First UU Wausau’s in-person Services are 10:30AM Sunday mornings, and audio or video are uploaded later Sunday.
You can subscribe to our podcast services with Podbean, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Our YouTube channel is here.
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September 19, 2021 service
This morning, the Rev. Brian Mason preached “Grace and Acceptance,” with music by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and guest French hornist Alec Sauer.
Full service audio | Service bulletin
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September 12, 2021 service
This morning, we shared a service for all ages based around the classic hymn, “Peace Like a River.” What do you bring with you into this new church year? Peace? Tears? Strength? Love? A bit of them all? Everyone is invited to celebrate Water Communion and Ingathering, annual Unitarian Universalist traditions that honors beginnings and endings.
Order of Service | Program Notes | Livestreamed Service
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September 5, 2021 service
This Sunday, the Rev. Brian Mason and DRE Jes Zimmer led our annual Blessing of the Backpacks service.
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August 29, 2021 service
This Sunday, the Rev. Brian Mason preached “No Dominion.”
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August 22, 2021 service
This morning, guest speakers Eppie Gruling, Kay Gruling, MD, and Mary Robinson, with John Robinson and Elizabeth Robinson, shared “A Family’s Journey Through Hospice.”
Service Audio | Order of Service
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July 11, 2021 service
“I Come from No Mean City— the Universalist Project in Wausau”
Held outdoors in the Cyrus Yawkey House Gardens
In celebration of the church’s 151st year, the Rev. Brian Mason presents, from the Cyrus Yawkey House Garden, an essay on the history of Universalism in Wausau that tells the story theologically, and from the perspective of church members as documented in newspapers, meetings records, sermons, and scrapbooks.
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June 20, 2021 service
This morning, guest speaker Greg Venne led a service on Finding Civil Discourse & storytelling. Throughout the service, the listeners had the opportunity to break into groups and share stories from their own lives, then come together again for exploring storytelling through song, led by Greg on guitar.
Service Audio | Order of Service
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June 6, 2021 service
At the beginning of summer, in UU churches throughout the world, Flower Communion is celebrated. Flower Communion is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Together we bless the flowers, our year together, and many more to come. Special music from Margaret Jerz, the UU Wausau Adult Choir, and Louis Pradt.
Today’s Order of Service | Program Notes | Service Video | Service Audio
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May 30, 2021 service
This morning, the Reverend Brian Mason preached “Called to Courage”, with special music from Margaret Jerz. Anna Gresch was the worship associate, and Wendy Galbraith was the song leader.
Link to service video | Link to Service audio | Order of Service
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May 9, 2021 service
This Mother’s Day Sunday, the Reverend Brian Mason preached “Foremothers of Faith,” with special guest musicians Jacob and Molly Roseman.
Today was our first livestreamed service, which was streamed to YouTube.
Video of today’s service | Order of Service | Notes from the Music Department
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May 2, 2021 service
This Sunday morning at 10:30am, guest speaker Randy Jefferson shared “I Read in The New Yorker About…” with special music from Margaret Jerz and Danika Kozlovich.
Full Service Audio | Order of Service | Hymns | Notes from the Music Department
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April 25, 2021 service
This Sunday morning at 10:30am, the Reverend Brian Mason preached “Apart of Community – or Part of It?” with special music from Louis Pradt and Margaret Jerz.
Full Service Audio | Order of Service | Notes from the Music Department
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April 18, 2021 service
This Sunday morning at 10:30am, the Reverend Brian Mason preached “Bright Sorrow,” with special music performed by Margaret Jerz.
Full Service Audio | Order of Service | Notes from the Music Department
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April 11, 2021 service
This Sunday at 10:30am, guest speaker Richard Olson delivered “Vonnegut Redux,” with special music performed by Ray Kraemer.
Full Service Audio | Order of Service
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April 4, 2021 service
This Easter Sunday, join us for a recording of our first in-person service of 2021, recorded in our flower-filled sanctuary, with a sermon by the Reverend Brian Mason, and special music from Margaret Jerz and Louis Pradt.
