First Universalist Church

How do we prepare ourselves for a new year? A big transition? New experiences? With the help of stories and spiritual practices, our worship leaders will guide us through our annual Backpack Blessing ritual. Music for Gathering- I'm On My Way- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Franco Holder (:25) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (4:46) Time for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (11:13) Song- There Is More Love Somewhere-Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Franco Holder (17:36) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (21:26) Homily- Rev. Jen Crow (29:18) Invitation to Give- Lore Stevens (41:02) Backpack Blessing- Lauren Wyeth and Youth Staff (43:58) Music for Going- I'm On My Way and Where You Go I Will Go (48:43)

The First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randy Buikema, Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Jen Crow, and Lauren Wyeth will lead and inspire us through music, story, and message. Music for Gathering- Where Do We Come From?- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (19:24) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (5:39) Call to Worship- Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo (10:53) Singing Together- Open the Window, Children (14:29) Wisdom from the Choir (19:41) Homily- Rev. Jen Crow (26:04) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow and Rev. Arif Mamdani (33:18) Invitation to Give- Lauren Wyeth (39:13) Offertory- Loving Will Lead Us On, by Linda Kachelmeier and Rev. Kate Tucker- First Universalist Choir (42:30) Singing Together - Open the Window, Children; Where You Go I Will Go; (48:42)

Following a summer of Sundays exploring “The Bigger Story,” this Sunday we recognize the Biggest Story of all, the story of change, the story of transformation, the story of evolution. It’s a story that applies to living organisms, to communities, and even to patterns of worship. Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Rev. Kate Tucker will invite us into that living, breathing Pause that dwells between what was (the No Longer) and what is yet to be (the Not Yet). Welcome and Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Kate Tucker (:18) Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (5:30) Story for All Ages- The Rabbit Listened - Daryn Woodson (8:30) Invitation to Give to the Offering Plate- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:34) Offertory- Franco Holder  Song- Return Again- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (17:57) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (20:46) Homilies- Rev. Kate Tucker and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (30:22) Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (59:43)  

How do we become the perfect leader? Is flawless leadership even obtainable for imperfect humans? Should we aspire for perfection or strive towards growth and learning in our leadership? Words of Welcome- Rev. Kate Tucker (:30) Announcing the New Piano- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (3:02) Invitation to Give to the Offering Plate- Rev. Kate Tucker (9:39) Offertory- The Human Heart by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty - Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (20:32) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (25:06) Homily- The Perfect Leader- Satya Mamdani (32:31) Hymn- Come and Go With Me- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (45:03) Benediction- Satya Mamdani (47:48)  

Over the course of our 200-or-so-year history as a denomination, we Unitarian Universalists have undergone considerable change. That doesn’t mean that transformation has always–or ever–been easy. In the coming year, we are faced with the opportunity to be a part of the sacred task of renewing our faith as both a community and a movement. What can the transcendentalist revolutionaries of early American Unitarianism teach us about what it means to be a living faith tradition today? What is it that truly holds us together in sacred covenant now and into the future, and what are the outward manifestations of our shared faith that are ready to be transformed for a new age? Words of Welcome- Rev. Kate Tucker (:50) Story for All Ages- Jill Braithwaite (6:04) Invitation to Give- Rev. Kate Tucker (12:57) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Kate Tucker (14:50) Message- Meleah Houseknecht (21:07) Benediction- Meleah Houseknecht (42:48)   Piano throughout- Franco Holder Vocalists- Fawzia Khan, Libby Crawford

