Rev. Joseph Boyd It matters what we believe. Our beliefs are attached to roots, roots which carry a legacy. They carry an intention. Right now the roots of our nation are showing in Charlottesville, and it’s a devastating, poignant, and heartbreaking sight. The picture on the front cover of your Order of Service shows a … Continue reading Sermon: Aug 20, 2017 – “Roots in Burning Season”
Rev. Joseph Boyd The meek will inherit the earth. This single line has agitated, inspired, and baffled many great minds, and it makes sense to wonder if this idea works practically in the real world. Nietzche believed it did. He believed this single line from the gospel is the central belief that brought democracy to … Continue reading Sermon: Aug 13, 2017 – “Who Will Inherit the Earth?”
Rev Joseph Boyd Harry Randall Truman was an odd celebrity. He lived a quiet life, never married, and lived his days as a caretaker at Spirit Lake at the base of Mt. St Helens in Washington state since 1928. You could say that Harry was a natural caretaker…taking care of the base of Mt. St … Continue reading Sermon: Aug 6, 2017 – “Rupture Before Renewal”
Rev. Joseph Boyd In the movie Reservoir Dogs, two wounded criminals are sequestered in an abandoned warehouse, barely able to move. A third criminal busts the door open, and he comes in carrying a knife. He announces that one of the criminals is an undercover cop. He proceeds to tie this cop to a chair, … Continue reading Sermon: Jul 30, 2017 – “Stuck in a Moment”
Rev. Joseph Boyd Prayer is a distressing topic. It is no accident that the most common time when prayers are uttered or requested are in times of great distress. For some it is a comfort, for some it is superstitious, for some it is a distraction from the harsh and fragile experience of being … Continue reading Sermon: Jul 23, 2017 – “The Problem with Prayer”
Rev. Joseph Boyd Time passes us by. We wake up, we drink our coffee, go to work, greet the day open with possibility. Even if retired we go to work, making sense of our past, discerning how to make the most of our present while our health is still reasonably good and we can experience … Continue reading Sermon: Jul 16, 2017 – Homily: “The Ceremony of the Keys”
Rev. Matt Alspaugh Introduction This, some of you are variously sad, or glad, to know, is my last feature-length sermon at UUYO. Rev. Joseph and I will share the sermon next Sunday, and come following Tuesday, inshallah, I’ll be behind the wheel of a Penske moving truck, hurtling south on I-79 or is it I-77 … Continue reading Sermon: Jul 9, 2017 – “If There Is To Be Peace”
Matt Alspaugh After the congregation has brought their flowers forward for plessing during flower communion. Look at these flowers. I mean, really study them. Be amazed by their variety. Wonder at the different colors — crimson, saffrons, oranges, azure, magenta, violet. Ponder the different shapes and sizes, some singular, some a burst of connected elements. … Continue reading Sermon: June 18, 2017 – “Finding Joy in the Here and Now”
Rev. Matt Alspaugh Sermon, Part I – Expanding Joy Introduction – Cantril ladder exercise Before I launch into the sermon this morning, before I color your minds with all kinds of crazy Matt thoughts, before I take you to a Joyful place or maybe suck all the Joy out of the room — you may … Continue reading Sermon: June 11, 2017 – “Happiness Index”
Rev. Matt Alspaugh Introduction I forgot to get ready for today’s sermon. Please indulge me for a few moments while I prepare. Hold hands up in V, run around for a few moments. Return to pulpit. Thanks. There is some evidence that what I just did, taking a expansive posture, or as some call it, … Continue reading Sermon: May 21, 2017 – “Getting Out of Our Heads”
