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Prayers to be said on the four Sundays of Advent while lighting the Advent candle wreath.Prayer | By Elizabeth Mount | March 29, 2024 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christianity, Hope, Joy, Love, Patience, Peace, WorshipWeb, Worship -
There in the deep sack of night, a tiny Hope was born.Poetry | By Jennifer Pratt-Walter | March 29, 2024 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Beginnings, Birth, Earth-Centered, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace, Sacred, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Let us open all our senses and let our synapses spark one connection after another.Welcome | By Shari Woodbury | December 12, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Birth, Child Dedication, Children, Connections, Joy, Playfulness, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship -
The circle of evergreens reminds us that life and love will never end.Ritual | By Rosemary Morrison | January 26, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christianity, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace, Spiritual Practice -
May we open our hearts to the abundance of creation.Prayer | By Vanessa Rush Southern, Alyson Jacks | August 8, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Balance, Connections, Earth Day, Easter, Hope, Joy, Vernal Equinox, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Pleasure is one of the ways we know when we are free.Reading | By Adrienne Maree Brown | August 5, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, Body, Direct Experience, Humanism, Joy, Secular, Self-Care, Sexuality, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Let us marvel at the miracle of being here, right now.Opening | By Tania Márquez | November 30, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Friendship, Gratitude, Joy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship -
Sometimes love is simply letting someone else like what they like.Reflection | By Nathan Ryan | April 14, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Children, Connections, Direct Experience, Fathers, Generations, Joy, Love, Parents, Searching, Worship -
A triumph of love over death is the core of the Easter message.Reflection | By Rachel Lonberg | March 31, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Beauty, Christianity, Death, Easter, Joy, Love, Worship -
The stories remind us there is still and always joy in this world, but it usually comes right alongside the struggle.Reflection | By Elea Kemler | December 16, 2020 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Advent, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Hope, Joy, Searching, Worship -
music arises from depths unknown often without words but never without meaning and spirit rises from deep within me seducing my body to join the song first a tremor in the soul, then tapping of toes breath aligns with breath, heart beats in syncopation and a stuttering buzz in my throat becomes a...Opening | By Arlen Goff | May 4, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arts & Music, Body, Community, Direct Experience, Joy, Music Sunday, Secular, Wonder -
Pleasure reminds us to enjoy being alive and on purpose... Pleasure—embodied, connected pleasure—is one of the way we know when we are free. That we are always free. That we always have the power to co-create the world. Pleasure helps us move through the times that are unfair, through grief and...Quote | By Adrienne Maree Brown | February 15, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Beauty, Body, Direct Experience, Humanism, Joy, Love, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Secular, Self-Care, Self-Respect, Sexuality, Spiritual Practice, Wholeness -
This opening was written for two voices, as indicated below. 1: Welcome, who come in friendship who long for genuine community... 2: May you be graciously received here as your authentic self. 1: Welcome, who come in curiosity, full of questions or simply open... 2: May you embrace wonder and...Opening | By Shari Woodbury | January 5, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Beauty, Caring, Direct Experience, Hospitality, Humanism, Joy, Secular, Self-Care, Unitarian Universalism -
We can be cheerleaders for simple joys (even when we don't share them) and compassionate about the fact that we’re all just trying to survive.Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | November 6, 2019 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Arrogance, Beauty, Direct Experience, Discernment, Humanism, Joy, Secular, Self-Care, Self-Respect -
Under the right circumstances, playing with fire is a delight—imagine being gathered round a firepit as the crackling flames invite us to sing, dance, and roast a marshmallow or two. Our chalice also invites us to play, although with ideas rather than with marshmallows. The flame encourages us to...Chalice Lighting | By Melanie Davis | October 6, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Humanism, Joy, Playfulness, Secular, Trust, Unitarian Universalism -
