Let us come and reflect on some of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s impacting words contained in his classic book of sermons, Strength to Love. Let us relish his voice as a visionary and as the eloquent preacher he was. Mightn’t some of his critiques directed towards his own Baptist churches apply equally to our own Unitarian Universalist congregations?

The Rev. Lilia Cuervo was the first Latin American woman ordained in our denomination. She pioneered full time ministry in Spanish in San Jose, At First Parish in Cambridge she also made history by being the first woman (and a Latina at that!) to be installed as a Parish Minister.CA. where she served for six and a half years. At First Parish in Cambridge she also made history by being the first woman (and a Latina at that!)to be installed as a Parish Minister. She just ended four years of very productive multicultural ministry there. She is a co-founder of the Latino/a UU Networking Association (LUUNA), and the initiator of, and a translator and contributor to, Las Voces del Camino, the Spanish language UU hymnal. She has led and co-led many worship services and workshops at GAs, Ministers gatherings, and District Assemblies. Her degrees include a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry, a Master of Demography from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in Math & Physics from Women Teachers College, Bogota, Colombia.

In the Epiphany story, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, the magi are guided by a star on their journey through foreign lands to the place where Jesus was born. This Sunday we will explore what this ancient story of following a star could mean to us today. Do you have the equivalent of a star that guides you on your journey, always pointing you in the right direction?   What happens when we lose track of our star? Our worship will include Robert Frost's famous poem, "Choose Something Like a Star" read at the 9 AM service and sung in a beautiful setting by Randall Thompson at 11 AM.  The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead worship. Mike Pfitzer and Sanghee Kim will be back providing the music. 

December 24, Christmas Eve

4 PM Family Service

"Nativity in a Trunk"

Led by our minister, Tom Rosiello and our DRE, Michele Cote, this service will be oriented towards our children. We will have lots of them participating as we act out the Christmas Story and create a Christmas Tableau. Our Junior Choir and Youth Choir will be performing, and there will be familiar carols for all to sing. We will conclude this service with the traditional candle-lighting ceremony.

December 24, Christmas Eve

9 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service

Led by our minister, Tom Rosiello, this service will feature traditional Christmas carols and anthems, the reading of the story of the birth of Jesus from the Christian Gospels, and a candle-lighting ceremony.  It will be a quieter and more traditional service than the 4 PM service, with beautiful music provided by the Adult Choir, under the direction of Mike Pfitzer, organist/pianist Sanghee Kim, and talented guest musicians. An extended prelude of Christmas music will begin at 8:45 PM. Be sure to come early!

This very special Candlelight Vesper service will include a beautiful string orchestra prelude, the great Advent Cantata by J. S Bach, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme sung by the First Parish Adult Choir with guest soloists and accompanied by a string orchestra and organ. The service will also include wonderful Hanukkah Choral Music, hymns from both traditions, and a reflection on the common message of this Season. This musical service is our holiday gift to the greater community. Please let people in the community know about it and bring your friends and neighbors.  The music will be under the direction of Mike Pfitzer with Malcolm Halliday, organist and The Rev.Tom Rosiello leading worship.