What to Expect

Our services are about an hour in length and include lively music, hymns, readings, silence for meditation, and a sermon.

Our services ordinarily incorporate the following elements:


  • Prior to the service, some people choose to light a candle to honor a joy or concern.
  • Musical preludes and postludes.
  • The children are with us at the beginning of most of our services, and we enjoy a brief period of spirited worship and a conversation which includes them.
  • We light the chalice, the symbol of our faith.
  • We have a truly wonderful choir that sings in most of our services.
  • We have a time of welcome when we invite guests to stand.
  • Hymns sung by the congregation.
  • Each Sunday, we read the names of those American soldiers who have died in the war in Iraq, and we light a candle for peace.
  • A time of silent meditation and reflection.
  • Pastoral concerns of the congregation are shared by the worship leader, and the congregation is given the opportunity to speak the name aloud, or call to mind and heart, the name of someone whom we might hold in our care. A candle is lit to honor the joys and concerns that remain silent.
  • A sermon, which frequently focuses upon contemporary themes as well as timeless issues of life.
  • We share our gifts of generosity through the taking of an offering.
  • We close our service by singing together a beloved Unitarian Universalist hymn entitled “Spirit of Life”.

 
Related Information
  • The UUA Website describes the history of the chalice in Unitarian Universalist churches.
  • Spirit of Life
  • Our UUSM Choir!
  • Sermon archive

Newcomers are encouraged to visit the Welcome Table to meet other friendly folks who can help answer any questions you may have.

All are welcome to join us for coffee, tea and light refreshments in Beck Hall during social hour.


 

 
300 East Santa Inez Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401 (Map)  |  (650) 342-5946  |  email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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