Let us imagine for a moment that our lives are like the baskets that our children will use after the service to collect colorful eggs and candy. And as we welcome that imaginative connection, let us pause for a moment to accept a blessing....Blessing | By Lucas Hergert | May 27, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Awe, Beauty, Community, Compassion, Easter, Family, Generosity, Gratitude, Happiness, Joy -
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 WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Arts & Music, Covenant, Friendship, Humanism, Joy, Love, Marriage, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies -
Ours is a spiritual community where we find and forge connection. We trust in the strength of our mutual support, knowing how it has sustained us, day after day, year after year. Today we hold in the light: _________ and we lift up: _________ Now you are invited to recall the names of persons or...Meditation | By Kelly Murphy Mason | March 27, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Compassion, Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Joys & Concerns, Love, Sorrow, Trust -
God is not a distant force, far away. God is in the beating of our hearts and the backbeat of a funky baseline. God is in a four-on-the-floor drum fill, and in the achy joints and sore muscles the day after.Reflection | By Alex Haider-Winnett | October 24, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Arts & Music, Awe, Body, Culture, Direct Experience, God, Immanence, Joy, Letting Go, Spiritual Practice, Young Adults -
We could see the main path to the swimming hole ahead, but we had to pick our way through sand spurs to get there. Behind us were rattlesnakes. What did the youth do? They started playing.Reflection | By Teresa Honey Youngblood | October 10, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Children, Choice, Direct Experience, Discernment, Earth, Joy, Nature, Playfulness, Salvation -
People sometimes ask: Is Pride a protest Or a party? And the answer is Of course Yes. And why not? Why not Rejoice as we resist Dance as we demand change Celebrate as we create community that delights in All of who we are? So bring all of that With you this morning....Opening | By Hannah Roberts Villnave | June 12, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Community, Humanism, Joy, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Secular, Solidarity, Strength, Unitarian Universalism -
Hallelujah! As the spring sun coaxes lilies and bluebonnets from the soil, Let us celebrate that even after murderous betrayal, After days and nights suspended in torture, When all the world has gone dark and we cried out, “Why have You forsaken me?”—even then, there is a sunrise. Even then,...Opening | By Elena Westbrook | May 31, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Challenge, Christianity, Easter, Hope, Humanism, Joy, Spring, Unitarian Universalism -
Among other wonders of our lives, we are alive with one another, we live here in the light of this unlikely world that isn’t ours for long. May we spend generously the time we are given. May we enact our responsibilities as thoroughly as we enjoy our pleasures....Poetry | By John Daniel | April 5, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Awe, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Interdependence, Joy, Relationships, Responsibility, Secular, Transcendence, Wonder -
Hallelujah! is a dangerous word, especially in the mouths of the creatively maladjusted.* Hallelujah! is a dangerous word, for it comes always with an exclamation point. Hallelujah!...Reading | By Marcia McFee | March 4, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Commitment, Connections, Direct Experience, Joy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
“Now,” the yoga instructor said, “begin to chant GOD GOD GOD as you vigorously circle your arms.” Oh boy, I thought, Here we go. Of course it couldn’t just be arm circles.Reflection | By Tara Humphries | February 7, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Arts & Music, Challenge, God, Interfaith, Joy, Letting Go, Spiritual Practice -
Holy One, Emmanuel, You are with us and we with You, now on the eve of a birth like no other, and a birth exactly like all others. We ponder the dreams and foretelling—royalty, savior, the light of the world. Revolution and possibility wrapped in helplessness and vulnerability. Divine love...Prayer | By Lisa Doege | January 23, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Birth, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Joy, Redemption -
I wanted so badly to break free and let loose—but I just couldn't. I was stuck in my own false ideas of the congregation's expectations of me. Luckily, there’s still time.Reflection | By DeReau K. Farrar | January 16, 2018 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Arts & Music, Body, Direct Experience, Empathy, Freedom, Joy, Limitations, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Self-Respect -
