Unitarian Universalists use different terms for the words that begin a worship service, including call to worshipinvocation, and opening words. These words invite the congregation from their separate lives and to the common place and time of the worship hour.

(In Unitarian Universalist worship if there are Opening Words there is generally not an Invocation, and vice versa.)

Search Words for Worship Services

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12

  • Speaking from the heart can turn an ordinary meeting into a rewarding one.
    Chalice Lighting | By Ben Ogilvie | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Connections, Covenant, Relationships, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism, Work, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • We gather to honor our covenant and engage in congregational life.
    Chalice Lighting | By Emily Richards | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Character, Democracy, Leadership, Purpose, Work
  • Can we find space for lifting our heads in wonder—that we’re still striving, still trying together
    Chalice Lighting | By Li Kynvi | August 10, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Commitment, Community, Faith, Hope, Identity, Living Our Faith, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • We tend the spark of imagination and hope for the world to come.
    Chalice Lighting | By Rachael Hayes | February 25, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Discernment, Generations, Humanism, Leadership, Purpose, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • As we light this chalice [this evening], may it serve to give us clarity of purpose and illumine our way as we set about doing the work of this congregation, in commitment, in cooperation, and in love.
    Chalice Lighting | By Viola Abbitt | January 7, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Business Meetings, Commitment, Community, Governance, Humanism, Leadership, Love, Purpose, Secular, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism, Work
  • This is the hour. The time has come. Mindful of our responsibilities as leaders of this faith and guardians of the living tradition, we call upon that great cloud of witnesses—those who came before, those who are here now and those who have yet to come. We seek their presence, love and support in...
    Chalice Lighting | By Connie Simon | December 13, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Business Meetings, Calling, Generations, Governance, Leadership, Ordinations, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Responsibility, Secular, Teamwork, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Wisdom
  • Here we are in our circle again. A circle of vision and reflection, A forum for deciding and empowering. Here we are at the base of another bridge, another space spanning the shores of today and tomorrow. Beckoning us to cross the chasm, one day at a time....
    Opening | By Shari Woodbury | August 11, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Business Meetings, Calling, Community, Humanism, Installations, Leadership, Secular, Trust, Unitarian Universalism, Vision
  • How does it happen? this transformation....
    Opening | By Everett Howe | February 1, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Business Meetings, Community, Direct Experience, Humanism, Inclusion, Interdependence, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
  • We arrive from many different experiences and backgrounds. Some of us have trouble speaking; others are so young that they’re still learning to talk. Some of us speak English as a second language, and others of us can speak several foreign languages....
    Opening | By Erika Hewitt | February 8, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Business Meetings, Community, Conflict, Connections, Direct Experience, Integrity, Interdependence, Intimacy, Living Our Faith, Love, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism, Valentine's Day
  • As we approach our agenda let us remember that we are doing the work of the congregation.* When we do the work of this congregation*, we touch lives. When we touch lives, we change the world. May this chalice flame we now kindle remind us throughout our meeting of our ministry and our mission....
    Chalice Lighting | By Erik Walker Wikstrom | November 10, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Commitment, Covenant, Discernment, Leadership, Mindfulness, Power, Privilege, Purpose, Responsibility, Service, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism
  • I like congregational meetings. More than any other facet of church life, more than the worship or music or potlucks, these exercises in democratic decision-making go to the heart of our religious heritage....
    Opening | By Gary Kowalski | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Business Meetings, Community, Democracy, History, Unitarian Universalism
  • (This was written for the opening worship at a district board retreat....
    Opening | By Gina Whitaker | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Business Meetings, Leadership, Purpose, Responsibility, Service, Teamwork, Vision, Work