All Souls Unitarian Church
969 episodes - English - Latest episode: 28 days ago - ★★★★★ - 52 ratingsSermons delivered at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
What Saves Us? (The Point) - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
April 07, 2013 15:00 - 18 minutes - 33.8 MBThe 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...
Zombie Apocalypse and Resurrection - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
March 31, 2013 18:00 - 21 minutes - 39.6 MBThe 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, injusti...
What Is a Unitarian? - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
March 24, 2013 18:00 - 21 minutes - 40.5 MBThis 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: VIEW ON YOUTUBE: SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: Twitter: All Souls Church Website:
Fishing Naked - Rev. Tamara Lebak
March 17, 2013 18:00 - 28 minutes - 53.3 MBThe 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 appear...
Universalism - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
March 10, 2013 18:30 - 25 minutes - 28.6 MBIn 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.
Let It Go - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
March 03, 2013 19:00 - 24 minutes - 46.1 MBThe 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 diffic...
Foolish Things - Minister Randy Lewis
February 24, 2013 16:00 - 19 minutes - 35.9 MBThe 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 le...
Lincoln, Darwin, & Douglass - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
February 17, 2013 17:30 - 27 minutes - 52 MBThe 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...
Stealing Jesus - Rev. Kathleen Rolenz
February 10, 2013 19:00 - 23 minutes - 43.1 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 10, 2013, during the contemporary service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Kathleen Rolenz, Guest Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Unitarian Universalists have an ambiguous and complicated relationship with Jesus. We may be okay with “God,” but when it comes to “Jesus,” we may feel that his message has become so compromised as to render him irrelevant for the 21st Century. The Jesus we know has been stolen from that place, and ...
What is the Spirit? (The Point) - Eric Banner
February 10, 2013 16:00 - 25 minutes - 47.4 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 10, 2013, during The Point, the humanist service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Eric Banner, Intern Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Every worship service at All Souls begins with our covenant, which proclaims that “Love is the Spirit of this church.” Many of us learned at an early age that love was a passive thing – something that happened to us, rather than something we do. If love truly is the spirit of our church, then it mus...
Let's Pray! (Contemporary service) - Rev. Barbara Prose
February 03, 2013 19:00 - 31 minutes - 57.6 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 3, 2013, during the contemporary service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Assistant Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION The case against prayer isn’t hard to make. Everything we hope for (and some of us pray for) doesn’t come true. But what if prayer is more about being changed than changing other beings? Prayer is an ancient art, practiced around the world and found in all cultures. It is a human response to the e...
Why Not Pray? (Traditional service) - Rev. Barbara Prose
February 03, 2013 17:30 - 30 minutes - 56.3 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 3, 2013, during the traditional service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Assistant Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION The case against prayer isn’t hard to make. Everything we hope for (and some of us pray for) doesn’t come true. But what if prayer is more about being changed than changing other beings? Prayer is an ancient art, practiced around the world and found in all cultures. It is a human response to the ex...
Why Pray? (The Point) - Rev. Barbara Prose
February 03, 2013 15:30 - 28 minutes - 53 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, February 3, 2013, during The Point, the humanist service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Assistant Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION The case against prayer isn’t hard to make. Everything we hope for (and some of us pray for) doesn’t come true. But what if prayer is more about being changed than changing other beings? Prayer is an ancient art, practiced around the world and found in all cultures. It is a human response to...
Why We Cheat - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
January 27, 2013 19:00 - 26 minutes - 48.3 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, January 27, 2013, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Since Lance Armstrong finally admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs, there has been a lot of discussion about why people cheat. Athletes cheat to win, citizens cheat on their taxes, spouses cheat on each other, students cheat on tests. What is it that causes people to cheat and how do people who cheat live with themselves...
The Most Durable Power - Rev. Tamara Lebak
January 20, 2013 19:00 - 16 minutes - 31 MBThe homily was delivered on Sunday, January 20, 2013, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION This Sunday, in honor of MLK weekend, we will be highlighting stories from members of our Bridging Team. The Bridging Team is a task force focused on helping All Souls live out its vision of being an interculturally competent community. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without po...
Making Time - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
January 13, 2013 19:00 - 30 minutes - 56.7 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, January 13, 2013, during the contemporary service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION It’s been said, “Time is the most valuable commodity.” Do you feel like you have time to do the things that are most important to you? Who determines how you spend your time: your children, your employers, your creditors, your parents, your teachers, your clients, your doctors? If you were told you ...
