UUFHC Service Archive

Date Presenter Service Abstract
Mar 27, 2016 Rev. Lisa Ward Breaking Patterns, Finding Freedom Jesus brought wisdom, not confinement. Praise of life, not welcome of death. Honor of being, not insistence on one way of becoming.
Jan 31, 2016 Rev. Lisa Ward The Transient and the Permanent Unitarian Minister Theodore Parker delivered a ground-breaking sermon at an ordination, entitled A Discourse of the Transient and Permanent in Christianity. A day to look at wisdom shared by one of our forebears.
Oct 25, 2015 Rev. Lisa Ward When Promises are Broken Throughout our lives we encounter times of disappointment, either in ourselves or others, when something we expect to occur does not, or when something or someone we trust fails us. How do we pick up the pieces?
Oct 11, 2015 Rev. Lisa Ward Growing from Creed to Covenant Unitarian Universalism is not based upon a creed, locked in by dogma, but rather by a covenant of shared principles. Today we explore how this fundamental change came about.
Sep 28, 2014 Rev. Lisa Ward Broken Strands There are times in our lives when we feel disconnected from the web of life, either through chance, our own actions or another's betrayal. How do we heal those broken strands?
Sep 14, 2014 Rev. Lisa Ward The Wold Wide Web Sir Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist and founding architect of the world wide web, is a Unitarian Universalist. Let's ponder together the world wide webs we weave.
Apr 06, 2014 Rev. Lisa Ward Don't Postpone Joy I came across this phrase decades ago at a shop for wind-up toys. Don't postpone joy. A day to tease this wisdom out.
Sep 15, 2013 Rev. Lisa Ward Dedication Dedication is essential for any of life's endeavors. What inspires dedication and how is it nourished?
Aug 25, 2013 Rev. Lisa Ward Inward Springs William Ellery Channing writes that the great end in religious education…is not to form an outward regularity, but to touch inward springs….
Jul 19, 2013 Rev. Lisa Ward A Bit of the Sense of God in Unitarian Universalism A talk given at the Chautauqua Institute.
Mar 31, 2013 Rev. Lisa Ward Radical Love Regardless of how the story and impact of Jesus has been manipulated throughout time, one thing remains clear: he created a wake up call and a radical love.
Feb 17, 2013 Rev. Lisa Ward We the People On this weekend before President's Day, a look at the Unitarian and Universalist influence in American political thought.
Nov 11, 2012 Rev. Lisa Ward The Choice to Serve On this Veteran's Day, we look to the choice to serve, not only in the military, but as part of a way of life.
Oct 14, 2012 Rev. Lisa Ward Let Love Abound Churches cannot endorse political candidates, but they can freely speak about referendum issues. Today we will look at the question of marriage equality.
Aug 19, 2012 Rev. Lisa Ward The Living Presence What does it mean to live in the Now or be in the moment? What is this presence and how does it enhance our lives?
Oct 16, 2011 Rev. Lisa Ward The Many Names for God UUs are becoming more open to the varied ways that people speak of their spirituality, but "God" often remains a stumbling block.
Oct 9, 2011 Rev. Lisa Ward Beckoning, Believing, Belonging Reflections on a retreat to look at and share our spiritual journeys with one another—an exploration of some thoughts on that encounter.
Sep 18, 2011 Rev. Lisa Ward Out Addiction to Being Number One Out obsessing over being "number one" corrodes our ability to truly see ourselves, let alone others.
May 8, 2011 Rev. Lisa Ward Parenting as a Spiritual Practice On this Mother's Day, a time to consider the lessons of loving and letting go, living out loud and creating home.
Apr 24, 2011 Rev. Lisa Ward The Light of the World On this Easter day, we explore the meaning of Jesus' affirmation "you are the light of the world."
Apr 10, 2011 Rev. Lisa Ward On Loss One sure thing in all our lives is the encounter of loss. Embracing life means knowing how to manage loss and let it tender our lives.
Apr 3, 2011 Rev. Lisa Ward On Relationships What is the brave and joyful work of friendship, partnership, and loving one another?
