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

Changing a filter will refresh results (and remaining options) immediately. Searching by keyword or changing the number of items per page requires use of the "Search" button.

Displaying 1 - 20 of 27

  • We light this chalice, so that by its light we may read ALL the books…
    Chalice Lighting | By Julie Conrady | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Arts & Music, Democracy, Freedom, Human Rights, Humanism, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • Holy flame of times past, brighten this present moment…
    Chalice Lighting | By Tracy Johnson | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Courage, Freedom, Generations, Reason, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • We shall all be free.
    Chalice Lighting | By Adam Slate | March 9, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Freedom, Living Our Faith, Purpose, Vision, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • Light the fire of the Future
    Opening | By Kiakiali Bordner | January 14, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Freedom, Hope, Hospitality, Inclusion, Love, Purpose
  • Here we gather to celebrate hope, and the infinite possibilities of love.
    Chalice Lighting | By Tom Goldsmith | April 28, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Freedom, Hope, Love, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • The chalice, as a symbol of Unitarian Universalism, arose as a beacon of hope in an atmosphere of tyranny. The chalice arose as a sign of promise that the marginalized would neither be forgotten nor ignored, because they are beloved and precious from the perspective of the Holy. This morning, we...
    Chalice Lighting | By Erika Hewitt | August 5, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Anti-Oppression, Freedom, Generations, History, Hope, Oppression, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, Wholeness
  • We light this chalice—symbol of our faith alive in this world— naming our vision of collective liberation, and daring to re-member each other into beloved community.
    Chalice Lighting | By Deanna Vandiver | May 27, 2019 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 6th Principle (World Community), Anti-Oppression, Commitment, Community, Faith, Freedom, Hope, Justice, Living Our Faith, Oppression, Vision
  • In honor of those who have served, And those who continue to serve, At home and abroad, for peace and in war, We light our chalice, And we offer our thanks.
    Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: America, Conflict, Death, Freedom, Gratitude, Memorial Day, Military, Military Service, Peace, Sacrifice, Secular, Service, Veterans Day, War
  • (Can be preceded by singing the first verse of "Bright Morning Stars," Hymn 357 in Singing the Living Tradition) Day breaks on our gratitude for family and friends, For the freedom to find our own truth, For the company of those who gather here, And the promises we offer one another....
    Chalice Lighting | By Robin F. Gray | March 25, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Covenant, Faith, Family, Freedom, Friendship, Grace, Gratitude, Hope, Journey, Truth
  • This chalice burns with twin flames. The first flame burns for those who seek and defend the right to a free and responsible search for truth and meaning so that each person may live according to conscience in a democratically elected society. The second flame burns for the defenders of freedom,...
    Chalice Lighting | By Tracy Bleakney | March 25, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Activism, America, Anti-Oppression, Commitment, Democracy, Freedom, July 4th, Justice Sunday, Memorial Day, Oppression, Power, Responsibility, Rights, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb
  • Ultimate Grace, the heart of every matter, in every perfection and imperfection, in all senses and: tenses, in moments of every right and wrong, presenting choices to inquiring hearts. You are in the purpose and the journey of mishaps. You are in moments of understanding and misunderstanding. We...
    Invocation | By Ma Theresa "Tet" Gustilo Gallardo | February 20, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Freedom, Growth, Inclusion, Purpose, Revelation, Searching, Unitarian Universalism
  • A chalice lit in our midst is a symbol of our liberal faith, A faith built on the foundation of freedom, reason and tolerance A faith sustained by acts of kindness and justice A faith that visions a world flourishing with equality for all her people A faith that demands the living out of goodness...
    Chalice Lighting | By Debra Faulk | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Commitment, Compassion, Equity, Faith, Freedom, Good, Health, Justice, Kindness, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness
  • Welcome to this place. This is a home where no revealed truths are promoted and no scripture or human being accepted as infallible. This is a place for searching for truth. But we are believers....
    Opening | By John M Higgins | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Caring, Freedom, Identity, Purpose, Truth, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Vision
  • Our prophets died for the freedom of faith; We are here in their spirit. We are here to practice and sustain our living tradition; To light a chalice, Claiming for justice The heat and power of fire....
    Chalice Lighting | By Heather K Janules | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Commitment, Community, Connections, Faith, Freedom, History, Love, Sacred, Tradition, Transcendence, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, Universalism
  • The element of fire represents passion, veracity, authenticity, and vitality. If the chalice is the supporting structure of Unitarian Universalism, then we are the flame....
    Chalice Lighting | By Sarah Lammert | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Challenge, Commitment, Community, Compassion, Freedom, Living Our Faith, Love, Power, Truth, Unitarian Universalism, Vulnerability
  • In faith, together, we light this small scrap of light, symbol of Grandfather Sun's enormous power, whose energy burns so brightly In these days of deep Summer, catapulting the leaves and vines, vegetables, flowers and fruits to astonishing size, lengths and heights, spilling over the tops of cag...
    Chalice Lighting | By Ellen Hamilton | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Community, Earth, Earth-Centered, Food, Freedom, Gratitude, Growth, Joy, Nature, Summer
  • We light this chalice in memory of the courage of those who have struggled for freedom, the persistence of those who've struggled for justice, and the love of those who've built beloved communities to carry on the light of hope.
    Chalice Lighting | By Paul Sprecher | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Commitment, Community, Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Equity, Freedom, Hope, Human Rights, Justice
  • We light this chalice to honor the memory of those who have come before us, kindling flames of wisdom in dark times, willing to challenge orthodoxy even at great personal risk, giving us a legacy of freedom and a love of truth, A legacy that warms our hearts and lights our paths.
    Chalice Lighting | By Paul Sprecher | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Challenge, Commitment, Courage, Freedom, Generations, History, Journey, Love, Truth, Wisdom
  • Leader: We believe and trust that all people are equal in humanity: Black or White; Rich or Poor; Gay or Straight. Congregation: All people are equal in humanity. Leader: Our prayer today is that the Government in Uganda will listen to the cry of its people. May they find wisdom and recognize the...
    Chalice Lighting | By Anonymous | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Change, Equity, Evil, Freedom, Human Rights, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Multiculturalism, Worth, Multiculturalism
  • Rise up, o flame, by thy light glowing. Show us beauty, vision, and joy. —Singing the Living Tradition, Hymn #362 O flaming chalice, symbol of a free faith, Burn with the holy oil of helpfulness and service. Spread warmth and light and hope; Warm hearts grown cold with indifference; Light dark...
    Chalice Lighting | By Richard S. Gilbert | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Abundance, Community, Despair, Faith, Freedom, Hope, Justice, Kindness, Responsibility, Service, Unitarian Universalism