Edit Header for Worship Opening Search

Unitarian Universalists use different terms for the words that begin a worship service, including call to worship, invocation, 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 80

  • A greyscale silhouette of a person extending their open hand towards the viewer. The image is highly foreshortened, with the hand looming large in the image and the person seemingly far away.
    We proclaim with Love on our side: Our bodies are sacred. Our minds are blessed. Our spirits are beloved.
    Chalice Lighting | By Karishma Gottfried | April 24, 2024 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Body, Fat Liberation, Grace, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Love, Sacred, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • The sun, framed by two hands forming a heart shape, in an orange sky.
    Love is the center and foundation of this faith... let fall away all that might distract us from the whole-hearted practice of Love.
    Welcome | By Shari Woodbury | January 31, 2024 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #Article2, Anti-Oppression, Community, Covenant, Living Our Faith, Love, Principles and Purposes, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • An abstract image of swirling colors ranging from yellow to orange, reminiscent of fire.
    Illuminate our hearts and the spaces between them in this Sacred Time of unfolding.
    Chalice Lighting | By Tracy Johnson | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Love, Wisdom, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    What if sometimes it’s about sparking potential into possibility, and possibility into existence?
    Chalice Lighting | By Lisa Doege | November 17, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beginnings, Hope, Journey, Justice, Love, Peace, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A loaf of bread and goblet of juice for communion at church.
    As we gather in this sacred moment, the Holy Spirit settles among her people.
    Chalice Lighting | By Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christianity, Communion (Christian), God, Love
  • A person's head and shoulders, viewed from behind, with bright rays of colored light forming an aura.
    Whether you have made promises, broken promises, or are renewing your promises, you are beloved and you are welcome here.
    Opening | By Joan Javier-Duval | March 2, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Abundance, Acceptance, Community, Hospitality, Inclusion, Love, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A blue flame emitting red sparks
    Light the fire of the Future
    Opening | By Kiakiali Bordner | January 14, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Freedom, Hope, Hospitality, Inclusion, Love, Purpose
  • A black and gray ridge of mountains, stylized against a stark red background, is reflected above in a mirror image.
    We light this chalice today to illuminate our way toward Love.
    Chalice Lighting | By Melissa Jeter | November 22, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Imagination, Love, Parents, Patience, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A wash of colored smoke, drifting in abstract patterns, colored blue and violet and pink.
    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
  • A red candle, lit and emanating a wisp of smoke, hovers in the dark. The lower half of a person's face is seen in the background.
    As we light this flame, we remember friends and loved ones near and far and we give thanks. As the fire burns brightly, we open our minds and hearts to new ways of being and we feel alive....
    Chalice Lighting | By Leia Durland-Jones | April 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Hospitality, Inclusion, Love, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • Against a vibrant, deep red wall, a Black parent cradles and smiles down at a happy toddler.
    We cannot begin to find ourselves without love.
    Opening | By Elizabeth Mount | April 12, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Body, Children, Connections, Father's Day, Humanism, Interdependence, Love, Mother's Day, Parents, Relationships, Secular, Trust, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A field of purple flowers, in Latvia, with small lights reflected on them.
    Easter is a holiday of miracles.
    Opening | By Peggy Clarke | March 31, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Belief, Christianity, Easter, Hope, Love, Nature, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A view of the starry sky at night, straight up, through the silhouette of trees around the edges.
    Amidst the swirl of life's challenges, fears, and even moments of crisis, I make time to gaze at the night sky to see the vastness there, And to remember that this moment in time is but a flicker— Not an inconsequential flicker— For what I do and think now does matter. My work, though, is to let...
    Chalice Lighting | By Cindy Terlazzo | January 11, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Balance, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Integrity, Love, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A crowd of people at the Lights for Liberty vigil in Pittsburgh
    We light this flame To ignite the sacred power of justice. We light this flame So that it may be a beacon of hope In moments of uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and the unknown....
    Chalice Lighting | By Jami Yandle | August 13, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Justice, Love, Power
  • mended chalice
    Across the distance, the light from within me shines, sending love to all Across the distance, your light is fuel that warms me and helps to keep my own light burning Together, we keep the flame of community burning bright...
    Chalice Lighting | By Laura Thompson | April 7, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #COVID19, Building Community, Community, Love
  • A person's feet and their laptop computer on a bed, as photographed from above.
    Spirit of life and love, We gather together in different ways this morning, From computer screens, from telephones, from car radios, We gather, reaching out across the wires, waving from a safe distance, To come together in religious community....
    Opening | By Cynthia Landrum | April 7, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #COVID19, Beginnings, Community, Hope, Love, Nourishing the Spirit, Personal Inspiration
  • Zentangle Chalice by Cynthia Landrum 2013
    We light this flame For the art of sacred unknowing. Humbled by all that we cannot fathom in this time, We come into the presence of what we do know, Perhaps the only thing we can ever know: That Love is now and forever The only answer to everything And everyone In every moment.
    Chalice Lighting | By Amy Carol Webb | March 30, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #COVID19, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Hope, Humility, Love, Presence, Unitarian Universalism
  • At a conference table, young adults smile around an open laptop.
    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
  • A red pillar candle is lit, with evergreen and a sunny window visible in the background.
    Reader 1: Flaming chalice, symbol of our living tradition, we kindle you for light Reader 2: Light in this darkest season of the year Light to reveal the sources of greed and hate among us Light to guide our way forward together Reader 1: Chalice Flame, we kindle you for love Reader 2: Love to ke...
    Chalice Lighting | By Ariel Hunt-Brondwin | November 13, 2019 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Hope, Love, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • Hands_heart-shaped_sky_water
    Oh, divine Love, With the kindling of this flame, may we realize and love our true selves: Our true, round belly selves. Our true, bags under our eyes, selves. Our true, naturally hairy, selves. Our true, wrinkles on our skin, selves. May our self-love help keep our chalice ablaze.
    Chalice Lighting | By Cooper Garrett | May 27, 2019 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Acceptance, Body, Compassion, Courage, Dignity, Love, Self-Respect, Shame, Truth, Vulnerability