The United Church of Gainesville – August 30, 2020
The Gathering of Waters
If you would like to watch the service as a playlist, please click here and you will be directed to our YouTube page. If you prefer, you may click on the individual links below at your own pace.
Welcome, Special Music, Time with the Children and Time for Prayers
Welcome and Introduction- Rev. Andy Bachmann
Special Music, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Offered by the Jazz Bandits.
Time with the Children- Rev. Talia Raymond
Time for Prayers- Rev. Andy Bachmann
Hey kids, join us for activity time!
Gathering Prayer- Rev. Andy Bachmann
The Waters of Peace – Tim Martin
Do not be hardened by the pain
and cruelty of this world.
Be strong enough to be gentle,
to be soft and supple like running water,
gracefully bending around sudden turns,
lithely waving in strong winds,
freely flowing over sharp rocks,
all the while quietly sculpting
this hard world into ever deeper beauty,
gently eroding rigid rock into silken sand,
tenderly transforming human cruelty
into human kindness.
Remember, true strength is not found in the stone,
but in the water that shapes the stone. ― L.R. Knost
Musical response, “Down to the River to Pray” offered by Edo Carter
The Waters of Homecoming- Rebecca Beachy
Let us bless the grace of water…
The courage of a river to continue belief
In the slow fall of ground,
Always falling farther
Toward the unseen ocean.
The river does what words would love,
Keeping its appearance
By insisting on disappearance;
Its only life surrendered
To the event of pilgrimage,
Carrying the origin to the end,
seldom pushing or straining,
keeping itself to itself
Everywhere all along its flow,
All at one with its sinuous mind,
An utter rhythm, never awkward,
It continues to swirl
Through all unlikeness,
With elegance:
A ceaseless traverse of presence
Soothing on each side
The stilled fields,
Sounding out its journey,
Raising up a buried music
Where the silence of time
becomes almost audible.
Water: vehicle and idiom
Of all the inner voyaging
That keeps us alive.
Blessed be water, our first mother. – John O’Donohue
Musical response, “Down to the River to Pray” offered by Jasmine Angelini-Knoll
The Waters of Healing- Donn Smith-Lopez
I loved the rain as a child. I loved the sound of it on the leaves of trees and roofs and windowpanes and umbrellas and the feel of it on my face and bare legs. But more than anything, I loved the rain for the power it had to make my home seem snugger and safer and a place to find refuge. I loved rain for making home seem home more deeply. – from The Sacred Journey by Frederick Buechner
Musical response, “Down to the River to Pray” offered by Hannah Norton
The Waters of Power- Andy Bachmann
Best to be like water,
Which benefits the ten thousand things
And does not contend.
It pools where humans disdain to dwell,
Close to the Tao.
Live in a good place.
Keep your mind deep.
Treat others well.
Stand by your word.
Keep good order.
Do the right thing.
Work when it’s time.
Only do not contend,
And you will not go wrong. ― From the Tao Te Ching, #8
Members share their names, where their waters are from, and what they represent.
Blessing of the Waters and the Compact of the United Church of Gainesville
Our Church Compact
We join as a spiritual community in this compact:
To worship God, however known.
To welcome into our church
those of differing understanding and theological opinion.
To learn from our religious heritage,
yet to grow by seeking new dimensions of truth.
To follow, even imperfectly,
the way of Jesus in personal involvement with each other,
And strengthened by this bond,
to act in Christian concern for the welfare of all people.
Alleluia
Thank you to Allison LeBaron for the beautiful vessel she made for us to celebrate the blending of your gathered waters.
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week.
Happy Birthday!
|
Allison |
LeBaron |
08/30 |
|
Cathy |
Myers |
08/30 |
|
Marj |
Hauptman |
08/31 |
|
Karen |
Golden |
09/01 |
|
Jeff |
Shapiro |
09/01 |
|
Dotty |
Faibisy |
09/02 |
|
Millie |
Herchel |
09/02 |
|
Nancy |
Dana |
09/04 |
|
Patsy |
Frenchman |
09/04 |
|
Ron |
Haase |
09/04 |
|
Carol |
Sarisky |
09/04 |
|
Charlotte |
Seubert |
09/04 |
|
Jean |
Sperbeck |
09/04 |
|
Kisaye |
Winchester |
09/05 |
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Sunday Seminars – Join us this morning!
Sunday Seminar, August 30 at 11:15am – “Back to School in an Age of COVID” – Join us to hear Tina Certain, School Board Member, Carmen Ward, President of the Teachers Union, and Laura Maxwell, concerned parent (and a teacher), as they talk about the process and experience of leading and navigating our school system during the pandemic. We will hear about the challenges facing them, as they try to keep students, teachers, and staff safe, without comprising economic and educational needs in the community. Join here! If the link does not work, you can enter this Meeting ID:829 6457 0385.
Sunday Seminar, August 30 at 12:30pm – “Payroll Protection Plan – To Retain or Repay and/or Redirect to Local Outreach” The Board of Business promised to come to the October 4th Congregational Meeting with a proposal, approved by Church Council, about how we should deal with the $112,900 from our Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan. This does not have to be repaid as long as it has been used to keep staff on the payroll and cover other approved expenses, which is what we have done. However, several members with good reasons have suggested that we consider repayment. We would like to hear from any member of the congregation who wishes to provide input on this matter. To this end we scheduled two seminars, this Sunday at 12:30 PM and again on Sunday, September 6th. Our goal is to develop a plan that most, if not all, of the congregation will be able to support. Please plan to attend! Join here. If the link does not work you can enter this Meeting ID: 826 3065 1168, Passcode: BOB
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Important Announcements
THIS MORNING: “Back to School Blessing” Sunday, August 30 from 9:30-11am. Rev. Talia Raymond and Keri Trosper will facilitate a drive-through blessing in our east parking lot for you and your families before the start of the school year. This is open to all children and youth, Preschool-12th Grade. Come and receive a blessing and a gift as you begin your school year, however known!
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If you are a regular supporter through our collected offering, please consider making your donation now. Our budgeted (anticipated) amount of Plate Income for 2020 is $40,000, so we rely on the weekly passing of the plate. To GIVE, click here to make a one-time donation to UCG -or- to set up a recurring donation via your bank account or credit card click here. Thank you for your support.
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Please note: While the Church Office remains closed, we are still available by phone or email from 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.