Worship Services
Service Format
Services begin with a welcome to all and some devotional thoughts to contemplate. This is followed by an opportunity for members and visitors to share their current joys and concerns. Then a children's story is read and after the story, children are invited to either stay for the sermon or to go upstairs for religious exploration classes.
The members of our congregation attend church in a variety of styles of clothing. You are welcome to wear "business attire," shorts and sandals, or anything in between. During the service there is childcare for infants and toddlers, and religious exploration classes (Sunday School) for all ages: preschoolers through high school. Children of all ages are also welcome to remain in the service. Refreshments and fellowship time follow the service. We'd like to meet you, and hope that you'll drop by for a visit! We are a friendly group, but we are not "pushy."
Religious exploration and child care services are provided. See the Children's Religious Exploration page for more info on the curriculum and activities of the RE program.
Audio equipment is available for the hearing impaired. Just ask any church member for assistance.
Also, large-print hymnals.
Read Some of Rev. Millspaugh's Previous Sermons. See the links on his Ministerial Musings page.
Guest Speaker Suggestions Welcome; see the announcements page.
Worship Services for May 2008
May 4 — 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Pilgrimage of Faith
Our second UU Principle includes the words, "encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations." That is another way to talk about personal faith development. We are in process. "The Pilgrimage of Faith" is a sermon about that process from searching faith to liberating faith. Returning to our pulpit is The Rev. Jim Grant.
May 11 — 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Flower Ceremony and Mother’s Day
Just as no two flowers are alike, so are no two people, yet all have their own beauty and particular gift. As we celebrate Mother’s Day—and all kinds of mothering—please bring a flower from your garden or a field or roadside, to join in our traditional Flower Communion ritual. This intergenerational service includes a special presentation by Tapestry’s children and youth. Join us!
The Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh
May 18 — 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
The Great Mystery
On April 26, at our Service Auction, a Tapestry congregant selected the sermon topic for this Sunday, May 18. But since this newsletter went to press a few days before the service auction, the topic is a mystery at press time. With Rev. John preaching, we can be certain it will be great. Thus: “The Great Mystery.” Stay tuned.
The Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh
May 25 — 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Walking Toward Morning
Victoria Safford writes: “Every morning we go out blinking into the glare of our freedom” deciding what we’ll take with us—not just our keys or our lunchboxes, but “how much faith and hope, how much love and gratitude.” Join us for this reflection on packing all the essentials for our daily, and our lifelong, journeys. This will be Rev. Sarah’s final sermon as our Affiliated Community Minister.
The Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh, Affiliated Community Minister
June 8 — 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Question Box Sunday
We approach the end of the congregational year, and the end of John’s six years of ministry at Tapestry, still with ground to cover. Some of us still have profound theological, ethical, socio/political, or personal questions we’ve never heard addressed in a sermon. This is our opportunity to get some answers! Or at least responses. Submit your questions to Rev. John () by Monday June 2 at midnight, he will respond to a representative group of questions on June 8 in the context of a wild and wide-ranging address.
The Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh
Adult Forums
The Adult Forum, now in our 13th year, offers goodies and drinks in the social hall during the time of the second service. Attend the first service at 9:30 and come to the forums at 11:00. Everyone is welcome for these delightful discussions.
Jim Semelroth and Anne Farrell
There will be only one Adult Forum this month because Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday.
May 25, 2008, 11:00 a.m.
“Understanding the Universe”
Lecture 13 of the outstanding series by Professor Alex Filippenko of UC Berkeley.
Weddings
Rev. John Millspaugh leads weddings and services of union for both members and non-members, at Tapestry or in other beautiful locations in South Orange County. Rev. Millspaugh's weddings and services of union are shaped to fit the individual personalities and beliefs of the couple, incorporating the sort of language and service elements that are most meaningful to them.
For more information, call the church office at 949-581-0245, or e-mail Rev. Millspaugh at
Announcements
In order to create a more reflective mood, announcements will no longer be given orally during the service. Information regarding church business will be printed in a slip-sheet and placed inside the order of service. If you want to submit an announcement, please edit it carefully and include all pertinent information. What you submit will be cut and pasted into the slip-sheet as is. Please also indicate how many Sundays you would like the announcement to appear. Submit announcements to no later than the Wednesday preceding the service.
