Home » Worship

Worship at First Parish

Worship should speak to a person’s mind, body and soul. Here at First Parish of Watertown, we consider the many ways that we worship to be invitations to put down the to-do’s of our lives and rest in the beauty of our sanctuary. Most consider worship to be spiritually transformative, and an intentional time of reflecting upon that which is most meaningful to them. Particularly now, when the world at large is at such high levels of conflict, division and distress, providing sanctuary for singing, prayer, silence and celebration, connection and direction, can be both healing and liberating.

Worship in Unitarian Universalist congregations may seem unfamiliar to some: we draw from a great variety of sources, from ancient texts to modern poetry. Our services include some traditional elements such as hymns and prayers, but the content of these elements is not limited to one particular theology. Similarly, music in worship may come from traditional western sources, but we also include many other diverse expressions.

And we don’t just worship on Sundays! Worship takes place in many ways here at First Parish. When we gather in a small reflection group, come together for a special concert or our monthly Evening Vespers; when we engage in adult learning that helps us dismantle systems of oppression, or deepen our spiritual lives, we open ourselves to the power of communal worship too. The ways we serve can also be worshipful: feeding the hungry at Watertown’s Community Fridge, working for justice, and helping to heal and bless our world.

Sunday Services

This community gathers for Sunday Worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30am in our Sanctuary. Check the church calendar for description of upcoming services and any schedule changes or cancellations.

Our building at 35 Church Street is an accessible facility. In an effort to be accessible to all, worship services are also streamed live on Zoom. Links to the service are distributed on Sunday via email. To get onto the mailing list or receive an upcoming week’s link, send a request to office@fpwatertown.org. For the current week, please please contact welcome@fpwatertown.org preferably before noon on Friday.  (Learn more about multi-platform worship.)

Our services last about one hour and fifteen minutes and dress is informal. Our minister, Rev. Sophia, regularly leads worship, however several times through the church year, members of the congregation will lead special services. We also proudly host guest preachers from the surrounding area. Parishioner-led services are held during the summer months while our minister takes time to rest and restore. You will find these services to be informal, yet deeply moving and creative.

You can expect to sing, light candles, be led in prayer, meditation and ritual, hear selected readings, reflections and a sermon in our services, although some of this varies throughout the year. We always light our chalice, which is the symbol of our Unitarian Universalist faith.

Your children are welcome and wanted in our sanctuary. We offer a place for them to sit up at the front, on our blue carpet, or you may sit elsewhere. They may choose to stay with you during service, or participate in our religious education programming downstairs. All children and youth participate in worship for the first 10-15 minutes and are then guided downstairs to their classrooms, after our Time for All Ages. Our Faith Exploration program offers age-appropriate activities and explorations of faith.

Evening Vespers

These candlelit contemplative services offer quiet music, readings, and time for shared silence in our beautiful sanctuary. Candles can be lit throughout the service, and we ask that you please enter and leave in silence.

We gather monthly on Tuesday evenings at 7pm and services run around 30 minutes. Attendants are welcome to begin arriving at 6:45pm to enjoy the silence of the sanctuary, as well as linger afterwards as needed.

You may join us from home on Zoom – the link is sent out to friends and members the day of the service.  If you are not on our mailing list and would like the link, please contact office@fpwatertown.org.

Past Sermons

“This Ravishing System of Aliveness” – June 21, 2026 

Rev. Sophia Lyons preaching, with Rev. Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Missy Shay, Guy Urban, and the FPW Band!

This Sunday is our annual Flower Communion worship service where we will ritualize the giving and receiving of flowers to honor our community’s flourishing, as well as the hope we have for a world where all living beings flourish. We will celebrate the abundance of life and love through music, dance, prayer, and story as we come together to marvel in this ravishing system of aliveness we Unitarian Universalists are committed to protecting and celebrating! 

See Full Sermon

“We Answer the Call of Love” – June 7, 2026

Rev. Sophia Lyons with Rev. Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Jean Gauthier, Beth Tappan-deFrees, Guy Urban, and the FPW Choir!

We will celebrate our LGBTQIA+ siblings this Sunday through word, prayer, song, blessing, and LOTS of rainbows! This worship service will celebrate the flourishing of Pride, center queer voices, and invite us to answer the Call of Love. Revs. Sophia and Kyle will offer Rainbow Blessings in front of church before worship, our Safe Congregation Committee has lots of swag for all who want it, and your choir will sing of Celebration. If you haven’t been at church for awhile–this service is calling your name. Let’s let Love Guide Us home to one another this Sunday. See you at church–and wear your Rainbow Pride if you have it!

See Full Sermon

“We Thank You” – May 31, 2026

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Lynn Bratley, Allison Hewett, and Guy Urban.

We will close out this month’s theme of Rituals by focusing on the transformative power of appreciation and gratitude in a community. Whether you are new to FPW or not, serve as a leader or not, we all come bearing gifts that deserve honoring. This Sunday we will ritualize the thanking of one another for the gifts freely shared with this community–seen and unseen. See you at church!

See Full Sermon

“This Great Pull” – May 24, 2026

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Charlyn Bethell, Jean Gauthier, Debi King, Dani Nordin, Missy Shay, and Guy Urban.

This Sunday we will hear about the ways that some indigenous cultures ritualize community healing and conflict resolution when hurt or misunderstanding descend. Let’s consider how wisdom teachings such as these might speak to our own treasured Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values! Our sacred circle is made stronger because of you–come to church and take your place in it. See you Sunday!

See Full Sermon

“Why We Come to Church” – May 17, 2026

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, and Guy Urban.

As we continue to work with May’s theme of ‘ritual’ we will consider the many rituals we engage in as Unitarian Universalists, and as friends and members of First Parish. We might ask ourselves: what’s the story beneath some of our treasured rituals? and why do we do them? If you are seeking for renewal, meaning, and the genuine love of a community, then slow down and worship with us this Sunday!

See Full Sermon

“Entering the Great Pure Ocean” – May 10, 2026 

Sensei Morris Sullivan and Rev. Sophia Lyons leading worship, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, and Guy Urban!

As Unitarian Universalists we believe that there are a myriad ways to touch fingers with the Divine. This Sunday let’s look to the Buddhist tradition as we come together to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday, otherwise known as Vesak! We will reflect on Buddhist teachings that will help to open our hearts and fill us with spiritual peace, as well as partake in a beautiful communal ritual together. You are not going to want to miss this special worship service! 

See Full Sermon
Woman wearing black robe and light stole preaching behind pulpit and table with lit chalice and flowers

Upcoming Worship