Archive for the ‘Sermons’ Category

Living the Promise (1-23-2011)

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

Rev. Deborah Cayer 

Most of us find great hope and meaning in mutual, consensual relationships in which we openly share ideas and feelings, make decisions and weather the consequences together. How do we live into, up to, this great hope and promise?  What support does our faith offer? This morning we’ll welcome ERUUF’s newest members.  

Unity (1-16-2011)

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

Rev. Deborah Cayer 

“We are tied together in a single garment of destiny,” the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said.  What would the world be like if we acted as if this were true?  This is a Social Justice Sunday and the Generosity Sunday offering will be given to ERUUF’s programs for social, economic and environmental justice.

Forgiveness (1.9.11)

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

Rev. Deborah Cayer  

The ability to forgive is central to our happiness and well being, and yet it can be most difficult to do. What happens when we don’t forgive?  How might we loosen the grip of our anger enough to experience what happens when we do?  

0:00 – introduction
5:02 – sermon

Peices of Eight (12.19.10)

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

Rev. Deborah Cayer

The great Jewish sage, Maimonides taught that there are eight levels of giving, ranging from giving grudgingly so the recipient is embarrassed, to giving generously and anonymously so that someone whom you’ll never know finds empowerment.  How much of a self does it take to give so selflessly?

0:00 – reading
4:34 – sermon

Holiday Singing Service (12.12.10)

Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Our fellowship's musicians, in collaboration with singers from Union Baptist Church, present our annual service of song, prayer and meditation.

0:00 – reading #1: from the writing of Victoria Stafford
1:05 – reading #2: "Annunication to the Shepards" by Lynn Ungar
2:12 – reading #3: "More Than A Baby Jesus" by Elizabeth Selle Jones

A Season of Refuge (12.05.10)

Sunday, December 5th, 2010

Rev. Deborah Cayer

There are times when you feel whole and comfortably “at home” inside yourself, but that sense of wellbeing and peace can be especially hard to find at this time of the year.  What hope for wellbeing and deep peace does the original Christmas story offer? 

Acknowledging Grace (11.28.10)

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

Guest Speaker: Rev. Jennifer Slade

So much of the Thanksgiving holiday is about taking a moment to see and acknowledge the grace in our lives.  It is also about honoring tradition.  A 19th century tradition in both Unitarianism and Universalism was to take a look at a Christian Gospel story and see how it might apply to living a life of deeds not creeds.  This Sunday we will honor both these traditions as we look at a story in the gospel of Luke and ponder not the literal truths, but the eternal truths about human nature and our ability to acknowledge grace.

0:00 – reading
1:18 – sermon

We Gather Together to…? (11.21.10)

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

Rev. Margaret L. Beard, Consulting Assistant Minister

Most of us know the traditional Thanksgiving story and some of us know another version.  How do we make sense of the story and the reality?  Why do you gather together on the third Thursday in November?  What might we be called to do?

Our Soldiers (11.14.10)

Sunday, November 14th, 2010

Rev. Deborah Cayer

War is a huge and complicated thing, and at the heart of it are soldiers who have thoughts and feelings which often have to be put aside.  In this morning’s service we’ll honor the voices, thoughts and feelings of some among us who have served their country.  Ceil Cleveland and Herb Reichlin will speak and Rev. Cayer will lead the service.

0:00 – Social Justice Sunday
7:15 – Introduction – Ceil Cleveland

Voices of Veterans
11:47 – Don Hartman
12:48 – Bill Mahoney
14:05 – Clinton Nixon
15:03 – Shirley Borstelmann
17:21 – Gene Presson
19:14 – Bob Slentz-Kesler
20:54 – David Scheidt
25:21 – Glenn Garland
27:16 – Herb Reichlin

33:08 – Closing Words

Deep Democracy (11.07.10)

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Rev. Deborah Cayer

At a time when our country seems to be splitting into factions of liberal and conservative, what can average citizens do?  Since a very similar phenomenon has always existed with regard to liberal and conservative religious outlooks, what wisdom does Unitarian Universalism offer us for this moment?

0:00 – opening words
1:30 – sermon