Poet Wendell Berry’s description of “The Larger Circle” as “the circle of all creatures/Passing in and out of life” takes on new meaning as we gaze at – and struggle to comprehend- the 13 billion light-year view of the earliest galaxies in the universe provided by the James Webb telescope. Are those faint smudges even connected to us? Do they matter? How? Or is the question, why?   Music for Gathering- Morning Has Broken- Aimee. K. Bryant, Franco Holder (:28) Words of Welcome & Call to Worship- Rev. Kate Tucker (2:12) Story for All Ages- The Stuff of Stars- Marion Dane Bauer (6:33) Offering- Rev. Kate Tucker Offertory- Turn the Word Around- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Hoder (11:55) Prayer and Meditation- Aimee K. Bryant, Rev. Kate Tucker (15:18) Message- The Larger Circle- Kathy Coskran (22:10) Hymn- Blue Boat Home- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (39:30) Benediction- Kathy Coskran (42:00) Music for Going- Where You Go by Shoshanna Jedwab- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder  

Poet Marge Piercy writes that “a good anger acted upon is beautiful as lightning and swift with power.” Who teaches us about that kind of anger and power? How do we learn? What kind of inner transformation does it invite or require?  Music for Gathering- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder Words of Welcome- Rev. Kate Tucker (1:17) Story for All Ages- Zoe Mulvihill (5:56) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Andrea Johnson (14:00) Message- Gather the Spirit, Harvest the Power- Rev. Kate Tucker (19:19) Song- There's a River Flowin' In My Soul- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (40:09) Benediction- Rev. Kate Tucker (42:07)    

When we are faced with a difficult situation, it can be challenging to greet it, not necessarily with agreement, but to simply take it in and receive it as another truth. This is what Unitarian Universalist process theologian Bernard Loomer describes as the essence of the spiritual path—the practice of receiving rather than resisting reality in the fullest possible sense. Come explore how we can grow our souls together in light of the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade with guest preacher Rev. Andrea Johnson. Song for Gathering- For All That Is Our Life- Aimee K. Bryant and Barb Brooks (:18) Words of Welcome- Rev. Kate Tucker (2:16) Story for All Ages- Anger, a Buddhist Story- Emma Paskwitz (6:50) Invitation to Give to Augsburg Fairview Academy- Rev. Kate Tucker (10:05) Offertory- Aimee K. Bryant and Barb Brooks (10:51) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Kate Tucker (15:14) Message- Growing the S-I-Z-E of Our Soul- Rev. Andrea Johnson (21:24) Benediction- Rev. Andrea Johnson (37:29)    

On this Fourth of July weekend, we’ll hear different versions of the story of the United States of America. What kinds of stories build resilience and trust and what kinds build fragility and fear? This Sunday we’ll explore how the stories we tell create meaning. Words of Welcome- Rev. Kate Tucker (:30) Time for All Ages- Mark Caswell (5:49) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Kate Tucker (13:16) Message- American Stories- Rev. Meg Riley (21:28) Invitation to Give to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (41:04) Benediction- Rev. Kate Tucker (42:42)

This summer, as we explore the theme of The Bigger Story, we reflect on how we live in stories and also how stories live in us. Spiritual growth can mean giving up stories that have become too small.   This Sunday, join us for a message from Minister Emerita Rev. Kate Tucker, who will lead worship alongside Rev. Arif Mamdani, vocalist Aimee K. Bryant, and guest pianist Tim Kraack.   Music for Gathering- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Tim Kraack (:30)   Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (3:49)   Story for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (9:36)   Hymn- Circle 'Round for Freedom- Aimee K. Bryant and Tim Kraack (15:54)   Prayer- Rev. Arif Mamdani (17:14)   Message- The World Was Made to be Free In- Rev. Kate Tucker (29:37)   Invitation to Give to Our Justice- Rev. Arif Mamdani (50:25)  

The equation for calculating price per unit is a simple one, handy for finding the best value at a store. Yet trying to fit our values and Principles into that equation complicates it quite a bit. In this time of rainbow capitalism, performative activism, and faltering progress, let us double check our trajectory. Are we on our way to the heaven on earth Universalists dreamed of, or do we need a new equation? Join us this Sunday as we welcome guest preacher Nico Van Ostrand, who will lead worship along with Rev. Kate Tucker, Lauren Wyeth, Aimee K. Bryant, and pianist Barb Brooks. Words of Welcome- Rev. Kate Tucker (:30) Time for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (4:13) Hymn- Gather the Spirit (7:45) Reflection and Prayer- Rev. Kate Tucker (8:54) Message- BOGO Worth and Dignity- Nico Van Ostrand (12:39) Invitation to Give to CLNE- Rev. Kate Tucker (26:26) Benediction- Rev. Kate Tucker (27:28)  

