An unlit chalice on a church altar

Unitarian Universalists honor and celebrate a wide range of holidays and occasions over the course of a year. Unlike other faith traditions that use a single lectionary (a collection of scripture readings appointed for a given day or occasion), the topics and themes for Unitarian Universalist worship services are usually chosen independently by worship leaders in congregations. These include unique UU traditions, like the Flower Ceremony, as well as holidays from other faith traditions, such as Christmas or Beltane.

View and download the 2023-24 UUA Worship Calendar (PDF), which includes faith-based and secular holidays that UU congregations often celebrate. The calendar also includes monthly worship themes used in popular theme-based ministry programs. To download or print, follow the link and use the File menu, then select the Landscape layout option.

LEADER RESOURCE 2 Rituals to Welcome a New Child
a medieval window from the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, Scotland, depicting the Nativity
Islamic prayer beads or Subha inside the Süleymaniye Moque (Istanbul).
An altar filled with candles, photos, and flowers

Search Words for Worship Services

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11

  • New lyrics for #358 to correct its original ableism.
    Music | By Kendyl L. R. Gibbons, Cynthia Landrum | March 30, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Arts & Music, Installations, Ministerial Transition, Ordinations, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • See now the daybreak of our love: Through it may we be lifted, For when the nightfall closes in, May strength anew be gifted. Yes! Love endures on this good Earth. Our steadfast hope we’re bringing; We sing a truth no creed can end. How can we keep from singing? Good people gather to proclaim new...
    Music | By Eliot Brian Chenowith | May 8, 2019 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Arts & Music, Covenant, Friendship, Humanism, Joy, Love, Marriage, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies
  • "We want our children back. There are too many gone too soon." In December 2017, Rev. Jason Shelton was invited to lead singing at the fifth anniversary of the Newtown massacre, at a vigil in front of the headquarters of the NRA. He wrote this song of lament for the occasion, because he couldn’t...
    Music | By Jason Shelton | February 17, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Children, Death, Direct Experience, Disaster, Disaster or Crisis, Parents, Sadness, Violence
  • This hymn (sheet music is available) was written as a Celtic-style harvest song. Come as the summer turns t'ward autumn; Come as the long-night stars climb high'r. Come as time's unceasing turning Wheels us 'round 'round the harvest fire. Chorus: So we go From daylight toward the night. So we go,...
    Music | By Patrick DeSimio | April 25, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Autumnal Equinox, Earth, Earth-Centered, Fall, Nature, Wisdom
  • This song by Jake Tidmore is about animal rescue. He's provided WorshipWeb with sheet music in the key of F and the key of E flat. I was kicked out and abandoned On a road from nowhere lost and alone I felt unwanted, my spirit fading How much longer could I keep going on?...
    Music | By Jake Tidmore | December 29, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animal Blessing, Animal Memorial, Animals, Direct Experience, Love, Nature, Relationships, Salvation, Secular
  • This hymn text was written to accompany the tune St. Louis, commonly known as "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (#246 in Singing the Living Tradition). O Holy Darkness, loving Womb, who nurtures and creates, sustain us through the longest night with dreams of open gates....
    Music | By Jann Aldredge-Clanton | December 12, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Anti-Oppression, Awe, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, God, Mystery, Winter Solstice / Yule, Wisdom, Women
  • In colors bright and essence sweet, like flowers we blossom when we meet.
    Doxology | By Lisa Doege | June 22, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beauty, Community, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Flower Communion, Nature, WorshipWeb
  • Sheet Music (PDF) - In the darkness of the winter, quiet hearts beneath the sky, we are waiting for the daystar and a holy newborn’s cry. Friends and family here have gathered, gathered here from near and far, sharing hearts and...
    Music | By Ruben Piirainen, Suzelle Lynch | December 16, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Advent, Awe, Children, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Family, Hope, Love, Salvation, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, Wonder
  • Sheet music (PDF). Kindle candles one by one; night by night, the light it grows. Lights of freedom miracle of faith! Shining out for all to see. We give thanks for miracles. Ancestors who fought for faith. They were brave beyond all hope! Strong, courageous Maccabees. Blessed is the Holy One who...
    Music | By Suzelle Lynch | November 27, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Courage, Freedom, Generations, Hanukkah, Judaism, Tradition
  • Never from that summons swerve; Hark the prophets' living chorus! Truth and freedom still to serve Show the present path before us. As we dream, so shall we dare; Hands to service, hearts to prayer. Clouds of witness call us on, That a nobler day may dawn.
    Music | By Kendyl L. R. Gibbons | February 18, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community Ministry Sunday, Faith, Freedom, Installations, Ordinations, Service, Tradition, Truth, Unitarian Universalism
  • Holy waters.... holy waters... holy waters... holy waters Holy waters, make us new. Holy waters, make us whole. Holy waters, make us free.
    Music | By Jason Shelton | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Awe, Earth, Earth-Centered, Nature, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism, Water Communion, Wholeness