First Universalist Church of Minneapolis Sunday Service Podcast

What if sacrifice is more than a matter of giving something up? What if sacrifice moves us closer to what is essential, to what is holy and whole? What if in the act of sacrifice we move into the great exchange, where giving becomes receiving and offering transforms into blessing? What if the dynamics of sacrifice mean staying close to what is relevant — the “real” of reality? What if we quit paging through holy books and asked the trees to school us in the sacred work of community and sacrifice?

Worship Associate: Leila Ambrus

Sermon: Rev. Ruth MacKenzie

Music: Free Music Archive

Sacrifice is an evocative word. We have immediate images when we hear the word. What role has sacrifice played in creating value? What does sacrifice in our culture teach us about agency and destruction? How do we challenge the the doctrine of American sacrifice as people of faith?

Worship Associate: Taylor Putz

Sermon: Rev. Karen Hutt

Piano music: Franco Holder

This month we consider what the theme of sacrifice might mean for us as Unitarian Universalists. In a world where sacrifice has so often meant the destruction of the less powerless for the pleasure or salvation of the powerful, what value can this concept possibly hold for us? Come join the conversation as we consider stretching the circle of "I" to include a much larger "we."

Wisdom Story: Rev. Justin Schroeder

Sermon: Rev. Jen Crow

Piano music: Franco Holder

Guest preacher Rabbi Michael Latz, senior Rabbi of Shir Tikvah in Minneapolis, gives a sermon about history, co-location, and Vision. 

Worship Associate: Jason Berry

Sermon: Rabbi Michael Latz

In 2011, Rev. Justin preached a sermon called “The Purpose Driven Church.” Now, eight years later, he's preaching part 2, as we explore our theme of “Vision” and the deeper purposes of faith community. As Oscar Romero said, “A church that doesn’t provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed — ​what gospel is that?” In this service, we’ll explore our purpose, the power of an unsettling gospel, and where that is leading us.

Worship Associate: Juliet Ali-Caccamo

Sermon: Rev. Justin Schroeder

Piano music: Franco Holder