Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

The Integrity of Jesus And You

The stories of Jesus of Nazareth don't really present him as a perfect human being. Maybe you don't have to be perfect either. Rev. Dr. David Keyes has spent 30 years specializing in transition ministry, frequently in our largest and leading churches. He first attended this church as a teenager in 1963, and served on the board in the 1980's.

Coming of Age Service

This Sunday we celebrate our Coming of Age youth with a special worship service. The worship service is the culmination of a year-long faith exploration program for our 8th and 9th graders. Over the past seven months, they have examined their religious identity, gaining self-awareness and deepening their connection to our Unitarian Universalist faith and this church community. They describe their COA experience as a "coming home." Through class discussion, retreats, journaling, and self-reflection, the six members of this year's Coming of Age class - Max Benbow , Christopher Dean , Madeline Hart , Margot Hart , Zuzu Lorentzen , Quincy McDougal and Leila Menezes – will offer their credo statements, and share in the duties of leading worship.

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Alex Darr, Worship Associate and Teacher

Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director

Reiko Oda Lane, Organ and Bell Choir Director

Linda Robertshaw, drums

Hsuanwei Fan, soloist

Max Benbow, COA Class 2018

Christopher Dean, COA Class 2018

Madeline Hart, COA Class 2018

Margot Hart, COA Class 2018

Zuzu Lorentzen, COA Class 2018

Quincy McDougal, COA Class 2018

Leila Menezes, COA Class 2018

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

What Still Connects Us

Twenty years ago, a small group set out walking from this church, down the hill and into the Tenderloin. From that founding act of the Faithful Fools Street Ministry, thousands have come to reflect on the disparities of wealth and power that become visible at street level.The Faithful Fools share some of what can be learned from placing one foot in front of the other.

Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz, Assistant Minister

Carmen Barsody, Faithful Fools

Alex Darr, Worship Associate

Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director

Reiko Oda Lane, Organ

Jim Rebhan, accordion

Linda Robertshaw, djembe

Asher Davison, soloist  

Kersten Jordan, soloist

Ariel Andrew, soloist

Elaine Pratt, Small Group Ministry Chair

Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Small Group Ministry

Peter Gross, welcome

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Fifty Years Later

It is a privilege to present the rarely performed, Pulitzer Prize nominated oratorio Scenes from the Life of a Martyr composed by the esteemed African American female composer and educator Undine Smith Moore. Last performed by the Oakland Symphony and Chorus in 1986 with the composer in attendance, the work reflects on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. who will have passed 50 years and 4 days prior to our performance. Bay Area luminary  Noah Griffin  will narrate and soloists,  Michele Kennedy ,  Crystal Philippi  and  Alex Taite  will be accompanied by a full orchestra and chorus numbering 150 strong.

Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Reiko Oda Lane, Organ

Noah Griffin, Narrator

Michele Kennedy, Soprano

Crystal Philippi, Soprano

Alex Taite, Tenor

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

The Radical Act of Hoping

Easter cannot be understood without Good Friday, though liberals love to skip right over the one, straight into the other. To get why hope is radical -- maybe the most radical act there is, next to love -- is to dive deep into what happens just before the dawn breaks this morning.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Lisanicole Sarkisian, Worship Associate

Dr. Mark Sumner, music director

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Every other year our 8th and 9th graders have their Coming of Age when they dare to state what they believe, as they will this year in April. And each time they do so it raises the question of why our adults are not asked to do the same -- to write and speak their "Credos". Today our worship associates will engage with their beliefs and inspire us to do the same.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Sam King, Dennis Adams, Worship Associate

Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate

Phil Marshall, Worship Associate

Lucy Smith, Worship Associate

Richard Davis, Worship Associate

Lisanicole Sarkisian, Worship Associate

Rochelle Fortier Nwadibia, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Asher Davison, song leader

Saira Malik, Director of Finance & Administration

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

What the World Needs Now

I've been thinking a lot lately about justice, but also mercy, its cousin (or fraternal twin). And about what the world needs now.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Lucy Smith, Worship Associate

Gino Fortunato, Smiling Dishwasher

Coming of Age Class, Message for All Ages

Reiko Oda Lane, organ and bell choir director

Dr. Mark Sumner, music director

Tim Salaver, tenor

Judy Payne, welcome

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

The Beams in the Great Hall

Alfred North Whitehead talks of the "law of expenditure". "There are tides in the ocean of life, and what comes in depends upon what goes out," he writes. But what does he mean and how is this relevant to our lives?

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Marty Vanderlaan, AOF Chair

Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate

Neighboring Faiths Class, Message for All Ages

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Dr. Mark Sumner, music director

Galen Workman, Moderator

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Play Room: Making Space for Transformation

Growing up, did you have a favorite play space? As we age, making room for play becomes a challenge. But in truth fun, creative, adventurous activities are essential to our well being, physically, emotionally and spiritually; play, like faith, teaches us to take risks and explore new ways of being in the world. How might play transform our lives and help us live fully in each moment? Play is the way.

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Dennis Adams, Worship Associate

Threshold Choir

Dr. Mark Sumner, piano

Asher Davison, song leader

Catherine Jameson, vocal

Shannon Warto, vocal

Lisa Randall, vocal

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

"Gifts of God"

450 years ago the Edict of Torda proclaimed that faith is "the gift of God." That was the beginning of Unitarianism in Transylvania. What is the heritage given to us from our family, our faith, and our communities? Are we aware of all these? Let's find the gifts that connect us to each other.

Rev. Emese Bodor, Guest Minister

Sam King, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Dr. Mark Sumner, music director

Amy Kelly, Trustee

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting