First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

July 17, 2022- Gather the Spirit, Harvest the Power

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)

 

 

July 10, 2022- Growing the S-I-Z-E of Our Soul

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)

 

 

July 3, 2022- American Stories

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)

June 26, 2022- The World Was Made to be Free In

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)

 

June 19, 2022- BOGO Worth and Dignity

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)

 

June 12, 2022- Choir Sunday: A Celebration in Song and Poetry

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 Shining Night by Morten Lauridsen (33:09)

I Believe by Alok Menon- Libby Crawford (37:57)

 

June 5, 2022- Flower Communion

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)

May 15, 2022- Everybody In

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

May 8, 2022- A Big Enough Story

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)

 

 

May 1, 2022- Our Sacred Trust

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 Louis Armstrong- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (44:34)