Hinduism: The Tangible Presence of the Divine

(PDF) Order of Service for November 1

Sunday, November 1, 2026, 10:30 a.m.

Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, in person and online

Order of Service

Hymn      Seat at the Table – Melanie DeMore

Welcome and Announcements

Chalice Reading and Lighting      Inspired by the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Music for Celebration      Raga Todi

Blessing Song for Children and Youth      Lead with Love – Melanie DeMore

Candle of Compassion and Resistance

Joys and Sorrows
Prayer and Silence

Music Interlude

Reading      The Light of Diwali – Abhi Janamanchi

Gift of Music      Raga Bhairavi

Homily Part 1

Hymn #123      Spirit of Life/Fuente de Amor – Carolyn McDade, Ervin Barrios

Reflection      Kaushik Das

Shared Offering      for Sacramento Native American Health Center

Every month we give half of the Sunday offering to a local not-for-profit organization. Donate by text at 916-619-0903, or online at uuss.org/donate, or by check to UUSS.

Offertory      Nada Brahma – Brian Tate

Offering Response      May generosity bless our world and may gratitude nourish our spirits.

Homily Part 2

Hymn #118      This Little Light of Mine

Extinguishing the Chalice and Candle Flames      Unison words

May the power of this gathering light our way forward with courage. In the days to come, let us remember that fear is outworked by hope, and that hatred is no match for the power of love.

Benediction

Serving in Worship Today

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching
Rev. Lucy Bunch
Ministerial Intern Sophia McKean
Worship Associate Jenni Gouine
Reflections by Kaushik Das
UUSS Choir
Music Director Anthony Tavianini
Pianist Irina Tchantceva
Guest musicians Pandit Binay Pathak, sitar; Aarush Ayyagari, tabla
Flowers by Elinor Anklin

Notes on the Music and Musicians

Choral Song: “Nada Brahma” (the world is sound) was composed by Brian Tate, a church music director in British Columbia.

Music on sitar and tabla: We welcome our guest musicians, Aarush Ayyagari and Pandit Binay Pathak. Pt. Binay Pathak is a distinguished exponent of the Pathak Gharana, a musical lineage with a heritage of over 400 years of sitar maestros and vocalists. He began learning music at age five, continuing his family’s rich musical tradition. His father, the late Pandit Balram Pathak, was widely recognized as one of the greatest sitar maestros of his time. He established Sohini Sangeet Academy in Sacramento, where he teaches Indian classical vocal music, sitar, tabla, and harmonium. Beyond music, he shares the values of Indian philosophy, culture, ethics, traditional mantras, and discipline, helping preserve and pass on India’s rich cultural heritage to future generations.