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The Interdependent Web of Heroes - Sunday, June 28, 2009
Rev. Donald Stouder, Guest Preacher. Speaks upon his work as a Chaplain and the importance of organ donation.
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The First Shall Be Last, and the Last Shall Be First - Sunday, June 21, 2009
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister.
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Full Speed Ahead - Sunday, June 14, 2009
Michael Walker, Intern Minister. Michael's farewell sermon as our intern.
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Youth Service: The Road to Celebration - Sunday, June 07, 2009
Explore issues of diversity as we travel along "The Road To Celebration" with our Junior and Senior High Youth.
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Mysticism Demystified - Sunday, May 31, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, speaks upon his own spiritual revelations, and helps us to conceive the significance of our own.
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When Religious Experiences Happen To Ordinary People - Sunday, May 24, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, elaborates on extraordinary religious and spiritual experiences such as visions and how they are much more common than people think. What are we to make of them?
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In a Galaxy Far, Far Away - Sunday, May 17, 2009
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister, speaks to us about the genre of Science-Fiction, and how this type of literature demonstrates transcendence.
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Reflections On 30 Years Of Ministry - Sunday, May 10, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, leads us as we commemorate thirty years of ministry.
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All-Music Sunday Theme: “Choose to Bless the World” - Sunday, May 03, 2009
The theme for this season's all-music service on May 3 is “Choose to Bless the World.” All four of our choirs and the two handbell ensembles will participate in this service, a demonstration of how we
carry the inspiration of worship into the world.
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Renewal by Many Names - Sunday, April 26, 2009
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister, delivers a sermon about the fears that surround change, she also tells us that daily renewal is essential to establish the changes we want to see in our community.
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To Love, Serve And Remember - Sunday, April 19, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, expands on the quote "Love everybody, Serve everybody and remember God." He also makes us aware of the 5 delusionary "P's".
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Raised From The Dead: An Easter Sermon - Sunday, April 12, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, illuminates us with an Easter sermon for all-ages. This weekend services also featured a Flower Communion, and what it means to bring a flower or flowering branch to represent your spirit, to be shared with others.
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Finding Our True Nature: A Buddhist View Of Happiness - Sunday, April 05, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. This sermon touches on the Transformational Theme for April which is Transformation/Resurrection.
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There’s a Whole World Out There - Sunday, March 29, 2009
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister and Members of our Partner Churches speak on the topic of Global UU Awareness.
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Celebration Weekend: - Sunday, March 22, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. We will celebrate the purpose of our church and offer our Estimate Of Giving Cards during the services.
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Where The Light Gets In - Sunday, March 15, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. Leonard Cohen wrote, "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.” The sermon is a meditation on brokenness and grace.
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Spa Time For The Soul - Sunday, March 08, 2009
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister, and members of the Women’s Federation.
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Taking America Back...and Forward - Sunday, March 01, 2009
Guest Preacher: Rev. William Sinkford, President, Unitarian Universalist Association.
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Finding Heaven - Sunday, February 22, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, we will consider the Buddha's Four Heavenly Abodes - Lovingkindness, Compassion, Equanimity and Sympathetic Joy.
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The Art Of Friendship - Sunday, February 15, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, speaks on this months transformational theme "Love" and shows us the correlation between love and friendship.
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Surprised By Love - Sunday, February 08, 2009
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. This sermon speaks about finding love in some unlikely places.
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Sex And The Bible - Sunday, February 01, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister, addresses human sexuality and the bible.
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This Work Will Break Your Heart - Sunday, January 25, 2009
Guest Speaker, Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs, Co-Minister, Unity Church (Unitarian), St. Paul MN, and President of the Unitarian Universalist Minister's Association. The Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs will be consulting with First Church leaders and members all weekend on taking our new governance structure deeper. He was brought up in an integrated Unitarian Universalist church on Chicago's South Side. Come hear how it changed his life.
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Building The World We Dream About - Sunday, January 18, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister and members of the Journey Toward Wholeness Team. Explore Journey Toward Wholeness Sunday, and help us to understand how we can build the world we dream about.
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Where's The Justice? - Sunday, January 11, 2009
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. Complexities abound and this sermon will discuss how our UU values can guide our way.
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Personal Finance As A Spiritual Discipline - Sunday, January 04, 2009
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. Our spiritual wellbeing has much more to do with how we relate to our money than we might think. How to think about our finances in tough times is the topic of this service.