Graceland - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
January 06, 2013 17:30 - 18 minutes - 34.7 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, January 6, 2013, during the contemporary service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION I’ve always been intrigued by Jared Tyler’s song titled “Questions." As we enter 2013, it may be a good time to try to answer some of the song’s questions. I hope you’ll join Jared and me as we explore in words and music both questions and grace for a New Year. Here are some of the lyrics: Are you l...
Cleaning Out the Closet (Contemporary) - Eric Banner
December 30, 2012 19:00 - 33 minutes - 62.2 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, December 30, 2012, during the contemporary service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Eric Banner, Intern Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION As the year draws to a close, many of us are struggling to find a place to put all our things. But our faith teaches that it is not what we have that is most important, but who we are, and how we live. In our church we teach neither the easy grace of a prosperity gospel, nor the ascetic poverty of monastic...
Cleaning Out the Closet (The Point) - Eric Banner
December 30, 2012 16:00 - 28 minutes - 52.1 MBThe sermon was delivered on Sunday, December 30, 2012, during the humanist service, The Point, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Eric Banner, Intern Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION As the year draws to a close, many of us are struggling to find a place to put all our things. But our faith teaches that it is not what we have that is most important, but who we are, and how we live. In our church we teach neither the easy grace of a prosperity gospel, nor the ascetic poverty of ...
Solstice: Why the World Never Ends (Part 4 of 4) - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
December 23, 2012 19:00 - 18 minutes - 33.5 MBThis homily, part four of a four-homily series, offering various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different...
Solstice: Coming Out of the Dark (Part 3 of 4) - Randy Lewis
December 23, 2012 18:30 - 11 minutes - 21.8 MBThis homily, part three of a four-homily series, offering various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Randy Lewis, Student Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different ways t...
Solstice: Reclaiming the Dark (Part 2 of 4) - Rev. Barbara Prose
December 23, 2012 17:00 - 15 minutes - 28.2 MBThis homily, part two of a four-homily series, offering various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Assistant Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different...
Solstice: Science AND Religion (Part 1 of 4) - Eric Banner
December 23, 2012 16:00 - 14 minutes - 25.9 MBThis homily, part one of a four-homily series, which offers various perspectives on the Winter Solstice, was delivered on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Eric Banner, Intern Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION When light and dark are out of balance, how do we stay balanced and centered? For millennia the winter solstice has been a special time filled with deep meaning, rituals, and inspiration. Cultures around the world have found many different ways t...
Part 3 of 3: Why God Matters - Rev. Tamara Lebak
December 16, 2012 19:00 - 38 minutes - 71.7 MBThis sermon, part three of a three-part series, was delivered on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever asked: “How can there be a God when there are innocent children starving to death, being abducted, sold into slavery, and treated unfairly because of their race, gender, and more?” Can you imagine a convincing case against believing in God? Can you imagine a convincing case for b...
Part 2 of 3: A Case For God - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
December 16, 2012 17:30 - 28 minutes - 52.3 MBThis sermon, part two of a three-part series, was delivered on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever asked: “How can there be a God when there are innocent children starving to death, being abducted, sold into slavery, and treated unfairly because of their race, gender, and more?” Can you imagine a convincing case against believing in God? Can you imagine a convincing case for bel...
Part 1 of 3: A Case Against God - Rev. Tamara Lebak
December 16, 2012 16:00 - 27 minutes - 51.7 MBThis sermon, part three of a three-part series, was delivered on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever asked: “How can there be a God when there are innocent children starving to death, being abducted, sold into slavery, and treated unfairly because of their race, gender, and more?” Can you imagine a convincing case against believing in God? Can you imagine a convincing case for b...
Rules of Engagement - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
December 09, 2012 19:00 - 25 minutes - 47.3 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, December 9, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Our nation is currently engaged in the longest war of our history. At the same time, it seems that for many Americans we barely feel that our country is at war. Somehow the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan has been made easy for the American public to ignore. Over the past decade, some politicians have advocated for a return of the draf...
Bless Your Heart - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
December 02, 2012 19:00 - 27 minutes - 50.8 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION One thing I’ve learned since moving to Oklahoma is how to “bless people’s hearts.” This is not a phrase one hears often on the East Coast. I’ve discovered that you can say just about anything about a person here in Oklahoma as long as you begin or end your sentence with “bless their heart.” And as families come together for the holidays ...