Full Service Audio | Order of Service | Notes from the Music Director
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March 28, 2021 service
This morning, join us for “I Have a Life. I Work Hard. I Play Hard,” a sermon from the Reverend Brian Mason. Special music selected and performed by Margaret Jerz; Dänika Kozlovich.
Full Service Audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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March 21, 2021 service
This morning, join us for “You Can’t Make Yourself Love,” a sermon by the Reverend Brian Mason. Special music selected and performed by Margaret Jerz; Dänika Kozlovich, vocalist.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, March 14, 2021
This morning, join us for “Sourdough 101: Lessons Learned in the Quest for the Perfect Loaf,” a service brought to us by guest speaker Randy Jefferson. Special music selected and performed by Margaret Jerz; Dänika Kozlovich, vocalist.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, March 7, 2021
This morning, join us online for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Litany of Humility,” and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, February 28, 2021
This morning, join us online for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Beloved Community Ain’t Easy,” and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, February 21, 2021
This morning, join us online for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Lean a Little Further,” and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, February 14, 2021
This morning, join us online for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Not One Way or the Other,” and special music from Margaret Jerz and guest vocalist Wendy Galbraith.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, February 7, 2021
This morning, join us online for guest minister, the Reverend Kimberley Debus’, sermon, “Be Subject to One Another,” and special music selections from Margaret Jerz.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, January 31, 2021
This morning, join us online for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Give. Sympathize. Surrender.”, a story for all ages from Julie Trombley, and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Program Notes
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Sunday, January 24, 2021
This morning, join us online for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Patient-Endurance” and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, January 17, 2021
This morning, join us online for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Deep Darkness into the Morning,” a story for all ages from Julie Trombley, and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, January 10, 2021
This morning, join us online for the first Sunday after Epiphany, which features “An Inner Unveiling” from the Reverend Brian Mason, a story for all ages from Julie Trombley, and Special music from Margaret Jerz, Music Director.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, January 3, 2021
Join us for “Sages, Saints, and Scoundrels,” a service brought to us by guest minister, the Reverend Kimberley Debus. In Kimberley’s words, “It’s easy to put our Unitarian and Universalist forebears on pedestals, but how noble were they really? How do we simultaneously celebrate their wisdom, good works, and faults… and our own? And how do we hold the legends in tension with the realities of their – and our – stories?” Special music from Margaret Jerz, Music Director.
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Sunday, December 27, 2020
This morning, join us online for today’s service, which features the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Out of the Mouths of Babes and Infants” and special music from Margaret Jerz and Wendy Galbraith.
Full service audio | Today’s order of service | Program Notes
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Wednesday, December 24, 2020 – Christmas Eve
Tonight, please join UU Wausau for a beautiful and meaningful Christmas Eve service, featuring a Christmas homily, “A Great Light,” from the Rev. Brian Mason, and readings and music from staff and special guests.
Full service audio | Full service bulletin
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Sunday, December 20, 2020
This morning, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, our service features the UU Wausau 101st Annual Christmas Pageant, with children from the church school, and words and music from the staff and congregants! Special guest musicians include Ingrid Bennett, Maddie Busig, and Louis Pradt.
Full service video | Full service bulletin | Notes from the Music Department
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Sunday, December 13, 2020
This morning, the Rev. Brian Mason preaches “Just as the Garden Grows,” celebrating the third Sunday in our Advent worship series. Julie Trombley has a story for all ages, and special music is provided by Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Full service audio | Full service bulletin | Notes from the Music Department
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December 6, 2020
We continue Advent this Sunday with the Rev. Brian Mason’s sermon “A Spirit that Cherishes.” Julie Trombley offers a Story for All Ages. Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich provide the music.
Full service audio | Full service bulletin | Notes from the Music Department
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November 29, 2020
This Sunday morning, the Rev. Brian Mason preaches “Action in Waiting,” beginning our Advent worship series.
