Worship At United
Coming together for worship at United is like finding water in a dry and thirsty land. That’s why we do so, not only on Sunday mornings but midweek, too!
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Like a stream in the desert, worship can refresh and renew us. Each week it offers us God’s new life and hope, for ourselves and for this world. At United, worship is the center of our life together, from which everything else flows: outreach, education, care, among others.
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Whether on Sunday mornings, midweek, or other times, worship at United offers that new life in different ways. Sometimes – especially in the Sunday 8:30 AM service and the midweek contemplative services – worship is like the deep, still waters that God promises in the 23rd Psalm. In the later Sunday service, worship can be like a living stream, offering life in all kinds of ways. Similarly, like on Mardi Gras and Fiesta Sundays, worship is a river, full of life and surprises.
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At United, we believe all of us – regardless of age – need the living waters of worship. That’s why children and younger youth join in the first part of the late service each Sunday and why Children’s Ministry always begins with prayer and song. It’s also why we offer a number of “intergenerational” services for all ages throughout the year.
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We hope you’ll join us in worship at United. Together may we be renewed by the waters of life God offers us each week.
Worship in November
Building Hope for the Future
November worship is rooted in Jesus’ teachings and parables.
Such lessons and stories encouraged the early Christians to keep building communities of hope and faith, even in the shadow of Roman oppression. Jesus’ words speak to our time, too. After Thanksgiving, we start a new year as we begin Advent’s journey to the birth of hope and joy in our world.
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Worship This Month
Who Has Blessed us? - All Saints Sunday - Wear Red!
November 1
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service (livestreamed)
The Gospel text is the opening of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5:1-12)—the seven blessings known as the “Beatitudes.” Blessed are those who know their need of God. Blessed are the gentle. Blessed are those who seek peace – and justice. Who has offered us such blessings in our lives or for this world? A good text for All Saints Sunday (wear red ☺).
Tending Hope's Light
November 8
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
“Keep Your Lights Trimmed and Burning” is an African American Spiritual based on Jesus’ parable about ten bridesmaids, five who were ready, five who weren’t. (Matthew 25:1-13) The enslaved Africans sang it when they gathered for worship. They also sang it to share secret news of the Underground Railroad. Either way, it called people to tend God’s light, even in the most shadowed of times. It still does.
Hope Abounding - Stewardship Sunday
November 15
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
A “talent” was the largest currency in the Roman Empire, about 70 pounds of gold or silver. In Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents,” five servants are given differing amounts of the coinage. One buries his talent in the ground— because he is afraid. What do we do with what we have—be it money or the other gifts of our lives? Is it fear that drives our decisions? Or faith?
God of All Hopefulness - Thanks-Singing Sunday
November 22
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
A lot may happen between now as we plan our Thanks-Singing service. Even more may happen from the time you read this newsletter and when we gather to sing our thanks and praise. One thing is constant—the One to whom we sing is the God of All Hopefulness—for us and for this world.
What (or Who) Do We Hope For? - First Sunday of Advent
November 29
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
The color changes to purple and the music to a minor key as we start to prepare for the coming of Christ. Who is this Christ for who we wait? Who or what are we hoping for? The four candles of the Advent Wreath remind us each Sunday of that hope—for peace, for hope, for joy and for love.