Welcome to Worship
The United Church of Gainesville – February 21, 2021
This morning our worship service will premiere at 10am.
Please click here to begin.
Welcome – Talia Raymond
Singing Together – “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”
Prayers – Andy Bachmann
Time with the Children – “Big Momma Makes the World,” by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, read by Bromleigh McClenghan
United Tribes Virtch Church and Activity Time
Readings – Talia Raymond
From Annie Dilliard:
Skin was earth; it was soil. I could see, even on my own skin, the joined trapezoids of dust specks God had wetted and stuck with [his] spit the morning [he] made Adam from dirt. Now, all these generations later, we people could still see on our skin the inherited prints of the dust specks of Eden.
I loved this thought, and repeated it for myself often. I don’t know where I got it; my parents cited Adam and Eve only in jokes. SomedayI would count the trapezoids, with the aid of a mirror, and learn precisely how many dust specks Adam comprised – one single handful God wetted, shaped, blew into, and set firmly into motion and left to wander about in the fabulous garden bewildered.
From the book of Job, chapter 12, vs. 7-10:
Ask the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being.
Special Music – “Wildflowers” – The Bachmann Family Singers (by Gainesville’s native son, Tom Petty)
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free
Run away, find you a lover
Go away somewhere all bright and new
I have seen no other
Who compares with you
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free
Sermon – “Earth: Of Flowers and Freedom” – Bromleigh McCleneghan
Benediction
Closing Song – “The Peace of the Earth”
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week.
Happy Birthday!
| Carlos | Frenock | 02/21 |
| Diego | Frenock | 02/21 |
| Tristan Keith | Hemmerich-Sullivan | 02/21 |
| Kathy | Carroll | 02/22 |
| Evan | Milch | 02/22 |
| Kathy | Funke | 02/23 |
| Anne | Seraphine | 02/23 |
| Jane | Houston | 02/24 |
| Hazel | Jury | 02/24 |
| Mary | Nichols | 02/24 |
| Sandy | Flory | 02/25 |
| Pam | Link Wester | 02/25 |
| Jack | Ribe | 02/25 |
| Rachel | Henesy | 02/26 |
| Nettie | Maguire | 02/26 |
| Diana | Tonnessen | 02/26 |
| Rowan | Archer | 02/26 |
Sunday Schedule
Sunday Seminar at 11:15am – However Known –UCGers are forever saying “God However Known.” What do UCGers actually believe? Join us for a panel discussion with Paul George, Mark Burlingame, Pam Smith and Donn Smith-Lopez who each have a different spiritual focus. They will share how their beliefs have shaped their lives and then we’ll open it up for discussion. Barb Gibbs will host the seminar. Join here. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624
Please also join us at 12:30pm for Congregational Coffee Hour. Bromleigh will be available on our Zoom account to talk and share about the online worship experience, or whatever else is on your mind! Join here. Meeting ID: 875 0792 2974 Passcode: 1624
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Announcements
Spring Small Groups Registration ends Today! Click here to register. Here is a slideshow on how to register. Here are step by step written instructions.
One Great Hour of Sharing Throughout Lent – One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering that is received by United Church of Christ congregations during the season of Lent for the purpose of meeting needs around the world. Please support this important initiative through a check mailed to UCG or online. Thank you for your generous support.
Lent at UCG
Lenten Devotional Booklet – with daily readings, as well as a bag of intentional items, to guide you through your Lenten journey, are available. More
Thursdays at Noon Live Devotional – More
Labyrinth Walks – Tuesdays and Thursdays during Lent. More
Devotional for Families with Children – 20 minute Lenten session, Sundays in Lent on Zoom at 5pm. More info or click here to join. Meeting ID: 891 5904 4033 Password: 2021
Youth Lenten Offering- Talia will host a youth Lenten Study each Wednesday in Lent on Zoom at 5:30pm. See Friday YU/MST emails or contact Talia for details.
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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 2021 is $36,000, 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 due to Covid-19, we are still available by phone or email from 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.
