First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

Dec. 3, 2023- Whispers in the Dark: Embracing Advent’s Transformative Stillness

This Advent, let us gather with intention, embracing these ancient narratives not as tales of dread but as prompts for introspection and growth. Together, in our sacred space, we shall seek out the divine amidst the shadows and find within ourselves the ember of transformative hope. Through our listening and reflection, may we uncover that within the darkness, there is not an ending, but the hushed promise of new beginnings.

 

Music to Gather- It is Love- Ellis Delaney (:33)

 

Call to Worship- Meleah Houseknecht (6:09)

 

Lighting the Advent Wreath and the Chalice- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (14:49)

 

Time for All Ages- Rev. Jen Crow (23:19)

 

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (32:19)

 

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Jen Crow (38:42)

 

Offertory- Right on Time- Ellis Delaney (42:49)

 

Poem- by Rainer Maria Rilke- Meleah Houseknecht (47:05)

 

Anthem- 500 Crows- Ellis Delaney (48:04)

 

Message- Whispers in the Dark: Embracing Advent's Stillness- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (52:54)

 

Singing- Ordinary Love- Ellis Delaney (1:10:32)

 

Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:14:13)

Nov. 26, 2023- Staying at the Table Feeds Us All

This Sunday, the whole community, people of all ages, take a heartfelt journey to “Destination Gratitude,” as we immerse ourselves in the rich teachings of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. Embracing the wisdom of the Turtle Clan, Wolf Clan, and Mohawk tribe, we acknowledge the importance of not just feeling gratitude but actively directing it toward each other.

Nov. 19, Staying at the Table Starts with Grace

This Sunday’s ‘Staying at the Table: Starts with Grace’ celebrates the joy of embracing new members, showcasing the grace that defines our community spirit across our whole lives long. As Thanksgiving approaches, bringing its complex weave of anticipation and anxiety around encounters with all kinds, we invite you to a service that rekindles the essence of connection through the simple, yet profound act of sharing grace. 

Opening Hymn- Gathered Here - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:31)

Call to Worship and Welcome- Sherry Merriam (5:04)

Time for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (13:10)

Welcoming New Members Ritual- Jeff Snyder, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Liz Farmer (19:53)

Prayer- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (28:38)

Giving and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (36:01)

Wisdom Story- The Parable of the Lost Spoons- Sherry Merriam (40:31)

Amthem- Building Bridges- Paolo Dubuque and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (42:02)

Message- Staying at the Table Starts with Grace- Rev. Arif Mamdani (46:04)

Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us - Paolo Dubuque and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:00:56)

Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (1:02:57)

Nov. 12, 2023- Scooching Over

As a kid and now as a parent, the word “scooch” carries at least two meanings. It can mean scooch, as in move along and get out of here, and it can also mean scooch, as in scooch over and make room for whoever might be joining us. This Sunday, we’ll explore the spiritual practice of scooching over to make room as one way of embodying our Unitarian Universalist belief in the worth and dignity of every person.

Music for Gathering- We Are Creators- Paolo Dubuque (:26)

Call to Worship and Welcome- Katherine Harrell- (6:38)

Singing Together- We All Do Better- Paolo Dubuque (17:21)

Time for All Ages- Rev. Jen Crow- (21:01)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (25:51)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (32:10)

Offertory- Give Yourself to Love by Kate Wolf - Paolo Dubuque (35:26)

Poem- by Joy Harjo- Rev. Jen Crow (39:37)

Message- Scooching Over- Rev. Jen Crow (42:06)

Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us (1:02:31)

Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:04:36)

 

Nov. 5, 2023- Staying at the Table Makes All the Difference

"The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live." 

- Joy Harjo

Our spiritual gathering - much like a meal at a table, nourishes us, but also requires our participation. How does this 'meal' feed us and what does it ask of us in return? There might be instances that provoke us to consider leaving this 'table'. Yet, when should such a step become the necessary course?

Addressing our relevance in the contemporary world, why do we choose to belong to the church today? And how do we ready ourselves and our community for the church love calls us now to become? What do we do with our own resistance?

Our journey is about growing faith into real resilience, cultivating the skills we need to navigate challenging exchanges and open ourselves to evolving perspectives.

In worship this Sunday, we connect with our spiritual community to mutually nourish and learn from one another, to remember why we’re here, to gather the tools we need for a future arriving already and always. We warmly invite you to join us in this journey of self-discovery and collective growth. In staying at the table, we're choosing to make a difference, together.

Singing to Gather- We Are a Tower of Strength- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:30)

Introduction and Hymn- We Shall Not Be Moved- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (5:51)

Call to Worship and Welcome- Meleah Houseknecht (10:06)

Hymn- Somos el Barco- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (18:39)

Time for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:06)

Introducing the Contreras Family - Rev. Jen Crow (28:09)

Offertory- Ordinary People by John Legend - Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (35:44)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (40:34)

Wisdom Story- The Coal- Meleah Houseknecht (46:36)

Message- Staying At the Table Makes All the Difference- Rev. Jen Crow (49:48)

Hymn- Make Channels for the Streams of Love- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:08:27)

Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:09:56)

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

Oct. 29, 2023- Walden Ripples

In a dynamic, multi-generational community, wisdom flows in every direction, reminding us to value the experiences of others to gain a broader understanding of life. It is important to break free from the belief that only older people have wisdom, as this limits our personal growth and potential. 

Recently, our youth returned from a trip to Boston, a city rich in Unitarian Universalism history, and their fresh perspectives and thought-provoking questions are reshaping our understanding of our common faith. Through their encounters with our traditions, legends, and seminarians, their connection to our faith and our spiritual community deepens. Their reflections are sure to have a profound impact on your journey, too. 