Aug 22, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward The Art of Being What would it be like to have no residue, to leave no trace behind?
Aug 15, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward You Are Free What does it mean to be "free" spiritually, to open ourselves to the cosmos and the days of our lives?
Jun 6, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward Body and Soul We are embodied beings—body and soul—how does it all come together?
May 16, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward When Prayers Are Not Answered A theologian onced asked "can you forgive God for not answering your prayer?" What happens when our prayers go unanswered?
May 9, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward Matha, Mary, Jesus and the Gang A scene when Jesus and the disciples visit Martha and Mary's home lifts up comparisons on my levels.
Apr 4, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward Life Everlasting The message of Easter resonates in the meaning of awakenings.
Jan 17, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward Where are the Keys to the Kingdom? Sermon given at the Fitrst Unitarian Church of Wilmington.
Jan 10, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward What For? There is a lot of searching for purpose and meaning in faith communities. This is a day to engage our faith in action.
Jan 3, 2010 Rev. Lisa Ward What Now? At the beginning of the year, people often make resolutions not only to shape what is ahead, but to honor the learning thus far.
Nov 1, 2009 Rev. Lisa Ward The Faith that Frames America A look at the delicate balance of politics and religion and the underlying faith that can make it all work equitably.
Oct 25, 2009 Rev. Lisa Ward Fear Not To be conscious and willing to meet the unknown with trust and humility takes courage and a steadfast faith in being.
Oct 18, 2009 Rev. Lisa Ward What is a Wasted Life? One of the more puzzling parables in the Book of Luke is that of the Prodigal Son—a story of choice, loyalty, justice, and love.
Sep 4, 2009 Rev. Lisa Ward What Is This Thing Called Shame? We begin our monthly UU Biblical wisdom series with a look at Eve.
Apr 12, 2009 Rev. Lisa Ward The Saving Power Within A look at the message of transformation, given by Jesus in his ministry and life.
Nov 2, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward Civic Consciousness What is needed to cultivate civic consciousness? What elements of faith are part of that process?
Oct 19, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward Inherent Worth and Dignity The first principle that we, as a UU congregation, covenant to affirm and promote is the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Oct 12, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward Many Cultures, One Land Columbus' "discovery" of America set in motion the encounter of cultures that we are still negotiating, from healing deep-set wounds to learning new ways of being.
Oct 5, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward Faith and Politics The blurring of boundaries between church and state continues, as does the debate regarding the roles of faith and politics.
Sep 21, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward Principles With a Purpose The history of Unitarian Universalism is a history of the development and promotion of principles—of freedom, reason and tolerance.
Sep 14, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward Be That Guide As free agents in society, we have the opportunity to teach and learn from one another—to consider our lives as vessels of wisdom.
Aug 24, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward How Do We Know What To Do With Our Lives? What are some of the indications that we are on the right track for our lives?
Jun 3, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward Grace Happens The word "grace" is used for many different experiences and yet escapes definition. A day to ponder grace.
Feb 10, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward, JoAnn Macdonald, Rob Lieb, Kathleen Mader and Merrill Milham Evolution Sunday This Sunday we will join nearly 600 congregations who have agreed to preach on the compatibility of science and religion.
Jan 13, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward and Glenn Rogers Thoughts on the History of God Rev. Lisa and Glenn Rogers share the pulpit, exploring the evolution and diversity of our images of God.
Dec 7, 2008 Rev. Lisa Ward And Then There’s Beauty What is your canon of beauty of images and memories that bring beauty to mind?
Aug 19, 2007 Rev. Lisa Ward Mystical Stirrings Within the Birth of a Nation An introduction to American Transcendentalism, which emerged in the 19th century through literature, religion, culture and philosophy.
Aug 5, 2007 Edward Scott Sammler-Michael Why New Orleans Matters The importance of New Orleans in America's cultural history and how we set our priorities as a nation.
Feb 18, 2007 Rev. Lisa Ward The Art of Being Each one of us is a work of art, born to respond. There is no set creed, but there is a sacred knowing.
