Welcome to Worship
Sunday, March 20, 2022- 9:15am
Lent: Broken Heroes
Join us here for a live-stream beginning at 9:15am
“Courage is fear with breath.”
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Sandy Reimer
SOUNDING THE CHIME
PRELUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
CALL TO WORSHIP – Matthew 5: 15-16, from The Message by Eugene Peterson
We’re here to be light, bringing out the holy colors in the world.
We need to be like a city on a hill.
If we are light-bearers, then we can’t go around hiding under buckets, can we?
We need to be shining, shining on a light stand,
being generous with our light and with our lives.
OPENING SONG – “This Little Light of Mine” – Andy Bachmann, guitar; Larry Reimer, Flugelhorn; Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano; Ellen Ribe, bass
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. (sing 3 times)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
All through the night, I’m gonna let it shine (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
(slower) Let it shine …. Let it shine … let it shine.
RESPONSIVE READING – “When I am Among the Trees” by Mary Oliver
Congregation, please read the text that is printed in bold.
When I am among the trees, especially the willow and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness,
I would almost say that they save me and daily.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out,
“Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches, and they call again,
“It’s simple. And you have come into the world to do this:
to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – “After the Fall” -Rev. Larry Reimer
BIRTHDAYS
INTERLUDE
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING – Please include the question card you received coming into worship.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Andy Bachmann
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Paul Simon) – offered by Rev. Andy Bachmann
When you’re weary feeling small, when tears are in your eyes
I’ll dry them all, I’m on your side.
Oh, when times get rough and friends just can’t be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down
When you’re down and out, when you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you; I’ll take your part.
Oh, when darkness comes and pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Congregation, please join in on the last verse:
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine.
Oh, if you need a friend, I’m sailing right behind,
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind,
SERMON – “Broken, Unlikely, Human: Heroes” – Rev. Sandy Reimer
Readers: Jackie Davis, Karol Halter, Kimberly McCollough
Reader: Tony Miller
PRAYER – “Pie Jesu” (from The Requiem Mass, G. Faure) – offered by Phillip Herr-Klepacki and Cindy Martin
BENEDICTION
May your light shine in a world in need of light.
May you find courage, within your breath, when the way is hard and the
path, not always clear.
May you be enfolded in grace and in hope, for deep down there is another truth:
you are not alone. Amen! Blessed be!
Choral Response: “The Peace of the Earth”
Phillip will play the song once; then we will sing it together twice.
The peace of the earth be with you, the peace of the heavens too.
The peace of the rivers be with you, the peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace, falling over you. God’s peace, growing in you.
POSTLUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
|
Sally |
Kimberly |
03/20 |
|
Suzanne |
Stapleton |
03/21 |
|
Victoria |
Ward |
03/21 |
|
Bonnie |
Smith |
03/22 |
|
Mary |
Young |
03/22 |
|
Reese |
Trosper |
03/23 |
|
Amanda |
DeMouey |
03/24 |
|
Sarah |
Fitzpatrick |
03/25 |
|
Sarah |
Jennings |
03/25 |
|
Sebastian |
Seubert |
03/26 |
Announcements
Today at UCG
9am -12:15pm Childcare
9:15 & 11:15M Worship Service
9:30am United Tribes
10:15am Fellowship & Beverages
10:30am Charter School Listening Session
11:15am Friendship Group
12:15pm Young Adult Lunch
Lenten Devotional Booklet – with daily readings to guide you through your Lenten journey, are available in the Courtyard this morning. Click here for an electronic copy.
United Tribes – This week and next the Tribes are celebrating Spring Break with Easter crafts and games both indoors and out. See you there!Sunday Seminar – Charter School Lease Subcommittee Listening Session -Third session Sunday, March 20 at 10:30, Reimer Hall or live on YouTube– At our Winter Congregational Meeting, Beth Hinrichs, chair of the Charter School Lease Committee, provided a summary of our process regarding a proposed use of our education and West Wing for a public charter school called Constellation Charter School. We have also recently completed a survey and provided an FAQ. Please join us for updates on the proposal and the process so far and for a chance ask questions, or voice comments or concerns.
UCC Ukraine Relief Fund- The United Church of Christ is appealing for support for refugees, elderly and other vulnerable people who are displaced within Ukraine and unable to leave. As a member of the ACT Alliance, UCC support is being targeted to people most in need through humanitarian relief partners.Gifts made to UCC Ukraine Relief Fund will provide shelter, food, and other care to war refugees and internally displaced people. You can submit your support via check to UCG (notate Ukraine Relief in the memo line) or click here to give directly. Thank you for your support.
Grushers Needed! We are in need of more Grusher volunteers (aka greeter/ushers) at both services this spring. No experience necessary. Come 15 minutes early and basically be a welcoming presence for our friends and families returning to UCG after the long pandemic-related pause. Email denalidar@gmail.com for information or to help!
Thursday Taizé – 6:35 – 7:10pm – Join us for a contemplative service every Thursday during Lent, where we will sing Taizé chants, pray, and hear the words of Scripture. Bring the kids for Children’s Lenten Series: God is Still With Us -from 6:30-7:15pm, Room 9. Join Talia, Keri, and special guests for a special Lenten Series for kids.
The Compassion in Action Committee “To Replenish Everyday Essentials (TREE)” project for people living with HIV- Sunday, March 27. Early donations the week of March 20th accepted in Seminar B, from 9am-4:30pm. Requested items: toilet paper, bleach tablets, toothbrushes & toothpaste, laundry detergent (30 loads), disposable razors, shaving cream/gel, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, soap bars, household cleaners, dish soap, and feminine products (pads and liners.) THANK YOU for your support of Gainesville area residents living in poverty with HIV.
Next Sunday, March 27
9:00am Childcare
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
9:30am United Tribes
10:15am Fellowship & Beverages
10:30am Sunday Seminar
Confirmation Class
11:00am Puzzlers
12:15pm Board of Membership – via Zoom
3:00pm YU/MST – Corks & Colors & Sweet Dreams
MST and YU: Join us at Corks & Colors Studio, 3415 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607, on Sunday, March 27th, from 3-5 p.m. for an afternoon Spring Break Social! We will select from a variety of paint-our-own pottery, create our masterpieces, and celebrate with Sweet Dreams ice cream after! Please RSVP here if you plan to attend!
March 19 COVID-19 Update
The State of Florida and Alachua County have stopped posting COVID-19 new case data. However, the Brown School of Public Health reported 37 new cases per 100,000 per week for Florida. Therefore, Alachua County likely remains in the orange zone, a significant risk of viral transmission.