Hold fast to summer. Enjoy with heightened appreciation these still-warm September days. Create more memories, take more pictures. Enjoy a bit of denial. Suck all the summer sweetness out of your sun-warmed garden tomatoes. Smile at someone. Squeeze a hand. Put up some jam or pickles....Affirmation | By Ben Soule | December 14, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Autumnal Equinox, Beauty, Earth, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Joy, Nature, Summer, Wonder -
During Advent, we listen and keep vigil for the promise of things to come.Ritual | By Erika Hewitt | December 2, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christianity, Despair, Faith, Hope, Joy, Spiritual Practice, Tradition -
“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.” —Elaine Hall, educator and parenting coach My three-year-old is almost completely nonverbal. Every day when she gets off the bus, I ask her the same question: I ask her how her day...Reflection | By Rayla D. Mattson | November 22, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Children, Direct Experience, Disability, Joy, Mothers, Multiculturalism, Parents -
Fire consumes, and casts a bright light. May our chalice flame consume our regrets for the past, our fears about the future, and our worries about today. May it light for us a path of joy and peace.Chalice Lighting | By Debra Burrell | November 21, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Beginnings, Direct Experience, Ending, Fear, Joy, Letting Go, New Year, Peace, Presence, Regret -
Joy Unspeakable is not silent, it moans, hums, and bends to the rhythm of a dancing universe…. For our free African ancestors, joy unspeakable is drum talk… For enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage, joy unspeakable is the surprise of living one more day… For Africans in bondage in the...Reading | By Kimberly Quinn Johnson | October 15, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Arts & Music, Community, Direct Experience, Joy, Living Our Faith, Multiculturalism, Personal Stories, Race/Ethnicity, Spiritual Practice, Unitarian Universalism -
Life is full of seesaws: it offers us moments of extreme wonder and moments of fear. Sometimes you have to live through the fear for the wonder to arrive.Reflection | By Elizabeth Harding | September 27, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Awe, Death, Direct Experience, Fear, Humanism, Joy, Secular, Wonder -
At last, we are here. After a long winter, we can say enthusiastically and without second thought, alleluia! Alleluia, spring is here in all her glory. New life begins, the earth and its creatures are resurrected from their dens of hibernation and dark slumber....Opening | By Jeanne Lloyd | August 11, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Beauty, Christianity, Earth, Earth-Centered, Easter, Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Reverence, Spring, Transformation -
Come into this place with your whole self – the parts that are raw and exposed; the part that is beaming with joy; the part that is seeking the truth, the new, the possibility. Come into this place – open your heart, lay down your burden, lift up your hope – for something new to happen. Come...Opening | By Margaret Weis | July 4, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Acceptance, Caring, Direct Experience, Humanism, Journey, Joy, Presence, Wholeness -
May whatever gatherings or activities we engage in this Sunday afternoon help restore us — our connections to one another; our sense of hope, beauty, and fun in this world; our deep knowing that we have to take care of ourselves and each other with love and joy if we are to soulfully survive the...Benediction | By Heather Rion Starr | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Balance, Connections, Direct Experience, Joy, Playfulness, Presence, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
Out of the darkness, light. Out of the light, warmth. Out of the warmth, joy. Out of the joy, togetherness. May this flame hold us for the time we are here with one another.Chalice Lighting | By Ben Soule | February 7, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Community, Connections, Joy, Presence, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Each person (mostly children but some adults will have brought their backpacks too) comes forward with their backpack and stands in a group. The prayer follows, then worship associates give each person a “luggage tag” bearing a flaming chalice logo. Spirit of Life and Hope and Love, for many of...Blessing | By Maureen Killoran | August 1, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Backpack Blessing, Beginnings, Caring, Challenge, Children, Community, Courage, Fear, Friendship, Joy, Love, Unitarian Universalism -
Spirit of life and of love, Mystery that connects us all, We give thanks for this day For this gathering of bicyclists (and those who support them)—strong and vibrant. On this day, as they set out on their ride, we pray that they will be safe....Blessing | By Margaret Weis | May 18, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Body, Freedom, Gratitude, Journey, Joy, Mindfulness, Nature, Playfulness, Relationships, WorshipWeb -
