Worship
Each Sunday, ushers give each person a handout, called an Order of Service, as he or she enters our sanctuary. It contains the service information for that day. Tucked inside the Order of Service is a Joys and Sorrows form, which can be used to let others know about significant happenings in your life, if you wish to share this information. These forms are collected in the offertory plate, along with monetary donations, and read aloud by the Minister in that day’s service. Also tucked inside the Order of Service may be special announcements.
Hearing loops are available from our ushers for those who need them.
From September to June, children and youth attend the Sunday service from the start until the end of the Message For All Ages. The Message For All Ages, which is a story with meaning for everyone, is usually done by the Director of Religious Education (DRE). After this story, the congregation sings a special song as the children and youth leave the sanctuary and go to their classrooms. Nursery service is provided for infants to toddlers for the entire service or for whatever portion is needed. The is a room upstairs where parents can sit with a fussy baby and listen to the service.
First Universalist has a long-standing tradition of having one Sunday sermon a month be presented by someone other than our minister. Our lay-led services give our minister well-deserved unscheduled time, as well as allowing us to share our individual spiritual journeys, experiences and diverse world views, which is an important part of our rich Unitarian Universalist heritage.
A Typical Sunday Service
Whether led by a minister or by a lay leader, each service generally follows a pattern of reflection, centering, inspiration and affirmation. A typical Sunday service follows this pattern:
- Gathering
Music of reflection (Please honor this time of contemplation with your silence)
Words of Welcome
Welcoming Each Other
Announcements - Celebrating
Call to Worship
Lighting the Chalice
Hymn of Reflection (Sung by the congregation) - Centering
Affirmation of Faith (Said aloud by the congregation)
Doxology (Sung by the congregation)
Centering Music (Provided by the Music Director) - Affirming
Offertory Words
Offertory Selection (Sung by our choir)
Message for All Ages (After this children leave for their classrooms) - Contemplating
Sharing of Joys and Sorrows (The minister reads them aloud)
Pastoral Prayer
Silent Meditation
Hymn of Reflection (Sung by the congregation)
Responsive Reading (Optional)
Musical Interlude (Provided by the Music Director) - Inspiring
Sermon
Hymn of Inspiration (Sung by the congregation) - Returning to the Service of Life
Closing Circle
Music of Inspiration (Please honor this time of contemplation with your silence)
Extinguishing of the Chalice