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Generations And Traditions - Sunday, December 28, 2008
Michael Walker, Intern Minister. This sermon touches upon the importance of traditions – those little rituals that make meaning in the relationships people have with those they love.
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Traditional Family Vespers - Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Liz Jones, Director of Religious Education. Enlightens us with a Nativity Tableau, which tells us about the meaning of season.
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Light One Candle: A Hanukkah Sermon - Sunday, December 21, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, this sermon reflects on the Jewish holiday Hanukkah.
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This Little Light - Sunday, December 14, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister
This sermon will explore Winter Solstice and hope.
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Hope: An Advent Sermon - Sunday, December 07, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. Advent, which begins four Sundays before Christmas, is a time of expectant waiting. What is waiting to be born in your life?
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The Circle Of Life And Death - Sunday, November 30, 2008
Michael Walker, Intern Minister, helps this months transformational theme "Death", come to full circle.
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The Ultimate Journey - Sunday, November 23, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. Tells us that getting ready for death is a way of life.
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A Life Worth Dying For - Sunday, November 16, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister gives us his insight on this months transformational theme "Death".
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Whither The Beloved Community - Sunday, November 09, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister enlightens the congregation with a post election reflection.
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How Bully This Pulpit - Sunday, November 02, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. A pre-election sermon on church and politics.
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God Is Not A Dirty Word: An Exploration of Religious Language - Sunday, October 26, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister
Ruth van Leeuwen will deliver a personal Credo during both Hillcrest Campus Sunday services.
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This Living Community - Sunday, October 19, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister
This sermon explores our church, faith and what it is to be liberal.
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The Assurance Of Things Hoped For - Sunday, October 12, 2008
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Faith: You May Have It And Not Know It - Sunday, October 05, 2008
This sermon focuses on Unitarian Universalism, the beliefs encompassed in our faith, and that “spirituality” is a subjective term. In Unitarian Universalism, faith is what you believe it to be.
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Seeing The World Aright:The Virtue of Atonement - Sunday, September 28, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister
This service will also include our UU version of the Kol Nidre ritual.
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Casting Off Into A New Year - Sunday, September 21, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister
This sermon explores our monthly worship theme of forgiveness and reconciliation.
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Religion Without Sacrifice - Sunday, September 14, 2008
The seventh and final sermon on Gandhi's Seven Deadly Social Sins.
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Forgiveness Is Not For Sissies - Sunday, September 07, 2008
Arvid explores the different levels of forgiveness with in the human nature.
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Gems in the Rough - Sunday, August 31, 2008
Intern Minister Michael Walker introduces himself to the congregation, while exploring themes of creativity and artistry as forms of worship. Gems in the rough are a metaphor for the beauty, wisdom or other jewels, hidden within the otherwise unremarkable exteriors of the people around us. With some creativity, we can reveal those gems to everyone’s sight…
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Power of a Blessing - Sunday, August 24, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube and members of First Church’s UU Men's Fellowship:Blessing is not a quaint custom for antiquity but a powerful, transformative act of love. Come prepared to be blessed!
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Science Without Humanity - Sunday, August 17, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister: The sixth sermon in Arvid's series on Gandhi's Seven Deadly Social Sins.
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Words, Words, Words - Sunday, August 10, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister- Sometimes it can feel as if there's too much talk and not enough action. However, words are powerful, and when skillfully used, can bring joy and peace. This sermon explores the use of words, especially in poetry.
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Young Adult Service - Sunday, August 03, 2008
Come join the First Church Young Adult community as they present a service on the theme “So UU Think You Can Dance: Our Personal Approach to Stepping on the Dance Floor.”
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Interculturality - Sunday, July 27, 2008
The delicate dance of cultures of the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. As we become more interdependent, how do we learn, grow, evolve and incorporate otherness and yet still respect and honor our distinict differences?
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The Theology Around Science Fiction - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister: In honor of San Diego Comic-Con: space ships, aliens and universal themes, all in one sermon.
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Pride Sunday Service - Sunday, July 13, 2008
John Keasler and special guests: This year our celebration of Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual / Transgender Pride focuses on the ongoing struggle to defend the right of same-sex couples to marry. This is also Generosity Sunday -- this month's offering will go to the Equality California Institute to support their educational efforts on behalf of same-sex marriage.
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Commerce Without Morality - Sunday, July 06, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister
The fifth sermon in the series on Gandhi's Seven Social Sins.
