About Worship
UniLu has in-person worship services (masks are optional) and continues to stream services on Zoom or via YouTube Live.
Worship is central to our life in God and our life together. These things we do and say turn us and center us to live a different kind of life: a life that is focused on serving God and serving neighbor.
From the ELCA: "Connected with and central to everything we do, worship unites us in celebration, engages us in thoughtful dialogue and helps us grow in faith. It grounds us in our Christian and Lutheran roots, while demonstrating practical relevance for today’s world."
We celebrate the Eucharist (Holy Communion) every Sunday. Lutherans believe that Jesus Christ's true presence is "in, with, and under" the earthly elements of bread and wine. We welcome all to the Lord’s Table.
For those of you who might feel lost during worship or do not understand why we do what we do: do not hesitate to ask someone sitting near you or ask the pastor questions after worship.
weekly worship times
Sundays + 10.30 AM. Join University Lutheran for our weekly worship service in-person (masks are optional) or streamed on Zoom or via YouTube Live. You also can call in by dialing 1-646-876-9923 and using Meeting ID: 923 3214 9063.
Tuesdays + 4.00 PM. Join University Lutheran for Evening Prayer in-person (masks are optional) just before Feast Incarnate. This is a casual, reflective, and interactive service with Holy Communion. This month we are gathered around a Lenten series called "Open My Life, Lord."
Thursdays + 8.00 PM. We hope you can join us for Lenten Vespers each Thursday on Zoom. We will sing along to Holden Evening Prayer and explore scripture through art. Please note the later time. We hope it may enable more people to join us!
Accessibility
There are no stairs to enter the building or access UniLu’s sanctuary or bathrooms. Large-print bulletins are available near the sanctuary doors.
UniLu partners with Deaf Services Unlimited to offer Video Remote Interpreting for Sunday worshipers. To request this service, please complete this form by noon the Wednesday prior to the Sunday of your planned attendance. That Sunday morning, we will provide a link to a video of the interpreter joining UniLu's service via livestream, that you may access through your personal device (a mobile phone or tablet).
UPCOMING SERVICES AND LECTIONARY
LENT
30 MARCH 2025 (FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT)
The psalm sets the tone this day: “Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!” Happy are those who have “become the righteousness of God” in the merits of Christ Jesus. Happy are those for whom the forgiveness of God has “rolled away . . . the disgrace” of former times. Happy is the father at the return of his prodigal son. Happy are we that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Rejoice!
Join University Lutheran for worship in-person or streamed on Zoom or via YouTube Live. You also can call in by dialing 1-646-876-9923 and using Meeting ID: 923 3214 9063.
Music: The Great Litany | Our Father, We Have Wandered ELW 606 | A New Commandment WOV 664 | Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound ELW 779 | My Life Flows On in Endless Song ELW 763
Ecce Homo X, Werner Drewes, 1921 (Smithsonian American Art Museum)
6 APRIL 2025 (FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT)
Join University Lutheran for worship in-person or streamed on Zoom or via YouTube Live. You also can call in by dialing 1-646-876-9923 and using Meeting ID: 923 3214 9063.
Mary of Bethany and Jesus, Anonymous (Poland), 20th C. (Vanderbilt University)
13 APRIL 2025 (PALM SUNDAY / SUNDAY OF THE PASSION)
Join University Lutheran for worship in-person or streamed on Zoom or via YouTube Live. You also can call in by dialing 1-646-876-9923 and using Meeting ID: 923 3214 9063.
Luke 19:28-40, Procession with Palms; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 22:14 — 23:56
Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple, the Last Supper, Christ Crowned with Thorns, the Flagellation, "Ecce Homo," the Agony in the Garden, and the Crucifixion, Master of the Turin Adoration (Netherlandish), c. 1500 (Philadelphia Museum of Art)
THE THREE DAYS
17 APRIL 2025 (MAUNDY THURSDAY) at 7.00 PM
Joint Service at St. Mary's at Penn, 3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia
18 APRIL 2025 (GOOD FRIDAY) at 7.00 PM
Joint Service at University Lutheran. Join us for worship in-person or streamed on Zoom or via YouTube Live. You also can call in by dialing 1-646-876-9923 and using Meeting ID: 923 3214 9063.
Isaiah 52:13—53:12; Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1—19:42
19 APRIL 2025 (VIGIL OF EASTER) at 9.00 PM
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Bishop Bryan Penman will preach and preside at the Vigil
The Service of Light, a celebration of the light of Christ at which a new fire is kindled from which the Paschal Candle is lit; the Service of Readings, which includes readings from the grand story of salvation of the Old Testament interspersed with psalms and canticles, silence and prayers; the Service of Baptism and Renewal of Baptismal Vows, the primary annual occasion for baptisms (particularly in the early church) and a time for the reaffirmation of baptismal vows; and the Service of the Eucharist
Stay with us after the service for a champagne party—it’s Easter!
EASTER
20 APRIL 2025 (RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD / EASTER SUNDAY)
Join University Lutheran for worship in-person or streamed on Zoom or via YouTube Live. You also can call in by dialing 1-646-876-9923 and using Meeting ID: 923 3214 9063.
Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; Luke 24:1-12
SEASONS OF THE CHURCH YEAR
Advent - Dec. 1, 2024 - Dec. 23, 2024
Christmas - Dec. 24, 2024 - Jan. 6, 2025
Time after Epiphany - Jan. 7, 2025 - Mar. 4, 2025
Lent - Mar. 5, 2025 - Apr. 16, 2025
The Three Days - Apr. 17, 2025 - Apr. 19, 2025
Easter - Apr. 20, 2025 - June 8, 2025
Time after Pentecost - June 9, 2025 - Nov. 27, 2025