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Sermons

This is a full list of sermons presented at UUCCSM since mid-1999. Links to sermon texts are included when made available by their authors. Audio recordings are also available for most sermons presented after September, 2007 by our staff ministers and others directly affiliated with our church (just click the speaker icon next to each sermon where it's available). Audio from guest speakers is posted only when we have their permission to share it.

Rev. Greg’s sermons are now available for purchase in the Front office and on Sundays, in Forbes Hall. The cost to produce this publication is $5. In order to continue publication, we ask for a donation that will cover - or go beyond - production costs. Any revenue raised beyond cost will go to the Ministerial discretionary fund which is used to assist members and friends in their time of need (such as shelter, food, utilities, medical, etc.)

"Leaving Room for Hope: Sermons for Uncertain Times," a book of Minister Emerita Judith Meyer's sermons, is available here.

June 24, 2018
Sabbath Moments
Monthly Theme: Blessing
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
You may be familiar with the idea of Sabbath Keeping -- setting aside a particular day in the week to worship and to rest. Have you ever noticed the sabbath moments in your life? These are the small windows of peace cause you to smile, take your breath away, or invite you to breathe deeply. By honoring sabbath moments, you allow your soul to rest. 
 
June 17, 2018
Abraham and the Peach Seed Monkey
Monthly Theme: Blessing
Rev. Greg Ward
A child will always determine the level of importance they have in their father's eyes by comparing what their father gives to them versus what their father gives to others. When a child sees that their father values something more than them, it can hurt. Through examining one story of great pain and one story of great promise, we find our place value in our father' eyes. And maybe, we find out how to convey to our children the value they bring us.
June 10, 2018 - 5:00pm
Heart and Soul: A Contemplative Worship Service @ 5 p.m. - "What Does It Mean to be a Community of Blessing?"
Monthly Theme: Blessing
Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Karen Hsu Patterson & Joyce Holmen
Homily by Catie Grasso
 
Heart & Soul is a monthly contemplative worship service series that occurs on the second Sunday of each month. It is a shorter, more intimate service, with singing and instrumental music, statements, and questions, silence, and sharing. Readings, poems, quotes, and music are drawn from a variety of sources, including the UU Soul Matters Sharing Circle, our hymnals, and popular/folk music. 
 
Please note audio is currently unavailable for Heart & Soul services.
 
June 10, 2018
Marlon Bundo: What You Need to Know about Lessening Shame
Monthly Theme: Blessing
Rev. Greg Ward
When counting our blessings, a very important one to remember is the blessing that teaches us to rise above doubt and beyond shame. We all hope for a life where we see clearly and learn to call ourselves – and teach others to call us – by our true names. It is only after we begin to see and call ourselves as beloved that we begin to write the real story of our life. This is a service about getting to the starting line in the journey toward Love. We will welcome new members into our congregation during this service.

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June 3, 2018
The Blessings of Tone-Deafness and Arrhythmicism
Monthly Theme: Blessing
Dr. Zanaida Robles
Dr. Zanaida Robles, our Director of Music, shares personal experiences related to "tone-deafness" and "arrythmicism." We listen to stories, songs, and singing experiences that reveal theological truths about how everyone has a singing voice and how every singing voice matters.

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May 27, 2018 - 10:00am
Tolling of the Bells (One service only, at 10 a.m.)
Monthly Theme: Creativity
Rev. Greg Ward
Service of Remembrance for those persons / people who've passed in the last year: Tom Petty, Don Rickles, Fats Domino, Roger Moore, Hugh Hefner, Chuck Berry, Mary Tyler Moore.  We will also commemorate victims in the shootings in Las Vegas, Texas and the Amtrack derailment victims as well as victims of war, those who die in prison, etc.
 
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE ONE SERVICE ONLY, AT 10 A.M.

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May 20, 2018 - 10:00am
All RE Sunday (Note: one service only, at 10 a.m., followed by the Annual Congregational Meeting)
Monthly Theme: Creativity
Kathleen Hogue (and the many people who make RE happen)
 
PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE ONE SERVICE ONLY AT 10 A.M. -
FOLLOWED BY THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
 

Celebrating Religious Education & Our Bridging Ceremony

 
We will celebrate Lifespan Religious Exploration Sunday with a special focus on love, acceptance and our UU Principles. The service will include the Bridging of our high school seniors, and recognition of all of the volunteers who make our lifespan RE programs possible.
 
Our theme will be “Love and Multi-Generational Community.” Come support and celebrate our volunteers and our bridging youth! It is sure to be a fun service and takes place before our Annual Meeting.
 
Then after the service, join us for lunch hosted by the LRE Committee to support our RE Assistant Fund.
 
 
                                     
 
 
Please note: Audio is unavailable for this service.
May 13, 2018 - 5:00pm
Heart and Soul: A Contemplative Worship Service @ 5 p.m. - "What Does It Mean to be a Community of Creativity?"
Monthly Theme: Creativity
Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Karen Hsu Patterson & Joyce Holmen
Heart & Soul is a monthly contemplative worship service series that occurs on the second Sunday of each month. It is a shorter, more intimate service, with singing and instrumental music, statements, and questions, silence, and sharing. Readings, poems, quotes, and music are drawn from a variety of sources, including the UU Soul Matters Sharing Circle, our hymnals, and popular/folk music. 
 
Plase note: at this point, audio recordings of Heart & Soul services are unavailable
May 13, 2018
Love You Forever
Monthly Theme: Creativity
Rev. Greg Ward and Amy Brunell

For 50 years I lived my life with a mother who was not built, nor performed, to the factory specs I would have asked for.  For 45 of those years, I tried to turn her into what I wanted.  For the last five years, I learned to love the mother I had.  This sermon is a dialogue I wrote with my mother which describes the kind of relationship we had and the lessons we learned.

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May 6, 2018
Lost in Translation
Monthly Theme: Creativity
Rev. Greg Ward
Have you ever been 'called' to something important but missed the 'call' because you didn't understand what was being asked? What was at stake? Being able to hear, understand and interpret what the world is asking of us is of critical importance if we are to figure out how to become integral and necessary to the future. 

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