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Our Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning - Sunday, June 29, 2008
Rev. Jim Grant-Our UU Principles encourage us in a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." The idea of a search without some clues, some compass points, or some direction is worse that the teenage party game, "scavenger hunt." Remember, teams were selected, given a list of items to be found, and set loose. First team back with all the items won. In this sermon I'll suggest some of the aids to our "free and responsible search" so that we may individually and as a community develop our liberal religious understandings.
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Knowledge Without Character - Sunday, June 22, 2008
Rev. Arvid Straube: The fourth sermon in the series on Gandhi's Seven Social Sins.
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Welcoming the Strange and Other Tales of Hope and Love - Sunday, June 15, 2008
Tom Grogan, Intern Minister: Many of the best things in life come from the most unexpected places. Join us as we celebrate the gift of fatherhood and explore the joy that comes when we stop resisting the unknown and consciously open ourselves to new possibilities.
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The Past and Future Church: A Report - Sunday, June 08, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube and Rev. Kathleen Owens
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Impossible Will Take a Little While - Sunday, June 01, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. This sermon explores social justice and our participation in it.
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Pleasure Without Conscience - Sunday, May 18, 2008
Rev. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. The third in the series on Gandhi's seven social sins.
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Keeping Faith - Sunday, May 04, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. This sermon is an exploration of what we keep faith with in this tradition with multiple theologies.
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Wealth Without Work - Sunday, April 27, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. This is the second in a series of sermons on Mahatma Gandhi’s Seven Social Sins.
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The Seal of Protection - Sunday, April 20, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. This sermon explores the Passover story from the Hebrew scriptures and offers an option of what our UU Seal of Protection might be.
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Politics Without Principle - Sunday, April 13, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. This is the first in a series of sermons on Mahatma Gandhi’s Seven Social Sins.
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The Devil Didn't Make You Do It - Sunday, April 06, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. Satan doesn’t exist. We’re responsible and we have to stop.
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I Can't Complain! - Sunday, March 30, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. Find out what happened when Rev. Arvid gave up whining for Lent!
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Did He or Didn’t He?- Intergenerational Easter Celebration - Sunday, March 23, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. We will celebrate the renewal of life with special music, a homily by Rev. Kathleen Owens, and a Flower Communion. Please bring a flower or blossoming branch, representing your spirit, to share with others.
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Come Dream a Dream: First Church In Two Places At Once - Sunday, March 16, 2008
Carol Layne, South Bay Intern Minister and members of the South Bay Organizing group lay out the vision for another program and worship site in the South Bay.
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Bringing Wholeness To Human Lives - Sunday, March 09, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister will reflect on the main purpose of First Church. This Sunday marks the kick-off of our Sailing Into The Future Campaign to raise the funds needed for our Annual Budget and our campus renovation project, including a re-build and expanded Bard Hall.
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The Umbrella of Peace and Power - Sunday, March 02, 2008
The Women’s Federation and Rev. Kathleen Owens. The service will feature a skit and audience participation concerning issues facing women during an election year. Four heroic women, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rachel Carson, Sandra Day O"Conner, and Rosa Parks, will offer their insights on living and accomplishing. Special music will be provided by the women of the Chancel Choir, the Juultones and Megan Daub and Jill Cassaboom.
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Freedom: Are We There Yet? - Sunday, February 24, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. This sermon explores freedom – its costs, its rewards and how we all can be freer in this lifetime.
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Thank God for Evolution! - Sunday, February 17, 2008
How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World." Rev. Michael Dowd & Connie Barlow Guest Speakers. Reverend Dowd will preach on the theme of his just released book, "Thank God for Evolution!: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World." As Michael says, "It matters what we think about evolution. Trying to understand reality without an evolutionary worldview is like trying to understand infection without microscopes or the structure of the Universe without telescopes. It’s not merely difficult; it’s impossible."
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An Epidemic of Loneliness - Sunday, February 10, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. Why so many of us are lonely and what we can do about it.
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UU Giving: The Next Big Thing - Sunday, February 03, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. The ancient practice of charitable giving has gained a new cachet since former President Bill Clinton wrote his book Giving. Come find out why this ancient spiritual practice is so important for our spiritual growth.
