Website descriptions of Sunday Worship:

Here's an example from Peterborough:

from

http://www.puf.ca/puf_021.htm

Our services are a celebration of words, music and silence.

We begin with Opening Music, which is usually offered by

one of our members who plays the piano, or sung by one of

our two choirs. Following is the Lighting of the Chalice by

a member of the congregation and unison words…

”May the light we now kindle

Inspire us to use our powers:

To heal and not to harm,

To help and not to hinder,

To bless and not to curse,

To serve the spirit of freedom.”

Next we sing the Hymn “Spirit of Life” which many know by heart.

“Spirit of Life, come unto me. Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion. Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice. Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.”

Welcome and Announcements is a time to let newcomers know how to become involved in the congregation and to share community and congregational events of interest.

A Story for Young and Old follows where the children are encouraged to come and sit up front to engage with the storyteller or get a better view of the illustrations in the book.

Next we sing the children to their RE (Religious Education) classes with:

“Come,come whoever you are.

Won’t you come join us, come sit in our circle,

We are all welcome here, just as we are

Come, yet again, come.”

Candles of Joy and Concern is a time when an

open invitation is offered to come forward and

light a candle and share something of personal

significance. In closing a candle is lit to honour the

joys and concerns that remain unspoken.

This time of sharing is followed by a reading, after which a brief time of silence is observed. Following this, meditative music is offered on CD, piano, or sung by the choir.

There is often a reading and a hymn before the Sermon that is given by our minister three Sundays a month or a layperson or a guest one Sunday a month.

After the sermon we have the offering, closing words and more music.

Throughout the year there are variations on this order of service. Sometimes a small group from the congregation comes together to “craft” services of particular interest for example Earth Day, or the December Candlelight Service. Or our minister facilitates a service in a particular way to include the voice of many in our congregation. Once a year our youth create a dynamic, not to be missed service. With these variations our services are able to serve the rich mixture of members who take part in our congregation.

and from Hamilton

http://firstunitarianhamilton.org/worship/sunday_am.htm

Sunday services start at 10:30am

Sunday morning worship is one moment in the week when we gather together as a Beloved Community. It is often a transformative moment, reminding us of our connections to each other and to all of life. Ours is a diverse community. We come together holding a variety of differing beliefs. And yet, the worship service provides a focal point and regular inspiration for our lives.

WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICES?

Although Unitarian worship services tend to be less liturgical and ritual-based than those in many traditional churches, our services do contain a number of common elements which move the gathered community through an hour-long experience of centering, reflecting and returning. These common elements are:

Gathering Music - a time to enter quietly into the spirit of community in preparation for worship

Welcome and Announcements – welcome and information about the ongoing life and events within the community

Opening Words or Invocation – begin the service poetically and name our purpose in gathering

Chalice Lighting

The flaming chalice is the most widely used Unitarian Universalist symbol. While its origins are varied, it has come to symbolize the flame of religious freedom in the cup of love and acceptance for all. We light the chalice to begin the service, to call the community together and to signal our readiness to begin worship.

History of The Flaming Chalice

Hymns

Singing is a joyous form of self-expression. Blending our voices together reminds us that we are not alone. We sing to awaken our spiritual life and energy, and to praise creation. .

Story

Our stories are for everyone. They allow children, youth and adults alike to explore the morning's message from another point of view. After the story, we sing to the children as they leave for further exploration in our Relgious Education Program

Meditation

With music, words, silence and the opportunity to light candles, congregants participate in a time of reflection and prayer.

Readings – chosen to highlight a question, thought or idea that is further explored in the sermon

Musical Offerings – are for many the emotional heart of the service, speaking to our deepest needs and longings, expressing our most sublime hopes and dreams. Our worship features a great diversity of musical styles and selections, many of them offered by volunteers.

Sermon

The sermon is designed to be the inspirational centrepiece of the service, blending elements from music, story, song, readings and prayer into one coherent message. For many Unitarians, the sermon helps to put “life through the fire of thought.” (Unitarian minister and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson) At its best, the sermon is the core element in the transformative experience that the service is creating

Offertory

Unitarian Universalist congregations are all self-supporting. The ministries, programs, worship and outreach of the congregation depend upon the tangible contributions of its members and friends. Supporters of the church’s Vision transform their gifts into ministry by the act of giving. Many members pledge monthly or yearly to support the church’s ministries, but the weekly collection is an important act of generosity on the part of all who attend.

Closing Words

A reminder to live the coming days in the spirit of our Unitarian Universalist Faith, with truth, service, justice, acceptance and love as our touchstones

Ottawa First

http://www.uuottawa.com/whattoexpectonsundaymain.htm

Service begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. with a welcome and basic orientation to the morning. Visitors are also identified and welcomed. You may have a chance to introduce yourself to those seated around you. This is followed by announcements.

We then open service with a Prelude played on the piano, a guest instrumentalist, or one of our church choirs.

We then light the Chalice, an important symbol in the Unitarian-Universalist tradition. There may be a hymn before the minister shares a story with the children and youth of the congregation, who subsequently leave Worship Hall for their religious education classes.

People in the congregation are then invited to stand and share any life "Joys and Sorrows". Caring cards (which are physical cards that may be signed at the end of service) for those who are ill or have experienced a life setback, are read aloud. This is followed by a Prayer/Meditation and silent meditation and a short musical selection.

There is another hymn, and then the sermon delivered by a minister, worship associate or special guest speaker.

After the sermon, what would any congregation be, without passing the offering plate. Reflective music is played at this time. a hymn, a final word from the minister, and then singing of our closing benediction.

After service, most people head for our Fellowship Hall for coffee, cake and conversation. New visitors are welcomed to our Green Mug table, and others in the congregation are encouraged to say hello to "Green Muggers". Tours of the congregation building are also offered after service. Information on congregation events and Unitarian-Universalism is available at the information table at the entrance, and progressive books are for sale in Fellowship Hall.

Children

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Worship is an important part of our religious education program.

All the children attend the first part of the adult worship service weekly to share the Children's story with the adults. Full intergenerational services occur at least quarterly.

The youth plan their own worship experiences, participate in the intergenerational services, and plan a service for the adult church once a year.

If you are coming with children, the church school is located on the street level. There is always someone at the R.E. Table to greet you and help you settle in. Children are also welcome in the adult service. Should infants become too noisy you should consider moving to the Church Lounge where there is a selection of playthings; the service is seen and heard on a television in that room.