Selected Sermons
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic
process within our congregations and in society at large. (MP3) 14 MB
December 1, 2013
We continue our series on our Seven
Principles and Purposes. Members of our
congregation will share their thoughts on the
Fifth Principle.
The Taming of Hospitality (MP3) 23 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
November 24, 2013
A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning (MP3) 15 MB
November 10, 2013
The fourth in our series of services
on our Seven Principles and Purposes.
Members of our congregation will
share their thoughts on the Fourth
Principle.
Grateful Hearts (MP3) 20 MB
Beth Dana
November 3, 2013
According to Daphne Rose Kingma,
“In relation to others, gratitude
is good manners; in relation to
ourselves, it is a habit of the heart
and a spiritual discipline.” Join us to
explore and engage in the practice of
saying “thank you” – when it comes
easily and when it’s harder to do.
Beth Dana is a lifelong Unitarian
Universalist, candidate for UU
ministry, and currently serving as
a chaplain at TX Health Harris
Methodist Hospital in Southwest
Fort Worth. She is grateful for the
opportunity to return to the pulpit at
First Jefferson.
El Dios de los Muertos part 1 (MP3) 2 MB
Part 2 (MP3) 2MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
October 27, 2013
Join us for a time to reflect on death
and celebrate the lives of the loved ones
we have lost. This service is in the style
of el Dia de los Muertos and includes an
offrenda and a chance to share with the
congregation. All are welcome to bring a
small token of remembrance to add to the
offrenda during the worship.
The Rise of the Religious Left (MP3) 24 MB
Scottie McIntyre Johnson
October 20, 2013
A study just released by the Public
Religion Research Institute indicates that
the percentage of Americans who can be
identified as “religiously progressive” is
currently larger than we might think and,
what’s more, is likely to grow over time.
What might we Unitarian Universalists need
to do to be a part of this new era in which
liberalism overtakes conservatism as the
dominant form of religion in our country?
On the Road to Mecca (MP3) 18 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
October 13, 2013
All Muslims are expected to make the
journey to Mecca at least once in their lives
if at all possible. Millions of pilgrims gather
from around the world just to walk, eat, and
sleep as equals for the sake of fulfilling their
faith. Exploring the nature of the Hajj and
its universal lessons is how we explore the
worship theme of wisdom this month.
Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to Spiritual Growth (MP3) 27 MB
October 6, 2013
The third in our series of services on our
Seven Principles and Purposes. Members of
our congregation will share their thoughts on
the Third Principle.
Why am I? (MP3) 20 MB
The Reverend Tony Lorenzen
September 29, 2013
A reflection on a personal sense of calling, vocation, and purpose designed to get people thinking about living based on who they are instead of things they do and causes they support.
Bridges in Progress (MP3) 23 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
September 22, 2013
There is a lot of conversation about
the transitional nature of this year in
the life of the church. I wonder about
the nature of change and how “there is
nothing new under the sun” yet so much
remains full of possibility. What is under
construction in your life, too?
Spiritual Practices (MP3) 21 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
September 15, 2013
Called to Our Highest Selves (MP3) 15 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
September 8, 2013
This month’s theological theme of
vocation intersects with the Jewish High
Holy Days in a time to reflect on how
we discover – or rediscover – our larger
purpose. This service also will include
a commissioning for our Children and
Youth Religious Education volunteers
and recognition of the children who are
“flying up” from Chalice Children.
The War on Women (MP3) 21 MB
The Reverend Mark Walz
August 18, 2013
Many of us grew up reciting a prayer that
included the line, Holy Mary, Mother of God.
Imagine giving the Sacred Feminine credit for
birthing God itself yet denying them the equality
of person, privacy, and privilege that men take
for granted. And now, in this, the post modern
21st Century, women are once again fighting for
their very lives.
Gathering for the Questions (MP3) 19 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
August 11, 2013
Do you have a burning inquiry about religion,
ethics, current events – or something completely
different? We create the message together when
you provide the questions on the morning of
the service and Rev. Jennifer does her best to
answer as many as possible during the sermon.
Your questions also help shape the course of
worship over the coming year. Thank you for
supporting the free pulpit and the free pew.
Fling Wide the Windows, O My Soul (MP3) 21 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
August 4, 2013
A late theologian observed that humans are
“promise-making, promise-breaking, promise-renewing
people.” It is no small miracle that we
come together in beloved community every day
of the week. Come and learn more about the
nature of promises as an expression of covenant
and as the foundation of Unitarian Universalism.
Taking Time Seriously (MP3) 20 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
July 21, 2013
The late 20th century theologian James
Luther Adams reminds us to be aware of
our relationship with the past, present, and
future. As part of the monthly theme of
“Spiritual Thirst”, we will explore Adams’
experience of that relationship as a way to
focus our own for today.
Liberation Theology (MP3) 21 MB
The Reverend Mark Walz
July 14, 2013
With the words Habemus Papam, Georgio
Mario Bergoglio was introduced to the world
as Francis I, the new leader of the Roman
Catholic Church. There is much speculation
as to where this new Pope will lead his flock.
Will he be a Pope for the 21st Century or
an echo from the Middle Ages? Liberation
Theology seems to live at the center of this
debate.
Slights of Passage (MP3) 21 MB
The Reverend Annie Foerster
July 7, 2013
We are all familiar with Rites of Passage,
those rituals that attend the major changes
in our lives--Dedications, Graduations,
Weddings, and such. What do they say about
the life changes that don’t have their own
ritual? Are we short-changing ourselves?
Reading (MP3) 1 MB
The Search for a New Creation (MP3) 16 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
June 16, 2013
Every culture and religion has at least one
way to describe how and why everything
began. How do our origins set the stage
for all that follows? How might learning
new tales reshape us, too? This Sunday also
includes a Father’s Day Recognition.
Flower Communion (MP3) 8 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
June 9, 2013
All ages are invited to a great Sunday for
welcoming children into the congregation
and for our annual flower communion.
Take advantage of the wet weather and
bring locally grown flowers for our common
bouquet as we hear the story of Norbert
Capek and renew our beloved community. A
reception for the child dedication will follow
the service.
Blessed Are the Label-Makers, Blessed Are the Wordless (MP3) 18 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
May 19, 2013
Ann Zoeller tells us: “The poet does not
write. Words spring from the fountain of
the spirit.” The power of language is one of
our great gifts. Yet it is easy to be bound
up in words. How shall we call each other
to greatness, words and all? Join us for this
reflection inspired by the monthly theme of
Transcendence.
When Good Things Happen to Bad People (MP3) 18 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
April 28, 2013
Rev. Jennifer takes up your inquiries from
her September service on “When Bad
Things Happen to Good People.” What is
the place of love and justice in the world
when so much of this life can feel out of
balance?
On the Road to Sustainaville (MP3) 19 MB
The Reverend Jennifer Innis
April 21, 2013
Inspired by Earth Day and the Green
Sanctuary program, join us for a refl ection
on becoming a sustainable community.
What might the Beloved Community look
like when we both care for how we affect
others and become more resilient in facing
the world?
Nothing Less Than Saving the World (MP3) 25 MB
The Reverend Patrick Price
April 7, 2013
Ever feel at a loss for how to describe the
purpose of Unitarian Universalism? As part
of this month’s theme of Transformation,
Rev. Patrick offers his message on how we
speak to what the world ask of us.
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