I preach three Sundays a month at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City. We worship every Sunday at 10am. Look here for my preaching dates and sermon information through June, 2025.
All hymns and readings are from Singing the Living Tradition, the 1993 hymnal published by the Unitarian Universalist Association except hymns noted “STJ” are from Singing the Journey (pub. 2005) and readings noted “LOV” are from Lifting our Voices (pub. 2015).
This year’s worship theme: Final Thoughts. As I approach retirement at the end of June and the conclusion of my professional ministry, a year of contemplating the foundational issues of spirituality and offering some personal conclusions.
May 25, 2025, “The Eternal Rememberer”
Memorial Day
“We remember them” we say, in one of the litanies from our hymnal. But if honoring the dead depends on memory, then what happens when memory fails? And does the value of a life die with the death of the last person who remembers? I can’t respect such a contingent valuation. Something greater than human memory is necessary to give lasting honor to those precious but forgotten lives that came before.
Call to Worship: 528, “I’ve Known Rivers” by Langston Hughes
Opening Hymn: 358, “Rank by Rank Again We Stand”
Closing Hymn: 281, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Benediction: 128 (LOV), William Schulz
June 1, 2025,
RE Sunday
Our annual culmination and celebration of the church’s religious education and exploration program
June 8, 2025,
Music and Tech Sunday
Our annual culmination and celebration of the church’s music and tech programs.
June 15, 2025 OFF
June 22, 2025, “We Give Thanks”
Volunteer Recognition, Flower Communion (earth element)
We close the church’s program year with a day to recognize and thank the many volunteers who contributed throughout the year. And we ritually celebrate our community with the Unitarian Universalist ritual of flower communion. Please bring a flower to church today that represents your unique spirit and help us create a beautiful, communal bouquet.
Call to Worship: 434, Anonymous
Opening Hymn: 1010 (STJ), “We Give Thanks”
Closing Hymn: 128, “For All That Is Our Life”
Benediction: 181 (LOV), Judith Meyer
June 29, 2025, “The Last Word”
Today I conclude my professional ministry. Although my ordination is for life and I’ll likely find small ways to serve as a minister in the future, today is the last Sunday I expect to preach from a pulpit of my own. I’ll offer an extended benediction, some “good words”, both for you at the close of this interim ministry, and for me, as our paths diverge.
Call to Worship: 70 (LOV), Susan Manker-Seale
Opening Hymn: 10, “Immortal Love”
Closing Hymn: 204, “Come, O Sabbath Day”
Benediction: 414, “As We Leave This Friendly Place”