Opening Hymn- Centering Prayer by The Porter's Gate- Allison Connelly-Vetter (:32)

Call to Worship and Welcome- Nancy Nyquist Potter (5:34)

Boston Pilgrimage Introduction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:18)

Land Acknowledgement- Rev. Jen Crow (18:28)

Hymn- Lean On Me by Bill Withers- Ani Peichel and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, piano (19:53)

Story for All Ages- Rasana Mandani (23:40)

Prayer- Rev. Jen Crow (29:41)

Invitation to Giving and Receiving- Jo Murphy (37:05)

Homilies by Rasana Mamdani, Isla Mysenburg, and Max Rosielle (37:45)

Hymn- #1064 Blue Boat Home (50:22)

Benediction- Rasana Mamdani (53:13)

Music for Going- Where You Go I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, piano

October 15, 2023- Mental Health Sunday

Our mental well-being is deeply linked with the relationships we cultivate and the social networks we are part of. By learning to understand and nurture each other in deeper ways, we can gain insight into our own mental health and well-being.

Just like our Earth thrives on diversity, so do we. The diversity of our connections and experiences make us stronger. However, to tap into this strength, we need to be open to giving and receiving wisdom, even when it's uncomfortable or challenging. 

Along this enlightening journey to worship and wisdom, we will also create a simple ritual of candlelight–a time to honor our individual and collective mental health journeys, to learn and remember that we can navigate these journeys together, as a community. 

There is space for hope if we break down the walls of communication and stigma that often separate us. This service promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of how we are part of each other's health, and an invitation to the heart to honor the many truths of each unfolding story.

 

Singing to Gather- Open the Window, Children - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (:29)

Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (6:43)

Mental Health Sunday Ritual Intro- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:45)

Singing Together- This Little Light of Mine-Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (20:21)

Lighting Candles for our Mental Health- (23:51)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (31:48)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (37:48)

Offertory- Paolo Dubuque, piano (43:10)

Message- Katherine Harrell (51:47)

Anthem- Lean On Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Paolo Dubuque, piano (1:07:19)

Benediction- Katherine Harrell (1:08:24)

 

 

Oct. 8, 2023- Rules of Engagement

We know that listening deeply to each other changes both the speaker and the listener – but what are the rules of engagement for how and when and who we listen to, and who we speak to? Who controls the expectations of how we will be with each other in society and relationships, and what happens when the limits change? What role might grace play in all of this? 

Singing to Gather- Oh, We Give Thanks (:25)

Call to Worship- Deb Keller- (2:14)

Singing Together- Building Bridges- Paolo Dubuque (9:45)

Story for All Ages- Red by Michael Hall- Rev. Ashley Harness (13:50)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (20:35)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (26:57)

Offertory- Paolo Dubuque (28:23)

Poem- Saving Grace by Rosemary Wahtola Trommer (31:24)

Message- Rules of Engagement- Rev. Jen Crow (33:16)

Singing Together- Blue Boat Home (52:19)

Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (56:26)

 

Oct. 1, 2023- Loosen, Loosen, Baby

A single cylinder of interlaced bamboo strips seems delicate around two pointers–at least at first. But soon, they’ll want out. Without thinking, the digits back away from their closeness and find themselves stuck in place. Neither force nor frenzy will help; not twisting, not waiting, not pulling apart. The mind will need to calm to think of something beyond what’s worked before. The hands will need a wiser, more elegant idea to get free from the finger trap.

Hubris would teach us to limit our trust to the ideas we already know. Panic for the problems around us will tighten our grip on what’s familiar. Living from fear for the future will only make it harder to remember the wisdom in the generations. To make space for what we’ve not imagined, we’ll need to release some of what we have. To get free will mean to decenter a lot of what we think we can control, what’s common, what’s cozy, what’s currently clear.

To grasp what love needs from us now, how can we relieve the tensions which trap us? To get to freedom, what would happen if we found the way to loosen up and let go?

Singing to Gather- Woyaya- Aimee K. Bryant (:31)

Call to Worship- Dallas Rising (3:26)

Singing Together- Loosen, Loosen, Baby- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:45)

Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (14:59)

Prayer and Meditation- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (24:40)

Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (35:25)

Offertory- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (38:23)

Reading- Generous Listening by Marilyn Nelson- Dallas Rising (42:19)

Anthem- Aimee K. Bryant (44:09)

Message- Loosen, Loosen, Baby- Rev. Jen Crow (48:29)

Hymn and Benediction- (1:06:09)

Sept. 24, 2023- Tough Love

The experience of being welcomed with open arms can change us, rooting us in communities of care that transform individuals and society. Practicing this kind of love requires a tough mind and a tender heart, Dr. Martin Luther King once wrote, urging us to develop the characteristics that can ground us in transformative love.

Opening Hymn- My Life Flows On In Endless Song (:25)

Call to Worship & Words of Welcome- Nanette Stearns (6:43)

Singing Together- Lone Wolf- Shelley Des Islets and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (12:59)

Time for All Ages- Allison Connelly-Vetter (20:48)

Prayer & Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (28:44)

Practice of Giving and Receiving - Rev. Jen Crow (36:42)

Offertory- Paolo Dubuque (38:21)

Reading- from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (41:34)

Singing Prayer- Standing Stone - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (45:23)

Message- Tough Love- Rev. Jen Crow (47:39)

Singing Together & Benediction (1:06:31)