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The Enigma of Power - Sunday, January 27, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. UUs typically have more than average power in society and more power than we own or recognize. This false innocence can be dangerous. Find out about your power and what we can do together if we recognize and use our power for good. This sermon honors the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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From Dreaming to Living-Rev. Dr. Martin Lurther King Jr.'s Message - Sunday, January 20, 2008
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. It is important to honor prophets like Martin Luther King…and this sermon explores the concept of the ultimate honor – living his message.
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Ocean-Oceano Poem recited by Miguel-Angel Soria - Sunday, January 13, 2008
Ocean-Oceano poem delivered before The New Hate Speech and What We Can Do About It sermon by Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube.
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The New Hate Speech and What We Can Do About It. - Sunday, January 13, 2008
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. There has been an increase in public hate speech in San Diego as well as an increase in hate crimes here. They are being directed especially at our Latino immigrant community. An inter-faith coalition is beginning to speak out against this. Find out what you can do. This sermon honors the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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UU Theology Series 7: Putting it All Together - Sunday, January 06, 2008
Final Sermon of the UU theology Series: Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister.
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Prayers of the Earth - Sunday, December 30, 2007
Carol Layne, South Bay Intern Minister. We will explore through story, song, and movement how various prayer traditions from around the world might be of value to us as Unitarian Universalists. Join us in this intergenerational service and discover whether your personal spiritual practice might be enriched by any of these traditions as we move into the New Year.
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Trimester Twirling - Sunday, December 16, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. As this planet rotates in the heavens, we twirl as well…this sermon explores how to twirl well, even in the trimester.
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UU Theology Series 6: Judaism and UUs - Sunday, December 09, 2007
Dr. Rev. Arvid Straube
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UU Theology Series 5: Buddhism - Sunday, December 02, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister.
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Rushing Into The Dark - Sunday, November 25, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. It is a busy life, a busy season, and we’re rushing around a lot. This sermon will discuss the importance of rushing into the dark and how our chalice flame can light the way.
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Eat, Love, and Prayer: Making the Most of Thanksgiving - Sunday, November 18, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. Just in time for Thanksgiving, we will consider our food choices and the attitudes we take when we enjoy our food.
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Red, White and UU - Sunday, November 11, 2007
A Veterans Day Service with Lt. Cynthia Kane, a UU U.S. Navy Chaplain. Our veterans and active duty military will be honored on this Sunday and active duty military, reservists, and National Guard are invited to wear their uniforms.
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UU Theology Series 4: Earth Centered Spirituality - Sunday, November 04, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister.
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In The Shelter of Each Other - Sunday, October 28, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. This Sunday’s offering will benefit the southern California Wildfire Fund, administered by the Pacific Southwest District Office and to be disbursed to Unitarian Universalists who have had property damage due to the wildfires all over Southern California.
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In Celebration of United Nations Sunday - Sunday, October 21, 2007
Tom Grogan, Intern Minister. Join us as we honor and celebrate our Unitarian Universalist connection to the United Nations.
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Ministry: Commitment of the Call - Sunday, October 14, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister
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What They Dreamed Be Ours To Do - Sunday, October 07, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. This Association Sunday service will be dedicated to growing our faith at the local and associational level. We will be affirming our bonds with congregations from coast to coast in our unique association of free congregation. Please be prepared to participate in a special "Now Is The Time” offering.
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Building the World We Dream About - Sunday, September 30, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens.
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Surviving In A Culture Of Meanness - Sunday, September 23, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube and Rev. Jim Grant. The meanness, unkindness, and incivility in our culture cannot help but have a negative impact on our lives and spirits. What can we, as a religious community, do to be maintain each others dignity and respect and be an example for others of the beloved community? This service includes themes of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day Of Atonement.
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A River of Peace, A River of Justice - Sunday, September 09, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. What you do to create peace and justice does matter. Feel empowered by hope to work for a new world.
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UU Theology Series 2: Nature and Nature's God, Transcendentalism and Scientific Theism - Sunday, August 26, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. This is the second sermon in a series of sermons on the diverse theological traditions within Unitarian Universalism.
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UU Theology Series 1: UU Christianity, Not an Oxymoron - Sunday, August 19, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Lead Minister. This is the first in an occasional series of sermons on the diverse theological traditions within Unitarian Universalism.
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The Importance of Being Small - Sunday, August 12, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister and the Covenant Group Council. In a world where it is often said “bigger is better”, we explore the possibility that being “small is important.”
