First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

August 30, 2020- The Ugly Cry - Rev. Karen Hutt

The service includes a story for all ages, music from the First Universalist Choir, and a sermon from Rev. Karen Hutt. We continue to explore our summer worship theme, “Here We Are.”

Wisdom Story- The Water Bearer- Seth Matz (:20)

Anthem- Shenandoah - First Universalist Choir (4:21)

Sermon- The Ugly Cry- Rev. Karen Hutt (8:11)

August 23, 2020- New Beginnings Ritual

 On Sunday morning, August 23, we celebrated our annual back-to-school ritual (formerly known as Backpack Blessing) in a new way for new times.

 

Song- Seth Matz (:22)

Wisdom Story- Aimee K. Bryant (2:49)

Song- Count on Me by Bruno Mars, First Universalist Choir (11:25)

Sermon-Rev. Jen Crow (14:43)

Back-to-School Blessing- Ministers and Staff (30:36)

Song- Go On Your Way in Peace, First U Summer Campers (32:57)

August 16, 2020- Radical Imagination - Bryana French and Rev. Justin Schroeder

As author and activist adrienne marie brown writes, “We are in an imagination battle.” It’s true; imagination creates racial hierarchies, creates borders, creates supremacy thinking, creates oppression. As adrienne marie brown says, “I often feel I am trapped inside someone’ else’s imagination, and I must engage my own imagination in order to break free.”

 

Whose imaginations are we trapped in? Who are we trapping by our imaginations? And what does it look like to break free? Though story, spoken word, music and message, we explore what radical imagination might unlock in the world around us.

 

Wisdom Story- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:31)

 

Poem- H. Adam Harris (8:06)

 

Sermon- Bryana French and Rev. Justin Schroeder (12:10)

August 9, 2020- Poetry and Presence - Arif Mamdani

What does presence have to do with poetry? Where are we when we say “Here We Are.” What do the poetic forms of haiku, American sentences, and dekazz have to do with the pandemic? On Sunday, join Seth Matz and Arif Mamdani as they help us travel with these questions through music, story, and word as we continue to explore this summer’s theme: “Here We Are.”

Seth and Arif are joined by Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Barrington Walker, and Aimee Bryant-- the newest members of the team! And, bring some paper and something to write with so you can join the poetic fun and add your words to the space we create when we come together.

Words of Welcome- (:22)

Wisdom Story- Seth Matz (5:42)

Sermon- Arif Mamdani (9:43)

August 2, 2020 - Through It- Rev. Justin Schroeder

In the popular children’s book and song, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” the refrain is “Can’t go over it, can’t go under it, we’ll have to go through it.” It’s a silly, fun story, with a piercing truth. Sometimes there aren’t any work arounds, short cuts, or easy hacks for particular situations, moments, challenging experiences, and hard feelings. Sometimes, “through” is the only way you can go. In a time like this, how do we make it through? What and who do we need to make it through? How do we go through, together? Go with us, this Sunday, as we go on a spiritual bear hunt.

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin (:31)

 

Story for All Ages- Rev. Karen (2:00)

 

Sermon- "Through It"- Rev. Justin (6:55)

July 26, 2020 - Mining the Museum

Museums tell us stories about the past and challenge us to understand the present. The images from museums penetrate our consciousness and linger in our psyche often shaping our values, beliefs and theologies. Come take a museum tour with Rev. Karen and view the dioramas of your mind. 

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin (:30)

 

Story- Fred Wilson, via San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (5:30)

 

Music- Upside Down Star Spangled Banner (9:27)

 

Sermon- Rev. Karen Hutt (11:27)

 

July 19, 2020- The Languages We Speak

This Sunday, through story, song, prayer, and word, we open up this question of what it means to exist in and between multiple worlds, cultures, and realities as we continue to explore our summer worship theme of “Here We Are.” Arif Mamdani will be joined on the virtual chancel by Isabela Alvarez, with music from Seth Matz. 

 

Wisdom Story- Isabela (:32)

 

Song- Seth (6:30)

 

Sermon- Arif (8:42)

July 12, 2020 - Humility and Power

In this week's service, Zoe Mulvihill and Katelyn Berry share a story, Seth Matz sings, and Rev. Justin preaches the sermon. 

Welcome - Rev. Justin (:30)

Wisdom Story- Zoe and Katelyn (3:56)

Community Singing- Seth (9:16)

Sermon- Rev. Justin (11:14)

June 21, 2020- They'll Remember How You Made Them Feel

In this episode, hear a welcome from Rev. Justin, a story from Young Children's Program Coordinator Seth Matz, an anthem from the Choir, Rev. Ruth's last sermon with us before retirement, and her beautiful goodbye gift to the congregation. 

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

Wisdom Story- Seth Matz (3:54)

Anthem- First Universalist Choir (8:10)

Sermon- Rev. Ruth MacKenzie (10:40)

Rev. Ruth's gift to the congregation (39:44)

 

June 14, 2020- Political Hope, pt. 2

In this episode of the podcast, Sue Searing tells a story for all ages, Ani Peichel sings, and Rev. Karen Hutt preaches. 

Wisdom Story, Sue Searing (:21)

Interlude, Ani Peichel (1:24)

Sermon, Rev. Karen Hutt (2:24)