On Sunday, June 12, our choir and orchestra will take us on a journey that’s both deep and wide. We’ll celebrate the human spirit as it moves through struggle and sadness to healing and hope. It’s a journey of discovery, it’s a story of resilience, and it’s an offering to (and from) our community of faith.  All music performed by First Universalist Choir and Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Randal Buikema Words of Welcome- Rev. Kate Tucker (:19) Duel of the Fates by John Williams, arr. Keith Christopher and Eric Anderson (6:40) Hymn for Hurting by Amanda Gorman- Lisa Weiland (10:42) More Love by Jan Richardson- Nancy Gaschott (12:06) Ein Deutsches Requiem, mvt. 1 by Johannes Brahms (12:35) The Thing Is by Ellen Bass- Shelley Des Islets (22:07) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Kate Tucker (23:14) Why I Wake Early by Mary Oliver- LouAnn Lanning (26:26) May I Reach by George Elliot- Gail Griffin (27:15) Sogno di Volare by Christopher Tin (27:51) High Flight by John Gillespie Maggie, Jr.- Ray Dillon (32:02) Sure On This

99 years ago, almost to the day, Rev. Norbert Capek led the first Flower Communion ritual. He developed it then, and we observe it today, as a ritual of giving and receiving, of connecting with the beauty in each of us, and the bigger story of that beauty when we come together in community, in fellowship, and in the spirit of love that is this church. We’ll have music from Dean Magraw and his band, and a special guest vocalist, Thomasina Petrus. Prelude- Feelin' Good by Nina Simone- Dean Magraw, guitar; Thomasina Petrus, vocals; and the band Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (3:13) Time for All Ages- Saying Goodbye to Julica (12:18) Flower Communion Ritual- Rev. Arif Mamdani (20:15) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (28:51) Homily- Rev. Jen Crow (31:42) Invitation to Give- Rev. Jen Crow (38:28) Benediction- Summertime by Miles Davis- Thomasina Petrus, Dean Magraw and the band (41:15)

Almost 30 years ago, First Universalist Church dared to dream of a physical space that might mirror our mission – a place where there would always be room for one more, where our sense of who we are is ever-expanding, a building that might embody a love that will not let anyone go. This Sunday, May 15, we celebrate the completion of our capital project, Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future, as we welcome everybody in and say thank you to our past, present, and future selves. Music for Gathering- Everybody In- Peter Mayer (:30) Words of Welcome and Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Arif Mamdani (5:19) Wisdom Story- Rev. Jen Crow (12:02) Meditation and Prayer- Peter Mayer and Rev. Arif Mamdani (20:59) Message- Everybody In- Rev. Jen Crow (33:49) Gratitudes and Celebration- Rev. Jen Crow (39:41) Invitation to Give- Rev. Jen Crow (55:23) Music for Going- The Wonder- Peter Mayer

This Sunday, May 8, we will celebrate the miracle that is at the center of our larger story and the cycle of life. We will welcome, name, and dedicate ourselves to the care of children in our congregation through a Child Dedication Ritual. Words of Welcome and Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Jen Crow (:20) Call to Worship- First Universalist 6th Graders (6:26) Child Naming and Dedication Ritual- Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Jen Crow, Rev. Arif Mamdani (10:58) Hymn- Come, Come Whoever You Are- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (18:41) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (19:47) Message- A Big Enough Story- Lauren Wyeth (27:11) Invitation to Give- Rev. Jen Crow (39:31) Benediction- Lauren Wyeth (42:05)    

