First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

October 17, 2021- The Demand of Wholeness

We are coming ’round the mountain – heading toward a critical city election, toward more church gatherings possible in person, toward fall and the winter holidays, through another cycle of life. How might we relax into this familiar rhythm and circle round the mountain, orienting ourselves toward what matters most as we travel through unpredictable terrain? We let story and song and the wisdom of the indomitable Nina Simone guide us.

Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:29)

Celebrating 10 Years with Dr. Randal Buikema, Director of Choral Arts (12:23)

Community Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (21:38)

Anthem- The Us of Me by David L. Brunner- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema, Franco Holder, piano (27:00)

Message- The Demand of Wholeness- Rev. Jen Crow (33:23)

September 26, 2021- When Control Can‘t Carry Us

If we’ve learned anything these last 18 months, we’ve learned that try as we might, we cannot always control how things turn out. If control cannot carry us, then what can? Unitarian Universalist theologian Dr. Sharon Welch suggests that an ethic of risk may be at the center of what allows us to persist in building the world and the lives of love and justice we long for, even in the face of partial victories and continued defeats. Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Franco Holder, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Dr. Randy Buikema, and the First Universalist Choir lead the service.

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:30)

Story for All Ages- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (4:43)

Anthem- The Road Home by Stephen Paulus- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema- conductor

Message- When Control Can't Carry Us- Julica Hermann de la Fuente

 

Vocalists: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Aimee K. Bryant

Pianist: Franco Holder

August 29, 2021- what if god was in space?

Where love and connection reside, there is the location of god. Join Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Franco Holder, the First Universalist Choir (directed by Dr. Randy Buikema), and other worship leaders for worship at on Sunday, August 29 as we gather and reflect, held together by story, prayer, poem, and song.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:31)

Story for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:47)

Prayer and Meditation- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (24:38)

Anthem- Shenandoah- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema, conductor (35:52)

Interlude- Franco Holder, piano (39:44)

Closing Words- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (41:31)

 

August 22, 2021- One Of Us- Rev. Arif Mamdani

Going slow to go fast. Heeding the lessons from geese. These last several weeks, our services have invited us to reflect on how it is that we do this thing called religious community. This Sunday, we continue this exploration as we lift up a concrete approach to the challenges that can arise when human beings try to do things together.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:30)

Story for All Ages- The Messiah is Amongst You- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (8:07)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Karen Hutt (14:43)

Message- One Of Us- Rev. Arif Mamdani (21:04)

Introduction and Anthem- How Can I Keep from Singing- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema (conductor), Franco Holder (piano), and the First Universalist Orchestra. (38:13)

August 8, 2021- Roots Hold Me Close- Rev. Jen Crow

Change is ever-present these days, a constant cycle of new information, new experiences and new understandings of ourselves, each other, and the larger world keep coming our way. This Sunday, we continue our exploration of the nature of change and how we, as people of faith, continue to align our actions with our values.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:30)

Story for All Ages- The Water Cycle- Aimee K. Bryant (4:58)

Blessing in Song- Breaths- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (9:37)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (14:21)

Sermon- Roots Hold Me Close- Rev. Jen Crow (23:12)

Outro music- Shenandoah- First Universalist Church Choir, conducted by Dr. Randy Buikema

June 13, 2021- Making Room- Rev. Jen Crow

After over a year of being physically apart, this Sunday, June 13 marks our first time together in person and online as a church community when we gather at the Lake Harriet Bandshell and on zoom. How will it feel to be together in person? How will it feel to be online when others can gather face-to-face? What will it be like? As people of faith, we promise to pay attention, to be curious with ourselves and each other, and to make room for all of who we are and all of the feelings and experiences that arise. We’ve got this, together.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:30)

Prelude- How Can I Keep From Singing, First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema conducting, Franco Holder on piano (6:09)

Story for All Ages- Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor- Jill Braithwaite (10:56)

