Stay ConnectedA weekly sermon podcast from All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a Unitarian Universalist community rooted in Love Beyond Belief.
These messages explore progressive spirituality, social justice, compassion, and personal growth—offering thoughtful perspectives on life, meaning, and what it means to be human.
All Souls is an affirming, inclusive community where people of all beliefs—and no belief—come together to learn, grow, and make a difference.
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, April 14, 2013, during The Point at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Rev. Dr. John Wolf, our Minister Emeritus wrote, “The church… is not a body of doctrine, or of reasons; or of explanations. It is a community of those who have known the deepest valley and who have passed through it to the other side…they have not been lost, or embittered in the passage. Instead, in spite of it, or, rather, because of it, they have learned compassion, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, and self-control. The anxiety, the frustration, the despair, the gap between ourselves and others, the separation we feel with the ground of our own being, cannot be overcome by religion. It is overcome in the community of the broken, the communion of saints, it is in the church wherein we are reconciled, bringing to it as we do the pieces of our lives—if not our lives in pieces—to share with one another.” Have you been to the valley, where the very foundation under your feet has crumbled? Have you lost someone you love dearly? How can we continue to live in the face of such tragedy? How can they live on in spite of such finality? Join me this week as I examine our lives in pieces and how it is the church, not theology, nor religion that truly saves us. It is in fact the community of the broken. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/revLebak All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, April 7, 2013, during the traditional service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION In my April article in the Simple Gifts Journal, I said, “God, please save us from having to endure the arrogance and pity of your believers who think they know how and why the rest of us need to be saved.” Even when I try to convince myself that the people who pester others about being saved are really doing it from a place of concern and care, it still often feels like it is really driven by their fear and short-sidedness. Nevertheless, even when one’s soul seems secure, in the course of a lifetime it is not uncommon for our lives to be in need of saving. Has your life ever been saved by luck or providence, by love or medicine or friends? It is good to be alive without the fear of cosmic punishment, and it is wonderful to be alive, knowing that at times our life has been saved by the good works of others and the mystery that pervades our existence. Let’s be honest about what really saves us! SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, April 7, 2013, during The Point at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION In my April article in the Simple Gifts Journal, I said, “God, please save us from having to endure the arrogance and pity of your believers who think they know how and why the rest of us need to be saved.” Even when I try to convince myself that the people who pester others about being saved are really doing it from a place of concern and care, it still often feels like it is really driven by their fear and short-sidedness. Nevertheless, even when one’s soul seems secure, in the course of a lifetime it is not uncommon for our lives to be in need of saving. Has your life ever been saved by luck or providence, by love or medicine or friends? It is good to be alive without the fear of cosmic punishment, and it is wonderful to be alive, knowing that at times our life has been saved by the good works of others and the mystery that pervades our existence. Let’s be honest about what really saves us! SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, March 31, 2013, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Last year at this time our city was chilled by the tragic events that involved five of our citizens being gunned down in the streets of their neighborhoods in what by all accounts was an act of calculated killing based on race. It was Good Friday in the Church calendar, which is a day when Christians remember the brutality, injustice and betrayal of the crucifixion of Jesus. It became a modern Good Friday in our city as we witnessed brutality and loss and the shadow side of human existence. Much like in the biblical accounts, what followed was a period of fear, doubt and confusion. However, our city’s leaders pulled together as did our citizens. By Easter morning the suspected killers were apprehended. On Easter 2012, Tulsans once again could feel safe coming out of their houses and our entire community could celebrate our collective response. Instead of dividing our community further by race, the response to the events helped to build trust, open lines of communication and put a dent in some long held suspicions. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
This is a repost of the sermon, delivered on Sunday, August 15, 2010, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, March 17, 2013, during the contemporary service, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Sometimes when we want to be seen, even by those we care about the most, we still put on layer after layer, hiding ourselves beneath our various roles. Join me, as we look at John, chapter 20, where there is a line that has always made me wonder. A group of disciples are out fishing when Jesus appears on the shore, and Peter puts on his clothes to swim to Jesus. Why would he put on his garments to swim? This must have made it more difficult. He abandoned the other disciples, who were lugging in their catches, only to plow through the water inefficiently. I imagine he arrived panting and exhausted on the shore, (Peter often mixes things up a bit.) Join me as I explore the role of vulnerability in our lives, and why you might consider fishing naked. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/revLebak All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
In leu of Youth Sunday, which took place at All Souls Church on Sunday, March 10, 2013, we are reposting sermon "Universalism," delivered by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister, on September 20, 2009.
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, March 3, 2013, during the contemporary service, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever tried to tell someone to “Let it go!” who is mad at you? I’ll bet it didn’t go over very well. Why is it so hard to let go of anger, assumptions, fear, control, people who drain us and activities that hurt us, a religious past, a fear of failure, and resentments? And why is it so difficult to let go of life, as it was in the past, in order to embrace life as it is now? Letting go is one of the greatest skills we can learn, and one of the thorniest processes we can face. Sometimes we let go of the wrong things. Sometimes we let go too easily. Sometimes we cannot seem to let go of the things we know are holding us back no matter how clear and reasonable it might be. We are funny in this way (sometimes ridiculous) but only because it is so complicated and demanding. Letting go matters more than we often like to admit, and is among the most common of conundrums. That said, there are competencies we can develop and there is wisdom to be shared. Believing we are trapped is a recipe for depression. Feeling powerless is almost always an illusion. Learning to let go of the right things with grace is one of the greatest gifts we can give, both to ourselves and to the people around us. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Randy Lewis, Student Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION “What a Fool Believes” is the title of a song, popularized by 70’s punk group, known as the Doobie Brothers. The hook of this song helps to set the stage for our reflection. The song says, “What a fool believes he sees; No wise man has the power to reason away.” Join me this Sunday as we explore ‘seeing what is unseen’ and practicing letting go of some of ‘the foolish things.’ SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllSoulsTulsa https://twitter.com/RandyLewis3 All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Three of the most controversial and significant figures of the 19th century celebrate birthdays this week. Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born on the same day in the same year - Feb. 12, 1809. Frederick Douglass was born Feb. 17, 1818. Darwin was born into a family with money; Lincoln was born into poverty; Douglass was born into slavery. Growing up, Darwin had ample opportunities for formal education, Lincoln had few, and for Douglass all opportunities for education were illegal. Yet, despite their enormously varied backgrounds, these men profoundly changed the way we understand human relations, religion, politics, and science. Here we are, 200 years later, and their words and deeds continue to inspire greatness and controversy. Come celebrate these men and the ways their thinking and values evolved throughout their lives. Like them, each of us is evolving in our understanding and our values. Their lives still have much to teach us. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-souls-unitarian-church/id193096943 VIEW ON YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/AllSoulsUnitarian?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=allsoulsunitarian GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: http://www.allsoulschurch.org/make-a-donation1 LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allsoulstulsa Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asuctulsa https://twitter.com/RevMarlin All Souls Church Website: http://www.allsoulschurch.org
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