This Sunday, May 1, we celebrate the culmination of Earth Week and honor the mutual commitment between members and community in the ongoing story of this congregation. Join us to explore the sacred trust we hold to create a sustainable future for our children and our children’s children, and to celebrate how our collective breath, prayer, activism, and meaning making reflect the roots of our community, like those in a forest, deeply intertwined. And don’t miss the next installment of the acorn story, “The Wood Wide Web.” The young acorns in our community will welcome new members, and keep encouraging us all to sprout and grow together. Welcome and Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Meg Riley, Dallas Rising (:30) Anthem- Earth Song by Frank Ticheli- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randy Buikema, conductor (2:52) Time for All Ages/New Member Ceremony- Liz Farmer, Daryn Wodson, Rev. Meg Riley (6:32) Hymn- Blue Boat Home (15:17) Message- Our Sacred Trust- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (18:22) Song- What a Wonderful World by

In Unitarian Universalism, our congregations, and specifically the members of our congregations, are the only body that can ordain a minister, calling out and lifting up one whose ministry is formally recognized and named in the act of ordination. This Sunday, we gather to formally lift up the ministry of Stephanie Vos. Through word, song, and story, we’ll share some of her journey, tell a bigger story about what ministry can be in the world, and formally ordain Stephanie to the Unitarian Universalist ministry. Join us for this joyous and celebratory service. Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:31) Interlude- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder Call to Worship- from Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer- Cedar Schimke (6:39) Time for All Ages- Toolbox of Faith- Lauren Wyeth (9:24) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (16:42) Homily- Rev. Jen Crow on behalf of Rev. Karen Hutt (21:06) Invitation to Give to the Living Tradition Fund of the UUA (34:47) The Ordination of Stephanie Vos- Daryn Woodson, Rev. Jen

This Sunday, April 17, we will rise in the fullness of our community – inviting people in every age and stage of life to join together as one body. We’ve designed an Easter church experience with elements to engage the imagination and spirit of every age, with music, rituals, art, and movement that will help us all consider what boulders stand in the way of the flow of love in our life, and how we might remove them, together. Guest musicians Dean Magraw, Ian Young, and JT Bates will join our own Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder as they lead us in soulful songs familiar to young and old.   Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:20) Wisdom Story- Stephanie Vos (5:57) Invation to Ritual Stations- Rev. Jen Crow (8:32) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Lauren Wyeth (17:37) Homily- Rev. Arif Mamdani (23:20) Chant- We Rise (28:54) Invitation to Give & Receive- Rev. Arif Mamdani (32:08) Music Throughout - Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder, Dean Magraw, Ian Young, and JT Bates  

Folks in organizing circles say that Power requires Organized Money and Organized People. This congregation does an excellent job of organizing its money every Sunday, and sharing generously with important partners. What else is possible if we organize our people similarly? What would it take for us to take our organizing and mobilization to the next level? Join us for a dialogue with poets and movement mediators to explore what else might be possible as we get stronger and clearer together. (And don’t miss the next installment in the story series, As The Acorn Sprouts, where our acorns learn to organize!) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:30) Poem- The Butterfly Effect by Rev. Theresa I. Soto (4:09) Hymn- Come and Go With Me- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (6:40) Call to Worship- Nancy Jones (9:48) Story for All Ages- The Acorn Saga continues! (13:03) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (27:04) Message- Organized People- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (33:29) Postlude- Building a New Way- Aimee K. Bryant, F

Things rise and fall every day: not just baked items in the oven but energies, emotions, commitments, willingness. Though the idea of ‘onward and upward forever’ has been long proven to be a lie; most of us use our days trying to create more of what we want in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world. What are some of the obstacles and what can help us to rise, even a tiny bit? Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:29) Call to Worship- David Bach (7:59) Story for All Ages- Grandmother Spider Weaves the World (12:53) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Arif Mamdani (20:56) Reading- The Butterfly Effect by Rev. Theresa I. Soto- Rev. Arif Mamdani Sermon- Yeast, Baking Powder, and Other Ways We Rise- Rev. Meg Riley (29:21) Piano throughout- Franco Holder; Vocals throughout- Aimee K. Bryant