Feb 11, 2007 Rev. Lisa Ward A Touch of Magic Do you believe in magic? Great things happen beyond imagining when we bring our resources together.
Jan 14, 2007 Rev. Lisa Ward On Character How do we shape the living of our lives? What guides our being together? A day to ponder character.
Dec 12, 2006 Rev. Lisa Ward Hallowed Be Thy Recognition Judeo-Christian concepts as they relate to both personal spiritual disciplines and to universal mystical concepts.
Mar 12, 2006 Rev. Lisa Ward Faith and the Politics of Fear Unitarian Universalism is a religion that counteracts fear and fosters spiritual health.
Mar 5, 2006 Rev. Lisa Ward The Tyranny of Ought to Be A day to consider the balance between striving and acceptance.
May 15, 2005 Rev. Lisa Ward What is Calling You? Trancendentalists relied on mind and intuition for a sense of purpose; what is calling you to your fullness?
Jan 2, 2005 Rev. Lisa Ward Bring Many Names: The Welcome of Metaphor A look at faith dialogue, primarily around images and debates about "God."
Dec 12, 2004 Rev. Lisa Ward Religion, Politics and the Crumbling Wall A consideration of the role that religion plays in today's political and public discourse.
Mar 21, 2004 Rev. Lisa Ward To Thee I Wed: On Whose Authority? A day to address the issue of "gay marriage" as it impacts faith understanding.
Mar 7, 2004 Rev. Lisa Ward To Whom Do You Pray? A question that is asked of UUs on a regular basis to try and discern its foundation.
Feb 15, 2004 Rev. Lisa Ward Share the Bounty We consider the roots of UUFHC, the concept of abundance and making our dreams come true.
Jan 4, 2004 Rev. Lisa Ward When In Doubt, Be Kind This first sermon of 2004 is an offering of homemade proverbs to open the heart and mind.
Dec 14, 2003 Rev. Lisa Ward The Middle Way A look at the Buddhist teaching of moderation, wisdom on how to flow through all times with peace of mind.
Nov 16, 2003 Rev. Lisa Ward On Friendship A day to consider the breadth and depth of friendship in our lives.
Sep 14, 2003 Rev. Lisa Ward What Is Our Security? What is our true security, how can we trust in the goodness of life? A day to regroup and center.
Apr 20, 2003 Rev. Lisa Ward Hope Everlasting During our annual Easter Service, a look at the many varied approaches to honoring life's renewal.
Apr 13, 2003 Rev. Lisa Ward Elijah's Presence There is a tradition in the observation of Seder that a seat is left empty for the prophet Elijah. Today is a day to muse on Elijah's presence.
Mar 23, 2003 Rev. Lisa Ward Soul in Conflict A prayer for all people to find a way toward peace in this time of emotional turmoil.
Mar 16, 2003 Rev. Lisa Ward Imagine A sermon on the value of this community and the importance of giving.
Nov 17, 2002 Rev. Lisa Ward From Creed to Covenant: Roots of Unitarian Universalism The most-commonly asked question of Unitarian Universalists is "What do you believe?" We do not profess a creed but are bound by a covenant—much like the early teachings of Christianity.
Nov 3, 2002 Rev. Lisa Ward Our Unfolding Lives: Concepts of Destiny How much of our lives unfold regardless of our efforts and how much are the products of free will?
May 12, 2002 Rev. Lisa Ward Tough and Tender Love Paying tribute to this whole enterprise of being human on this Mother's Day
Nov 4, 2001 Rev. Lisa Ward Don't Just Do Something: Sit Awhile A nod towards doing 'nothing', which, in fact, will make our 'something's' that much more meaningful.
Oct 28, 2001 Rev. Lisa Ward The Shadow Side As Unitarian Universalists, what do we do with the concept of evil?
Nov 12, 2000 Rev. Lisa Ward Do You Dream in Color? Anti-racism as a spiritual discipline.
Nov 5, 2000 Rev. Lisa Ward Spirituality of Trees This sermon was requested by Auction winner Charles Harris.
