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 2441 – 2460 of 3317
Changing a filter will refresh results (and remaining options) immediately. Searching by keyword requires use of the "Search" button.
-
I send you out now, to share yourself with the world May its promise and complexity set your mind ablaze May you hold fast to what your life has taught you May you question everything And when you have changed the world, And the world has changed you, May you return again, to this place, And shar...Closing | By Kelly Weisman Asprooth-Jackson | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Transformation, Truth, Wonder -
[This sermon is second in a three-part series: "The Humanist in Me," "The Theist in Me," and "The Christian in Me."] You may have noticed that I do not completely attach myself to one label....Sermon | By Bruce Clear | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: God, Meaning, Searching
-
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 WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Community, Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Equity, Freedom, Hope, Human Rights, Justice -
We light this chalice to honor the teachings of Jesus, The love of neighbor and of God, The command to care for the least of these, and The Kingdom of Heaven, the Beloved Community, Which he proclaimed.Chalice Lighting | By Paul Sprecher | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Community
-
We light this chalice to kindle the fire of commitment to spread our beloved faith, proclaim the Good News that all are worthy and all are welcome, that God is Love and none shall be left behind. May we carry this flame to all we encounter, letting our lives shine with its glow.Chalice Lighting | By Paul Sprecher | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Commitment, Community, Faith, Generosity, Hospitality, Inclusion, Kindness, Living Our Faith, Love, Universalism -
In the summer of 1989, I attended the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists at the General Assembly at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale is right downtown, and it was my custom to get out of the hotel and university setting for most of my meals. One morning, as I was in town...Sermon | By Sara Campbell | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Anti-Oppression, Change, Oppression, Privilege, Race/Ethnicity
-
[This sermon is third in a three-part series: "The Humanist in Me," "The Theist in Me," and "The Christian in Me."] In this series of sermons, there is much more we could do....Sermon | By Bruce Clear | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, History, Prophetic Words & Deeds
-
I have come to discover that what most people know about humanism they learned from the lips of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and other televangelists. It is a shame that this is so, but it is. One key leader of the religious right, Tim LeHaye, wrote an immensely popular book years ago about...Sermon | By Bruce Clear | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Freedom, Humanism, Reason, Unitarian Universalism
-
Some of you may have heard Garrison Keillor’s Thanksgiving story in which Unitarians are featured. Somebody needs to find out what Keillor’s experience is with Unitarians. He mentions us frequently and, I might add, usually, his comments (whether complimentary or critical) are right on the...Sermon | By Bruce Clear | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Diversity, Doubt, Humanism, Science, Truth
-
For the gift of this day and for our community of spiritual nurture and compassion, we give thanks. We light this chalice as a symbol of our faith. May our many sparks meet and merge in communion of heart and soul.Chalice Lighting | By Bruce Southworth | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Commitment, Community, Compassion, Faith, Gratitude, Growth, Hope, Presence, Reverence -
We light this chalice for the web of life which sustains us, For the sacred circle of life in which we have our being, For the Earth, the Sky, Above and Below, and For our Mother Earth, and for the Mystery.Chalice Lighting | By Paul Sprecher | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Connections, Earth, Earth-Centered, Generations, Interdependence, Mystery, Nature, Paganism, Power, Relationships, Reverence, Sacred -
I want to tell you about something that happened a few years ago on a Sunday after services. The congregation I was serving then was gathered for a congregational meeting....Sermon | By Sara Campbell | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Mystery, Presence, Spirituality
-
Take courage friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high. Take courage. For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone.Closing | By Wayne B. Arnason | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Power, Solidarity, Strength, Unity
-
Let us seek the quiet and the calm Let us lay aside our loud calling Let us lay aside our struggle Speak softly: let us listen to the melodies that recall other proportions Our moments tarry not with us Let us then seek the dimension that endures beyond all nowness and hereness beyond all...Meditation | By Jay E Abernathy, Jr | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Silence, Simplicity
-
How to discuss the truth that some men love men, and some women, women, and some, both, with the children in the church school and church home? Nonchalantly. Without drum-rolls. Without tip-toe preparations. Without calculating and predicting to the nth degree. With candor. With open ears. With...Reading | By Mark Belletini | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Anti-Oppression, Gender, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Love, Pride Sunday -
In the Unitarian Universalist Church we find inspiration from many different sources. The inspiration for today’s sermon comes from a joke. You may have heard it: Q: What’s the difference between cats and dogs? A: Dogs look at people and say, “They feed us. They give us shelter. They take care...Sermon | By Christopher Buice | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Balance, Buddhism, Diversity, Unitarianism, Unity, Universalism
-
I want to tell you about a T-ball game, a story credited to storyteller Bill Harley. If, like me, you grew up before T-ball, you'll need to know that it’s a game like softball, but with gentle rules for 5 to 8-year olds, kids just starting out in life. Now, the particular T-ball team Bill...Story | By John Parker Manwell | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Animals, Choice, Love, Presence
-
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk exposing our true self. To place our ideas—our dreams—before the crowd is to risk loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk despair. To try is to...Closing | By Anonymous | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Failure, Hope, Love
-
To act so that our empathy is evident wherever we go—that's the object.Closing | By David Hicks MacPherson | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), Connections, Purpose -
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 WorshipWebTagged as: Challenge, Commitment, Courage, Freedom, Generations, History, Journey, Love, Truth, Wisdom