First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

August 27, 2023- Backpack Blessing

As summer comes to an end, don’t miss our annual Backpack Blessing and worship service this Sunday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. The multigenerational service will offer children, youth, and adults of all ages the opportunity to reflect upon how we might carry the love of our church community and the tools of our faith with us wherever we go.

Singing to Gather- I'm On My Way (:31)

Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (5:19)

Singing Together- Oh We Give Thanks (10:33)

Story for All Ages- The Invisible String by Patrice Karst- Allison Connelly-Vetter and Willa (12:08)

Community Prayers - Rev. Ashley Harness (20:51)

Homily- I Carry Your Heart- Rev. Jen Crow (27:34)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (34:20)

Backpack Blessing- Allison Connelly-Vetter and Rev. Jen Crow (37:46)

Singing Together- You've Got a Light (44:53)

Celebrating and Saying Goodbye to Franco- Rev. Jen Crow and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (48:19)

Singing Together- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab (52:06)

 

August 20, 2023- Lake Harriet Worship

Rev. Ashley Horan, Aimee Bryant, and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout lead worship with you at the bandshell at Lake Harriet. By the waters, we’ll embody the joy and talk the truths of willful change we can make to the ways we do community. We’ll live a little of love’s post-pandemic, not-far-along-enough-yet call. Truth be told, it has more to do with play and laughter and loving yourself than we’ve often understood. And the possibilities, when we’re willing to untether from the needful, are more wonderful even than we could have dreamed.

Singing to Gather- Rev. Ashley Horan, Aimee Bryant, and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:30)

Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (3:55)

Singing Together- Morning Has Come (7:03)

Poem- I Thank You God - e. e. cummings (8:07)

Singing Together- Morning Has Come (10:23)

Singing Together- Breathing In, Breathing Out (14:42)

Reading- Building a Common Life by Elea Kemler- Allison Connelly-Vetter (22:39)

Community Prayer- Rev. Ashley Horan (28:55)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Horan (40:09)

Offertory- Light of a Clear Blue Morning by Dolly Parton- Dr. GTR (42:45)

Reading- Touched by an Angel by Maya Angelou (47:07)

Anthem- Home by Diana Ross- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. GTR (48:36)

Message- To Change What We Know- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (52:06)

Singing Together- We Are the Ones (1:02:35)

Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:06:50)

August 13, 2023- Why Stop Now?

We often exclaim church to each other as a place, a sanctuary, a place away from other places. Isn’t it at least as much a moment we make special together? A present-day prophet, the Black science fiction writer Octavia Butler describes “God is change.” How would your relationship with holy things shift if you were looking not for things that have become divine, but instead were on a hunt for the becoming itself in progress? Would that change what goodness you discovered in you?

This Sunday, we explore the ways the divine expresses in units of time. Guided by the ancient Hebrew practice of sabbath-keeping, we reflect on the special moments of life that keep us in motion. And we ask ourselves and each other: What will stop to have time for what’s holy? What gets a no, so you can be present to what’s right in front of you?

Music for Gathering- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (:29)

Words of Welcome & Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (3:51)

Story for All Ages- The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (12:49)

Meditation on Breathing- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:43)

Community Practice & Prayer- Rev. Ashley Harness (26:26)

Reading- from A Look to the Future (1957) by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (34:17)

Anthem- Amazing Grace- Franco Holder on piano (37:22)

Message- Why Stop Now?- Rev. Ashley Harness (40:52)

Giving and Receiving- (1:02:11)

Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:07:41)

August 6, 2023- Backing Into the Big Questions

Shifted schedules, evening sunshine, produce that doesn’t fit anybody’s plan for the week, movies and music and sunsets that take our breath away and demand that we stop and pay attention. As summer stretches into August, the Big Questions call to us. ThisSunday, August 6, we ask: what are yours and ours, and how might we respond?

 

Singing to Gather- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:32)

Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (7:16)

Story for All Ages- What the Road Said by Cleo Wade- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:56)

Singing Together- Blue Boat Home (23:51)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (27:05)

Reading- The Path to the Milky Way Leads Through LA by Joy Harjo- Rev. Jen Crow (32:09)

Message- Rev. Jen Crow (34:50)

Offering- Rev. Jen Crow and Offertory- Franco Holder (54:33)

Hymn- Wake Now My Senses (58:39)

Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:01:44)

July 30, 2023- ”Art & Soul” with Paolo Dubuque and You

Paolo Dubuque and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout talk about re-imagining musical ensembles and using collaborative music to change the world. We make music together for a finale of sorts we’re calling We are the ones, after June Jordan’s famous end to her poem, “Poem for South African Women.” Together, we make music as a community (that’s right–the featured artist is you! But shhhhh…it’s a surprise.), and we explore the rich relationships and stories of American singing over centuries, across cultures. You’ll hear reflections on the Music Listening Session results. And we embrace the calling of this new day–for communities of justice to know the power of their own voice, and to build up beauty in the world starting from within.

