United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, August 21, 2022 – 9:15am
Common Threads
Click here to join the live stream beginning at 9:15am.
When there is no sign of what comes next, we signal to each other that we are still here, still moving together. — Rev. Theresa Ninán Soto
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
INVITATIONS FROM OUR BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
PRELUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
CALL TO WORSHIP – Rev. Talia Raymond
One: Create no images of God.
Accept the images that God has provided.
They are everywhere, in everything.
God is Change—
Seed to tree, tree to forest;
Rain to river, river to sea;
Grubs to bees, bees to swarm.
Many: From one, many; from many, one;
One: Forever uniting, growing, dissolving—forever Changing.
Many: The universe is God’s self-portrait. – Octavia Butler
PROCLAIMING OUR 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.”
OPENING SONG – “I am Free” led by Mark Burlingame
I am a cloud
I am the blue sky
I am a bird, spreading out its wings
I am a flower
I am the sunshine
I am the Earth, receiving a seed
And I am free, when my heart is open
Yes I am free, when my mind is clear
Oh dear brother, oh dear sister
Let’s walk together, mindfully
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan – “I am Josephine: And I am a Living Thing” written by Jan Thornhill, illustrated by Jacqui Lee
Meeting Eliot Schrefer!
INTERLUDE
READING
Cicadas remind us that part of what it takes queer and trans folks to survive, in addition to screaming, is sticking together. Cicadas are not faster than their predators, nor skillful at confusing them. Instead, they avoid being eaten by staying in as large a group as possible. Staying together is how we engage with the uncertainty of the world around us. When there is no sign of what comes next, we signal to each other that we are still here, still moving together. – Rev. Theresa Ninán Soto
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “Meditations” Mark Burlingame, tongue drums
During the music we welcome your offerings as the plates are passed. Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate
SCRIPTURE – Jessica Elkins
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Acts 8:26-40
SERMON – “A Single Garment of Life” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
CLOSING HYMN – “Turn, Turn, Turn”
Chorus:
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
Chorus
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
Chorus
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
Chorus
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of peace, I swear it’s not too late
Chorus
BENEDICTION
ALLELUIA
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
|
Sally |
Simonis |
08/21 |
|
Julie |
Anspach |
08/22 |
|
Evan |
Drummond |
08/22 |
|
Jenny |
Vogel |
08/23 |
|
RD |
Bonnaghan |
08/23 |
|
Connie |
Caldwell |
08/24 |
|
Laura |
Watanabe |
08/25 |
|
Van |
Harmony |
08/25 |
|
Nicholas |
Thoburn |
08/26 |
|
Julie |
Abrams-Bernier |
08/26 |
|
Susan |
Austin |
08/27 |
Today at UCG
9:00am Childcare
9:15am & 11:15am Worship – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
9:30am United Tribes – with author Eliot Schrefer
10:15am Fellowship and Beverages
YU & MST – Q & A with author, Eliot Schrefer
11:15am Friendship Group
4:00pm Q & A with guest author, Eliot Schrefer
United Tribes – Special guest, Eliot Schrefer, will be leading United Tribes. Looking ahead next Sunday, August 28: Special Water Day for our kids! Come in bathing suits or water-friendly clothes and bring a towel and/or a change of clothes. Register kids for children’s programs in person or go to https://bit.ly/UTregis22.
Special Guest – Eliot Schrefer, National Book Award Finalist, and author of “Queer Ducks” is UCG today! At 4pm, Rev. Bromleigh will facilitate a Q&A with Mr. Schrefer in the Sanctuary. This afternoon event is open to the public and will also feature a book signing.
Time & Talent Fair 2022! Join a board or committee on August 28 and make a difference for UCG. More information and how to join a UCG board or committee are in the Sanctuary foyer or click here. Don’t forget to update your contact information and offer your own unique talents and gifts to UCG, look for the blue form in the Sanctuary foyer.
Gathering of Waters Services on August 28 – Bring you gathered water to this annual ritual of our regathering as a church community.
Fall Small Group Submissions Wanted – If you enjoy a hobby, skill or want to connect with friends through outdoor activities, here’s your chance to share it with fellow UCGers. Please submit your ideas to https://bit.ly/sgfall2022 by August 28.
Save the Date! – UCG will celebrate the installation of Reverend Bromleigh McCleneghan on Sunday, September 11th with a 10 AM service. A courtyard reception will follow with music by Dalirusa Fling Quartet. Please join us!
The first Supper Club of the fall will be Friday, September 23 at 7 pm and will feature a fish entree. We meet in groups of 8-10 in the homes of participants. Recipes are provided so that each group shares the same menu. Working people will be assigned easy or make-ahead recipes. Please contact Anne Casella at annecasella@gmail.com or Kimberly McCollough at Kimberly.mccollough@sfcollege.edu to RSVP. If you are able to host one of the groups, please let them know. The deadline to sign up is Sunday, September 11.
The UCG Art Show will be taking place on Sunday, October 2. All artists from 3 to 103- creating paintings, sculptures, or crafts are welcome to participate. You can exhibit your work, sell it, or both, 20% of all sales will go to a designated church fund. Applications are available in the Sanctuary foyer and in the church office or go to https://bit.ly/artsapp22.
Grushers Needed on Sundays to be a welcoming presence for our friends and families at UCG. Please email hannah.norton@gmail.com or visit https://bit.ly/grusher to sign up!
Next Sunday, August 28
9:00am Childcare9:15am & 11:15am Worship – Annual Gathering of the Waters Service9:30am United Tribes – Water Day!10:15am Time and Talent Fair Fellowship and Beverages YU & MST Puzzlers 12:15pm Young Adult Lunch6:00pm Our Whole Lives (OWL) Parent Meeting
August 19 Covid Update – According to the CDC, Alachua County residents have a high risk of serious illness from COVID-19 (the Orange Zone). The rate of new cases is down quite a bit but the per cent of tests that were positive remains unchanged. Hospital admissions are also down slightly. Masks are required upon entering the sanctuary and are recommended when visiting crowded indoor venues