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How Shall We Make Peace? - Sunday, August 05, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. On Hiroshima Sunday, our Unitarian Universalist Association is having a powerful conversation about how we approach peacemaking. Shall we become a pacifist church like the Quakers and Mennonites? I believe that there are more effective responses to peace.
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Seminarian Sunday - Sunday, July 29, 2007
First Church seminarians Wendy Bartel, Seanan Holland, and David Miller will offer worship.
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The 5 Delusory 'P's': Why Happiness & Wholeness will elude you if you get caught up in Possessions, Power, Prestige, Profit, & Pleasure - Sunday, July 22, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube
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Why Straight People Need to Hear Another Sermon on Gay Pride - Sunday, July 15, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube with Rainbow Outreach.
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Counting the Cost - Sunday, July 08, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. Living in this country costs us plenty. This sermon will explore some of those costs.
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Celebrating Freedom - Sunday, July 01, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. This sermon explores the nature of freedom and our response to it.
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Music and Ethics - Sunday, June 24, 2007
Ken Herman, Director of Music/Organist. Not long ago, some parents were taken with the science of the “Mozart effect,” which claimed that listening to the music of Mozart would make young children smarter. Can the right music make us better? This question has been asked from the era of Ancient Greece up to our own time.
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Living With the Mystery Man - Sunday, June 17, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens. This sermon explores fatherhood and who these men may and may not have been in our lives.
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The Little Goodbyes - Sunday, June 03, 2007
Victoria Ingram, Intern Minister.
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And Then It Happened - Sunday, May 20, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens, Associate Minister. This sermon explores the use and importance of story in our lives.
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Personal Authenticity And The Masks We All Wear - Sunday, May 13, 2007
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Amazing Grace: A Meditation on a Song and a Movie - Sunday, May 06, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube
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Stages of Faith - Sunday, April 29, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. In this final sermon in the 'Faith' series, I'll be explaining the research about how human beings grow from self-centeredness to world centeredness.
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Jumping in Mid-Stream - Sunday, April 22, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens.
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Serving Time: Perspectives from the Free World - Sunday, April 15, 2007
Victoria Ingram. Our larger community includes incarcerated UUs, many of whom are served by the Prison Ministry of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. This sermon talks about this outreach ministry, the challenges of radical inclusivity, and our Principles.
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Rising From the Manifold Forms of Death: An Intergenerational Easter Celebration - Sunday, April 08, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Please bring a flower or flowering branch to share for our flower communion service.
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Exploring Unitarian Universalism with Jokes - Sunday, April 01, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Please enjoy a morning of religious humor and poking fun at ourselves, and a bit of serious reflection as well.
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Earth Day Service - Sunday, March 25, 2007
The EarthSpirit Team. We will join in celebration and reflection to transcend our isolated selves and embrace our oneness with the Earth. From this sacred center we seek to recognize our responsibility as stewards of the Earth. We will learn from one another how to engage our passion to protect this greatest of resources.
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Our Precious Hertiage: Freedom, Reason, and Tolerance - Sunday, March 18, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube This service considers our religion’s precious gifts to the world and why they are more important than ever.
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Partner Church Minister - Sunday, March 11, 2007
Guest Minister Sandor Mathe, Minister of our Partner Church in Brasso, Romania.
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Can Faith Make Sense? - Sunday, March 04, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Several recent bestselling books have made the argument that faith is inherently superstitious and irrational. This is my answer to these arguments. This is the second in an occasional series of sermons on faith.
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Choosing Happiness - Sunday, February 25, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. It is said that the proper task of religion is to maximize happiness and minimize suffering. How is that done? This is the second of an occasional series of sermons on happiness.
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The longest Journey in the Shortest Month - Sunday, February 18, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Owens. Some of the biggest work we have to do is found in the shortest month of the year.
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For the Love of... - Sunday, February 11, 2007
Rev. Kathleen Ownes. This sermon is about more than the chocolate hearts or paper valentines of this month. It is about the strongest love in our lives, the one that will not let us go.
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The Spirituality of Sports - Sunday, February 04, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. It is Super Bowl Sunday after all.
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January Series 3: Spiritual Practice - Sunday, January 28, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. We need to intentional pay attention to our spiritual well-being every day, no matter how busy we are. Here are some ways.
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January Series 2: Money - Sunday, January 21, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arivd Straube. Money causes more marital stress than any other issue. Living with wholeness and integrity means having your attitudes about money and your personal finances in order.
