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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

Displaying 81 – 100 of 517

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  • A single powerful red-orange flame glows in the darkness around it.
    Without consent, our ability to create becomes not a blessing, but a burden and an imposition.
    Opening | By Elizabeth Barish Browne | February 10, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Choice, Reproductive Justice, Sexuality, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    May this precious light shine on.
    Chalice Lighting | By Vanessa Titang | January 21, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Worship
  • Bright, otherworldly blue rays from optical fibers in a colored lamp
    We light this chalice today as a people dedicated to personal growth.
    Chalice Lighting | By Frances Koziar | January 12, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Challenge, Growth
  • Vines cross and intertwine themselves on a tree trunk
    Let us marvel at the miracle of being here, right now.
    Opening | By Tania Y Márquez | November 30, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Friendship, Gratitude, Joy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Wonder, Worship
  • A black and gray ridge of mountains, stylized against a stark red background, is reflected above in a mirror image.
    We light this chalice today to illuminate our way toward Love.
    Chalice Lighting | By Melissa Jeter | November 22, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Imagination, Love, Parents, Patience, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A ceramic mug of coffee sits on a table next to an open laptop, showing many people in Zoom cells.
    We gather together....
    Opening | By Michelle LaGrave | November 18, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Community, Inclusion, Interdependence, Unity, Worship
  • A white candle burns, in a dim room, resting near evergreen and pinecone. Twinkly lights are visible in the background.
    Help us to see that for the smallest, the humblest, the least of these burns the brightest star.
    Chalice Lighting | By Mary Shelden | October 28, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Christianity, Worship
  • A white pillar candle is lit against a dark blue background.
    All are welcome from everywhere.
    Chalice Lighting | By anastasia birosh | September 27, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Hospitality, Inclusion, Worship
  • A rust-colored leaf floats on the surface of a pond, and under the surface of the water there are stones and rocks. The surface of the water reflects the hand that dropped the leaf onto the water.
    Watershed moments are turning points, moments that permanently alter an understanding.
    Opening | By Martina Thompson | August 5, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth-Centered, Nature, Unitarian Universalism, Water Communion, Worship
  • A photo, taken from above, of the ocean water meeting sand, kelp, and stones.
    We light this chalice as a symbol of courage to move into that time of this and that / and not this / and not that
    Chalice Lighting | By Summer Albayati | June 14, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Balance, Worship
  • Two pairs of hands hold a map and a compass, as if to get bearings mid-journey.
    Set your compass to point towards hope and begin your journey home.
    Opening | By Lindasusan Ulrich | June 2, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Brokenness, Community, Healing, Wholeness
  • A wash of colored smoke, drifting in abstract patterns, colored blue and violet and pink.
    Here we gather to celebrate hope, and the infinite possibilities of love.
    Chalice Lighting | By Tom Goldsmith | April 28, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Freedom, Hope, Love, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    We are all able In different ways With various strengths and talents. We are all holy Part of the universe And the interdependent web. We light this chalice Cherishing our differences And holding each other in sacredness.
    Chalice Lighting | By Cindy Fesgen | April 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Diversity, Inclusion, Worship
  • A red candle, lit and emanating a wisp of smoke, hovers in the dark. The lower half of a person's face is seen in the background.
    As we light this flame, we remember friends and loved ones near and far and we give thanks. As the fire burns brightly, we open our minds and hearts to new ways of being and we feel alive....
    Chalice Lighting | By Leia Durland-Jones | April 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Hospitality, Inclusion, Love, Worship
  • Against a vibrant, deep red wall, a Black parent cradles and smiles down at a happy toddler.
    We cannot begin to find ourselves without love.
    Opening | By Elizabeth Barish Browne | April 12, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Body, Children, Connections, Father's Day, Humanism, Interdependence, Love, Mother's Day, Parents, Relationships, Secular, Trust, Worship
  • A field of purple flowers, in Latvia, with small lights reflected on them.
    Easter is a holiday of miracles.
    Opening | By Peggy Clarke | March 31, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Belief, Christianity, Easter, Hope, Love, Nature, Worship
  • Four young adults, with their backs to the camera, wrap their arms around each other outdoors as bright sun shines around them.
    Unitarian Universalism has a place for you. It is right here.
    Chalice Lighting | By Tara Humphries | March 3, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Community, Inclusion, Worship, Young Adults, Youth/Teens
  • A view of the starry sky at night, straight up, through the silhouette of trees around the edges.
    Amidst the swirl of life's challenges, fears, and even moments of crisis, I make time to gaze at the night sky to see the vastness there, And to remember that this moment in time is but a flicker— Not an inconsequential flicker— For what I do and think now does matter. My work, though, is to let...
    Chalice Lighting | By Cindy Terlazzo | January 11, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Balance, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Integrity, Love, Wonder, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    More than relic— Living symbol: Beacon to the bewildered illuminating refuge; Light of love calling to community; Signal of sacred mission. Shine now in the world, Set being ablaze, Kindle our courage, Ignite intuition. Spark our hearts to service. Glow hope.
    Chalice Lighting | By Mary Shelden | January 9, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Worship
  • A person in a gray shirt is doing a jigsaw puzzle, holding up a piece to someone else on a video call on a cell phone.
    It's okay to be feel weary of resiliency and wholeness and learning and growth.
    Opening | By Sharon Wylie | November 16, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #COVID19, Change, Community, Growth, Resilience, Self-Care, Wholeness, Worship