Sunday, June 11, 2023

Blue Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Rice Lake, Wisconsin

https://bluehillsuu.org

Waldo Bertrand Asp

April 21, 1934 March 21, 2023

Celebration of a Life Well Lived

June 11, 2023

Prelude: Bassoon Concerto in bflat major, K 191, 2nd Movement, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Chalice Lighting
"Days are sieves to filter spirit, reveal impurities, and too, show the light of some who throw their own shining into the universe." (Jalaludin Rumi)
"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it." (John 1:5)

Opening Words
"To be a garden without walls, to be a vineyard without a guardian, to be a treasure house forever open to passers by." Khalil Gibran

"And gladly would he learn, and just as gladly teach." Chaucer, The Scholars Tale

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Hymn: How Can I Keep From Singing
My life flows on in endless song, above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real though far off hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing.

When though the tempest round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth.
What though the darkness round me close, songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love prevails in heav'n and earth, how can I keep from singing!

When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing!
To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing!

Waldo the Environmentalist

Video: Holy Now by Peter Mayer

Waldo the Community Activist

Hymn: Imagine
Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try.
No hell below us, above us only sky.
Imagine all the people living for today. Ahhh.

Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too.
Imagine all the people living life in peace. You.
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.

Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can.
No need for greed or hunger, our brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the people sharing all the world. You.
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.

Invitation to Share Remembrances of Waldo

Hymn: Blue Boat Home
Though below me, I feel no motion standing on these mountains and plains.
Far away from the rolling ocean, still my dry land heart can say:
I've been sailing all my life now, never harbor or port have I known.
The wide universe is the ocean I travel. And the earth is my blue boat home.

Sun, my sail and moon, my rudder as I ply the starry sea.
Leaning over the edge in wonder casting questions into the deep.

Drifting here with my ship's companions all we kindred pilgrim souls.
Making our way by the lights of the heavens in our beautiful blue boat home.

I give thanks to the waves upholding me, hail the great winds urging me on.
Greet the infinite sea before me, sing the sky my sailors song.
I was born upon the fathoms, never harbor or port have I known
The wide universe is the ocean I travel and the earth is my blue boat home

Hymn: Den Himmelske Lovsang

Den himmelske lovsang har rikere toner,
Mer liflig og sølvren en klang
Enn all jordisk musikk, skjønt vårt hjerte seg fryder
Når skogen og dalen gjenlyder av sang.

Å herlige lovsang i Guds paradis
Når himlens hӕrskarer istemmer hans pris!

Der oppe er sangen lik vannenes brusen,
Og himlen er full av dens lyd.
De salige ånder sin Fresler lovpriser,
De jubler av glede og synger av fryd.

Å herlige lovsang i Guds paradis
Når himlens hӕrskarer istemmer hans pris!

Kun de kan den himmelske lovsang istemme
Hvis sjel har fått nåde hos Gud
ved troen på Jesus, sin Herre og Frelser,
Kun disse skal se ham og kalles hans brud.

Å herlige lovsang i Guds paradis
Når himlens hӕrskarer istemmer hans pris!

Å herlige lovsang i Guds paradis
Når himlens hӕrskarer istemmer hans pris!

Video: Auld Lang Syne, sung by Sissel

Extinguish the Chalice
"In dwelling, be close to the land, In meditation, go deep in the heart, In dealing with others, be gentle and kind, In speech, be true, In ruling, be just, In business, be competent, In action, watch the timing.
No fight, no blame?" Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching

An endowed scholarship has been established in Waldo's name at Normandale Community College, the place he taught for so many years and where he impacted so many students.

Contributions can be sent to:

Waldo B. Asp Memorial Scholarship
Normandale Community College Foundation
Normandale Community College
9700 France Avenue South
Bloomington MN, 55431

Online through the college webpage:
https://www.normandale.edu/