Full service audio | Full service bulletin | Notes from the Music Department
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Join us for the Reverend Brian Mason’s Thanksgiving Day homily, a story for all ages from Julie Trombley, and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Today’s Order of Service.
Link to today’s service.
Notes from the Music Department.
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Join us for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon “On Healing,” a story for all ages from Julie Trombley, and special music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Today’s Order of Service | Link to today’s service | Notes from the Music Department.
Sunday, November 8, 2020
Join us for guest minister, the Reverend Kimberley Debus’, service, “Unexpected.” Today’s Worship Associate is Julie Trombley, and music is provided by Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Today’s Order of Service.
Sunday, November 1, 2020
Join us for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “Do Not Be Afraid: A Theology of Life’s 2nd Half,” a story for all ages from Julie Trombley, and music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Join us for the Reverend Brian Mason’s sermon, “The Mystical Gifts of Political Vagrancy” and music from Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020
Join us for Brian’s sermon, “Not Hell, but Hope: 250 Years of Universalism in America,” a story for all ages from Julie, and music from Margaret and Dänika.
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Join Director of Religious Education, Julie Trombley, for “Celebrating Autumn,” a contemplative service that uses readings, meditation, and music to honor and celebrate the changing season.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Join us for Brian’s sermon, “Crack the Door Open,” a story for all ages from Julie, and music from Margaret and Dänika.
Order of Service | Link to today’s service
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Join us today for Brian’s sermon, “Sanctifying Imagination,” a story for all ages from Julie, and music from Margaret and Dänika.
Today’s Order of Service | Link to today’s service.
Sunday, September 13, 2020
This morning, the Reverend Brian Mason kicks off our annual ingathering service in celebration of the new church year.
Today’s Order of Service | Link to today’s service
Sunday, September 6, 2020
“Chewing and Walking at the Same Time”: In the last of our summer lay-led services, two members of the First UU Wausau Social Justice Committee reflect on the current racial justice strife. From their positions of White privilege, Kay Meyer and Jerry Phelan encourage us to study and chew into our internal issues surrounding racial justice. However, don’t wait to get walking, i.e., taking action to move Marathon County toward a more welcoming community with greater racial equality.
Today’s Order of Service | Link to today’s online service
Sunday, August 30, 2020
In this period of heightened recognition of the advantages of being white in America and interest in learning ways to address racism, we are grateful Kayley McColley has agreed to provide reflections of her experiences as a Black person in Wausau. Kayley is a 20 year old who was raised in Wausau, graduated from Wausau West High School, and currently is working here in the health care field. Kayley is a committed community activist and sought after voice.
Today’s worship associate is Randy Jefferson; music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, on piano, and Dänika Kozlovich, vocals.
Link to today’s Order of Service.
Link to today’s Online Service.
Sunday, August 23, 2020
Join Richard Olson as he leads this service, entitled “Ordinary Loss.” In his words: “Throughout our lives we all face many losses. Some are minor but seem major at the time. Other times, these losses are traumatic and lead to acute grief. We need to grieve, and we do so in many ways; it is a healthy process. What is unhealthy though, is when we allow our grief to be heavier than the actual loss.”
Please note: If discussion of suicide is a sensitive topic, please skip from 27:22 – 31:06.
Today’s Order of Service.
Link to today’s Online Service.
Sunday, August 16, 2020
In today’s service, Julie Trombley, the Director of Religious Education at First UU Wausau, speaks to us in her message, “Finding Delight.” Music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, on piano, and Dänika Kozlovich, vocals.
Link to today’s Online Service.
Sunday, August 9, 2020
In today’s service, the Reverend Brian Mason speaks to us in his sermon, “Heart on the Run.” Music provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, on piano, and Dänika Kozlovich, vocals.