Music for Gathering- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (:28)

Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (9:14)

Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (16:17)

Singing Together- The Way Knows the Way- Shelley Des Islets and Dr. GTR (18:41)

Singing Together- With You- Shelley Des Islets and Dr. GTR (25:55)

Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Ashley Harness (27:59)

Field Trip through our Hymnals- Dr. GTR (31:45)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (41:12)

Offertory/Singing Together- (43:28)

Regarding Choir- Dr. GTR (51:51)

Conversation with Paolo Dubuque- (1:05:54)

Benediction- Dr. GTR (1:20:00)

July 23, 2023- ”Art & Soul” with Ellis Delaney

Each Sunday in July, worship will feature artists and musicians sharing their craft and some reflections on how their art is connected to their spirituality. We continue this worship series with musician, composer, and First U Member, Ellis Delaney. Ellis is at once funny and wise, thoughtful and uninhibited, with a captivating voice that is matched by tender, sometimes funny, uplifting lyrics. Their music is transformational; leaving audiences feeling better, with softened edges & opened hearts.

Music for Gathering and Words of Welome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:19)

Story for All Ages- Dinosaur Air by Rev. Nancy Shaffer (24:21)

Hymn- Building Bridges Between Our Divisions- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (26:15)

Meditation, Prayer, and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (33:08)

Message- "Art & Soul" with Ellis Delaney (39:44)

Transition Music- Prelude in C- The Well-Tempered Clavier (1:14:23)

"Art & Soul" with Ellis Delaney- Continued Conversation (1:18:55)

July 16, 2023- ”Art & Soul” with Davu Seru and Martha Bird

Each Sunday in July, worship will feature artists and musicians sharing their craft and some reflections on how their art is connected to their spirituality. We continue this worship series with two artists who meditate on rhythm, form, repetition, and healing in this world and in worlds beyond our initial perceptions: musician Davu Seru and sculptural basketweaver (and First U member) Martha Bird.

Singing to Gather- Now Let Us Sing- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Aimee K. Bryant (:28)

Call to Worship- The Larger Circle by Wendell Berry- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (8:27)

Poem and Prayer- Bring Your Broken Hallelujah by Theresa I. Soto- Rev. Ashley Harness (14:56)

Message- Art & Soul with Martha Bird (19:59)

Practice of Generosity- Rev. Ashley Harness (42:25)

Offertory- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (44:27)

Message- Art & Soul with Davu Seru (46:47)

Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:13:06)

 

July 9, 2023- ”Art & Soul” with Dean Magraw

Each Sunday in July, worship will feature a different local musician sharing their music and some reflections on how their art is connected to their spirituality. Dean Magraw is a consummate guitarist, playing with wit and soulful abandon. A performer like no other, he is part-comedian, part-philosopher and all-around musical genius. This past Sunday, he and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout talked poetry, impressionists, and John Coltrane.

* Please note significant cuts and edits have been made due to poor original sound quality.

Opening Hymn- How Can I Keep from Singing? (:24)

Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (3:48)

Poem- Monet Refuses the Operation by Liesel Mueller (10:30)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (13:39)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (18:54)

Offertory- Dean Magraw (22:38)

Message- Art and Soul: Music and Conversations with Dean Magraw (23:09)

Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (48:51)

July 2, 2023- ”Art & Soul” with Aimee K. Bryant

Each Sunday in July will feature a different local musician sharing their music and reflection on how their art connected to their spirituality. Sunday, July 2, we begin our July worship series with our own vocalist in residence, Aimee K. Bryant.

Worship led by Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Aimee K. Bryant, and Sally Reynolds on piano

Singing to Gather (:26)

Words of Welcome (4:49)

Time for All Ages (13:23)

Singing Together- Just As Long As I Have Breath (19:26)

Prayer, Poetry, Silence (21:44)

Practice of Giving and Receiving (32:16)

Offertory- Open the Window, Children (36:10)

Message- Art and Soul: Song and Conversation with Aimee K. Bryant (40:13)

Benediction and Singing- Where You Go, I Will Go, Beloved (1:13:55)

 

June 18, 2023- Freedom to Move

On and on, the circle of love, welcome, learning and inclusion expands. What spiritual practices, orientations of the heart, imagination and shared work is needed if we are to move with and continue to stretch that circle? This Sunday, June 18, Lauren Wyeth, Director of Spiritual Growth for All Ages, shares stories and reflections on her learning, and her charge, for us as she prepares to depart. 

Singing to Gather- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:31)

Call to Worship- Rev. Jen Crow (10:06)

Time for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (16:41)

Prayer, Silence, Song- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (23:24)

Practice of Generosity- Rev. Arif Mamdani (33:31)

Offertory- Franco Holder, piano (34:52)

Preparing for the Message- Franco Holder, piano (37:24)

Message- Freedom to Move- Lauren Wyeth (40:55)

Hymn- Make Channels for the Streams of Love (1:03:53)

Parting Blessing- Rev. Jen Crow (1:05:38)

Music for Going- Where You Go, I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab