First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

March 7, 2021- Faithful Action Sunday

What does it mean to act on your faith? This Sunday, March 7, you’ll hear moving testimony and reflections from members of our Faithful Action Council, the group that oversees the church’s Faithful Action Ministries, and you’ll hear from congregants involved with our Faithful Action Partners*, and how this involvement has grown their spirits, deepened their faith, and given them hope when things have seemed hopeless.

*Our Faithful Action Partners are Augsburg Fairview Academy, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Habitat for Humanity, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Simpson Housing, a variety of Immigration Justice Organizations and the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement (CLNE.)

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schreoder (:31)

Spoken Word- Joe Davis (5:11)

Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (8:35)

Hymn- We Shall Be Known- Seth Anderson-Matz (17:04)

Faithful Action Team Conversations (19:16)

Interlude- We'll Build a Land- Sarah Lindsay and Franco Holder (27:49)

February 28, 2021- The Truth of Now- Rev. Arif Mamdani

The only place our lives happen is in the present, yet for many of us, our minds spend a lot of time being everywhere else but here, now. In this service, we’ll enter into the truth of the present moment through word, song, and shared practice and see if we might get a bit more comfortable hanging out here, now, together. 

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (:31)

Interlude music by The OK Factor

Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (6:05)

Interlude music by The OK Factor

Poetry and Music- Franco Holder (12:33)

Sermon- The Truth of Now- Rev. Arif Mamdani (15:25)

February 21, 2021- Remember, You Are Water - Rev. Jen Crow

The truth is, grief hurts. It is exhausting, disorienting, and downright awful when we lose someone or something that matters to us. As we approach a year of pandemic living and losing, grief is our everyday companion. The author and activist, adrienne maree brown, reminds us that we are water, that the salt trails of our tears are the natural outcome of our living and loving. This Sunday, we continue to recognize our losses and the love that keeps us connected.

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:28)

Story for All Ages- Seth Anderson-Matz (3:54)

Interlude music by Dean Magraw

Message- Remember, You Are Water- Rev. Jen Crow (9:37)

Anthem- Gaelic Blessing- First Universalist Choir, Dr. Randal Buikema (33:05)

February 14, 2021- Following the Thread - Rev. Justin Schroeder

In worship this Sunday, Rev. Justin offers reflections on his ministry with First Universalist, speaks to how his faith is guiding him into a new season, and most importantly, reflects on what it means for all of us to follow the call of love, to live our deepest truths, and to trust our innermost knowings. We are held by music from Franco Holder, Andrew Tralle, and a story from Aimee K. Bryant.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:31)

Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (7:37)

Song- One Voice, by the Wailin' Jennys- Andrew Tralle (14:41)

Sermon- Following the Thread - Rev. Justin Schroeder (17:58)

February 7, 2021 - Is the Truth Broken? - Rev. Karen Hutt

The word “truth” is a major construct in any discussion of Unitarian Universalism. We pride ourselves on being seekers of truth, but who has this truth? How is it confirmed? What happens when the truth appears broken? Can we let go of our need for universal truths?

This Sunday, we delve into our February worship theme, “Truth Telling,” with this message from Rev. Karen Hutt. Rev. Jen Crow and Lauren Wyeth will share a story for all ages, and we’ll also enjoy newly recorded music from Franco Holder and Aimee K. Bryant — and a special reading and musical reflection from Franco.

 

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

Story for All Ages- Rev. Jen Crow and Lauren Wyeth (3:37)

Hymn- For All That Is Our Life- Fawzia Khan (12:05)

Sermon- Is the Truth Broken? - Rev. Karen Hutt (12:40)

January 31, 2021- Amidst the Change- Rev. Justin Schroeder

We are in the midst of great change, aren’t we? Some change we choose, and some change chooses us, but everything is always changing. As Octavia Butler writes, “God is Change.” What might it mean to really embrace this reality? As we finish our month of exploring the theme of “Choosing Change,” we’ll rest in the divine swirl of courage, change, brokenness, love, new possibilities and dreams, and we’ll see what emerges to guide us in our living in 2021. 

 

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

Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (3:29)

Hymn- Voice Still and Small- Erin Segrue (8:38)

Sermon- Amidst the Change- Rev. Justin Schroeder (10:15)

Anthem- Dream On by Aerosmith- First Universalist Choir (29:32)

January 24, 2021- Existence as Resistance- Rev. Jen Crow

In a society that wants you erased, existence is resistance. In a country where laws have limited your access to resources and opportunity, to safety and basic human rights, survival is a form of resistance. In a time when lies are fed to the masses, naming the truth is resistance. As we take a collective breath this week, we will remember that for many of us, existence is an act of resistance. We will remember those who did not make it with us to this moment, and we will acknowledge the parts of ourselves that have been injured even as we have survived. Together, we will continue to heal. 

 

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:28)

Story for All Ages- Seth Anderson-Matz (4:11)

Interlude- We Will- Ann Reed (7:42)

Sermon- Existence as Resistance- Rev. Jen Crow (9:33)

 

January 17, 2021- A Dream or a Nightmare?- Rev. Justin Schroeder

While Dr. King fervently spoke about the “dream” of country where character mattered more than skin color, this dream has failed to materialize. More often than not, the dream is simply given lip service, while structures and practices of oppression and harm remain in place. What is required for the dream to truly come alive, for justice to roll down like waters, and peace like an ever flowing stream?

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:24)

Story for All Ages- The Castle With Three Windows- Aimee K. Bryant (3:06)

Hymn- Gather The Spirit- Aimee K. Bryant and Franco Holder (10:45)

Sermon- A Dream or a Nightmare?- Rev. Justin Schroeder (13:48)

 

January 10, 2021- Remembrance Sunday

Every year, as we begin the New Year, we hold a ritual space to name and recount the losses we’ve experienced in the past year. This year, more than ever, this ritual of “Remembrance Sunday” feels so important. In 2020, grief was a constant companion. We lost jobs, business, and loved ones, many of them to Covid-19. We lost opportunities to attend graduations and weddings, memorials and family reunions. For many of us, grief wove with grief.

In this service, we will be held by beautiful music from Ellis as well as Franco Holder and violinist Travis Waymon. Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Arif Mamdani, and Rev. Justin Schroeder will lead us in story and ritual as we touch on the realities of impermanence, remember what lives on in memory, and discover how, even in the face of grief, we might embrace life and love once again.

Words of Welcome- Rev. Justin Schroeder (:29)

Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (3:03)

Lighting the Candle of Impermanence (9:30)

Interlude- Excerpt from Spiegel im Spiegel- Travis Waymon and Franco Holder (10:55)

Prayer and Reflection- Rev. Justin Schroeder (11:43)

Lighting the Candle of Memory (21:02)

Spirit of Life- Travis Waymon and Franco Holder (22:02)

Homily- Rev. Arif Mamdani (23:20)

Lighting the Candle of Embracing (30:46)

Start Where You Are- Ellis Delaney (32:45)

Closing Words- Lauren Wyeth, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Justin Schroeder (36:59)

January 3, 2021- Impossible Dreams- Rev. Justin Schroeder

What will be different in 2021? What dreams for our lives and our community have been shaped by the pandemic, the racial justice uprising, and the questions still unanswered of whether or not the United States can actually become a pluralistic, equitable, multi-racial democracy? What dreams of yours – and what collective dreams of ours – might come to life in 2021? For dreams to be born, we must choose change, be courageous and brave, and let old habits and patterns fade and die, so something new and life giving can blossom.

Story for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (:21)

Hymn- Voice Still and Small, Erin Segrue (6:40)

Sermon- Impossible Dreams, Rev. Justin Schroeder (8:16)

Closing Hymn- We'll Build a Land, Sarah Lindsay