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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.**

October 22, 2017
When Angels Meet Giants
Rev. Greg Ward
We are far greater than the sum of our parts. The evolution of the world depends on our ability to cultivate a greater appreciation of diversity and a more cooperative interdependence. That is what can be discovered in real, relevant, 21st century religious communities.

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October 15, 2017
Growing Up and Liking It
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins
This was the title of a book my mother gave me before the onset of puberty. It seems that I was surrounded by elders ready to teach, warn, prepare, and escort me through those early phases of growth and development. Now that I am at the other end of life’s arc, I am not finding as much help. Where are the elders to shepherd me through this phase of degeneration and wisdom? Perhaps their messages are more subtle. This morning we will think about some of the blessings and challenges of Growing Old, especially when we are not liking it so much.

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October 8, 2017 - 5:00pm
Heart and Soul: A Contemplative Worship Service - 5 p.m.
Monthly Theme: Courage
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Joyce Holmen and Karen Hsu Patterson
With singing and instrumental music, poetry, statements and questions, silence and sharing, we’ll explore monthly worship themes on the second Sunday of each month.
 
Sunday, October 8 – What Does It Mean to be a People of Courage?
October 8, 2017
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Rev. Greg Ward
This is a sermon about the place where many of us long to be, that is found in the heart of community. It is a place where we are known; where we unquestionably belong. A place that provides us a role and a little responsibility – not so much to be a burden, but enough to offer unquestionable purpose. A place that comes with the respect and appreciation of good people. And, usually, with a little creativity, just enough of whatever’s needed to be successful
October 1, 2017
Break Not the Circle
Rev. Greg Ward
Acceptance and inclusion are very powerful religious principles. UUs take these very seriously.
So how do we treat those who have made mistakes? In these, the high holy days of the Jewish
Calendar, what can we turn to that will speak of forgiveness and inclusion?
 

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September 24, 2017
Noah's Dilemma (Two services at 9 and 11 a.m.)
Rev. Greg Ward
Noah understood about the need to bring people together. In the midst of a great flood of change,
he prepared for people to discover the best of one another. Come to UUSM's multigenerational
Ingathering story where we will pour our lives into this community and notice what a blessing
each person brings.

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September 17, 2017
No Justice, No Peace (one service at 10 a.m.)
Michael Eselun, UCLA Oncology Chaplain
We are used to hearing this chant of protest-- as a demand for justice. Pursuit of justice is a core
UU Principle, and yet we’ve also heard since childhood that “no one said life is fair.” When
such injustice hits closer to home—like say, a diagnosis of cancer, how do we find peace when
there seems to be no justice? UCLA oncology chaplain, Michael Eselun, will explore this
territory.

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September 10, 2017 - 5:00pm
Heart and Soul: A Contemplative Worship Service - 5 p.m.
Monthly Theme: Welcome
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robbins, Joyce Holmen and Karen Hsu Patterson
Heart and Soul services are led by Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Joyce Holmen, and Karen Hsu
Patterson. With singing and instrumental music, poetry, statements and questions, silence and
sharing, we’ll explore monthly worship themes.
 
Sunday, September 10 – What Does It Mean to Be a Community of Welcome?
September 10, 2017
Perfect Strangers (one service at 10 a.m.)
Rev. Greg Ward
What is your relationship with perfection? Do you have a history of trying to be perfect... to be
noticed... to be appreciated... to be loved? Trying to be perfect may sometimes get us attention,
but it comes with a price: people only know us for what we do and not who we are. And in the
process, we become perfect strangers.

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September 3, 2017
Making Room at the Table (one service at 10 a.m.)
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robbins
Questions to ponder: Think of a time when you tried to make room at a table for yourself. If
you were silenced or felt isolated, what were the circumstances? If you had a seat but no voice,
what were the circumstances? Did things change? How?
 
Think of a time when you invited others to sit at a table where you had a place. What was
done to make the newcomers welcome and comfortable? How did things change? What did you
learn about yourself? …from those who had been invited?
 
It’s one thing to talk about diversity—almost every organization has a diversity goal—but
diversity is where the work starts; it is not the end-product. The end goal is diversity and
inclusion, where everyone has a seat at the table, they have equal access to all that is served,
and they are being served something they want.
 
[Note:  No audio recording is available for this service.]