Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

Change In The Church

Spirituality is meant to change us. No one should touch holy ground and remain unchanged. Churches, on the other hand, are meant to provide stability – a framework for spiritual change. No wonder there is an inherent tension between them!

Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister

Jan Hutslar and Windows & Mirrors Class

Teresa Goebel, Reflection

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Rusty Harris-Bishop, soloist

Reece Hart, Trustee

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Worship is constantly changing. The root of the word goes back to the Anglo-Saxon “worth -shaep.” The constant purpose being to help give shape to what is of true worth, to shape our inner lives that way. Taking off from an essay on religion in an age of science, John will discuss how rock concerts, intimate groups, and even astronomy offer aspects of what we seek – but not the whole.

Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister

Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Susan Anthony, Worship Associate

Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Wm. García Ganz, piano

Judy Payne, trustee

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Alienation and Reconnection

Alienation, said theologian Paul Tillich, is inherent in the human condition. We live alienated from ourselves, from others, and from the very ground of our being. How then do we reconnect? Preaching for us will be a scientist turned minister, now retired from active ministry but still serving as a research scholar at Starr King School for the Ministry. John Buehrens calls Jay "one of my wisest colleagues." The Coming of Age class will provide the Message for All Ages.

Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson, Guest Minister

Kat Liu, Worship Associate

Dr. Mark Sumner, song leader

Reiko Oda Lane, organist and bell choir director

Giacomo Fiore, guitar

Emily Wilson, Administrator

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

In These Hands: Embodying Justice

In his latest book, Prehension: The Hand and the Emergence of Humanity, philosopher and writer Colin McGinn tells the amazing story of how the hand formed human evolution. Our hands -- with their dexterity,

flexibility, precision, and sensitivity -have been instrumental in shaping the world around us, for better and for worse.

The hand has also played a critical role in how we practice justice making. We carry protest signs. We feed the hungry. We plant gardens. We raise our fists, lift hammers and write letters.

But it’s not just the hands. Justice making is a bodily endeavor, summoning our hands, hearts, bodies, minds and voices to act in concert. The more we practice and fine tune our justice making muscles, the better we’ll get.

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Alison Rittger, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Threshold Choir

Bill Klingelhoffer, Trustee

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Transitions

Major transitions are always done in the face of fear, grief, or anxiety. Young adults Joseph Chapot and Cierdwynn Donaldson will testify to their own experiences of finishing college, becoming engaged, changing gender identity, and dealing with the death of a parent, while Rev. Buehrens leads us in preparing for a spiritually grounded transition into a New Year.

Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister

Joseph Chapot, Young Adult Cordinator

Cierdwynn Donaldson, Young Adult

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Eric Hamilton, guitar

Kathleen Q., Moderator

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Fear Not! Said The Angels Pt2

For a more contemplative experience of Christmas Eve, on the same theme. Sue Anthony will serve as Worship Associate, and soloists rather than full choir will provide the Christmas music.

The Reverend John Buehrens, Senior Minister

The Reverend JD Benson, Assistant Minister

Susan Anthony, Worship Associate

Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Jason Park, trumpet

Kate Offer, soprano

David Jones, piano

Jiun-Chyi Yew, soprano

Maria Solis, soprano

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Natural Fear and Historical Hope

Managing our own fears and anxieties is a primary test of our faithful living, no matter what we believe or disbelieve. “What’s an angel?” asked a little girl. “Not someone who’s always good,” replied her wise mom. “But someone who teaches me about facing fear, as you sometimes do.” We’ll mark the Winter Solstice, when our early ancestors feared the sun might disappear forever and begin to sing Christmas carols.

Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister

Kat Liu, Worship Associate

Wm. Garcia Ganz, conductor

Laurel Sprigg, soprano

Mark Johnson, piano

William Klingelhoffer, Trustee

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

A Feast-Day of Walton -- Dr. Mark Sumner December 13, 2015 at 11AM

Crossing Over  

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving we celebrate Guest at Your Table Sunday, and dedicate the offering to the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. 75 years ago, in 1940, they began rescuing refugees from totalitarian regimes in Europe. Today they work on many fronts: economic justice; rights in crisis; environmental justice – here and all around the world. Rev. Buehrens is vice-chair of the UUSC Board. Plan to stay for a gala luncheon in celebration of UUSC’s anniversary.

Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister

Rachel Gore Freed, UUSC VP and Chief Program Officer

Ben Bear, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, Organist

Mark Sumner, Music Director

Emily Wilson, Director Finance & Administration

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

No one wants to “lose face, much less be humbled or humiliated. Yet few humans can escape it. What matters is how we respond. On the feast day of Francis of Assisi, some stories of spiritual response.

Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister

Kat Liu, Worship Associate

Dr. Mark Sumner, music director

Reiko Oda Lane, organ and bell choir director

Bill Klingelhoffer, Welcome and Announcements

Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast