Sunday, December 14, 2025

“Music Sunday: Lessons and Carols”

The idea of a “Lessons and Carols” Service dates back to southwest England in the late 19th Century. 

Prelude “Snowfall” by Claude Thornhill Nathan Hamm
“Church of Trees” by Liz Story

Board Welcome Betsy Smalley

Opening Hymn #226 “People, Look East”

Prelude: “Frosty the Snowman” Peace Pals

Introduction Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Conversation from the Heart Jack Holdford

Lesson: Presence
The map you make yourself Gabe McDonald
by Jan Richardson

Chalice Lighting
“Velvet Shoes” Chalice Choir
words by Elinor Wylie, music by Michael Larkin

Lesson: Winter
First Snow by Mary Oliver Amber Scott
“December’s Keep” Spirit of Life Choir
words, arr. Greg Gilpin, music by Frederic Chopin
“Jingle Bells” Peace Pals
by James Pierpont Piano: Roshan Mahdi-Pound

Lesson: Solstice / Yule
Winter Dr. Brandon Moss
by Barbara Mahany
“Deck the Halls” by Ruth Elaine Schram Peace Pals
“Solstice Carole” by Kim Baryluk Small Ensemble

Lesson: Peace
Caring Meditation
If there is to be peace by anonymous Luca Wolfe
“When Angels Sing” Chalice Choir
words by Herb Frombach, music by Mark Miller 

Lesson: Christmas
Christmas Comes Whether You’re Ready or Not
by Cynthia Frado Rev. Kelli McNeal
“Hodie Christus Natus Est” Chalice Choir
by Brandon L. Moss
Hymn #241 “In the Bleak Midwinter”

Lesson: Giving
Amid all the noise in our lives Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley
by Tim Haley
Offering-Share the Plate: Ministerial Discretionary Fund
“Give Almes of Thy Goods” Spirit of Life Choir
by Christopher Tye

Lesson: Chanukah
light in the darkness (excerpt) Paisha Thomas
by Rabbi Rachel Barneblat
“The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights)” Spirit of Life Choir
words by Steve Young, music by Stephen Schwartz/arr. Stephens

Lesson: Kwanzaa Don Merrill
Kwanzaa, Freedom, Justice and Peace:
Principles and Practices For A New World (excerpt)
by Dr. Maulana Karenga
“Ujima” by Zanaida Stewart Robles Chalice Choir

Lesson: Renewal / New Year
Closure by Amanda Gorman Clare Fried
“We Toast the Days” Combined Spirit of Life 
by Linda Kachelmeier & Chalice Choirs
Hymn #58 “Ring Out, Wild Bells”

Benediction 
& Extinguishing the Chalice Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley

Postlude “A Moment’s Peace” Nathan Hamm
by Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel

_____

Spirit of Life Choir
Soprano:
Marna Austin
Suzanne Conlan
Su Farnlacher 
Barb Fiorini 
Erin Rothert
Lynda Smith

Alto: 
Joan Matyskella
Carolee Noonan
Robyn Redinger
Karla Rinto
Candee Rothert
Vanessa Rouker

Tenor: 
Frank Combs
Amy Eldridge
Jack Holdford 
Luke Rouker  
Eric Weismantel

Bass:
Bill Fiorini
Steve Molk
KT Vandergriff 
Van Vandergriff

Small Ensemble:
Miranda Dean
Myra Hartmann
Kittie Palm-Houser
Erin Reilly-Sanders
Denise Riffle
Julie Carr Smyth
Mindy Sykes
Beki Test

Chalice Choir:
Soprano:
Leslie Armstrong
Pam Conley
Miranda Dean
Barb Fiorini
Fluff Fiscus
Linda Halleran
Sharon Hamersley
Donna Papps
Sue Pascual
Erin Reilly-Sanders
Lauren Richards
Denise Riffle
Beth Scherer

Alto:
Nan Beamish
Marilyn Beerman
Shelly Casto
Deanna Dennis
Kay Gaskill
Florence Jain
Melissa Karas
Shirley Lange
Linda Loesch
Nancy McDonald
Adrienne Novak
Doris Oursler
Kittie Palm-Houser
Bertina Povenmire
Robyn Redinger
Linda Royalty
Julie Carr Smyth
Mindy Sykes
Michelle Sylvester
Beki Test
Karen Thimmes
Judy Vazquez

Tenor:
Sandy Coen
Bob Graffagnino
Peggy McKee
Steve Molk
Dana Reynolds
George Riffle
Eric Weismantel
Chas Williams

Bass:
Joe Del Medico
Bill Fiorini
Curt Greene
Mark Krueger
Danny Mumy
Ken Odiorne
Paul Riffle
Shane Roussi
Matt Thomas

Peace Pals Choir:
Elliot Collins
Lincoln Collins
Rose Hauer
Roshan Mahdi-Pound
Ashling Reilly-Sanders

First UU Music Staff:
Dr. Brandon Moss
Michela Brown
Erin Rothert
Nathan Hamm

American Sign Language interpretation provided by Heritage Interpreting. 

Announcements
for 12/14/2025

Feed and Read Ohio Thanks You for Gifts and Donations. 

Cookie Fair TODAY!  Help raise money for Youth Group activities and the Holiday Appeal by buying a box of homemade Christmas cookies!  Sales commence after service!

Gift Wrap Fundraiser!  Rainbow Connexion will wrap gifts for a donation to support the Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) TODAY at noon. 

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)

Upcoming Music and concerts at First UU:

• 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.