This homily, part four of a four-homily series, offering various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different ways to celebrate and find comfort and significance during this time of year. On Sunday morning Dec. 23, our services will explore how we might choose to approach the darkest time of the year. Christmas has come to dominate this season in most western countries, but there is also much rich history and tradition that predates Christianity. What can inspire our season? SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

This homily, part three of a four-homily series, offering various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Randy Lewis, Student Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different ways to celebrate and find comfort and significance during this time of year. On Sunday morning Dec. 23, our services will explore how we might choose to approach the darkest time of the year. Christmas has come to dominate this season in most western countries, but there is also much rich history and tradition that predates Christianity. What can inspire our season? SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/RandyLewis3 All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

This homily, part two of a four-homily series, offering various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Assistant Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different ways to celebrate and find comfort and significance during this time of year. On Sunday morning Dec. 23, our services will explore how we might choose to approach the darkest time of the year. Christmas has come to dominate this season in most western countries, but there is also much rich history and tradition that predates Christianity. What can inspire our season? WANT TO LISTEN? SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bprose1 https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

This homily, part one of a four-homily series, which offers various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Eric Banner, Intern Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different ways to celebrate and find comfort and significance during this time of year. On Sunday morning Dec. 23, our services will explore how we might choose to approach the darkest time of the year. Christmas has come to dominate this season in most western countries, but there is also much rich history and tradition that predates Christianity. What can inspire our season? SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

This sermon, part three of a three-part series, was delivered on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever asked: “How can there be a God when there are innocent children starving to death, being abducted, sold into slavery, and treated unfairly because of their race, gender, and more?” Can you imagine a convincing case against believing in God? Can you imagine a convincing case for believing in God? Do you think it matters? You be the judge! As part of our annual fundraising in last year’s church auction, a member of the church was the lucky winner of a sermon from Marlin and a sermon from Tamara. What has resulted is a dialogue of sermons over the course of a single Sunday morning. Experience them all! SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/revLebak https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

This sermon, part two of a three-part series, was delivered on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever asked: “How can there be a God when there are innocent children starving to death, being abducted, sold into slavery, and treated unfairly because of their race, gender, and more?” Can you imagine a convincing case against believing in God? Can you imagine a convincing case for believing in God? Do you think it matters? You be the judge! As part of our annual fundraising in last year’s church auction, a member of the church was the lucky winner of a sermon from Marlin and a sermon from Tamara. What has resulted is a dialogue of sermons over the course of a single Sunday morning. Experience them all! SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/revLebak https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

This sermon, part three of a three-part series, was delivered on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever asked: “How can there be a God when there are innocent children starving to death, being abducted, sold into slavery, and treated unfairly because of their race, gender, and more?” Can you imagine a convincing case against believing in God? Can you imagine a convincing case for believing in God? Do you think it matters? You be the judge! As part of our annual fundraising in last year’s church auction, a member of the church was the lucky winner of a sermon from Marlin and a sermon from Tamara. What has resulted is a dialogue of sermons over the course of a single Sunday morning. Experience them all! SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/revLebak https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

Sermon delivered on Sunday, December 9, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Our nation is currently engaged in the longest war of our history. At the same time, it seems that for many Americans we barely feel that our country is at war. Somehow the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan has been made easy for the American public to ignore. Over the past decade, some politicians have advocated for a return of the draft so that this war effort would become more visible to the American conscience, and the burden would be spread more evenly throughout our population. As a minister, I have had some meaningful opportunities during this war to engage with soldiers both leaving for and returning from Afghanistan. Their journey has much to teach the rest of us about what is most important about life. As we continue to explore the theme of peace, I will share how their sacrifices can enliven our own sense of passion and purpose. SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org

Sermon delivered on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION One thing I’ve learned since moving to Oklahoma is how to “bless people’s hearts.” This is not a phrase one hears often on the East Coast. I’ve discovered that you can say just about anything about a person here in Oklahoma as long as you begin or end your sentence with “bless their heart.” And as families come together for the holidays we know there will be a lot of hearts being blessed. In December, as we kick off Peace as our theme, we will explore how to achieve inner peace in the midst of conflict and tension. We will even look at some real strategies for diffusing some of the conflicts that can arise between people at this time of year. If you cannot make it this Sunday, then bless your heart. But if you can, it may just bless your life. May peace be with you today and always. SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org Download: The Point Contemporary Service

Sermon delivered on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton Pearson, Guest Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Giving is something we do, given is something we are, or should be. One is an external act, the other is an internal fact. Deep within the soul and spirit of humanity is an innate and intrinsic virtue and valor to give as well as receive. It is natural law. There is, in all of us, a powerful sense of worth, inward wealth and desire, indeed a need to serve, share, and show the light and love we all came here with. Doing so is the irresistible discipline and divinity of the Self. Join me, as we explore the ancient art of giving and receiving, and prepare for the season ahead. SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org