The Gift of Acceptance - Bishop Carlton Pearson
November 25, 2012 19:00 - 33 minutes - 62.9 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton Pearson, Guest Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Giving is something we do, given is something we are, or should be. One is an external act, the other is an internal fact. Deep within the soul and spirit of humanity is an innate and intrinsic virtue and valor to give as well as receive. It is natural law. There is, in all of us, a powerful sense of worth, inward wealth and desire, in...
The Gift of Acceptance - Rev. Barbara Prose
November 25, 2012 17:30 - 25 minutes - 46.4 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Assistant Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Do you remember the Lone Ranger? The iconic American hero, who rode into towns along the Western frontier, saved the day, and then rode away before anyone could thank him? As we leave Thanksgiving behind and head toward the great gift exchange season of Christmas, I’ve been wondering why it is so difficult for many of us, not just the ...
The Welcome Table - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
November 18, 2012 19:00 - 14 minutes - 27.3 MBThe homily, explaining why everyone is welcome at the table of Love Beyond Belief, was delivered on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: VIEW ON YOUTUBE: SUBSCRIBE TO WATCH OTHER VIDEOS: GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: LET’S CONNECT: Facebook: Twitter: All Souls Church Website:
Even When the Rain Doesn't Come - Pastor Eric Banner
November 18, 2012 16:00 - 23 minutes - 43 MBMessage delivered on Sunday, November 18, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Eric Banner, Intern Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION It's not hard to choose gratitude when times are easy, but it is even more important to choose gratitude when times are tough. In this message I explore what Oklahomans know about surviving hard times, like the Dust Bowl and having your house burn down, and yet still finding something to be grateful for. The first step is having a regular practi...
United We Stand - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
November 11, 2012 19:00 - 34 minutes - 64.1 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Patrick Henry (in 1799) famously said, “United we stand; divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.” It is said in different words in the Bible, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Mark 3:25 Democracy works because we are united by a vision and set of values la...
Choose Gratitude - Rev. Tamara Lebak
November 04, 2012 19:00 - 22 minutes - 42.5 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, November 4, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Author and researcher Dr. Robert Emmons believes he has discovered what gives life meaning: Gratitude. Emmons is a professor at the University of California and supports his claim with research that suggests people who view life as a gift and consciously acquire an “attitude of gratitude” improve their emotional and physical health. Accor...
Mormonism? - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
October 28, 2012 18:00 - 31 minutes - 58.2 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, October 28, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Since Mitt Romney became the Republican nominee for president, many people have wondered, “What exactly is Mormonism?” “Is it Christianity? ”Do they really believe Jesus will return to earth in Missouri?" There are many questions and much interest, and there is even an award-winning Broadway musical called The Book of Mormon. Rick Fortner...
No Offense - Rev. Tamara Lebak
October 21, 2012 18:00 - 23 minutes - 43.1 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, October 21, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION There is a wonderful scene in Alice in Wonderland where Alice is swimming in a pool of her own tears, and she encounters a mouse swimming along near her. Alice innocently tries to connect with the mouse around stories of her cat Dinah. Alice realizes that she is not connecting, yet continues to insert her foot in her mouth several times. ...
Back to the Future - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
October 14, 2012 18:00 - 29 minutes - 54.5 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, October 14, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Last Sunday, I changed my sermon topic to respond to a tragedy in our community. I want to thank everyone in the family of All Souls for rising to the situation and pulling together to respond with love and compas- sion. This coming Sunday, I will return to my original message from last week under a new title – a sermon inspired by my rec...
When Everything Seems Wrong - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
October 07, 2012 18:00 - 24 minutes - 45.5 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, October 7, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION How can life be all right, when everything seems all wrong? When facing difficult, life-altering circumstances in our lives, when dealing with bitter consequences of choices that we or other people have made, and when wondering what to do and struggling to make sense of it all, sometimes we need to remind ourselves of grace. Grace gives us...
Come Home - Rev. Tamara Lebak
September 30, 2012 18:00 - 30 minutes - 56.1 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, September 30, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Frederick Buechner writes, “What the word ‘home’ brings to mind, before anything else, is a special place that is clearly distinguishable from all other places. It is a place where you feel you belong, and which, in some sense, belongs to you. Home is the place throughout your life that you keep going back to, and which is apt to determ...
If Darwin Prayed - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
September 23, 2012 18:00 - 29 minutes - 54.4 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Is Evolutionism enough of a worldview to base one’s religion, or moral system of living? We will explore how the Theory of Evolution offers a moral way of understanding the world and our place in it and how the evolutionary worldview does not discount, but uplifts the world’s great religious traditions. SUBSCRIBE TO PODCAST: VIEW ON YO...
