First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

September 19, 2021- When the Waters are Held Back

Gathering in person at Minnehaha Falls, we immerse ourselves in the imagery of water and the power of the river as we remember the strength of the stones in the banks we build, and the well-worn groove of the river bed that waits for us, whatever the season. We remember the ritual of Water Communion and the symbolic ingathering it represents and we will intentionally hold back the waters for now, waiting with each other, for the fullness of our hoped-for return to our building in November and the joy it will bring. Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder, Lauren Wyeth, and Revs. Arif Mamdani and Jen Crow lead the service.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:29)

Song- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (7:10)

Time for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (9:47)

Body and Community Prayer- Lauren Wyeth and Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:40)

Message- Rev. Jen Crow (26:35)

September 12, 2021- Backpack Blessing/What We Need Is Here

This multigenerational service of song, story, and strength as we remember that no matter what is going on around us or within us, when we are in it together – what we need is here. Backpacks will be blessed for those who carry them, and all of us will come away with the joy of community and a grounding in our deepest commitments.

Worship leaders: Rev. Jen Crow, Lauren Wyeth, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Karen Hutt

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 15, 2021- Lessons from Canada Geese- First U Worship Team

This Sunday, we worship at the Lake Harriet Bandshell! Worship leaders Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Julica Hermann de la Fuente, Rev. Jen Crow, Lauren Wyeth, and Rev. Karen Hutt will lead and inspire us through music, story, and message, and challenge us to consider what we might learn from — among other things — Canadian geese.

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

Story for All Ages- Sue Searing (7:08)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (12:26)

Reading- Lessons from Canada Geese- Julica Hermann de la Fuente and Rev. Karen Hutt (21:51)

Song- What Wonderous Love- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (24:54)

Message- Rev. Karen Hutt and Lauren Wyeth (27:39)

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

August 1, 2021- Harnessing (and Being Harnessed by) Change - Julica Hermann de la Fuente

This Sunday, August 1, Julica Hermann de la Fuente guides us in using Martha Beck’s Change Cycle to explore how we navigate and make meaning of change. Join us to inquire into the nature of change, the possibilities and challenges of change, and the ways that change will continue to be with us personally and congregationally. 

Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:30)

Story for All Ages- Suzy Messerole (2:37)

Interlude - Building a New Way- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (9:00)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (11:28)

Message- Harnessing (and Being Harnessed by) Change- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (16:03)

Outro Music- I Am Willing by Holly Near

 

July 25, 2021- What Kind of Humanist Are You?- A Colored Kid's Journey- Rev. Karen Hutt

This Sunday, Rev. Karen shares her humanist journey from Yankee Stadium to the Rift Valley in East Africa. We will also explore opportunities for Unitarian Universalism and humanism in the coming years as we reflect on our 5th Source.

Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:19)

Wisdom Story- Anansi- Sue Searing (4:38)

Interlude- We Shall Be Known- Seth Anderson-Matz (10:31)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (12:43)

Message- What Kind of Humanist Are You?: A Colored Kid's Journey- Rev. Karen Hutt (18:23)

Outro Music- Lean On Me, by Bill Withers- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder

July 18, 2021- A Prophetic Encounter: Have You Had One Lately? - Rev. Karen Hutt

Prophets are often treated like icons. How many prophetic people can you rattle off the names of? What characteristics do they display? Our 2nd Source as UU’s provides us with some interesting human centered guidance, if we parse the words enough and dive deeply. This Sunday, we continue to learn how to walk the walk that we talk of so much.

Words of Welcome- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (:30)

Wisdom Tale- The Emperor's New Clothes- Aimee K. Bryant (3:30)

Interlude- Shine On Me, by Melanie DeMore (11:16)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (14:50)

Sermon- A Prophetic Encounter: Have You Had One Lately?- Rev. Karen Hutt (20:23)

Outro music- Show Up, by Joe Davis

July 4, 2021- Owning Our Stories- Rev. Jen Crow

Whole-hearted spiritual living invites us to learn how to tell our stories with honesty, humility and care - celebrating our learning and joy while simultaneously acknowledging the places we still need to grow. This Sunday we'll explore how we might own the fullness of our stories as individuals and as a nation. 

Prelude- Aimee K. Bryant (:30)

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (2:28)

Story for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (7:15)

Music- A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cook- Aimee K. Bryant (12:51)

Reading- Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes- Yahanna, Aliana, Satya (15:44)

Musical Response- Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson & J. Rosamond Johnson- Aimee K. Bryant (22:51)

Prayer and Cycle of Life- Julica Hermann de la Fuente (25:13)

Message- Owning Our Stories- Rev. Jen Crow (33:01)

Outro Music- Respect by Aretha Franklin - Aimee K. Bryant (49:16)