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January Series 1: Time - Sunday, January 07, 2007
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Most people make and break New Year's resolutions without thinking too deeply about them. There are some topices, typically the subject of resolutions, that bear some thinking about. This month we will be considering three of them: time, money, and spiritual practice. This Sunday we will be considering time.
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Gifts from the Dark: New Year's Eve Service - Sunday, December 31, 2006
Victoria Ingram. This is an intergenerational service.
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A Cosmology of Christmas - Sunday, December 24, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube
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Liz Jones, Director of Religious Education - Sunday, December 24, 2006
To honor the fact that Christmas Eve is on Sunday, the traditional family service is celebrated during this service. Join us for a service of stories, carols, and our traditional nativity tableau enacted by our children. A Child Dedication is also a part of this special service.
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Awe and Wonder A Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols - Sunday, December 24, 2006
10 p.m. service, The Ministers and the Worship Resource Team.
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Who Was Jesus, For Christ's Sake? - Sunday, December 17, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. It is important to make a distinction between the religion that was developed “about” Jesus and what the historical Jesus actually taught about human realization.
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Measured Anticipation - Sunday, December 03, 2006
Rev. Jim Grant. On this Sunday we light the firest candle of the Advent Wreath. The candles are lighted only one each week, as a symbol of the importance of waiting. Simon Weil writes, "Waiting is the foundation of the spiritual life."
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The Gratitude Imperative - Sunday, November 26, 2006
Victoria Ingram, Intern Minister. It's easy to get caught up in complaining about what's wrong. But amongst life's challenges are millions of things that work well, and our long-term well-being is enhanced when we develop an ability to be appreciative.
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When the Way Closes - Sunday, November 19, 2006
Carol Layne, Student Intern. This is Carol's debut in the First Church pulpit.
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Food and Spirituality: A Thanksgiving Reflection - Sunday, November 12, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Many religious festivals, rules, and customs revolve around food. The way we relate to food can lead to health and joy or ill health and eating disorders.
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The Pilgrimage of Faith - Sunday, November 05, 2006
Rev. Jim Grant. We UUs talk about a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” That search could be described as a pilgrimage or trip from a strict, closed faith to our free, open faith.
Unfortunately audio sermon is not available.
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Penultimate Truth: Doubt as a Spiritual Practice - Sunday, October 29, 2006
Pulpit Guest Rev. James Ford. How can we best engage the world? For that matter how can we best engage our own interior lives? One rule of thumb that today's speaker relies on has made its way to bummper stickers: Don't believe everything you think. Today we will explore doubt as a spiritual practice.
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Can There Be a World without Violence? - Sunday, October 22, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. There are personal and communal strategies for ending violence; we can cultivate those and learn more.
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Making History Instead of Being Pushed Around by It - Sunday, October 15, 2006
Rev. Jim Grant. On this "Social Justice Sunday" I invite your attention to why our Congregation does social justice, with a challenge for a possibility of uniting behind one important justice opportunity from the EarthSpirit Team.
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A Jewish View of Happiness - Sunday, October 08, 2006
Dr. Arvid Straube presents this sermon based on the Book of Ecclesiates which teaches how work, learning, and loving lead to happiness.
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The Joy of Creativity - Sunday, October 01, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube and Karen Vyner-Brooks offer this sermon to close the Enneagram Workshop weekend.
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The Woods Are On Fire: How Should First Church Respond To Our Times? - Sunday, September 24, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. We live in a time of deep crisis in our community, our nation, and our world. How is First Church called to respond?
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Between Trapezes - Sunday, September 17, 2006
Rev. Jim Grant. Adam said to Eve as they left the Graden, "Honey, we're living in a world of change!" So are we. We all deal with change, both institutional and personal; sometimes we do okay, sometimes not. Agnes DeMille said, "Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what's next or how."
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Faith For Skeptics - Sunday, September 10, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Faith and doubt are not opposites. A healthy skepticism is an indispensable part of mature faith. This the first of an occasional series of sermons on faith.
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The Spirituality of Work: A Labor Day Service - Sunday, September 03, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. It is possible to make your work a part of your spiritual practice.
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Steps Together, Steps Apart - Sunday, August 27, 2006
Victoria Ingram, First Church's Intern for 2006-2007, makes her pulpit debut.
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Making Heaven On Earth - Sunday, August 20, 2006
Dr. Rev. Arvid Straube. The Buddha taught that heaven is on Earth, in the mind states of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. We can cultivate these states.