Difficult Decisions (Humanist Version) - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
September 16, 2012 19:00 - 20 minutes - 37.5 MBMessage delivered on Sunday, September 16, 2012, during The Point, the Humanist service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION In the course of a life, everyone faces at least a few really hard, sometimes heart-wrenching, and often life-changing decisions. When it is a clear, good-versus-bad proposition, it is not usually too difficult. But many big decisions involve competing definitions of good and priorities that make ...
Difficult Decisions - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
September 16, 2012 18:00 - 30 minutes - 57.2 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, September 16, 2012, during the Contemporary Worship Service at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION In the course of a life, everyone faces at least a few really hard, sometimes heart-wrenching, and often life-changing decisions. When it is a clear, good-versus-bad proposition, it is not usually too difficult. But many big decisions involve competing definitions of good and priorities that make ...
Humanism: New and Old - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
September 09, 2012 18:00 - 22 minutes - 41.6 MBMessage delivered on Homecoming Sunday, September 9, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. MESSAGE DESCRIPTION The Point is a new Humanist service (every Sunday at 8:30 AM CST) that draws from history, philosophy, literature, poetry and nature. No robes, no hymns, no prayers or scriptures. Just a relevant message, inspiring music by Rick Fortner and friends, and a community committed to the common good. Join us on this journey of dep...
Comfortable Inaction - Rev. Gerald L. Davis
September 02, 2012 18:00 - 25 minutes - 46.4 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, September 2, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Gerald L. Davis, Adjunct Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION As we bid farewell to the sultry days of this record-breaking Oklahoma summer, we notice how we have gravitated toward states of being that do not move us to exertion. For sure, heat makes you weary. Our comfortable twenty-first century conditions make a distant memory of the kind of heat that sapped our strength and made early rising a...
What Came Over Me? - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
August 26, 2012 18:00 - 26 minutes - 49.2 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, August 26, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Have you ever noticed yourself getting very upset, very depressed, or very desirous about someone or something and wondered afterward, “What came over me?” In ancient times, we might have thought of these occurrences as possessions. Even today, there are people who seek out clergy to perform exorcisms to rid them of what they consider a de...
Who Are Our Neighbors? - Rev. Tamara Lebak
August 19, 2012 18:00 - 29 minutes - 54 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, August 19, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Tamara Lebak, Associate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Historical data from the last 30–50 years, according to sociologist Keith Hampton, shows that neighboring in America has declined. A current study found that only 25 percent of us know our neighbors’ names, and 8 percent don’t know any of them at all. However, the study also suggests that “neighboring may be an important part of the everyd...
Extremism... is No Vice? - Pastor Randy Lewis
August 12, 2012 18:00 - 26 minutes - 49.6 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, August 12, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Pastor Randy Lewis, Student Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION It has been said, “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." The quote implies that for the sake of liberty, extremism can be justified. For liberty’s sake, we’ve seen passions inflamed, innocence sacrificed, and violence encouraged. And yet, there are a few who question whether we a...
What a Wonderful World It Would Be - Rev. Gary Kowalski
August 12, 2012 16:00 - 21 minutes - 40.4 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, August 12, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Gary Kowalski, Guest Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Back in town for his high school’s 40th reunion, Rev. Gary Kowalski (who grew up in All Souls) muses on what has changed for better and worse in the intervening decades – particularly in the department of race relations. Gary is minister emeritus of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont, where he has served on that s...
Going for Gold - Rev. Marlin Lavanhar
August 05, 2012 18:00 - 26 minutes - 48.1 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Watching the Olympics can inspire a person to dream of success, achievement, recognition and the thrill of victory. It can also remind us of the pain of defeat, disappointment, or dashed dreams. Embedded in these modern games are many archetypes and metaphors for living with the struggles of our inner and outer worlds. There are ways each p...
If I Had a Hammer - Rev. Barbara Prose
July 29, 2012 18:00 - 30 minutes - 57 MBSermon delivered on Sunday, July 29, 2012, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Assistant Minister. For any of us to survive in the world today, we need a roof over our heads, enough healthy food to eat, and a good education. As a religious community that believes in deeds not creeds, we are called to create just such a world. Since 1994, our HOUS (Housing Outreach for Unitarian Souls) volunteers have been moving toward making this dream a reality, by stead...