Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

The church choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner and organist Reiko Oda Lane will be joined by singers from the East Bay and professional musicians who have gathered to share this most wonderful music. "Rejoice in the Lamb" is a favorite masterwork composed by Benjamin Britten who was celebrated throughout the choral world last year on his 100th birthyear. The unique and thought-provoking text is by Christ...

We welcome the Minister Emerita of First Unitarian in Portland, OR, where she built up one of the largest, most influential churches in the UUA and in the state, often preaching to 1000 people. She will do a reading from her latest book in the Fireside Room at 9:30 AM. The 11AM service will include a reflection by Worship Associate Ben Bear, a ceremony recognizing our many new members conducted by...

What constitutes a good ending? To a day, or to a life? Perhaps the answer is the same. Our service for Thanksgiving weekend will be graced by the music of some gifted young musicians. Please don't hesitate to bring visitors or friends. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister David "Rudy" Ruettige, Worship Associate Young Performers International (YPI) Dr. Mark Sumner, Pia...

Unitarian Universalist oncology chaplain and inspiring speaker Michael Eselun as he explores our relationship to our own stories and how we can use them in the attempt to make spiritual sense of our lives. Joining Michael on the chancel are Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister and Alison Rittger, Worship Associate. Music from the choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner; Reiko Oda Lane, organ and Kate Offer, soprano...

It seems that children -- of all ages -- need prompting to be thankful. Why are we so persistently resistant to gratitude? And what helps us to overcome that resistance? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kate Offer, Soprano Emily Wilson, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Maya Angelou said, 'Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.' Let's talk about how gratitude can comfort us when life has brought us to our knees. Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Sr. Sheila Flynn, O.P., Guest Visitor Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome Jona...

We will celebrate our beloved dead on All Souls Day by expressing how grief is resolved only in gratitude. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Assocaite Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Bill Klingelhoffer, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Many today harbor a barely concealed despair, anxious about the future - for themselves, for the planet, for coming generations. Yet they've also largely given up on traditional doctrines of salvation.' What does Unitarian Universalism have to offer to such spiritual seekers today? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Szabolcs Czire, Special Guest Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kerry Parker...

On this UN Sunday, we welcome the Executive Director of the UU Office at the United Nations. Bruce Knotts is a retired US diplomat who has become  a leader among NGOs at the UN on climate change, LGBT rights, and refugee issues. John Buehrens will conduct the service with Bruce. Bruce Knotts, Guest Preacher Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Kate Offer, Song Leader Dr. Mark Sumner, Choi...

John sometimes jokes that he keeps getting called back into ministry because God knows he still needs to learn patience! But the actress Meryl Streep recently wrote that experience taught her there are some things with which it's fine to have no patience at all. Ah, the wisdom to know the difference! On this St. Francis Day, we hold a Blessing of Animals in the Chapel. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior M...

The great Unitarian minister A. Powell Davies reportedly said that "Life is just a chance to grow a  soul." Another Unitarian, the Bay Area's own poet-songwriter-activist, Malvina Reynolds, wrote a prose poem she called "The Soul Book." Come, join us in exploring what it might really mean to "grow a soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner,...

We mark the Jewish High Holidays, the "Days of Awe,"with the sounding of the shofar and the call to teshuvah - which means turning, or returning. The birds and animals do this instinctively. For humans, it takes a decision. As Shlomo Carlebach sings, "Return to who you are; return to what you are; return to the home of your soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Re...

We're taught as children that it's not polite to stare. But what happens when we look long enough to see something delightfully new beneath a familiar façade?  This week, embrace the value of taking the long look and learn how to stare. Our new Intern Minister is entering her final year of studies at the Pacific School of Religion. She is an environmental scientist by training. Rev. John...

The poet Marianne Moore once began a poem, "Poetry: I too dislike it." Our new minister feels the same about religion! And yet, like the poet, finds "in it, after all, a place for the genuine." Surely for today's "cultured despisers of religion," of whom we know many-for those who consider themselves atheists, agnostics, and "spiritual, but not religious-what we offer here is "a place for the genu...

Our children, youth, and teachers will process in following their welcome back breakfast. Minister Emerita Kay Jorgensen will invest John with an official cap from the Faithful Fools Street Ministry. Margot Campbell Gross will again lead us in meditation and prayer. And our preacher will be the new President of Starr King School for the Ministry. Don't miss this Sunday! Invite your friends. Rev. J...

"Only connect!" said the novelist E.M. Forster. But "connections are made slowly," warned poet Marge Piercy, "sometimes they grow underground." John Buehrens will preach, but the service will also include a chance to learn how to connect at UUSF to other spiritual seekers and skeptics through Small Group Ministry.          Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister...

Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." These words are often attributed to Goethe. In fact, they have another origin. Beginning with other beloved but misattributed sayings, I will explore both myth making and the art of beginning well to promote change that lasts...          Rev. Dr. Jo...

"How dare you assume that I am . . ." Well, fill in the blank! In an opening series of sermons on the  ABCs of spirituality and life in community, our new Senior Minister promises that if we don't make too many assumptions about him, he won't make many about us. Then we can really begin to meet, connect and grow spiritually through I-Thou encounters.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehren...

Aging With Grace: An Intergenerational Discussion. Church member Millie Phillips will share about what she has learned about the issue of aging, particularly from our Unitarian Universalist perspective. Getting older brings with it limitations and changes, but it's also a time to embrace life.     The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Millie Phillips, Guest Preacher Julia...

What is the purpose of poetry? What is the purpose of religion? How do the two purposes overlap? Our speaker, Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar, both a UU minister and a published poet, will share her theology, her poetry, and how the two interrelate.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar Guest Minister Judith Stoddard, Worship Associate Mark Johnson, Pianist Millie Phi...

How do we listen for, and respond to, the sacred when we are up against a problem that isn't easily "fixed," when we feel overwhelmed by our own powerlessness and limitations? This theme is especially relevant in the world of health care, one of the most intimate areas of our lives where, despite our increasing technological innovations, our human vulnerability and imperfections persist. We will r...

The Executive Director of the Interfaith Council of San Francisco, Michael Pappas, will speak from his experience about the role the Interfaith Community plays in the life of the city and how our church fits into it. Michael Pappas, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Ted Rust, Oboist Viva Knight, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound,...

Sundays mornings are now for baseball, soccer, and dance practices in the secular world. Where has the Sabbath gone? How can we "Do" church and religious education while competing with these other interests? Can we radically remake our style for this era? And what does Dark Matter have to do with anything anyway? With a background as a mathematician and a theologian, Jeffrey stays up on the latest...

When was the last time you listened with more than your ears? Join us in an exploration of deep listening: what it is, how we do it, and the meaning for us as Unitarian Universalists. Come prepared for a fully embodied and engaging experience led by Youth and Young Adult Coordinator and divinity student Molly Johnson Molly Johnson, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Alison R...

We each have sacred cows: ideas and life practices that we do not find it easy to have challenged or to change. What are some of the common ones for UUs, for Americans & for you? In the 21st century, spirituality is going global, just as are the other aspects of our lives. How could this globalization of spirituality challenge and help us and our religious movement? The Rev. John Young, Guest Mini...