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Sin, Evil, and Other Unpleasant Topics - Sunday, August 13, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. By looking at what is evil, we can understand better how to be good.
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Lammas: The Feast of First Fruits - Sunday, August 06, 2006
Members of the Earth Centered Spirituality Circle (ECSC) will lead this celebration of the first harvest, honoring the Corn Goddess and Grain God. Please join us for this festival of song, dance, ritual, and feasting.
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On Raising a Seminarian - Sunday, July 30, 2006
Please join Wendy Bartel, Starr King School of Ministry student; David Miller, Claremont Theological School student; and Linda Berez, Meadville Lombard Theological School recent graduate, as they explore how the community fo First Church has provided support through their experiences of seminry and in their quest toward Unitarian Universalist ministry. Suzette Southfox will be sharing as story for all ages.
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Annual Pride Service - Sunday, July 23, 2006
Joseph Lewis and Benita Berkson will lead this year's celebration of an important First Church tradition featuring voices from within our church community. Unfortunately sermon is not available
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An Opening Farewell - Sunday, July 16, 2006
Rev. Julie Kain. Our lives are marked by significant endings and beginnings. How can we cultivate the graceful art of navigating transitions?
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Creating Community - Sunday, July 09, 2006
YAO & YAMS, unfortunately sermon is not available.
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To Build The Common Good - Sunday, July 02, 2006
Rev. Julie Kain
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Arts in Spirituality - Sunday, June 25, 2006
Worship Resource Team Members host "The Heartbeats of Africa" dancers and explore through poetry, theater, music, dance, and visual art, how the arts move us toward and connect us to a deeper spirtual awareness.
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First Church Choirs - Sunday, June 18, 2006
Each year we celebrate the musical offerings of our choirs in a service of music. This service features performances by the Adult, Youth, and Children's Choirs and the JUUL Tones.
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Looking Back, Looking Forward - Sunday, June 11, 2006
Rev. Julie Kain & Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube will share the pulpit, and gifts for an ongoing journey, before Julie's departure from First Church.
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Desiring A Refreshing Wind - Sunday, June 04, 2006
Intern Minister Fred Hammond preaches on Pentecost while exploring the potential of Unitarian Universalism in the 21st century.
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The Mystery & Power of Relationship - Sunday, May 21, 2006
Rev. Julie Kain. How do our most significant relationships offer us the opportunity for growth and spiritual practice? We will celebrte the gifts and challenges we experience with our loved ones of all ages.
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Stumbling Toward Camelot - Sunday, May 14, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. In this sermon Rev. Straube considers the story of First Church, its future potential, and the factors that could keep us from getting there.
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Living With Integrity 9: Intoxicants - Sunday, May 07, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. This final sermon in the Living With Integrity series considers the role of intoxicants and other addictions in our lives.
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Shall We Walk Together - Sunday, April 30, 2006
Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley. After a week of meetings and discussing our dreams, Rev. Bowens-Wheatley will share her thoughts on how our Congregation can strengthen our caring, deepen our justice making, and build community. After this service, Rev. Bowens-Wheatley was called by democratic vote as our future Associate Minister beginning September 1, 2006.
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Dreaming New Lives Into Being - Sunday, April 23, 2006
Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley. We live in a world that is torn and broken. Whether we experience this fracturing in our personal lives or in the larger world, as we journey through our lives, we are presented with opportunities that are potentially transformative. Our candidate for Associate Minister, the Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, will share stories from her journey to cultivate greater wholeness.
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Who's Afraid of Easter? - Sunday, April 16, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. The sermon looks at Easter from the perspective of the women looking into the empty tomb. Listen to what this has to do with modern UUs. Following the sermon Rev. Arvid tells the story behind our annual Flower Communion ritual.
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The Harder They Fall - Sunday, April 09, 2006
Fred Hammond. How we behave toward others is often determined by expectations based on false images. It is sometimes painful to erase these images.
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Living with Integrity 8: Taking What is Not Offered; Giving What is Not Asked - Sunday, April 02, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. This sermon explores greed, generosity, self-centerness, and spiritual and social liberation.
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Celebration of Generosity: The Shoemaker's Window - Sunday, March 26, 2006
Visiting Minister, Rev. Dr. Patrick O'Neill. Rev. O'Neill is one of our movement's most dynamic preachers. Hear his unique answers to why we belong to this church.
