First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast First Universalist Church

What rituals and practices help us remember and bring care to the grief and loss we know as individuals and communities? How might we move it through our bodies, and what roles do beauty and singing and laughter have to play? How might we hold multiple stories and experiences within and among ourselves all at once? Join us on Sunday for shared song and story and searching as we explore the origins of Memorial Day and strengthen ourselves for the journey ahead.
Worship Leaders: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Nancy Nyquist Potter, Allison Connelly-Vetter, Rev. Jen Crow
Opening Song- Hold Everybody Up! (:33)
Words of Welcome (4:57)
Singing Together (8:47)
Prayer and Cycle of Life (13:21)
Offering Recipient Intro (22:20)
Offertory (25:47)
Message- The Body Knows (29:07)
Closing Hymn (59:05)
Benediction (1:03:51)

Share in a celebration of life’s meaningful moments this Sunday at First Universalist. As we proudly honor our high school graduates moving forward into new adventures, we also widen our embrace to acknowledge all the transitions our community members are navigating. We welcome back the soul-stirring music of Ellis Delaney, to grace our gathering with stories sung to life. Big or small, each change marks a meaningful point in our journey. We offer a space for everyone to share their experiences, reflect on personal growth, and cross a symbolic bridge in supportive community. Join us to celebrate these transitions together, reinforcing the ties that bind us one with another, loving the stories that make each one of us whole.
Worship Leaders: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Allison Connelly-Vetter, Ellis Delaney, Deb Keller
Opening Hymn- Where Do We Come From? (:33)
Words of Welcome and Call to Worship (1:42)
Time for All Ages (6:51)
Singing Together- Come and Go With Me (12:44)
Prayers and Cycle of Life (15:52)
Practice of Giving and Recieving (31:24)
Offertory (34:22)
Briding Ritual (38:24)
Benediction (58:23)
 

This Sunday, we are Navigating Transitions: From Loyalty to Legacy, a gentle exploration of the threads that connect one generation to the next. As we honor the voices of our Coming of Age youth and pause to lift up those who love and guide us as mothers of all kinds, we’ll weave together the timeless stories of loyalty and the quiet, steadfast acts that shape our stories. Come, be part of crafting a future rich with wisdom and guided by the cherished values passed down through the ages.
Worship Leaders: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Arif Mamdani, Kaden Colton, Coming of Age Youth, First Universalist Choir
 
Opening Song- There Is a Love (:27)
Words of Welcome (4:04)
Hymn- Lean On Me by Bill Withers (9:52)
Community Prayers- (13:33)
Practice of Giving and Receiving (21:44)
Offertory- Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder (23:51)
Reading- From Generation to Generation by Antoine de St.Exupery (28:47)
Anthem- 23rd Psalm (30:49)
Introduction to and Reading of Coming of Age Credos (34:12)
Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us (55:50)
Blessing of Coming of Age Youth, Mentors, and Advisors (57:33)
Benediction (59:19)

This Sunday, First Universalist joyfully celebrates New Member Sunday, a testament to our community’s growth and resilience. Worship Leaders will guide us through a reflective conversation on the essence of openness. They invite us to examine how vulnerability, grace, and kindness are more than spiritual practices—they are vital for deepening our communal bonds. This service challenges us to dismantle the barriers that often lead to isolation, making every interaction a profound connection. As we celebrate this enriching occasion, reflect on your journey: What is your next step toward deeper engagement in our community? Join us for a transformative experience.
Worship Leaders: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Meleah Houseknecht, Rev. Jen Crow, Liz Farmer, Matt Keller
Opening Hymn- Building Bridges (:27)
Call to Worship and Words of Welcome (4:37)
Wisdom Story (10:39)
Singing Together- Come and Go With Me (20:14)
New Member Welcome Ritual (21:41)
Prayers and Cycle of Life (28:50)
Practice of Giving and Receiving (37:17)
Offertory- If You're Out There by John Legend (43:07)
Reading- Safety Net by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer (46:06)
Anthem- Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) by Diana Ross (47:18)
Message- A Community of Practice (49:35)
Closing Song- Love Will Guide Us (1:08:06)
Benediction (1:10:00)

This Sunday, we kick off a four-week Season of Gratitude, and immerse ourselves in the rich languages of love and gratitude. We warmly invite everyone to join us as we explore how these sincere expressions deepen our bonds and strengthen the fabric of our community. It’s an ideal moment to celebrate the diverse ways we can express our appreciation for each other’s efforts within our beloved community.
Worship Leaders: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Ashley Harness, Rev. Arif Mamdani
Singing to Gather- Morning Has Come (:18)
Call to Worship and Welcome (1:44)
Singing Together- Oh, We Give Thanks (12:15)
Community Prayer (13:23)
Stewardship Update (20:18)
Celebrating Volunteers (27:46)
Offering and Offertory (32:35)
Readings- from All About Love by bell hooks and What is Love? by Haddaway (36:23)
Message- Count the Ways (38:14)
Singing- Make Channels for the Streams of Love (54:29)
Benediction (56:08)

On Earth Day, we come together for a service developed in collaboration with our Environmental Justice Team. This day, we reaffirm our sacred bond with the Earth, confronting the environmental crisis with courage, creativity, and collective action. Stories of resilience from communities around the globe will guide us in redefining our relationship with the planet. This service is an invitation to reflect and find inspiration, a calling to realize our commitment to respectful relationship with the natural world. As one, we forge a path forward to notice our role in the delicate balance of life. Together, we honor our responsibility to shape a legacy of hope and healing for future generations.
Opening Hymn- Love's In Need of Love Today by Stevie Wonder- Paolo Debuque and Choir (:25)
Call to Worship- Nancy Potter (6:10)
Words of Welcome- Cathy Geist (11:43)
Time for All Ages- Rev. Arif Mamdani (17:30)
Singing Together- Come and Go With Me- Paolo Debuque (25:05)
Invitation to Conversation- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (26:53)
Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Arif Mamdani (32:15)
Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Jen Crow (38:55)
Reading from A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough- Stan Sattinger (49:10)
Anthem- This I Know- Paolo Debuque, Aimee K. Bryant, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (51:38)
Message- Reimagine That!: Earth Day - Rev. Arif Mamdani (57:04)
Closing Hymn- Blue Boat Home (1:23:00)
Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Bob Friedman (1:26:02)