Oct 22, 2000 Rev. Lisa Ward Frames and Filters: Ways of Knowing Our spiritual filters influence our perspective, they do not change what can be seen. Filters have to do with how we see, our priorities in our seeing: what we admire and what we avoid.
Feb 27, 2000 Rev. Lisa Ward All Things in Time A day devoted to alternate calendars and the meaning therein.
Feb 20, 2000 Rev. Lisa Ward Civility: A Lost Art? What are the qualities of civility, our public behavior, that we need in order to support each other's lives?
Feb 13, 2000 Rev. Lisa Ward Sacred Connections The importance of trust in our relationships and in our communities.
Jan 2, 2000 Rev. Lisa Ward No Regrets Envisioning the future is only possible when the past does not hold us hostage. Personal growth occurs best when we embrace our whole selves and believe in our own potential.
Apr 18, 1999 Rev. Lisa Ward We Are of the Earth A look at the wisdom praised from listening to the earth.
Apr 4, 1999 Rev. Lisa Ward The Sense of Life That Knows No Death Easter Sunday - Experiencing the power and beauty of life.
Mar 21, 1999 Rev. Lisa Ward Trust in the Daring That Shapes the World This phrase within a poem by Karin Boye describes the movement of winter to spring, in our hearts, in our lives and in our souls.
Feb 14, 1999 Rev. Lisa Ward Love is a Many Gendered Thing Happy Valentine's Day! A tribute to mature love in its many forms and the need for more justice therein.
Jan 17, 1999 Rev. Lisa Ward The Tough and Tender Challenge Rev. Dr. King's ministry is a legacy of lasting significance in world history. This morning's service will touch on Dr. King's challenge of radical love to society-a challenge far from being met.
Jan 3, 1999 Rev. Lisa Ward Name the Harm, Find the Heart: Forgiveness To begin the new year, many turn to resolutions. To pave the way for strong beginnings we need to honor what has come before. A morning about forgiveness.
Dec 13, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward There Are A Variety of Gifts Society is now in full swing with the holiday season. Today we will look at the gifts that we are capable of being within ourselves and each other.
Dec 6, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Love Will Guide Us The first Sunday marks the beginning of Advent in the Christian Tradition. Today we will look at the substance of hope in our lives, with a nod toward Christian imagery and beyond.
Nov 22, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Harvesting Gratitude Sunday before Thanksgiving. What does it mean to be thankful? How can we do it and make it stick? The entire worship service will be a family service.
Nov 15, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Why Not School Prayer? There is quite a vibrant dialogue occurring in our society about organized school prayer. Here is one response to that issue.
Nov 8, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Teaching Peace In her essay The Universe Responds, Alice Walker gives a simple charge: "teach yourself peace," she writes, "pass it on." This sermon is one gesture towards that charge.
Oct 25, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Be Not Afraid This weekend marks United Nations Day. One challenge of the endeavor of the United Nations is to welcome diverse opinion—to take that which is alien into consideration—to be taught and changed by "the other."
Oct 18, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Finding Family, Forming Home There is much national dialogue on "family values." It is a political talking point. It is deemed by some the secret to all our ills. What does it mean to value family? What does it mean to create a home? A Liberal Religious Response.
Oct 11, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward What Have We Discovered Christopher Columbus' landing in the America's started a chain reaction of events that changed the course of human history. Today is a look at a bit of that process and how it might inform our ways of being with one another.
Sep 27, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Step by Step Today, some members of this Fellowship are partaking in the Second Annual Susquehanna AIDS walk. As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to "walk the talk." That happens in a variety of ways and for a wide, often disparate, range of issues. Today, we will look at the joyful challenge of working together toward a vision—step by step...
Sep 20, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Blessings Be Unitarian Universalism rises out of the spiritual conviction that we are each a sacred expression of life: that life, itself, is a blessing. One of our tasks in this faith is to discover how we each can make that deep conviction real in our lives.
Sep 13, 1998 Rev. Lisa Ward Roots and Wings This is the Sunday we kick off the full service church year. The life of a religious community touches on both the ground of our being and the vision we form with each other.

98 records found in this search
Search Again   |   Home