Love Beyond Like
Delivered September 17, 2023
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
When we enter into community, what do we make of our obligation to love another, even when we don't always like one another? In this service we'll examine the deeper dimensions of congregational relationships which call us to love alike even if we don't think alike.
Featured Music: “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off” by Ira Gershwin, performed by First U Band; “Love is the Seventh Wave” by The Police, performed by First U Band
The Caravan
Delivered October 1, 2023
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
Unitarian Universalism is a faith which welcomes others faiths. As a community of folks who hold differing and different religious histories, what do our Christian roots tell us about our past, our present, and our future?
Time For All Ages: Squirrels Who Raced Up The Tree
Featured Music: “Shower the People” by James Taylor, performed by First U Band
The Sound of Shapes
Delivered October 30, 2022
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
How is it possible that bats can fly in the dark of night with no sense of sight? An animal that inspires us to consider that there is miracle and possibility where we only expect ordinary and impossibility will be the focal point of this service. Come, in costume if you like, to consider how we are trapped in expectations of our own making and how we might explode this world in favor of building new, bat-inspired, ways.
Time For All Ages: “Who Loves the Dark” by Sheri Phillabaum
Featured Music: “Dancing In the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen performed by the First U Band; “Impossible Dream” by Mitch Leigh & Joe Darion
Worms Eating At The Rind
Delivered March 13, 2022
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
The world watches as yet another war unfolds. This Sunday, we find ourselves tired, as Langston Hughes wrote, of "waiting for the world to become good and beautiful and kind." As Unitarian Universalists, we hold life as sacred and abhor war in all its forms. Let us spend this service questioning how our faith might propel forward our quest for peace.
Time For All Ages: “Why War Is Never A Good Idea” by Alice Walker
Featured Music: “What’s Goin’ On?” by Marvin Gaye performed by First U Band; “Peace Piece” by Bill Evans performed by John B Hedges
Better Get to Living
Delivered November 27, 2022
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
"'Tis a gift to be a simple" goes the old Quaker song, a sweet and plain reminder that when we pare down our desires, we can experience a breakthrough in gratitude. A renewed appreciation for the day we are given and the life we get to live will be the focus of this service as we come together just after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Featured Music: “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley performed by John B Hedges
There’s A River Somewhere
Delivered April 10, 2022
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
As sources of renewal and constant change, rivers can inspire us to live our lives with purpose and action. Too often we feel stuck and unsure of how to move forward but rivers can remind us that we have power and agency to affect change in our lives, even when it scares us.
Featured Music: River by Roberta Flack, performed by First Church Voices; River by Leon Bridges, performed by Laura Gibson