Sermons
Most Recent Sermon
Multigenerational Water Communion & Ingathering Sunday: Restoring Zeus’s Law
Sunday September 13, 2026 at 10:30 am
Ingathering Sunday is First Parish’s annual multigenerational transition from summer to fall: with worship back in the Sanctuary, the staff team back from summer leave, and the Water Communion ritual. Remember to bring water from your summer adventures that morning (though we will also have “representational water” available if you forget). We’ll also hear music from Laura Nevitt and our traditional participatory prelude from Beth Sargent and the First Parish Players, and have readings and an interactive Story for All Ages about “restoring Zeus’s Law” from Rev. Catie Scudera and John Newhall. The First Parish staff team especially hopes to see you this Sunday!
Previous Sermons
“Being Under Construction as a Human Being”
Sunday September 7, 2026 at 10:30 am Our topic for Sunday, “Being Under Construction as a Human Being,” explores the lifelong process of becoming who we are meant to be. We’ll view the process by reminding ourselves that construction is often messy and disruptive. Our...
Summer Service Consortium!
Summer Sunday Service Consortium Sunday June 28th - September 6th at 10:30, hosted in Needham & Wellesley Hills The First Parish Worship Committee is thrilled to announce the inaugural Quinobequin* Summer Service Consortium between First Parish, UU Wellesley...
Special Flower Communion & National UUA GA Sunday Service
Sunday June 21, 2026 at 10:30 am For our last service in the Sanctuary before summer worship begins, there will be a combined service of our traditional Flower Communion and the national UUA General Assembly (GA) worship. Our flower communion service will start at...
All We Might Miss
Sunday June 14, 2026 at 10:30 am Rev. Catie Scudera preaching In the busyness of our daily and weekly lives, it’s easy to miss unique moments of connection and awe. How do we retain our “beginner’s mind” and open-hearted attention to the present moment? Come to or log...
Quelling Fears, Getting Curious
Sunday June 7, 2026 at 10:30 am Rev. Catie Scudera preaching Happy Pride! Join First Parish in celebrating 30 years as an LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation, as we reflect on how curiosity can help us overcome fear of “difference” and “change” of many kinds. We’ll hear...
Loving Through the Catastrophe
Sunday May 31, 2026 at 10:30 am Rev. Catie Scudera preaching Join in the journey of hobbits, elves, and dwarves during this Sunday service inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien — as requested by our member Peter Panov, recent winner of the First Parish auction item,...
Sheep Weep
Sunday May 24, 2026 at 10:30 am This week, guest preacher Mac Perkins-High will explore the theme of cultivating compassion through the classic story, Sheep in a Jeep. How do the stories we tell each other invite us into -- or out of -- compassionate relationship? And...
Youth Sunday
Sunday May 17, 2026 at 10:30 am Youth Group leading For Youth Sunday, we’re thrilled that yet again First Parish’s Senior Youth Group members will share with the congregation their experiences from their annual service trip and that our Coming of Age participants will...
12 Steps Toward Compassion
Sunday May 10, 2026 at 10:30 am Rev. Catie Scudera and John Newhall leading For this month’s multigenerational Sunday service, those of us in the Sanctuary and participating online will take our inspiration from the First Parishioners participating in the 30th annual...
Listening: A Small Kindness
Sunday May 3, 2026 at 10:30 am Rev. Catie Scudera presiding As we begin our ministry theme of Cultivating Compassion, we’ll reflect on the core practice of listening and healing power of feeling heard. This is a special Sunday when we are thrilled to welcome queer...
Living Intentionally
Sunday April 26, 2026 at 10:30 am Rev. Catie Scudera presiding Come celebrate Earth Day at First Parish! In partnership with the Green Congregation team, Rev. Catie and John Newhall lead this multigenerational Earth Sunday about the impact of intentional green living....
Grounded: Staying on Course During Turbulent Times
Sunday April 19, 2026 at 10:30 am We gratefully welcome our guest minister, Reverend Mary Margaret Earl, Senior Minister from the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry in Roxbury. The mission of UU Urban Ministry has three focuses; Safer shelter and workforce...