Is it possible to have inner peace living in a world at war? What strengths and attitudes do we need to keep our hope alive and our perspective in place?
Sermons
This is a full list of sermons presented at UUCCSM since mid-1999. Links to sermon texts are included when made available by their authors. Audio recordings are also available for most sermons presented after September, 2007 by our staff ministers and others directly affiliated with our church (just click the speaker icon next to each sermon where it's available*). Audio from guest speakers is posted only when we have their permission to share it.
Hard copies of sermons by Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae are available in the church office. Contact office assistant Sibylla Nash at office@uusm.org if you have a request.
"Leaving Room for Hope: Sermons for Uncertain Times," a book of Minister Emerita Judith Meyer's sermons, is available here.
**Please Note: Video recordings are available for sermons with a small TV icon showing at the bottom of the sermon listing. Just click the icon to watch the service.**
Endurance Training for Life
The Rev. Judith Meyer, speaker
for everything - which is yes
The Rev. Judith Meyer, speaker
According to Christian tradition, Easter is an affirmation of life over death. Even though we don't believe in the resurrection, Unitarian Universalists find meaning in Easter. Unitarian poet e.e. cummings helps us understand just why that is. The sermon title comes from a cummings poem.
Holy Week
The Rev. Judith Meyer, speaker
This week, which begins with Palm Sunday, includes Passover, and ends with Easter, takes its meaning and its story from the Hebrew bible and the New Testament gospels. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on how the biblical tradition informs our contemporary faith.
Self Reverence
The Rev. Lee Barker, guest speaker
The Rev. Lee Barker, senior minister at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena, writes, To revere the self is foundational to the religious and spiritual life. There is nothing easy about it. Join me on Sunday as we take up this treacherous work. Lee and Judith are exchanging pulpits this Sunday.
The Path to the Fishing Hole
Bill Docker, guest speaker
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Sunday UUSC staff member Bill Docker says, A lot of folks wonder what the UUSC does and how we are different from other human rights organizations. The answer is in the sermon. Music Sara Andon, Flute
Free To Be a Unitarian Universalist
The Rev. Judith Meyer, speaker
Unitarian Universalists have tremendous freedom to develop our own faith. But that doesnt mean it is easy. What are the advantages and obstacles we find along the way? Today is a Membership Sunday. Those who are ready to join the church may sign the Membership Book after the service. Music Santa Monica Woodwind Quintet
Taking Charge of Your Life
The Rev. Ricky Hoyt, guest speaker
In order to accomplish the great goal of our life we need to love ourselves enough to overcome the obstacles that hold us back. Its about recognizing the precious worth of our life and refusing to spend it on anything less than an equally precious goal. Ricky Hoyt is minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills and a former member of our congregation. Music: Angela Meade, Soprano
Life Is Hard
The Rev. Judith Meyer, speaker
A humor essay in a recent issue of The New Yorker cited a fictional 1200-page research study proving that life is hard. So hard, in fact, that life is actually worse than most living beings can stand. Some days that is not too far from the truth. Is there anything we can do about it? (This sermon was originally scheduled for January 26.) Today is a Membership Sunday. Those who are ready to join the church may sign the Membership Book after the service. Music Rivka Gottlieb, Harp
The Worst Spiritual Idea in the World
The Rev. Scott Alexander, guest speaker
I, of course, have absolutely no intention of telling you here and now what the worst spiritual idea in the world is...for that would ruin the suspense and surprise of my sermon. But I can tell you that the worst spiritual idea in the world is one we regularly fall for, and it gets us into real trouble in our everyday living. Scott Alexander is Senior Minister of River Road Unitarian Church in Bethesda, MD. Music: Vanessa Paloma, Soprano
The Safest Place
The Rev. Judith Meyer, speaker
The scandal in the Roman Catholic church has made us all aware that church is not always the safest place to be, especially for children. Let us explore what it means for us to create a safe community for children and for adults. Today is a Membership Sunday. Those who are ready to join the church may sign the Membership Book after the service. Music Ginger Murphy, Cello