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BACKGROUND
Unitarian
Universalist worship seeks to strike a balance between four
sources of religious authority: tradition, scripture, reason, and
direct experience. In sixteenth century Europe, Protestants
challenged the Catholic emphasis on sacramental traditions by
making scripture the primary source of authority in worship. In
succeeding centuries, reason became more prominent with the
scientific revolution and the Enlightenment. Finally, the
Romantic movement elevated direct, personal experience to its
rightful place in a hierarchy of religious authority. The
earliest American Unitarians combined the Protestant emphasis on
scripture with the Enlightenment emphasis on reason into a focus
on the critical interpretation of scripture. Transcendentalism
added direct personal experience to the mix. Early Universalism,
by contrast, was more evangelical in style, combining a focus on
scripture with direct, personal experience, and less emphasis on
reason.
When
the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of
America merged in 1961, these various strands came together.
Today, the varieties of Unitarian Universalist worship and
attendant theological perspectives, reflect different ways of
combining and emphasizing these four sources of religious
authority.
The
"celebration of life" is an oft-quoted definition of
worship in Unitarian Universalist congregations. The phrase
suggests that an act of worship expresses feeling more than it
adores a deity (although, for many, it may do both).
Worship
is approached as a human activity which ascribes worth to some
value, idea, object, person, experience, or attitude and helps us
find the power to reaffirm, in word and deed, what is worthy of
our ultimate commitment. It provides a vehicle for focusing the
religious emotions of members of the religious community, for
clarifying their ideas, and for reinforcing their religious
sentiments. In worship, the meaning of life, death, and the
universe crystallizes out through prayer, meditation, and other
devotional activities. The result is that people may go forth
strengthened and uplifted, better able to grapple with their
personal problems, more capable of contributing to the
establishment of peace and justice in the world.
When
Unitarian Universalists worship, we are shaping, formulating,
organizing, and ordering our faith. We are actively, individually
and collectively, also allowing our lives to be shaped by our
faith. In this sense we are engaged in a celebration of life.
ORDER
OF SERVICE
Most
Unitarian Universalist orders of service reflect our Protestant
roots, with familiar elements as identified below. But the
content of each element may differ widely, depending on the
dominant sources of authority for the worship leaders. As a
religious movement, our struggles over worship are largely a
function of how we balance the four sources of religious
authority. And one danger we face is that each source will not be
given its due.
Opening
Words / Call to Worship
These
are words that invite us to come together as a worshiping
community and be attentive. The purpose of gathering is declared.
The theme of the service may be set forth.
Chalice
Lighting
Light is a
symbol of illumination, truth, knowledge. Our flaming chalice is
a widely used symbol in Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist
services, bringing together the symbolism of the light with the
symbolism of the chalicesharing
a common cup. The lighting of the chalice also defines us as part
of a larger movement. The flaming chalice represents freedom,
sacrifice, and community.
Hymns
/ Congregational Singing
Congregational
singing allows the gathered community to participate in the
expression of a mood, theme, part of a shared heritage, or
statement of faith.
Other
Music
Music
communicates in a way words cannot. Whether live, recorded,
vocal, or instrumental, music can create, enhance, or sustain a
theme. It can provide transition or an atmosphere for reflection.
Readings
Readings
are drawn from religious classics, including scriptures, or from
other significant literary sources. Often they are reminders of
our liberal religious heritage or the theme of the service. Many
readings are put into responsive form with two or more people
sharing them.
Meditation
and Prayer
Effective
worship requires that we consider ourselves and how we focus. A
prayer or a guided meditation helps us let go of the burdens and
troubles of our lives and be at home with ourselves.
Silence
One
cannot conceive of worship without silence. Group silence
dramatizes the paradox of being alone and being part of a
community. Silence may be a preparation for, or response to, a
spoken meditation, a reading, or a sermon.
Sermon
Regardless
of the form or theme, central to almost every UU service is the
sermon. We are a people of the word. This centrality of preaching
is a reflection of our Puritan heritage. The best sermons grow
out of the ongoing conversation between the preacher and the
congregation. They grow out of the struggles and celebrations of
the religious community. Sometimes they focus on social ills,
calling for social justice, or seeking transformation of society.
Sometimes they focus on personal growth, sometimes on challenging
theological issues, sometimes on denominational concerns or UU
historical figures.
Benediction
Benedictions
offer blessing or dedication of what has gone before. It is a
form of closure and signifies the hope that the community that
has gathered will go forth and live out its faith in the world.
SAMPLE
ORDER OF SERVICE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2007, 10:30 a.m.
Slow
down and enjoy life. It is not only the serenity you miss by
going too fast. You also miss the sense of where you are going
and why. - Eddie Cantor
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INGATHERING
Prelude
Lyric Piece Op.71, No. 3
– Grieg
Call To Worship from Burton Carly,
adapted
*Lighting the Chalice from Jean Wahlstrom,
adapted
In this
small flame dwell:
the
beacon light of lanterns guiding travelers home;
the
warmth of hearth fires tended through the generations;
the
transforming energy that powers life.
May
these blessings -- warmth and light and life-giving energy -- be
kindled in each of us.
*Hymn For
All That Is Our Life #128
ACKNOWLEDGING
Welcoming
Our Guests
Sharing of Joys & Sorrow
REFLECTING
Reading
From
Wherever You Go, There You Are - Jon Kabat
Zinn
Silent
Meditation
Special
Music Lyric Piece Op.57, No. 6
– Grieg
Reflections
RECOVERING THE SABBATH
Abhi Janamanchi
Offertory
Humoreske Op.6, No. 3 –
Grieg
Participation in the life of our congregation
is an activity of mutual giving and receiving. Your offering will
be used to sustain the ongoing life and work of our religious
community.
CLOSING
*Hymn
From All the Fret and Fever
of the Day
#90
*Benediction from Richard
Gilbert
DISPERSING
+
We thank Linda Jones, piano, for our
lovely music today.
* You are invited to stand as
you are able in body or spirit.
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