Reading- Spilling the Light by Rev. Theresa I. Soto- Jill Braithwaite (16:56)

Anthem- Love Is Love by Abbie Betinis- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema conducting, Franco Holder on piano (18:50)

Message- Making Room- Rev. Jen Crow (19:58)

Outro- Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder

 

April 11, 2021- The Holy Fool- Rev. Justin Schroeder

Sometimes we think of the religious life as serious and staid. But in every faith and spiritual tradition, there exists a trickster, fool, clown, jester, buffoon, or “simpleton” that disrupts, mocks, pokes fun at, and questions authority—religious and otherwise. The purpose of the “holy fool” is to upend what we think we know, to shatter our perceptions of what is real, and to reveal a deeper truth. Play, playfulness, riddles, and humor are all tools of the “holy fool,” designed to snap us out of our waking slumber, out of our certainty, and into a new understanding of life and ourselves. In this time of environmental collapse, of racial justice uprising, of life altered by a pandemic, what might we learn from the “holy fools” of history, from the “holy fools” of our own time, and how might we embody and practice holy foolishness? Worship on Sunday, April 11 at 10 a.m. includes a story for all ages, sharing our joys and concerns, special music, and a message.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:31)

Wisdom Story- Aimee K. Bryant (5:54)

Prayer and Cycle of Life (10:50)

Anthem- Concerto: A Pandemic-Inspired Performance- Members of First Universalist Choir; Dr. Randy Buikema, conductor; Franco Holder, pianist (17:32)

Message- The Holy Fool- Rev. Justin Schroeder (23:11)

April 4, 2021-Practicing Resurrection in this Moment - Rev. Justin Schroeder

Easter is about new life, new hope, and resurrection of the spirit in the face of despair. Easter speaks to a miraculous force and a love that is stronger than death. In this time of global pandemic and this time of the trial of Derek Chauvin (which has global implications), how do we make sense of Easter? Easter speaks to the timeless cycle of death and rebirth, and this Easter, we ask, “Given the world as it is, what in us might die, so that something new and life giving might be born?” 

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:30)

Wisdom Story - Lauren Wyeth (5:31)

Interlude- Lo The Earth Awakes Again- Members of First Universalist Choir

Message pt. 1- Practicing Resurrection in this Moment- Rev. Justin Schroeder (13:28)

Special Music- Lift Every Voice and Sing- Give Get Sistet (26:41)

Message pt. 2- Practicing Resurrection in this Moment- Rev. Justin Schroeder and Julica Hermann de la Fuente (28:44)

Hymn- Over My Head- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (39:41)

 

March 21, 2021- Collective Truth, Collective Power- Rev. Jen Crow

Each of us has a piece of the truth, and together, we are so much wiser and braver. Together, we have strength and imagination, accountability and encouragement big enough for transformation. When each of us brings what we can, including our vulnerability, we have the collective power to build a community of liberation and joy.  Join us as we explore our collective truth and our collective power, with a special cameo appearance from a modern day UU superhero.

Words of Welcome - Rev. Jen Crow (:31)

Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (4:46)

Hymn- All Creatures of the Earth and Sky- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema, Franco Holder- (8:30)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Justin Schroeder (11:10)

Message- Collective Truth, Collective Power- Rev. Jen Crow (22:50)

Outro Music - Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder

February 21, 2021- Remember, You Are Water - Rev. Jen Crow

The truth is, grief hurts. It is exhausting, disorienting, and downright awful when we lose someone or something that matters to us. As we approach a year of pandemic living and losing, grief is our everyday companion. The author and activist, adrienne maree brown, reminds us that we are water, that the salt trails of our tears are the natural outcome of our living and loving. This Sunday, we continue to recognize our losses and the love that keeps us connected.

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:28)

Story for All Ages- Seth Anderson-Matz (3:54)

Interlude music by Dean Magraw

Message- Remember, You Are Water- Rev. Jen Crow (9:37)

Anthem- Gaelic Blessing- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema (33:05)