Below is a list of past sermons given at The Fellowship. Once you find the sermon you’d like to listen to, just click on the sermon title listed, and it will open that sermon in a page with the options to listen to it via the web, to download the MP3 for listening offline, or to open the transcript of the sermon to read.

Afraid of Fear?

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Afraid of Fear?
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by Rev. Kathleen Rolenz

What, exactly, are we afraid of? The top fear that Americans report are corruption of government, followed by cyber terrorism and corporate tracking of personal data. However, Americans also report being afraid of insects, ghosts and speaking in public. The theme for this month is “Tell me a Story about a time when you faced your fears.” We’ll look together at both real and imagined fears and provide a useful, daily antidote to fear.

Afraid of Fear 10.9.16

Hold a Lantern

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Hold a Lantern
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by Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

Forgiveness is hard work, spiritually but also practically. Long ago the poet Rumi compared the process of taking responsibility, apologizing and making amends to holding up a lantern. In our second annual High Holy Days service, join us (Rev. Leah and Fellowship member Jaclyn Kottman, two lifelong Jewish Unitarian Universalists) as we shed light on these themes and how we might implement them in our lives. This service, a UU take on the Jewish High Holy Days traditions, is for those from Jewish backgrounds and non-Jews alike and will include very special music from our own Dan Van Sickle and Mark Urness. We will end by sharing the traditional snack of apples, honey, and challah (bread).

Hold a Lantern10 2 2016

Heaven, Hell and Everything In Between

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Heaven, Hell and Everything In Between
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with Rev. Kathleen Rolenz

Harpeth Rising is a a three-piece acoustic band whose music reflects age old questions of heaven, hell, fate and grace. Rev. Rolenz will weave her sermon around the lyrics of Harpeth Rising, who will perform in concert the night before. We’re excited to welcome this trio to the Fellowship’s Sunday morning service for a service of musical and spiritual reflection on important themes.

Tell Me a Story

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Tell Me a Story
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by Rev. Kathleen Rolenz

Our lives are made up of individual and overlapping stories. Sometimes we understand those stories, and other times we don’t know what they mean until we share our story with others. This year, our overarching theme will be to answer the question “Tell Me a Story About…” This particular service will feature an extended congregational response time, so as to be able to tell, and to listen, to each other’s experience.

A Service for All Ages Mingling of the Waters 2016

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A Service for All Ages Mingling of the Waters 2016
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by Rev. Kathleen Rolenz and Rev. Leah Hart-Landsberg

The Mingling of the Waters Service is an annual tradition at the Fellowship. Bring water from a special place you’ve been this summer (including from your own backyard!) and we’ll combine it into a common bowl as a way to symbolize how our many streams combine to meet and merge as we begin the Fellowship year. This service  includes an All Ages Focus, plenty of special music, a flowing river and more!

Pickup Trucks and Priuses: Are we truly all welcome?

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Pickup Trucks and Priuses: Are we truly all welcome?
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by Marie Blohowiak

While our mission statement states that we welcome everyone, does that really mean everyone? What if someone doesn’t listen to NPR? Or hunts? Or is Republican? As Congregational Life Coordinator, I want to believe that  everyone who walks in the door will feel comfortable being their true self, and not have to hide any part of them. What are the ways we don’t realize we are making people uncomfortable?

Reading – We Come Together adapted from Peter Lee Scott

pickup-trucks-and-priuses-9-4-2016

 

When the Center Does Not Hold

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When the Center Does Not Hold
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by Rev. Kathleen Rolenz

 

When the Center Does Not Hold8.28.16

 

Living in the ‘What If’?

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Living in the 'What If'?
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by Dee Verkuilen

What if we lived life in “what ifs” (present and future)? Two words that have the potential to nudge, if not push, you from your comfort zone? Going beyond just a thought to entertain, and moving toward words and actions. Let’s explore some “what ifs”.

First Reading – from Steve Maraboli
Second Reading – from These Roses by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Third Reading – Whatif by Shel Silverstein

Living Our Covenant

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Living Our Covenant
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by Jim Coakley

Our covenant based faith asks us to radically uphold the inherent worth and dignity of everyone. How can our congregation live up to such a lofty goal?

This I Believe (July 2016)

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This I Believe (July 2016)
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by Parnee Frederick, Nate Tapio, Jenna Peeples and Bill Carlson

As you come into the sanctuary, you may sit next to friends or complete strangers. Ever wonder what brought them here? Each year a panel of diverse persons—some of whom you may have met, and some not at all–give us intriguing glimpses into their spiritual journeys in the “This I Believe Service.”