The Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring
Sermon Archives
There are transcripts available to read for most sermons. To access the transcript, select the linked sermon title; to listen to a sermon, click on the 
link near the sermon title.
Click here for access to sermons from other years.
2012
February 5, 2012
Spiritual Practice: Prepping for Life
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
We often think of prayer and other forms of spiritual practice as a way to deal with a difficult situation - but it's also a good way to prepare for both the good and the bad in life. A sense of centeredness, of connection or access to the sacred, of peace with ourselves or our circumstances is a strong foundation for encountering all that comes into our path. Even good luck and blessings can rock our world - struggle and hardships certainly can. As we enter the new year, let's look at what we can do to be ready for life and living.
January 22, 2012
When Things Get Difficult, Turn to Wonder
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
Contemporary Quaker educator Parker Palmer has become a very respectedand popular voice in Unitarian Universalist circles for his wisdom and workon social activism and inner life exploration. One of his insights is "Whenthings get difficult, turn to wonder" - an approach he recommends both forindividuals and for groups and communities. Instead of recognizing ourfeelings as the end of an internal conversation, what if we allowed them tobecome the beginning?
January 15, 2012
Grace from Dr. King
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
Some people seem human expressions of grace in the world; we did not createthem and some would say we did not deserve them - but we received them andtheir blessings anyway. It's pretty obvious at this point that Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr., is going down in our nation's history as a game-changer for peace -which makes him close to unique in our country. Despite the many decadessince his life and death, despite the changed reference points in society andunderstandings of race and justice, his message and his work are still relevantand compelling. Come join us for this morning of celebration and affirmationof Dr. King and his legacy.
January 8, 2012
The Grace, Yes Grace of Multiculturalism
Rev. Liz Lerner Maclay
When I started working on multicultural, multiracial understanding andcommunity building, what I anticipated was work - work done with care, withthoughtfulness. I expected risk and a hoped for forgiveness for mistakesmade. I hoped also for change and new relationships and understandings thatwould ultimately result in new and deeper community among us and withothers. That was a lot to expect, that was plenty. But indeed, this "work" hasoutstripped my expectations, because what has come has been joy, new heartin faith, healing, greater trust and new inspiration - all unsought andimpossible to compel - and therefore, all forms of grace. Exactly how has thisgrace come and in what ways? All will be revealed in our service which willfeature special music as well from our house band and choir.
January 1, 2012
New Year's Day Jazz Service
Bruce Krohmer
Our annual celebration of the New Year, with UUCSS jazz sax and clarinet maestro Bruce Krohmer. The perfect way to bring in 2012!