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 2801 – 2820 of 3317
Changing a filter will refresh results (and remaining options) immediately. Searching by keyword requires use of the "Search" button.
-
Quote | By Henri Frederic Amiel | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, Compassion, Integrity, Presence, Prophetic Words & Deeds -
The Greek philosopher Plato compared the human mind to a ship on which the sailors had mutinied and locked the captain and the navigator in a cabin. On such a ship, the sailors feel free to steer the ship as they like, but their direction is erratic. The goal of our religious education and youth...Closing | By Jeff Liebmann | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Bridging, Bridging Ceremony, Coming of Age, Commitment, Community, Graduation Recognition, Identity, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
I invite you now into a quiet time, a time for spoken and silent contemplation. Spirit of Life, we have come into each other's presence this day seeking a part of ourselves, knowing that we do not live alone, and knowing we cannot live fully if we are for ourselves alone....Prayer | By Wayne B. Arnason | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Connections, Humility, Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday -
The Bridging Ceremony celebrates the transition of our youth from their high school experience into young adulthood. It is a time of tremendous change—and stress—for our youth. It is a time when many of them will leave our particular church community to travel to other cities, into higher...Opening | By Jeff Liebmann | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Youth/Teens
-
We say in our church that the offering is a sacrament of the free church. What we mean by that is that we believe it is a blessing to be able to govern and support our religious community ourselves—to make possible by our generosity everything we dream of and do to live out our shared values.Offering | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Generosity, Governance, Money, Responsibility, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism
-
The purpose of the church is to encourage all who gather there to grow more generous in spirit and in action. This is the great end of all the world's faith traditions: to bring the human being closer to the divine by acts of creation and compassion. We now take an offering that allows us to...Offering | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Generosity, Gratitude, Strength
-
I hope you all had the opportunity to meet someone new this morning, and I certainly hope to meet all our first-time guests this morning after the service....Offering | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Community, Governance, Hospitality, Money, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism
-
Every week in our church we take up an offering. It's good to remind ourselves from time to time that the offering is symbolic as well as practical. We know that it is through pledges that we build our budget and fund our yearly programs and ministries of worship and religious education, pay our...Offering | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Gratitude, Money, Responsibility, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism
-
We have come together to share our deepest concerns, speaking and singing words of inspiration and hope. We have committed ourselves to do what we can to ease the burdens of those who suffer, to stand for decency and compassion....Closing | By Robert F Kaufmann | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), 6th Principle (World Community), Activism, Commitment, Integrity, Purpose, Service, Unitarian Universalism
-
We have a calling in this world: We are called to honor diversity, To respect differences with dignity, And to challenge those who would forbid it. We are people of a wide path. Let us be wide in affection And go our way in peace. Amen.Closing | By Jean M Rickard | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Calling, Dignity, Diversity, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Vision
-
We extinguish this flame, a mere wisp of matter in process, almost as insubstantial as the thought of it. Yet our civilization has harnessed the power of such a flame to drive and shape a new world. So may it be with the power of our thoughts, that in truth and love they may drive and shape a new...Closing | By Rolfe Gerhardt | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), Meaning, Power, Purpose, Strength, Unitarian Universalism
-
Today we have the opportunity to contribute to a special offering for the Unitarians in Eastern Europe [whose stories you have just learned]. One Transylvanian Unitarian minister, speaking about his congregation's recently revived connection between eastern Unitarians and western Unitarian...Offering | By Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, History, Partner Church Observation, Relationships, Stewardship, Unitarianism
-
This congregation is a theologically diverse religious community with membership open to all who are in accordance with our principles, mission and vision. We are a Welcoming Congregation to people of all sexual orientations, and we unconditionally welcome any and all of you to our community of...Offering | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Generosity, Governance, Hospitality, Money, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism
-
We extinguish the chalice here that it might glow gently in our hearts. May it light your path as you leave this place. May it guide your way until we are together again.Closing | By Martha L Munson | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Meaning, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
-
We all have two religions: the religion we talk about and the religion we live. It is our task to make the difference between the two as small as possible.Closing | By William E Gardner | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Balance, Belief, Integrity, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Service, Unitarian Universalism
-
To pass the peace is a revolutionary act. It means to trust the outsider we fear, to wish well those who have hurt us; and to forgive at last ourselves. To offer the blessing to those around you is to love your neighbor and yourself and to be at peace with God. Pax vobiscum. Peace. Peace.Closing | By Clarke Dewey Wells | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Connections, Forgiveness, God, Peace, Trust
-
Through our temporary lives the great currents of history run. Let us keep the channels open and free so not to obstruct purposes greater than our own. Let us keep our minds set upon the high goals that here bind us into one sharing fellowship of loving hearts. Amen.Closing | By Carl Seaburg | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Freedom, Generations, History, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Vision
-
There is, finally, only one thing required of us: that is, to take life whole, the sunlight and shadows together; to live the life that is given us with courage and humor and truth. We have such a little moment out of the vastness of time for all our wondering and loving....Closing | By Kendyl L. R. Gibbons | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Balance, Courage, Meaning, Purpose, Searching, Unitarian Universalism
-
That which is worthy of doing, create with your hands. That which is worthy of repeating, speak with a clear voice. That which is worthy of remembering, hold in your hearts. And that which is worthy of living, go and live it now.Closing | By Steve J Crump | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Faith, Integrity, Meaning, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Purpose, Service
-
Reminded that we are part and participants of the Universe, let us go forth from the quiet of this hour encouraged to strive toward faithfulness to the best in ourselves, in others, and in the whole creation.Closing | By Norman V Naylor | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Failure, Integrity, Interdependence, Unitarian Universalism, Vision