Recent Sermons 2013 - 2015 Church Year

Rev. Len preaches on "Lessons Learned in Norwell." At this Father's Day service, two small toddlers were dedicated and welcomed to the church.

At our annual Religious Education Sunday service, Director of Religious Education Julian Baptista preached on "Why I Drive 42MPH to Work." The service also recognized all the volunteers who taught in the RE program. In addition, the hard-working team who supervised an coordinated the renovations at the Parsonage. (Please note that the recording starts partway through the service.)

Rev. Len preaches on "Einstein's God."

Rev. Len preaches on "Membership and Responsibility" and we recognize people that have been members for over 50 years.

Rev. Len preaches on "The Enchanted World." (Please note that this recording starts partway through the service.)

For Mother's Day, Rev. Len's sermon focuses on the classic 1950's TV show.

Worship service led by Rev. Lise Adams Sherry, our candidate for settled minister.

Worship Service led by Rev. Lise Adams Sherry, our candidate for settled minister.

Rev. Len's sermon talks about how this president's ideas followed Unitarian thought.

Led by church member Shelley Vaugine

Special music performances by Peter Bianca (clarinet), Francis Grimes (viola) and Rae Stephenson (cello). The Ministerial Search Committee also announces the candidate for the next settled minister, Rev. Lise Adams Shelley.

We all live somewhere on the spectrum between humility and hubris. For Palm Sunday, Rev. Len will attempt to answer why hutzpah can be beneficial.

Senior Youth Sunday : Expect this worship to be different from our typical service, with a whole lot of music, movement, and introspection led by the Youth Group.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we will look into what makes Celtic spirituality different and special.

Rev. Len Deroche

Rev. Catherine Cullen, Pulpit Guest

As women are breaking more barriers in professional spiritual leadership, let's take a look at one very influential woman in Jesus' time! Guest Minister is the Rev. Catherine Cullen from First Parish Duxbury. Catherine is in her eleventh year at Duxbury and has served our UU denomination on the district and national levels. She came to ministry 15 years ago after a career as a trial lawyer because she believes that Unitarian Universalism is the best way she knows to serve the world!

Jim Pickel, Co-Chair of the Parish Committee

Sermon on the Amount

Jack Wallace, Member of First Parish

Why I Am A Member Here

William Blake was not a Unitarian or Universalist, yet some of his visual and verbal image I find profoundly mystical.

Robin Williams suffered from depression, his dark night of the soul, despite his gregarious persona.

For his birthday weekend Rev. Len will talk about some of Dr. King's lesser known history.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

This year's Veterans' Day service will look at World War I and the tragedy of the event. Our Service/Outreach Sunday collection will go to the Wounded Warriors Foundation.

Our minister emeritus, Rev. Richard M. Fewkes, presents a pulpit drama “A Visit from Samuel J. May - Remembrances of My Ministry in South Scituate and Other Places”.

Sunday Worship Service at First Parish of Norwell, MA on October 26, 2014. Music Sunday - service led by Julian Baptista, DRE - "The Life and Music of Malvina Reynolds"

Sunday Worship Service at First Parish of Norwell, MA on October 19, 2014. "Beyond Categorical Thinking" service, co-led by Rev. Katie Lee Clifford and Rev. Danielle DiBona

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Many UU's have voiced that the feel out of tough with members of our congregations because of political affiliations. Rev. Len addresses this issue.

Rev. Len preaches on "The Buddhist Nature of Dogs"

Rev. Len reflects on the recent events in Ferguson, MO and the face of racism 50 years after Selma.

This June's General Assembly was held in our own backyard in Providence, RI. Your delegates have brought back a little bit of GA for you to experience right here at First Parish of Norwell. Joyce Pickel was the worship leader. Deanna Riley gave the homily, "Commitment to Our UU Community."

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Rev. Dr. Len DeRoche preaching on "Coming Home"

Summer Worship Service at First Parish of Norwell, MA - service led by Joanne Howard on the history of the First Parish Cemetery - August 10, 2014

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

What does Miss Manners have to tell us about doing church? This is our last service of the year. We will also recognize new members.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Coming of Age service and RE Teacher Recognition

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Charles Shultz’s cartoons display a depth of theological considerations. Discover the foundation of Charlie Brown's life.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Using a story from Norwegian folk lore, learn the truth about trolls and gnomes.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

We will tell the story of Flower Communion. Click play to hear a recording of the entire service.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Using the classic Shel Silverstein poem, I will view it differently for Mother's Day. Listen to the service below.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

This service is to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. (Yom HaSoah - April 28)

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

The service will combine classical Easter music with a Unitarian Universalist message.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

On this Palm Sunday I will talk about peace and the recent events in Crimea.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Since someone recently mentioned to me that I remind them of a character from the show, I decided to do a service on this successful T.V. series.

Laura Graham, Esq., the Ministerial Settlement Representative will address the congregation.

Our guest Minister is the Rev. James Neal Parrish. He is currently the Interim Minister at the UU Fellowship of Topeka. He completed his M. Div. at Meadville Lombard Theological School and had a BS from Kansas State University. He also completed a resident chaplaincy at Rush University Hospital and was a Chaplain Intern in a hospice.

Our guest Minister is the Rev. Anthony Fisher.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

While this Sunday is our Founder’s Day, we will celebrate this all too important UU High Holiday, Groundhog Day.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Christmas as we know it culturally has evolved from Puritan times. Much of that evolution was because of Unitarians. Rev. Len will tell their story.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

An Arthurian legend tells of a miracle occurring at Camelot at Christmas. As the solstice approaches, we reflect on our roots in Nature even in the winter.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

What will go down in stone, what few worthy things to which you attended well and faithfully?  This morning let us hold those we have lost in our own memories as the gong chimes and say together, "Those who are remembered, live."

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Rev. Len reflects on the difference, theologically and politically, and discuss the relationship with the Occupy and Tea Party movements. (American Dream Sermon series)

Minister Emeritus Rev. Dick Fewkes

Each of us, singly, and collectively, as people and congregations, have passed through many gates of change and transition. We have experienced births and deaths, unions and disunions, hellos and goodbyes, welcomings and farewells - all of them symbolic of the journey of life itself in all of its grandeur and mystery of being and becoming.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

This was the question the Men’s Group discussed at our September meeting. Rev. Len now brings the issue to the congregation.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Animal blessings have occurred in conjunstion with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Fifty years after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, we have been hearing much about King's idea of the Blessed or Beloved Community. Church can and should be a beloved community.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

This Sunday we examine Kinship. With the administration's move for comprehensive immigration reform we have seen a resurgence of xenophobia, and ask "Who are our brothers?"

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Rev. Len will explain the difference between Interim Ministry and Settled Ministry and what he's learned about us so far.

Rev. Dr. Leonard DeRoche, Interim Minister

Rev. Len introduces himself to the congregation by telling us about his journey through UU congregations.