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.
Called To a New Way
Worship in January
For Christians, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem’s stable offered new life not only to Jesus and his parents but to Wise Ones, disciples, and the world. Throughout this season of Epiphany, we meet people who found new life when they encountered this Jesus Christ. Through their stories, may we find our way to new life, too.
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Worship This Month
Home by Another Way - Epiphany Sunday
January 4
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am
According to Matthew’s Gospel, when the Magi (or Kings or Wise Ones) were searching for the Christ Child, they got way off-track and ended up in King Herod’s court, because that’s where conventional wisdom told them to f ind a new king. (Not a good idea to tell the old king there’s a new kid on the throne.) Herod wanted them to return to him once they found the child, but the Wise Ones finally wised up and “went home by another way.” (Matt. 2:1-11) As we begin a new year, how might we find our way home in a new way?
Remembering our Baptism
January 11
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am
Before he started down a new path of his life, Jesus first went to the life-giving waters of the Jordan River where his cousin John was baptizing people of all backgrounds and beliefs. When he baptized Jesus, Matthew says that the “heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Beloved.’” (Matt. 3: 13-17) This Sunday, three United members share the stories of their baptisms and what baptism means to them now at this stage of their lives.
God of Our Weary Years
January 18
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am
On the day before Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day, the gospel of John tells of John the Baptist recognizing his cousin Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” When one of John’s disciples named Andrew follows Jesus, he then returns to his brother Simon and tells him “We have found the Messiah, the Christ.” When Simon goes to meet this Christ, Jesus changes his name to Peter, the Rock. A whole lot is packed in these 13 verses (John 1:29-42). Guest preacher, Rev. Ben Larzelere says that whenever he thinks of Rev. King, this story comes to mind.
Not an Easy Message
January 25
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am
After Jesus’ baptism and his 40 days in the desert, he learned that his cousin John (the Baptizer) had been arrested. King Herod did not like John’s message of repentance, especially when it was directed at him. So what does Jesus do? He starts preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:12-23) It was the same message that got John thrown in prison - not exactly the kind of new life one would want. Yet people flocked to Jesus’ way, just as they had to John’s. Why?
FebFest Sunday
February 1
8:30am Contemplative Communion
10:00am
We welcome Dr. Philip Schoultz as guest conductor and preacher with Talitha Arnold and Bradley Ellingboe in a “trialogue” sermon in the 10:00 am service.