Episodes
11 hours ago
11 hours ago
Join us for a transformative service led by our 8th-grade OWL youth, their advisors, and the worship team, as we explore the impactful journey through Our Whole Lives (OWL) program. “Embracing Humility, Fostering Love: Our OWL Journey” promises a heartfelt glimpse into the courageous conversations and learning experiences that shape our community’s approach to sexuality education. Celebrate the insights, growth, and stories of our youth, reinforced by the dedication of our OWL facilitators, embodying the values of respect, relationships, and responsibility.
Opening Hymn- Come And Go With Me- Aimee K. Bryant, Paolo Dubuque (:33)
Call to Worship- (4:34)
Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Allison Connelly-Vetter (8:03)
Story for All Ages- This or That- 5th grade OWLs (14:14)
Singing Together- Make Channels for the Streams of Love- Aimee K. Bryant, Paolo Dubuque (16:22)
Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow (18:00)
Practice of Stewardship, Giving, Receiving- Rev. Jen Crow, Sarah Heuser, Jack Daniels (24:33)
Offertory- Kiss! by Prince- Aimee K. Bryant, Paolo Dubuque (30:33)
Anthem- People Help the People by Birdy (35:31)
Reading- The Masturbation Song by Claire Tralle (40:17)
Reflections- Jill Ferris, Claire Tralle, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (44:29)
Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:04:24)
Song for Going- Where You Go, I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab
Monday Mar 11, 2024
March 3, 2024- The Lost Art of Sacrifice
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
This Sunday, Rev. Rolenz will lead us in contemplating The Lost Art of Sacrifice, a timely reflection as we navigate the solemn periods of Lent and approach Ramadan. In a world often driven by the quest for instant gratification, Kathleen invites us to reconsider sacrifice as a source of spiritual nourishment and unexpected joy. Drawing on her experiences from serving in diverse communities and her profound understanding of liturgy, Kathleen’s sermon promises to be a compelling journey through the complexities of faith, community, and the sacrifices that bind them.
Join us in welcoming Rev. Kathleen Rolenz and immerse yourself in a service that promises not just to explore the depths of humility and sacrifice but also to celebrate the communal spirit that defines our congregation. Let’s gather together to discover the joy and enrichment that humility can bring to our lives and our community.
Music for Gathering- Woyaya- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:19)
Story for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Kathleen Rolenz, Nanette Stearns (4:03)
Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:00)
Singing Together- Come and Go With Me (20:00)
Meditation and Prayer- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (22:19)
Practice of Sharing and Receiving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Karen Heegaard, Nanette Stearns (33:06)
Offertory- Barbara Brooks, piano (45:49)
Poem- Altar by Deborah Leipziger (47:45)
Message- The Lost Art of Sacrifice- Rev. Kathleen Rolenz (49:59)
Singing Together- Make Channels for the Streams of Love (1:09:34)
Benediction- Rev. Kathleen Rolenz (1:11:08)
Outgoing Song- Where You Go, I Will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Feb. 25, 2024- Unshackling the Chains of Numbness
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
This Sunday at First Universalist, we invite you to a special service, “Awakening Presence: A Journey From Numbness to Engagement,” as we explore the transformative power of reconnecting with our emotions and each other. Dive deep into the essence of presence, overcoming the barriers of emotional numbness that hinder our personal growth and communal vitality. Engage in a meaningful exploration of how mindfulness and empathy can not only enrich our personal journeys but also empower our collective commitment to justice and compassion.
As we continue our stewardship campaign, remember that your support breathes life into the heart of our community, helping to revive the emotional nerve endings of our congregation. Join us in fostering a vibrant, engaged, and empathetic community, ready to embrace the full spectrum of life’s experiences together. Your presence and contribution are the keys to unlocking a more present, connected, and lively congregation.
Welcome and Call to Worship- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:24)
Story for All Ages- Adaptation of a story by Leo Tolstoy- Em Herman-Johnson and the congregation (4:15)
Singing Together- Come and Go With Me and What Wondrous Love is This?- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (16:35)
Community Prayers- Katherine Harrell (23:00)
Invitation to Give and Receive- Rev. Ashley Harness and David Leppik (30:37)
Offertory- I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free by Nina Simone- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (36:18)
Greeting One Another- Em Herman-Johnson (38:38)
Reading- Go to the Limits of Your Longing by Rainer Maria Rilke (40:48)
Message- Unshackling the Chains of Emotional Numbness- Rev. Ashley Harness and Dick Young (42:41)
Benediction- words by David Gate in memory of Nex Benedict (57:45)
Closing Song- Where You Go, I will Go, Beloved by Shoshana Jedwab
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Feb. 18, 2024- From Me to We
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
In a world that often celebrates the individual, we invite you to explore the strength and beauty of choosing community. This week, we delve into the power of collective action and shared responsibility—a timely reflection in the wake of the pandemic’s challenges.
Discover how our choices can weave a stronger fabric of support, resilience, and interconnectedness. We’ll explore the transformative potential of moving beyond individualism to embrace the collective—highlighting that our financial contributions are more than just donations; they’re affirmations of our commitment to each other and the world we wish to build together.
Join us for this worship service, where every voice, every contribution, and every heart matters. Together, let’s illuminate the path from ‘me’ to ‘we’ and uncover the real power for social change.
Music, Intro, Welcome- Rev. Ashley Harness (:32)
Singing Together- Oh, We Give Thanks- Allison Connelley-Vetter (8:06)
Story for All Ages- Stone Soup- Allison Connelley-Vetter (11:15)
Sharing our Gifts- Rev. Arif Mamdani (19:38)
Blessings- Rev. Ashley Harness (26:55)
Testimonial and Offering- Janet Merrill, Rev. Ashley Harness (38:38)
Offertory- (43:29)
Meditation and Cycle of Life- Rev. Arif Mamdani (45:27)
Message- From Me to We- Allison Connelley-Vetter (51:07)
Closing Song- This Joy by Shirley Caesar (1:02:05)
Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (1:07:05)
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Feb. 4, 2024- 'Tis a Gift to be Present
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
In a world too often transactional, we’ll explore the transformative power of a gift economy, where joy is the currency we trade and presence is our shared and most precious commodity. When we choose joy, our lifted spirits are just the first palpable sine of a wave that ripples outward in a wash of positive change throughout our whole community and far beyond.
Together, we’ll delve into the sacredness of intentionality in worship, the heartbeats that synchronize when shared narratives bind us, and the art of presence that turns a gathering into a congregation. This service is an invitation to experience the profound joy that arises when we offer our talents, time, and love as gifts to one another—gifts that nurture our communal well-being and empower us to co-create a church that transcends the ordinary. Come, be part of this joyous communion, and let us journey towards a more empathetic and collaborative world, one heartbeat at a time.
Opening Hymn- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee- Aimee K. Bryant (:33)
Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Arif Mamdani (5:11)
Time for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (12:59)
Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us (23:48)
Prayer and Cycle of Life- Nanette Stearns (25:49)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (34:41)
Offertory- 'Tis a Gift to be Simple- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (44:22)
Reading from Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer- Nanette Stearns (48:03)
Anthem- His Eye Is On the Sparrow by Civilla Durfee Martin- Aimee. K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (52:59)
Message- Tis a Gift to be Present- Rev. Ashley Harness (56:19)
Hymn- Make Channels for the Streams of Love (1:15:19)
Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (1:16:56)
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
January 28, 2024- When Voices Dare to Make Visions
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
In the crucible of community, the unique vision of each individual not only reshapes our common goal but experiences a transformation itself. Picture a mosaic, where every piece is indispensable to the whole. Our shared dream materializes as we each offer a piece of our hearts, contributing to a greater design. This dance of unity within individuality beckons you to unearth your unique strengths, to learn how they can enliven our visionary aspirations. It’s about the breathtaking tableau we craft when we are harmonized in purpose and spirit, and how this sense of purpose threads through the tapestry of our everyday existence and builds through us a greater tomorrow. This is our collective mosaic–a pulsing, resonant manifestation of our faith community’s future.
Opening Hymns- Come, Come, Whoever You Are and Guide My Feet (:19)
Time for All Ages- Allison Connelly-Vetter (10:48)
Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (24:49)
Call to Worship- Deb Keller (31:22)
Reading- To Know Someone Deeply by Mark Nepo- Deb Keller (37:47)
Anthem- When the Storms of Life Are Raging, Stand by Me by Rev. Timothy Flemming- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (40:01)
Mosaic of Voices- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rasana Mamdani, Jeanne Guignon, Rev. Ashley Horan (43:47)
Closing Hymn- Be Thou My Vision (1:04:14)
Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (1:07:16)
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Januray 21, 2024- Making Space Face to Face
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Immerse yourself in this Sunday’s service, a journey into the heart of our interconnectedness. We will ponder the echoes of our third principle, discovering how it nudges us towards a deeper, more mindful communion with ourselves and each other. Prepare to be drawn into the dance of connection, a ballet of souls turning, reaching, growing. Unearth the profound truth that our shared spiritual practices are the glue that binds us into a resilient community. Witness the revelation that our messiahs walk among us, disguised as everyday leaders, ready to shepherd us into a soul-nourishing retreat. This Sunday, we’re not merely gathering – we’re igniting a beacon of blessing, illumination, and inspiration. Join us, and let the dance of turning transform you.
Opening Hymn- Hold Everybody Up- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:31)
Call to Worship and Welcome- Kaden Colton (4:07)
Time for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (13:49)
Singing Together- Standing Stone and Keep Your Heart Wide Open (23:17)
Community Prayers and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (33:06)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Lyann Broaddus and Rev. Ashley Harness (39:47)
Offertory- Paolo Dubuque and Glen Thomas Rideout (44:12)
Message- Making Space Face to Face- Rev. Arif Mamdani (48:00)
Closing Hymn- (1:08:31)
Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (1:10:02)
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
January 7, 2024- Making Space Starts When You Show Up
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
In a world relentlessly demanding, it’s easy to feel like we’re never enough, that what we have to give may not make a dent. But when we peel back these layers of fear, we uncover a transformative truth: The act of showing up—of choosing to be present—is a radical catalyst for change. This is more than physical presence; it’s an emotional, spiritual commitment to bear witness, to engage, and to represent. It’s about standing in the face of the grind, against the status quo, and declaring, “I am here.” This conscious choice to show up breathes life into relationships, sustains religions, and builds compassionate communities. It’s the first, crucial step towards creating inclusive spaces. Remember, even when it feels like you have nothing left to give, your presence, your decision to show up, can shake the world.
Singing to Gather- Lean On Me by Bill Withers- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (:29)
Welcome and Wisdom Story- Rev. Jen Crow (4:48)
Singing Together- Stand By Me by Ben King- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (13:10)
Prayer- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (15:25)
Foundation Board Announcement- Isabel Quast (25:53)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Jen Crow (28:39)
Offertory- You've Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (30:11)
Message- Making Space Starts When You Show Up- Rev. Jen Crow (32:35)
Closing Hymn- Sanctuary- Aimee K. Bryant and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (57:02)
Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (59:28)
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023- Thresholds
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
Tuesday Jan 02, 2024
“No threshold need be a threat, but rather an invitation and a promise. Whatever comes, the great sacrament of life will remain faithful to us, blessing us always with visible signs of invisible grace. We merely need to trust.” – John O’Donohue
Join us as we cross the threshold of the new year together. We will slow down to greet the invitations and promises awaiting each of us with ritual stations. We’ll have opportunities to release what no longer serves us, remember our original belovedness, receive healing blessings and seek our next chapters of becoming with trust.
Music for Gathering- I Know This Rose Will Open- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:30)
Call to Worship and Chalice Lighting- Mark Caswell (2:42)
Singing Together- Dona Nobis Pacem- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:21)
Community Prayer- Rev. Arif Mamdani (14:45)
Reading- Thresholds by John O'Donohue- Mark Caswell (21:30)
Intro to Ritual Stations- Rev. Ashley Harness (26:08)
Ritual Stations (38:01)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (41:25)
Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (46:45)
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Dec. 17, 2023- Listening Deeply: Inside Voices
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Our minds are often full of thoughts, like a busy hive all abuzz? Have you ever wondered–Is meditation for me? What is meditation really? What if I am not doing it right? Here’s a revelation – meditation isn’t about making those thoughts disappear. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Our minds, much like our ears, are always receptive, picking up on myriad stimuli even when we aren’t consciously aware. Imagine if we didn’t fight against these thoughts but just listened to them and learned to live amidst them. That’s the real beauty of meditation. Together, we will delve into different techniques for meditation. This journey, like an enlightening expedition, leads us towards understanding ourselves better.