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.
Many Ways to New Life
Worship in Eastertide and Pentecost
For the women who followed Jesus, finding his tomb empty was their first inkling of the Resurrection. Then they met the Risen Christ as they ran to tell the men. In turn, the disciples experienced the Risen Christ in multiple ways—from his wounds to the breaking of the bread and cooking them breakfast. In worship this month, we share those experiences as we give thanks for the journeys of our youth, share bread and cup, welcome Rabbi Martin Levy, and celebrate not one but two Pentecosts! Invite a friend and join in!
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Worship This Month
The Many-Roomed One - 5th Easter
May 3
On the night before his death, Jesus spoke of God’s house having “many rooms.” (John 14:1-14) One way to read his promise is that God has room enough for everyone. It can also be an affirmation of many experiences of this mystery called God. Either way, it’s a great text for a Sunday when we share Communion in both.
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
Blessed by The Spirit, Sent by the Spirit- Celebration of the Journeys of Our Youth
May 10
Also on the last night, Jesus told his followers that they would not be left orphaned or alone, but that God would send the Spirit to help them remember his teachings and to bring them peace. Then Jesus said to them, “Rise and let us go”—into that terrible night. But he also promised them that even without his physical presence, their lives would go on and God’s Spirit would always be with them. (John 14:25-31) A powerful promise for the Sunday we celebrate the multiple journeys of United’s youth.
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
Renewing the Covenant - 7th Sunday of Easter
May 17
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
We are honored to welcome Rabbi Martin Levy of Temple Beit Tikva the Sunday before Shavuot (the Jewish celebration for renewal of the covenant) and Pentecost (the Christian celebration of our renewal through God’s Spirit). Rabbi Levy and Talitha share a dialogue sermon on what it means to be covenant with God, neighbor and creation. The giving of the covenant in the Book of Exodus (19:1-19, 20:1-14) serves as our guide.
To Dream Dreams and See Visions - Memorial Day Sunday and Pentecost Sunday (Wear Red!)
May 24
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
When God’s Spirit is poured out upon all kinds of people gathered for Pentecost, everyone starts praising God in their own languages—and everyone understands. Some skeptics think the crowd is drunk, but Peter—usually so tongue-tied—proclaims they’re fulfilling the Prophet Joel’s vision of Spirit-filled dreams and visions for this world. (Acts 2:1-21) It’s a powerful story the day before Memorial Day and a much-needed vision for our time. We welcome Rev. Ben Larzelere as guest preacher.
A Spirit-filled Creation - A Multicolored Pentecost
April 26
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am Sanctuary Service
(livestreamed)
Tongues of fire are one symbol of God’s Spirit, but so are water, wind, doves, light, and other gifts of the created world. We continue our celebration of God’s spirit being poured out on this whole world as we give thanks for a Spirit-filledCreation.