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Starting a Service

Fifth Order of Service

The simple format of this service may be misleading. The absence of formal liturgical material does not limit the possibility for thoughtful and deeply moving worship, nor does it eliminate the need for careful planning.

The service begins with a welcome and announcements. The hospitality of the welcome can successfully invite the intimacy of shared joys and concerns -- if the service leader conveys a sense that the congregation genuinely welcomes such intimacy. A congregation may not be in the habit of using formal worship texts, but the service leader will need to prepare carefully in order to lead even an "informal" congregation in worship.

The "statement of the theme" may serve important purposes beyond introducing the speaker and the topic of the service. Guest speakers may not always be aware of the history of Unitarian Universalist involvement with a particular topic; the service leader can often provide a specifically Unitarian Universalist context that the speaker and the congregation will appreciate.

The hymn provides the only opportunity for the congregation to participate expressively in this service. Even more than services with several hymns, this service requires a hymn that the congregation will enjoy singing and that unambiguously expresses fundamental values of the congregation.

Welcome and Announcements

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Prelude

Statement of the Theme

Please rise

* Hymn - SLT #298 - "Faith of the larger liberty"

Please be seated

See the rest of this service

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Source: Based on an Order of Service by Fairfax Unitarian Church, Oakton VA; in Commisson on Common Worship, Leading Congregations in Worship: A Guide, UUA 1983. Hymns from Singing the Living Tradition, UUA 1993.

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