Welcome to Worship
Sunday, March 27, 2022- 9:15am
Lent: Broken Heroes
Join us here for a live-stream beginning at 9:15am
“When have you experienced betrayal in your life?”
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
PRELUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
CALL TO WORSHIP – Rev. Talia Raymond
One: What does it mean to be faithful?
Many: More than simply full-of-faith.
One: Rather to be faithful is to be steadfast, trustworthy.
Many: Faithful — committed — to the promises we make to others.
One: Many of us long for to be faithful, long for others to be faithful in their care for us.
Many: But far too often there are cracks in that care; fissures in our faithfulness.
One: In times of hurt and betrayal, we look for comfort.
Many: In those times, may we seek repentance when it is ours to seek, or find righteousness and love when it is not.
One: We live in a world of promises kept and broken. May we be of good courage. Amen.
*OPENING SONG – “God of Grace and God of Glory” UCG Songbook, #21
God of grace and God of glory,
On thy people pour thy power.
Crown thine ancient church’s story,
Bring the bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
Lo! the clouds of evil ’round us,
Hide thy brightness from our gaze
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
Cure thy children’s warring madness,
Teach us good and peaceful goals.
Shame our proud and selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
In our seeking to be whole,
in our seeking to be whole.
Fill us with a living vision,
Heal our wounds that we may be
Bound as one beyond division
In the journey to be free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Ears to hear and eyes to see,
ears to hear and eyes to see.
TIME WITH CHILDREN
BIRTHDAYS
INTERLUDE AND OFFERTORY
HEBREW BIBLE READING- Genesis 12:10-20 – Rev. Talia Raymond
READING – “The courage that my mother had” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
The courage that my mother had
Went with her, and is with her still:
Rock from New England quarried;
Now granite in a granite hill.
The golden brooch my mother wore
She left behind for me to wear;
I have no thing I treasure more:
Yet, it is something I could spare.
Oh, if instead she’d left to me
The thing she took into the grave!—
That courage like a rock, which she
Has no more need of, and I have.
SPECIAL MUSIC – “When Will I Be Loved?” by Phil Everly. Offered by Elizabeth Clark, vocal, and Michael McCoy, electric guitar
SERMON – “Cheated and Mistreated” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Andy Bachmann
SUNG RESPONSE – “Will You Come and Follow Me?” UCG Songbook, #87
BENEDICTION
The Peace of the Earth Be With You – UCG Songbook #74
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
|
Elizabeth |
Husband |
03/27 |
|
Ned |
Stewart |
03/27 |
|
Leo |
Heil |
03/28 |
|
Jerry |
Hill |
03/28 |
|
Lauren |
Hemmerich |
03/28 |
|
Cynthia |
Lawrence |
03/29 |
|
Dari |
Smith |
03/29 |
|
Helen |
Warren |
03/29 |
|
Larry |
Turner |
03/29 |
|
Kelly |
Perez |
03/29 |
|
Mary |
Crummer |
03/30 |
|
Harrison |
Howard |
03/30 |
|
John |
King |
03/30 |
|
Linda |
Myrick |
03/30 |
|
Erick |
Smith |
03/31 |
|
John |
Bollinger |
04/01 |
|
Bruce |
Stevens |
04/01 |
|
Wilfred |
Vermerris |
04/02 |
Announcements
Today at UCG
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
12:30pm Charter School Listening Session – Reimer Hall & YouTube
3:00pm YU/MST – Corks & Colors & Sweet Dreams
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 the Tribes are celebrating Spring Break with Easter crafts and games both indoors and out. See you there!
Confirmation Class will meet today from 10:30-11:30. This class is for the Middle School cohort of the Confirmation Class. High Schoolers will meet on April 10th.
Sunday Seminar at 10:30am – Learn About Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery – We welcome Carlos Gonzalez, the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery executive director. Carlos will share insights based on his experiences through green burial and the process by which we can return our bodies to the earth by doing less harm and more good for it and us. In addition, he is prepared to answer any questions you might have about green burial and the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery. Join us in Reimer Hall or live-streamed on YouTube.
Charter School Lease Subcommittee Listening Session -Fourth and Final session today at 12:30, 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.
The Compassion in Action Committee “To Replenish Everyday Essentials (TREE)” project for people living with HIV- Drive by is today from 9:00am – 12:30pm. 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.
Calling all puzzle lovers – Stop by the Puzzlers’ Table in front of Seminar B today. Take home some puzzles this week, a great activity for those of us who are still isolating. You can bring puzzles to swap, or not; we have plenty to share.
YA lunch is today: If you are 18-30 years old and looking for a great small group to join at UCG please come for lunch with YA. We meet at the fountain after the 11:15 service at 12:15 and go to a nearby eatery for lunch, fellowship, connection, discussion and support. Questions? Judy Parsons 352-213-6516.
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.
Racial Justice 2022 Book Group for April, May, June– A three month group to read three books of significance to the Black experience in the US. These books were chosen for a variety of genres, different time in US history, and exploration of the works of famous black women. All are shorter books and available at a reasonable price. Click here for more information and to register.
Next Sunday, April 3
All-Church Retreat at Warren Willis Camp, Fruitland Park. No Services in Gainesville. Join us for Worship at 9:30am at camp!
For those who cannot join us in person on retreat, there will be a do-it-yourself worship offering sent out that morning.
March 26 COVID-19 Update
