Sunday, December 7, 2025

“There’s Something About Mary”

Board Welcome Tara Mullins-Cosme

Opening Hymn #225 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Paisha Thomas

Centering Words Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Congregational Greeting

Bringing in the Light Nathan Hamm

“Ave Maria”

by Franz Schubert

Chalice Lighting

Time for All Ages Amber Scott

Malala’s Magic Pencil

written by Malala Yousafzai 

& illustrated by Kerascoët

Affirming Our Children #362 “Rise Up O Flame” 

Conversation from the Heart Eddy & Clare Fried 

Offering Share the Plate: Holiday Appeal

Offertory “Breath of Heaven”

by Chris Eaton and Amy Grant

Pastoral Meditation

Special Music Beki Test (vocals & guitar)

“Mary” & Mike Neely (mandolin)

by Patty Griffin

Reading Beyond Belief (excerpt) by Elain Pagels

Meditative Hymn #8 “Mother Spirit, Father Spirit”

Sermon Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

“There’s Something About Mary”

Closing Hymn #1051 “We Are…”

Benediction

Extinguishing the Chalice

Choral Benediction

“Momma Mary”
by Roger Whittaker

American Sign Language interpretation provided by Heritage Interpreting. 

Announcements
for 12/7/2025

Feed and Read Ohio Christmas Wishes ends today. Please place your unwrapped gifts under the tree in the gallery with the tags identifying their recipients. Thank you!

Cookie Fair Donations needed for 12/14! Help raise money for Youth Group activities and the Holiday Appeal by donating several dozen homemade Christmas cookies! Sign up to let us know what you plan to bring. Drop treats off labeled with allergens (ie nuts, dairy, etc.) in Beach Hall before the 11am service next week. Sales commence after service!

Gift Wrap Fundraiser! Rainbow Connexion will wrap gifts for a donation to support the Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) on Sunday, 12/14 at noon. Helpers, wrapping paper, and curling ribbon wanted! Contact Shirley Lange.

The BREAD Research Kickoff will be Tomorrow at 7pm here at First UU. Learn how BREAD does research and discuss this year’s topic of Living Wage.

Seeking Volunteers for Religious Exploration for both Family and Adult education programs. Fill out this form to volunteer or email Amber to learn more or attend an interest meetings after the service December 7

Embodied Exploration of Religious & Spiritual Conditioning class on December 14 and December 21. Experience a gentle, compassionate space for anyone curious about how religious or spiritual conditioning has shaped their beliefs, identities, or sense of belonging. Light movement, sensory mindfulness, somatic awareness, reflection, and conversation. (Register)

Music and concerts at First UU in December:

• Otterbein University Concert Choir Dec. 12 at 7:00 pm (free)
• The Magpie Consort, “An American Christmas” Dec. 13 at 7:00 pm (Tickets $0-20)
• Music Sunday service, “Lessons & Carols Dec. 14 at 11:00 am (free)
• Carpe Diem String Quartet, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” Dec. 20 at 3:00 pm (Tickets $25-35)

Candlelit Labyrinth December 26 – January 1. First UU is hosting a labyrinth experience in the worship center between Christmas and New Year’s. Sign up to help facilitate this experience for your community! Come host, provide music, or both! Contact Kristen Hartmann with questions.

Read more about all of these events in This Week’s Friday’s News,
and check our online calendar for upcoming events.