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
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Original version in English by Tracy Bleakney, traducción en español por Theresa Soto A child journeys far from home Fearful and brave, in need of safe harbor. Guided by this chalice, may we seek to understand the causes of flight. Like the comfort of a candle flickering in a window of darkness,...Spanish | Chalice Lighting | By Julián Jamaica Soto , Tracy Bleakney | December 15, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Children, Compassion, Dignity, Hospitality, Humanism, Immigration, Journey, Justice, Unitarian Universalism
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We are called today, from the midst of pain and challenge, we are called to praise the world. From a world that appears broken, we are called to praise life’s moments of joy and grace. From time that seems to freeze in ongoing exchanges of platitudes and blame, we are called to reach out to those...Opening | By Maureen Killoran | December 8, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Community, Direct Experience, Grief, Healing, Justice, Pain
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If you came to this place expecting a tame story, you came to the wrong place. If you came for a story that does not threaten you, you came for a different story than the one we tell. If you came to hear of the coming of a God who only showed up so that you could have a nice day with your loved...Opening | By Quinn G. Caldwell | November 24, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Integrity, Justice, Love, Power, Transformation
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How often we seek refuge in this sacred flame From the world’s trouble and pain. Today, may our lamp light the way For whose who know no refuge, That we may open our minds Our arms Our hearts Our mouths to sing “Come, whoever you are,” Wholly new and wholly true.Chalice Lighting | By Amy Carol Webb | November 24, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Compassion, Disaster, Hope, Hospitality, Inclusion, Interdependence, International, Journey, Leadership, Pain, Unitarian Universalism, Worth
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Here we have come into this sacred space— quieter now with our readiness Hushed voices, hoping, trusting for so many things: For connection, for communion For inspiration, for information For healing, for wholeness, For words, for music, For celebration and consolation, Here we have come into thi...Opening | By Katie Kandarian-Morris | November 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Awe, Faith, Healing, Hope, Letting Go, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder
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Fire of our faith, fire our future.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Faith, Generations, History, Hope, Identity, Journey, Leadership, Living Our Faith, Responsibility, Unitarian Universalism
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As we kindle this flame, May it spark in each of us Connection and commitment To this living tradition And to each other.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Commitment, Connections, Interdependence, Living Our Faith, Relationships, Reverence, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Wonder
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Flame of our faith, call us into the community of love and justice this morning and every morning.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Challenge, Commitment, Community, Compassion, Courage, Faith, Justice, Love, Tradition
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We light this chalice, the beacon that calls us: To love To justice To a deepening of the spirit.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Calling, Commitment, Community, Conscience, Faith, Growth, Justice, Love, Solidarity, Spirituality, Unitarian Universalism
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In the bleak and cold winter, We gather ourselves in To light the fire to warm our spirits, To kindle the flame of love and hope.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Community, Earth-Centered, Faith, Friendship, Hope, Imbolc / Brighid's Day / Candlemas, Journey, Kindness, Love, New Year, Relationships, Twelfth Night / Epiphany, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
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In honor of those who have served, And those who continue to serve, At home and abroad, for peace and in war, We light our chalice, And we offer our thanks.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: America, Conflict, Death, Freedom, Gratitude, Memorial Day, Military, Military Service, Peace, Sacrifice, Secular, Service, Veterans Day, War
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Mindful that With great power comes great responsibility, We light this chalice in the hopes that In brightest day, in blackest night, Our faith will Flame on! —Spiderman, Green Lantern, & the Human Torch (compiled by Cynthia Landrum)...Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: America, Courage, Covenant, Faith, Hope, Hospitality, Mindfulness, Playfulness, Power, Responsibility, Secular
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For the wonder and inspiration We seek from sun and stars And all the lights of the heavens We light this chalice.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Beauty, Connections, Contemplation, Earth, Journey, Mystery, Nature, Presence, Wonder
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Come in, from the crisp morning air outside, come in, wearing the autumn sunlight on your face, come, carrying the turning of the seasons in your heart. Whatever and however the greatness of life is speaking to you now, you are welcome here in our circle of friends.Opening | By Sarah Gettie McNeill | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Autumnal Equinox, Change, Earth, Earth-Centered, Halloween, Homecoming / Ingathering, Inclusion, Nature
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We light this flame As our fervent plea to brighten the dark corners of our hearts; We hold this flame For in it is the promise of warmth for souls grown cold in loss and despair; We kindle this light That we might continue to find comfort in its warmth; strength in its light; holiness in its...Chalice Lighting | By S. William Feiss | November 10, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), All Souls Day, Animal Memorial, Death, Día de los Muertos, Forgiveness, Healing, Love, Meaning, Memorial Services, Purpose, Sacred, Samhain, Sorrow, Strength, Truth
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When we light our chalice everyone focuses on the flame. Yet it is the paraffin of the candle, the cotton of the wick, the potassium chlorate and sulfur of the match, and the oxygen in the air around us that makes that flame possible. As leaders we are not called to be a lone beacon on a hill.Chalice Lighting | By Erik Walker Wikstrom | November 10, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Inclusion, Interdependence, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Responsibility, Service, Seven Principles, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
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As we approach our agenda let us remember that we are doing the work of the congregation.* When we do the work of this congregation*, we touch lives. When we touch lives, we change the world. May this chalice flame we now kindle remind us throughout our meeting of our ministry and our mission....Chalice Lighting | By Erik Walker Wikstrom | November 10, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Business Meetings, Commitment, Covenant, Discernment, Leadership, Mindfulness, Power, Privilege, Purpose, Responsibility, Service, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism
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Reader 1: The word courage comes from the Latin cor, which means heart. According to poet Mark Nepo, the original use of the word courage meant to stand by one’s core: a “striking concept that reinforces the belief found in almost all traditions that living from the Center is what enables us to...Chalice Lighting | By Erika Hewitt | October 29, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Courage, Covenant, Identity, Love, Power, Purpose, Relationships, Responsibility, Strength, Trust
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Are we a people of holding on or of letting go?...Chalice Lighting | By Jay Wolin | October 29, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Connections, Direct Experience, Generosity, Growth, Hospitality, Identity, Integrity, Letting Go, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness
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Let us wake up. Not just from the Sunday morning exhaustion, from the wish for a few more drowsy minutes in bed. Let us wake up to this world we live in: to its beauty and wonder, and also to its tragedy and pain. We must wake up to this reality: that not all in our world have what we do, however...Opening | By Christian Schmidt | October 29, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Black History / Whitney Young / James Reeb, Challenge, Direct Experience, Justice, Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, Privilege, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism