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.
Search Words for Worship Services
Displaying 2501 – 2520 of 3320
Changing a filter will refresh results (and remaining options) immediately. Searching by keyword requires use of the "Search" button.
-
I hate goodbyes. I hate everything about them. It bothers me that “goodbye” isn’t really what I think we most often want to say. When those I love leave me, or I leave them, goodbye isn’t what I want to say. I want to tell them that their warm hand on my cheek, which caught my desperate...Reading | By Kaaren Solveig Anderson | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Change, Ending, Letting Go -
Ministry is a quality of relationship between and among human beings that beckons forth hidden possibilities; inviting people into deeper, more constant, more reverent relationship with the world and with one another; carrying forward a long heritage of hope and liberation that has dignified and...Reading | By Gordon B McKeeman | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Compassion, Healing, Installations, Leadership, Ordinations, Presence, Service, Teacher Dedication, Unitarian Universalism
-
I love to pray, to go deep down into the silence: To strip myself of all pride, selfishness, and coldness of heart; To peel off thought after thought, passion after passion, till I reach the genuine depths of all; To remember how short a time ago I was nothing,and in how short a time again I will...Meditation | By David O. Rankin | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: God, Immanence, Presence
-
What can we say about Rudolph? He was excluded by other reindeer. They did not let him play with them. We may feel confident that they made fun of him and his red nose. It is possible that they hurt poor Rudolph. He was on the outside. The other reindeer had a special relationship with Santa Claus.Story | By Edward Harris | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Diversity
-
The Woman Who Outshone the SunThe Legend of Lucia Zenteno Characters Narrator Lucia Zenteno (older child or adult) Iguana (small child) Water (several) Fish (several) Otters (several) Townspeople-elders and children (several) Props Long, flowing, bright skirt with pinned on flowers and butterflie...Story | By Nancy Jilk | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Diversity, Earth Day, Forgiveness
-
In the presence of these flowers,These representatives of Creation's profound beauty:Diverse and Unique, but Related and Interdependent,These flowers which come to us as gifts from we know not whereAnd which we, in turn, choose to bring to our shared and common altarAs gifts to one anotherIn thei...Meditation | By William G. Sinkford | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Flower Communion
-
Welcome all you saints! Yes! You are saints, all of you are saints, for it is not by perfection that we are sainted, rather it is by our actions. It is not by perfection that we are sainted; rather it is by our presence. It is not by perfection that we are sainted; rather it is by our giving....Meditation | By Susan Brown | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: All Saints Day, Halloween, Samhain -
We pray for the peace not past understanding: The peace of children laughing and students quietly studying, Of young women dancing and men flirting beneath the stars. The peace not past understanding: Where no gunfire disrupts the night, Where girls can walk downtown and not be afraid, Where boys...Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Peace
-
Each of us will be grateful this Thanksgiving in differing ways, Gathered in our separate families, Each with our own distinct recipes, customs and traditions; For some will have pies of mince, And others of pumpkin or apple; And some will dine early And some sit down late to the meal, Passing on...Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: America, Family, Food, Generations, Gratitude, Secular, Thanksgiving -
I wish for you a troubled heart at times As woes of world and friend come close beside And keep you sleepless. I wish for you the thrill of knowing Who you are, Where you stand, And why. Especially why....Meditation | By Charles S Stephen, Jr | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Coming of Age
-
Often I have felt that I must praise my world For what my eyes and ears have seen these many years, And what my heart has loved. And often I have tried to start my lines: "Dear earth," I say, And then I pause To look once more. Soon I am bemused And far away in wonder. So I never get beyond "Dear...Meditation | By Max Kapp | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Earth, Gratitude
-
Fire and water, ancient opposites Sun and ocean, the cradle of life Dancing flame and dancing river— We invoke them together today As we kindle our chalice flame.Chalice Lighting | By Laura Horton-Ludwig | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Awe, Earth, Earth-Centered, Immanence, Interdependence, Nature, Paganism, Peace, Playfulness, Reverence, Sacred, Transcendence -
Divine spark from sacred dark Symbol of our holy intent Illuminate this hour.Chalice Lighting | By Kathy A Huff | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Discernment, Grace, Growth, Immanence, Meaning, Presence, Revelation, Reverence, Sacred, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder -
Blessed is the fire that burns deep in the soul. It is the flame of the human spirit touched into being by the mystery of life. It is the fire of reason; the fire of compassion; the fire of community; the fire of justice; the fire of faith....Chalice Lighting | By Eric A Heller-Wagner | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Compassion, Faith, Justice, Love, Mystery, Reason, Reverence, Sacred, Worth -
At this hour, in small towns and big cities, in single rooms and ornate sanctuaries, many of our sibling Unitarian Universalist congregations are also lighting a flaming chalice. As we light our chalice today, let us remember that we are part of a great community of faith. May this dancing flame...Chalice Lighting | By Judith L Quarles | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Calling, Community, Connections, Faith, Hope, Interdependence, Justice, Love, Presence, Unitarian Universalism -
As we light this chalice We take those little sparks Glowing within all of us And combine them to create this flame. —First Parish, Bedford, MA, Coming of Age participant...Chalice Lighting | By Jamie Dorer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Coming of Age, Coming-of-Age, Community, Growth, Living Our Faith, Responsibility, Strength, Truth, Unity, Wholeness -
As frozen earth holds the determined seed, this sacred space holds our weariness, our worry, our laughter and our celebration. Let us bring seed and soul into the light of thought, the warmth of community, and the hope of love. Let us see together, hear together, love together. Let us worship.Chalice Lighting | By Laura Wallace | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Community, Earth, Faith, Growth, Hope, Joy, Love, Sacred, Worry -
(May be read responsively) We light this chalice to affirm that new light is ever waiting to break through to enlighten our ways: That new truth is ever waiting to break through to illumine our minds: And that new love is ever waiting to break through to warm our hearts. May we be open to this...Chalice Lighting | By Charles A. Howe | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Birth, Calling, Grace, Growth, Healing, Hope, Listening, Love, Truth, Vision, Winter Solstice / Yule -
We light our flaming chalice To illuminate the world we seek. In the search for truth, may we be just; In the search for justice, may we be loving; And, in loving, may we find peace.Chalice Lighting | By Elizabeth M McMaster | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Justice, Love, Peace, Purpose, Truth, Vision
-
To face the world's shadows, a chalice of light.Chalice Lighting | By Lindsay Bates | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Courage, Peace