Order of Service
Sunday, August 2, 2020
Today’s Order of Service
Sunday, July 26, 2020
This summer’s fourth installment in our lay-led series features Randy Jefferson, presenting “My First UU: Peter, Dick, and Glenda.” Music provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, on piano and organ, and Dänika Kozlovich, vocals.
Today’s Order of Service.
Link to service podcast.
Sunday, July 19, 2020
In our third lay-led service of the summer, we are pleased to welcome back UWSP Lecturer in Religious Studies Dr. Ryan O’Leary, who is speaking to us this morning about work he has had done on the connection between religion, secularism, and tolerance, in “The Religious Dimensions of Secularism.”
Today’s worship associate is Randy Jefferson. Music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator.
Click here to open the Order of Service.
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Second in our summer’s lay-led services, today’s service, “Woody Guthrie Speaks to Us Still,” is led by Greg Venne, member of First UU Wausau. Greg is accompanied today by Margaret Jerz, Ray Kraemer, and Dänika Kozlovich.
Order of Service
Sunday, July 5, 2020
This summer’s first lay-led service, “Essential but Unwanted,” is led by Richard Olson, member of First UU Wausau.
Order of Service
Link to service podcast
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Beyond the Water’s Edge
Sunday Worship at General Assembly
Join us for the largest annual gathering of UUs together in worship. Rev. Joan Javier-Duval will deliver the sermon at the 2020 General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship. She serves as Minister at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, Vermont. She is the daughter of immigrants from the Philippines, mother of a kindergartener, and spouse of a proud Vermonter. Beauty, gratitude, and love are at the heart of her faithful striving for collective liberation and a thriving planet.
The worship service will include a collection for the Tomaquag Museum, an indigenous museum featuring an extensive collection and archive of Southern New England tribal communities. Donate now.
The service will stream live here.
*Note the different time, as the stream comes from a different time zone.
On Sunday morning, the service will only be available while it’s streaming. Later in the day, a recording will be released and we’ll share that on our Facebook page when it’s available.
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Today’s service, “On Fatherhood,” is led by Brian Mason, Minister of this church. The worship associate is Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education; and the music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator.
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Today’s service, “A Conversation about Meaning through the Language of Poetry,” is led by Brian Mason, Minister of this church; Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education; Margaret Jerz, Music Director; and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz & Dänika Kozlovich.
Notes from the Music Department
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Today’s service is led by Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education. The worship associate is Brian Mason, minister of this church. Music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and guest vocalist Wendy Galbraith.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Today’s Flower Communion service is led by the Rev. Brian Mason. Julie Trombley is the Worship Associate. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Notes from the Music Department
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Today’s Bridging service, in celebration of graduating high school senior Ruby Fischer, is led by Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education. The worship associate is the Reverend Brian Mason, Minister. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
The preacher is the Reverend Brian Mason, Minister. The worship associate is Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
The preacher is the Reverend Brian Mason, Minister. The worship associate is Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator.
Notes from the Music Department
Sunday, April 26, 2020
The preacher is the Reverend Brian Mason, Minister. The worship leader is Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
The preacher is Julie Trombley, Director of Religious Education. The worship leader is the Reverend Brian Mason, Minister. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz, Music Director, and Dänika Kozlovich, Congregational Administrator.
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
This service is led by the Reverend Brian Mason. The worship associate is Julie Trombley. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
This service is led by the Reverend Brian Mason. The worship associate is Julie Trombley. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
This service is led by the Reverend Brian Mason. The worship associate is Julie Trombley. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
This service is led by the Reverend Brian Mason. The worship associate is Julie Trombley. The music is provided by Margaret Jerz and Dänika Kozlovich.
This I Believe – February 10, 2019
This service is led by Joni Hahn (on behalf of Sally Schmidt), Holly Briquelet Miller, Tim Peterson, and Julie Trombley.
Truth-telling as Healing: Will We Answer Dr. King’s Call? – January 20, 2019
This service is led by Reggie Jackson and Dr. Fran Kaplan of Nurturing Diversity Partners.