Sermon Title

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Welcome Home

Announcements Rachel Karasick,

Communications Director

Welcoming Visitors Greeting One Another

Introducing Speaker Rev. Zemoria Brandon, Interfaith Minister and Worship Associate

Casting Vision

Choral Introit Song Title ~ Composer

Call to Worship Reverend Kent Matthies

Chalice Dedication

May the light we now kindle inspire us to use our power to heal with love, to help with compassion, to bless with joy, to serve the spirit of freedom in the fullness of community.

Opening Hymn Hymn Title #____

Shared Ministry

Lesson for All Ages Lesson Title

Sending Forth This Little Light of Mine #____

Sharing Responsibility Song Title ~ Composer

We pick fruit from trees we did not plant. We drink water from wells we did not dig. This is as it should be so long as we dig and plant for those who come after.

Reverence & Reflection

Sharing of Names There Is More Love Somewhere #95

<Insert Name>, Caring Associate

Meaning Making

Reading (optional)

Choral Anthem Song Title ~ Composer

Sermon Sermon Title

Bringing Closure

Closing Hymn Hymn Title #____

Extinguishing the Chalice

We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, the warmth of community or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again. S

Sending Forth

Benediction Please hold hands

Welcome Reverend Kent Matthies

A life-long Unitarian Universalist, Reverend Matthies received his Masters of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. Reverend Kent Matthies has served as Minister of the Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia since 2002. Kent leads our Small Group Ministry (SGM) program with other talented lay leaders. Each month he preaches at least once on the SGM topic. Each of our ten small groups engages the same spiritual theme in their smaller gatherings. The USG Small Group Ministry Program is open for members and friends to join.

In his dedication to reduce the violence in our city, Rev. Matthies served on The Philadelphia Mayor’s Religious Leader’s Task Force on Community Safety. Kent also works closely with our congregation’s Just Neighbors all-church homeless ministry.

Out of his passion for vibrant liberal religion, from 2004-2007 Kent was co-chair of the Philadelphia/Wilmington Unitarian Universalist Growth Team. Kent also serves on the National Ministerial Advisory Group to the Dr. Charlie Clements, the Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

Before his ordination, Kent worked for social justice through Bread for the World, a faith-based organization fighting hunger and poverty. He also served with Witness for Peace in Chiapas, Mexico. During seminary he worked with the Gang Violence Reduction Project of the University of Chicago, providing crisis intervention, pastoral care and supportive counseling to Latino gang members. He is fluent in Spanish. He also served as chaplain in a maximum-security prison.

Kent’s vision of ministry includes working for positive social change as well as giving pastoral care and meeting spiritual needs. He has said, “If we are to do religion well, we must connect philosophy, theology, arts, politics, science, and spirituality.”


Welcome Home!

Please silence all audible devices, such as cell phones. Listening devices for the hearing impaired and large-print hymnals are available from the ushers.

Sharing of Names: Please write the name of your loved ones in the journal, to celebrate a birth or marriage or achievement, to mourn a death, to request prayers for healing. The Sharing of Names book is located at the rear of the sanctuary next to candles for you to light. Your milestones will be shared aloud during the worship service.

Flowers: A donation of $45 for a floral arrangement beautifies the Sanctuary on Sunday and is a wonderful way to celebrate an occasion or to remember a loved one. To reserve a date, contact Judy at or call 215-563-3980. Your donation will be recognized in the Order of Service (unless you wish it to be anonymous). Donations for floral arrangements are tax-deductible.

Feedback: We would love your thoughts about the worship service! Either come to the monthly Worship Arts meeting, or better yet, email or call. The Worship Arts Ministry Team deeply appreciates your input.

Newcomers: Welcome! Following the service, newcomers are warmly invited to stop by the Newcomer Corner for refreshments and conversation.