New Year, New Me: Spiritual Growth Beyond Self Improvement Culture

with Rev. Xolani Kacela, Ph.D.

January 4, 2026

Self-improvement culture promises transformation through individual effort while ignoring systemic barriers. This service examines authentic spiritual growth that embraces both personal development and social justice, moving beyond individualistic solutions toward collective healing and transformation.

Sounding of the Bowl – Rev. Xolani Kacela, Ph.D.                                     

Prelude – Jaime Ramirez                                                         

Welcome and Greeting                                                          

Opening Words 

Chalice Lighting           

Opening Hymn – #352 Find a Stillness      

Find a stillness, hold a stillness, let the stillness carry me.
Find the silence, hold the silence, let the silence carry me.
In the spirit, by the spirit, with the spirit giving power,
I will find true harmony.

Seek the essence, hold the essence, let the essence carry me.
Let me flower, help me flower, watch me flower, carry me.
In the spirit, by the spirit, with the spirit giving power,
I will find true harmony.                                                                                                

Covenant                                                                       

Anthem – “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Cash, performed by the Honest Sirens                                                

Stone Ceremony                                                  

Reading the Community Book of Life & Pastoral Meditation

Story Wisdom – Who I Am: Words I Tell Myself by Susan Verde, read by Tim Versteeg                                                 

Children’s Recessional                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Reading – Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Sermon – New Year, New Me? Spiritual Growth Beyond Self-Improvement Culture                                                                                                                                                                                    

Invitation to Generosity                                     

Offertory Music – “The Other Side” by Emma’s Revolution, performed by the Honest Sirens                                                                                       

Closing Hymn – #348 Guide My Feet  

Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)

Hold my hand while I run this race.
Hold my hand while I run this race.
Hold my hand while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)

Stand by me while I run this race.
Stand by me while I run this race.
Stand by me while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)                         

Extinguishing the Chalice/Benediction                                                                        

Postlude