United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, June 26, 2022 – 10:00 am
In My Backyard
Click here to join the live stream beginning at 10am
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Talia Raymond
PRELUDE – Mark Burlingame
CALL TO WORSHIP – Litany For A Time Of Hunger from Bread for the World. Led by Fiona Hammond & David Martin
One: When Jesus told the disciples to give the crowd something to eat, they found only a few loaves and two small fish. But they brought what they had to Jesus. Let us bring our prayers before God:
We thank you, God, for the abundance of food we receive from your hand. We thank you for the progress that has been made against hunger in recent years, and we remember today those people at risk of falling back into hunger and extreme poverty. In your mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayer.
One: We pray for all those directly affected by the current hunger crisis. For farmers whose livelihoods depend on natural, economic, and political conditions beyond their control. For parents who struggle to put food on the table, and for children who go to bed hungry. In your mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayer.
One: We ask your blessing on those working to save lives and end hunger in the world, especially now at a time when the high cost of food makes meeting those needs an even greater challenge. In your mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayer.
One: We pray for the leaders of the nations, especially our own leaders, that they will act with wisdom, generosity, and compassion, bring relief to those who are hungry now and help move us all toward a world without hunger. In your mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayer.
One: Finally, we pray for ourselves, that you will show us all how we can be an instrument of grace to hungry people and give us the courage to act and share generously what we have. In your mercy,
ALL: Hear our prayer.
OPENING SONG – “Here I Am, Lord”
I have wept for love of them. They turn away, I will break their hearts of stone,
I will speak my word to them; Whom shall I send?
Chorus
3. I the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide ‘til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Chorus
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor, Too” – by Jennifer Grant, illustrated by Benjamin Schipper
INTERLUDE AND OFFERING – Children 3 years – 5th grade may leave for Activity Time. Our nursery for babies and toddlers is available until 12:15pm.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
SPECIAL MUSIC – “Fizzy Water” – Offered by Nan Ryan – handpan; Shelby Havens – djembe; Keith Berg – cajon; Mark Burlingame – flugelhorn
READING
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly…Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds. – From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail
A TIME FOR SHARING – Cadien Archer, Rowan Archer, & Isa Ward
WORK TOUR VIDEO
READING – John 13: 4-5, 12-15
Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him…After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
MESSAGE – “Servants, Not Saviors” – Rev. Talia Raymond
CLOSING SONG – “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love”
BENEDICTION
ALLELUIA
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
|
Tina |
Kercheval |
06/26 |
|
Marianne |
Schmink |
06/26 |
|
Caroline |
Hartley |
06/27 |
|
Robin |
Stuart |
06/27 |
|
Jess |
Archer |
06/27 |
|
Lisa |
Ingram |
06/28 |
|
Heather |
Hammond |
06/29 |
|
Shelby |
Havens |
06/29 |
|
Gary |
Kirkland |
07/01 |
|
Charlotte |
Ribe |
07/01 |
|
Zachary |
Baldwin |
07/02 |
|
Leveda |
Brown |
07/02 |
|
Jill |
Fameree |
07/02 |
Announcements
Today at UCG
9:45am Childcare
10:00am Worship – Work Tour Sunday – Youth United & Talia Raymond
10:15am Extended Activity Time for Children
Puzzlers Table – Courtyard
11:00am Fellowship & Beverages – Courtyard
6:00pm Vigil Service – details below – Sanctuary
Those who are reeling from the news of the SCOTUS decision on Friday overturning Roe v. Wade, or who are fearful of what might be yet to come, are invited to a time of lament, sharing, and solidarity, Sunday evening, June 26, at 6pm in the Sanctuary. This service, as with all our services, will be open to the public, but due to the invitation for sharing, will not be livestreamed. If you are unable to attend but are in need of conversation or pastoral support, please reach out to Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan or Rev. Talia Raymond via email.
This is the last Sunday for the birthday collection for Ray Meeks – This is Ray Meeks’ sixth birthday since being released from death row. Every year we receive contributions for Ray at Christmas and for his birthday in June. All financial contributions go through UCG, there are envelopes in the Foyer, or you can give here. Please include your name and address since Ray likes to write thank you notes. The new address to write to Ray is: Douglas Raymond Meeks #046346, P.O.Box 23608 – Tampa, Fl 33623 Thanks for your continued care and prayers for Ray over the years.
The United Church of Christ in Fort Lauderdale, in partnership with the Florida Conference, the local League of Women Voters, and others, is observing “Gun Lock Safety Sunday.” Noting the distressing prevalence of gun deaths each day, and the impact that gun locks can have in reducing the risk of homicide, suicide, and domestic violence fatality, the UCC of Fort Lauderdale has provided UCG with a number of gun locks, and related information, free of charge to distribute as “one way to do something.” If you are interested in receiving a gun lock for yourself or someone else, they will be available in the church office while supplies last.
The Racial Justice Committee of the United Church of Gainesville plans to dedicate one of the shelves in our library to banned books. Here is a list of books banned by counties across the country and in Florida. These books are often labeled as being “too woke,” “liberal propaganda,” and “anti-white,” among other ridiculous claims. Being a committed congregation that seeks to “Learn from our religious heritage, yet to grow by seeking new dimensions of truth,” we invite you to join us, donate to us, borrow from us, and grow with us. Please do not donate books that are not on the list. Titles will be removed as they are purchased. Please chose the shipping address labeled “UCG Library (c/o Shanna Swiers.) Thank you for your support!
Grushers Needed! We need Grusher volunteers (greeter/ushers) on Sundays in June and July. No experience necessary. Come 15 minutes early and be a welcoming presence for our friends and families returning to UCG. Please email hannah.norton@gmail.com for more information or visit https://bit.ly/grusher to sign up now!
C.A.M.P. UCG – For children entering Rising K-6th Grade will be July 25-29, 2022! Our theme is “All God’s Critters” including special guests, water slide day, yummy snacks, spiritual exploration, and a visit from the zoo! Rates: $30 per child (8:30-12:00pm), $50 family cap for children in the same household; Aftercare Rate: from 12:00-5:00pm: $100 for the week, $20 per day. Email taliar@ucgainesville.org with any questions, or to volunteer with: crafts, STEM lessons, snacks, outdoor games, or if you have a connection to a community group who can teach our children about “critters”, however known. Monetary donations or gift cards to grocery/big box stores are also welcome. Register here.
Gathering Water – Wherever you are this summer- in your own yard, at the beach, in another state or country– remember to gather a small amount of water to bring to our annual “Gathering of Waters” service on August 28. This service is our ritual of re-gathering as a church community at the end of the summer.
Next Sunday, July 3
9:45am Childcare
10:00am Worship – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
10:15am Extended Activity Time for Children
11:00am Fellowship & Beverages
June 24 COVID Update
Total new cases and hospitalizations for COVID in the County have leveled off as of June 23. However, the variants BA.4 and BA.5 are rising with as yet uncertain effects. Thus, we remain in the orange danger zone and will need to wear masks for gatherings in our Sanctuary.
Alan Keitt
Danielle Nelson
Allan March
UCG is following Endemic Response Guidelines which are based on the risk for serious disease and not the risk for transmission. We are currently in the orange zone and masking will be required in the Sanctuary. There is a section of the Sanctuary with fewer chairs if you need more space for social distancing. Please note that UCG will continue broadcasting one Sunday worship service on YouTube.