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Living with Integrity 7: Queen Victoria Meets Victoria's Secret - Sunday, March 19, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. A reflection on integrity and our sexual commitments and behavior.
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Living with Integrity 6: Thou Shalt not Kill - Sunday, March 12, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Where is the Clergy? Unlike the Viet Nam War, religious leaders have not been leading their congregations in opposition of the Iraq War. The San Diego Faith Leaders for Peace flfpeace.org
are changing that. In a world of violence, hatred, fear and killing, how can we live in such a way as to do the least harm?
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Gather Together: Save the World - Sunday, March 05, 2006
Lay led service by the Women's Federation of First Chruch and Rev. Julie Kain. A celebration of International Women's Day with dramatic tributes to impressive women from five continents who have made an impact.
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How To Be A Hero, Part I - Sunday, February 26, 2006
Lay led service by the Worship Resource Team. Examples of ordinary people outside and inside our church who are real heros.
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How To Be A Hero, Part 2 - Sunday, February 26, 2006
Fred Hammond. Fred explores how we, ordinary people, can be heros for someone else.
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Living with Integrity 5: Family - Sunday, February 19, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. In many ways having a healthy family and raising healthy children is a countercultural activity today. This sermon is about the challenges facing families and how the church can help.
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Why Mardi Gras Matters - Sunday, February 12, 2006
Rev. Julie Kain. This report from Julie's trip to New Orleans and the devastation she saw there points to the importance of celebrating Mardi Gras this year.
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Nobody Left Behind - Sunday, February 05, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Sixty-six million Americans have read the "Left Behind" series of novels that teach that our world is coming to an end and that most people will be condemned to suffering and eternal torment. All this is based on a bizarre interpretation of the last book of the Christian Bible. Ideas like these have consequences. What do we have to say to people who promote these views?
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Living with Integrity 4: Holy Rest - Sunday, January 22, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. In this sermon Rev. Straube looks at the 4th Commandment and its value in modern life.
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Living With Integrity 3: Right Speech - Sunday, January 08, 2006
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Speech is powerful. In Buddhism, right speech is not only speech that is true, but also helpful and kind. This sermon is a reflection on the 3rd Commandment.
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The Nicest Gifts - Sunday, December 25, 2005
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. Hear Christmas readings and a special musical treat, "I Found Love" by X-Ray Robinson.
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Living With Integrity 2: What is Worthy of Our Ultimate Trust? - Sunday, December 04, 2005
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. This is the second in our sermon series, "Living With Integrity". Rev. Dr. Straube talks about the first commandment and about what faith and idolatry are.
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Gifts, Gratitude, and Abundance - Sunday, November 27, 2005
Rev. Julie Kain. How do we give thanks even in times of adversity? The strength we find in our faith, in creation, and in the loving people who surround us will be celebrated. The sermon is preceded by a stirring rendition of "It's a Wonderful World" sung by John Stende.
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Living With Integrity 1 - Sunday, November 20, 2005
Rev. Arvid Straube. This is the first in an occasional series of sermons on, "Living With Integrity." The series will consider the great moral codes of humanity such as the Ten Commandments and the Buddha's Five Precepts. This sermon will explore what these codes can mean for living well in the 21st century. Future sermons will explore different topics such as violence, sex, envy, and greed.
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Coming of Age 2005 - Sunday, November 20, 2005
This is the annual Coming of Age Ceremony for our 10-12 year old youth. This service marks the transition of five of our youth from childhood to adolescence within our community. The following youth will present themselves for this rite of passage: Alex D'Amico Barbour, Neil Shingenu Hara, Jordan Mautner, Victoria Sleeter, and Eric Woolsey. Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube, Fred Hammond, Rev. Julie Kain, and Church President, John Holl also take part.
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Homelessness and Urban Ministry - Sunday, November 13, 2005
Guest Minister, Rev. Kurt Kuhwald, co-sponsored by the Helen Meyers Forum. Kurt is a former member of First Church and now serves with the nationally recognized San Francisco ministry, The Faithful Fools.
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Forgiveness - Sunday, October 16, 2005
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube. This service honors the Jewish High Holy Days. Dr. Straube preaches on forgiveness and at the end we have our own version of the Kol Nidre ritual. This "Renunciation of Vows" is the climax of the High Holy Days. Jan Carpenter Tucker is the reader, Dave Karpinski is the song leader, and Ronald Robboy is the cellist.
In the ritual itself, the congregational response phrase is "We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love".
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