Spirit of life and love, may we find appreciation today, and in our lives, for our embodiment. We are physical creatures: mind, spirit and soul housed within our bodies. Our bodies, our physical form, allow us to experience the world: Taste—chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven. Touch—the...Meditation | By Seth Carrier-Ladd | February 12, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Body, Connections, Direct Experience, Gender, Gratitude, Humanism, Intimacy, Joy, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Secular, Sexuality, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness, WorshipWeb -
This prayer's author suggests that for each paragraph of the prayer, an accompanist (on piano or some other instrument) softly play the hymn that's indicated at stanza's end. For clarity, these instructions are included below....Prayer | By Lisa Doege | January 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Arts & Music, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Humanism, Immanence, Joy, Justice, Peace, Privilege, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb -
Under the wide sky, upon this earth the feet will dance of children stretching, swinging, leaping in joy, challenging themselves with new achievements as the years go by. Memory of goodness is made in such moments as this place will bring. May those who play here feel cared for and filled with life.Blessing | By Emmy Lou Belcher | October 17, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Building/Space Dedication, Challenge, Children, Community, Generations, Gratitude, Growth, Home, Joy, Playfulness -
We gather this afternoon, under this sky with these clouds and sun, connecting with this earth, which nourishes and supports us, to dedicate this natural playground. New things need to be recognized and appreciated – that’s what we do with a dedication. To dedicate means to set something aside...Blessing | By Jonalu Johnstone | October 17, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Body, Building/Space Dedication, Children, Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth, Friendship, Gratitude, Joy, Playfulness
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And so we gather, from the ebb and flow of our lives Thirsty for connection to ourselves Thirsty for connection to others Thirsty for connection to the larger life. As we light this chalice May all who gather here be filled: Filled with joy and hope Filled with compassion and love Here, may we be...Chalice Lighting | By Gregory Pelley | September 15, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Agnosticism, Body, Community, Compassion, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth, Homecoming / Ingathering, Hope, Humanism, Joy, Love, Nature, Searching, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Water Communion, WorshipWeb -
“Look, look!” The strangers around me were shouting and pointing. I spun around. From my position halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge, I could see a large circle of light on the Verizon building, prominent in the New York City skyline. Inside the circle were three symbols that would have meant...Reading | By Annie Gonzalez Milliken | June 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Change, Courage, Economy, Hope, Joy, Justice, Love, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
This is a house of reflection and contemplation, of joy and sorrow, friendship, sharing and laughter. We light this chalice in remembrance of what we have been and in the hope of what we may become.Chalice Lighting | By Dale Hudson | June 19, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Friendship, History, Hope, Joy, Reconciliation, Relationships, Sorrow -
They will march, walk, wheel, dance, shimmy and shake Block upon block of undulating color, flesh, banners, signs, clothing or lack thereof Hands raised, hands linked, apart, together Singing, shouting, chanting, silent, Joyous, tearful, nervous, afraid, proud, defiant, angry, happy, delirious,...Reading | By Lois Van Leer | June 9, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Inclusion, Joy, Justice, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Sexuality, Transgender Day of Remembrance -
This quote, from Peter Mayer's hymn "Blue Boat Home" (Singing the Journey #1064) was created for use & sharing on social media.Image | By Ellen Rockett | June 9, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Connections, Journey, Joy, Relationships, Wonder -
Your body is welcome here, all of it. Yes, even that part. And that part. And yes, even that part. The parts you love, and the parts you don’t. For in this place we come with all that we are All that we have been, And all that we are going to be. Our bodies are constantly changing, cells die and...Opening | By Sean Neil-Barron | June 5, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Body, Connections, Direct Experience, Diversity, Intimacy, Joy, Sacred, Self-Care, WorshipWeb -
“It’s hard to know when to respond to the seductiveness of the world and when to respond to its challenge. If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between the desire to improve the world and...Meditation | By Richard S. Gilbert | June 4, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Balance, Guilt, Individualism, Joy, Justice, Salvation, Service, Suffering, Wholeness