimes we need to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and disappointments so that we can grow beyond them. We remind ourselves to periodically cast our gaze on important things that we may be just too busy to otherwise look at. This candle calls us to reflect deeply upon our very being.
Moving outward, we are reminded of the value of exploring and understanding the larger essence that we are a part of, to do our best to comprehend the nature of the things and our responsibility in it.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Reflection found in your Order of Service.
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I reflect deeply upon all that is, growing in understanding of the light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH CANDLE - Refocus
[Worship Host:] I now invite [FourthCandle Reader] to tell us about the theme of the third candle.
We light the fourth candle, which is for Refocus.
[Worchip Host lights the fourth candle from the first candle.]
This fourth candle represents the focusing of light, as through a lens. It embodies the re-focusing and empowering of ourselves through action.
[Light the candle from the first (center) candle.]
The concept of focusing signifies our ability to transform things, to bend the arc of light toward the direction of justice. We work toward creating transformation at all levels.
We can change ourselves for the better. We can improve the lives of others. And we can help to heal the world.
So, the fourth candle reminds us that through Refocusing our light we uplift ourselves, enhance our communities, and transform the world.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Refocus found in your Order of Service: “In this season and in all to come, may I be moved to redirect that which is, through conscious refocusing of the light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
LIGHTING OF THE FIFTH CANDLE - Renewal
[Worship Host:] Our fifth and final candle read is by [Fifth Candle Reader]
We light the fifth candle, which is for Recommitment.
[Worship Host lights the fifth candle from the first candle.]
In the first 4 candles, we’ve honored the light that reside within ourselves, as well as within every individual. We understand the need to search within, as well as to refocus ourselves onto the task of transforming “what is” into a better “what will be.” Now, the fifth candle symbolizes our commitment to achieving results that embody these ideals. In this rededication, we create what we want to personally become as well as what we want our world to become.
We strive to attain all these ideals. We know that our efforts are supported on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and we hope that our efforts will help to support those who will come after. This candle reminds us of the high standard we set.
tlasts us.
Together we now offer the Prayer for Renewal found in your Order of Service.
[Together:] “In this season and in all to come, may I be ever faithful to the highest good that may be, in honor of the source of light, which resides within me and within all that is.”
PATHWAYS
The candles we’ve lit today represent concepts that we Unitarian Universalists hold dear. They express pathways we may follow toward our own spiritual fulfillment. They symbolize goodness we want to encompass within ourselves, decency which we want to promote within our communities and the world, and what we want to pass along to future generations. They consecrate key components of our identity.
All of us encompass each of these spiritual concepts in our lives to some degree, but interestingly, they occur in different balances. We appreciate and celebrate that as individuals, each of us tends to focus our attention and interests on that which speaks most deeply to our heart.
There are those who are oriented toward the nature of the Divine, of looking at flame through prayer and meditation. There are those who focus more on knowledge and understanding of scientific and scholarly pursuits. There are those – more of us than ever -- who feel called to turn our principles into social action, making our world a better place through individual action and/or through collective social movements.
We honor all of these lights, as we do for all callings.
In the radiant light, let us honor the paths that lead to higher ideals. Let today remind us to let our character illuminate those around us. May each individual candle -- and the totality -- remind us of light is inside of each of us, of the need to appreciate the diverse individuals. Of the importance of reflection, and of our desire to live with intention by focusing our light with mindfulness and purpose.
SHARING THE LIGHT
[Sharing the Light should come toward the end of your service to wrap things up. The suggestion is to use narrow vigil candles with a "bobesh" (drip guard) to protect the facility against dripping wax, however flameless candles can be utilized for this part. Battery-powered candles are OK, but don't quite have the same effect.)
We will now hand out candles so that all of us will be able to hold the Luminescence light in our own hands. Please do not yet light your candles when you receive them.
[Volunteers hand out the candles, meditative music plays.]
Could we ask those who lit each of the five luminescence candles and the chalice today to now come forward and illuminate your candles from the candlabrum. Then please light someone else's candle. (Alternative for flameless: Then touch someone else’s candle as they illuminate theirs.) We would like everyone to pass the light along to the next person in this symbolic manner until everyone has symbolically lit their candle from the source. Continue touching someone else’s candle, allowing everyone to illuminate their candles. Until all candles are lit.
[Optional: Meditative music, but don’t start singing. When Our Spirits Unite Our Light Shines Bright - Instrumental]
While we light everyone’s candle, remember that we celebrate the spirit of our faith during each of our Sunday services, in our religious education classes, in prayer, through the sharing of ideas, in caring for those in need, in volunteer work, in social and environmental action work, and in all the wondrous activities we do as Unitarian Universalists, big and small. Let us take this opportunity to appreciate the radiance of the extraordinary principles, values, and actions that illuminate our lives.
[Sing: When Our Spirits Unite Our Light Shines Bright] (permission granted to sing during celebration of Luminescence)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Within each life pulses the light of love, of wisdom and truth - radiating these qualities into the world.
Sharing this light with one another, we illuminate the gifts of life and reveal those places in our hearts and in the world yet obscured by shadows of fear, of wounds unhealed, and futures undreamed.
Sharing this light with one another, we reveal strength and vulnerability, joy and sorrow, the need to give and the need to receive.
May it be tended well, nurtured and fed. May it inspire hope, courage and compassion, as we journey together the blessed path of our seasons. May the light of these candles remind us that even though we may be diverse in our beliefs, we share a common light, we share common goals, and we share common community.
[Worship Host:]
As we now put out our candles, we invite that in this season and in all to come, may we rejoice in the light which resides within each of us and within all that is.
May love and wisdom be in your mind.
May love and courage be in your heart.
May love and strength be in your hands.
May Spirit walk with you and through you
Today and all your days.
May the light of ALL these flames that illuminated this hour, continue to shine in our hearts and minds.
Go in peace, walk in love, and be a light unto the world!
[The service is now over]