United Church of Gainesville
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022- 9:15am
Our Livestream begins at 9:15 am. Click here to join.
WELCOME- Rev. Andy Bachmann
PRELUDE- Offered by our musical director, Phillip Herr-Klepacki
CALL TO WORSHIP-Offered by Lucy Stein
The journey begins with Advent, a dance set to the music of waiting. We wait for the holy; we wait for the birth; we wait for the light. Advent reminds us that waiting is an intricate process of receiving and bringing forth, of movement and stillness, of pain and joy, of solitude and community, of darkness and light. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wonder. And tell it as a dance, a story about waiting and about that which lies at the end of all our waiting: our longings for healing, for justice and for peace to come to birth.
~ Jan L. Richardson in Night Visions
OPENING SONG- “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (verses 1, 2)
LIGHTING THE FIRST CANDLE OF THE ADVENT WREATH– The Candle of Hope – Meaghan, Jaxon, and R.D. Bonnaghan
Meaghan is our Church Clerk. R.D. currently serves on our Congregation Ministry Review Board. Jaxon is a participant in our United Tribes.
Where do you hear sounds of Hope this Advent season? Please share in the chat.
Sung response: Vs. 6 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”-
O Come, O Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by your advent here;
Love stir within the womb of night
And earth’s own shadows put to flight
(Refrain)
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN –Rev. Andy Bachmann
PRAYER
BIRTHDAYS
INTERLUDE
READINGS and SCRIPTURE- Offered by Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
God’s word, then, comes to us
through things as they are.
God’s messengers, all those angels,
appear right at the heart of the everyday.
But unless we are listening,
unless we are prepared to drop,
for a moment, our busy work
of preparation, of celebration,
we will not hear the angel’s song.
Find time and space to listen,
to listen for the angels
and to those about us,
those we love and live with,
by giving them the finest gift
we can give, the gifts of our time,
our attention, our respect,
and in that listening – who knows? –
we may hear the angels’ voices
singing Peace on Earth
as those shepherds did so long ago,
those shepherds who listened.
~ J. Barrie Shepherd, Faces at the Manger, Upper Room Books, 1992.
Luke 1:5-20 – The Angel Gabriel visits the Priest Zechariah
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING- “Quiet” by Paul Simon, offered by David Evans
Please hold your applause after the offering of the song and allow the crystal bowl meditation to bring you peace.
I am heading for a time of quiet
When my restlessness is past
And I can lie down on my blanket
And release my fists at last
I am heading for a time of solitude
Of peace without illusions
When the perfect circle marries
All beginnings and conclusions
And I am heading for a place of quiet
Where the sage and sweet grass grow
By a lake of sacred water
From the mountain’s melted snow
A Crystal Bowl Meditation, offered by Cindy Bergbower
SERMON– “The Quiet of Christmas” – Rev. Andy Bachmann
TIME FOR SHARING ANNOUNCEMENT, GIFTS, AND CONCERNS
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate
*HYMN – “Silent Night”
BENEDICTION
O Come, Desire of Nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
Make envy, strive and quarrels cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
POSTLUDE
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
| Jackie | Davis | 11/27 |
| Laura | Line | 11/27 |
| Jim | Harper | 11/27 |
| Art | Crummer | 11/29 |
Announcements
9:00am Childcare
9:15 & 11:15am Worship – Rev. Andy Bachmann
9:30am United Tribes Lessons & Carols Rehearsal
10:15am Fellowship and Beverages
10:30am Sunday Seminar
United Tribes Pageant Rehearsal: Scenes 2 & 4
12:30pm Lessons & Carols Rehearsal
United Tribes – We will be rehearsing Lessons and Carols. At 10:30 Scenes 2 & 4 will rehearse for our new Christmas Pageant, “The Time Travelers.” The Christmas pageant will be on December 18 with one service at 10am.
Sunday Seminar – Sunday Seminar –Around the World with 80 Solutions to Global Warming – Please join us for a special seminar (live and Zoom) hosted by Creation Care and Climate Justice Task Force: “What are people of all ages, in all countries, already doing? What about natural carbon solutions, and what about geo engineering? Enjoy a simulation game to bring the fever down to 1.5 degrees Centigrade. What can we do to cool our fevered planet?” Special guest speaker Ellen Siegel, from Climate Reality Project Gainesville. Join us at 10:30am in Reimer Hall or via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624. Join us at 10:30am in Reimer Hall or via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624.
Winter Small Group Registration continues! Signing up for one of our small groups is a great way to make some friendly connections with your fellow UCG’ers while enhancing your life through one of our offerings Go to https://bit.ly/winter22-23 to see the offerings; sign up through ShelbyNext from a desktop computer or tablet.
It’s not too late to submit your 2023 pledge! To date, we are at 79% of our pledge goal of $836,301. If you haven’t already, please submit your pledge today. All pledge information is confidential.
- pledge online here
- fill out a pledge card available in the church office and foyer
- send an email to the UCG accountant at catherinec@ucgainesville.org
Rawlings Elementary Christmas Angel Gift Collection starts TODAY – This year there are two options for choosing gifts to purchase. You can Sign-up at https://bit.ly/ciaangel22 or you can take a Christmas angel from the tree in the Foyer. Drop your unwrapped gifts off at UCG in the foyer on December 4 or 11 or bring them to Seminar B between 9 and 4 on Monday – Friday the weeks of November 28 or December 5. You don’t need to provide bags this year – we have a lot left over from last year. Blessings to all our Christmas Angels.
Calling all crafties! Do you have a fun holiday craft that you would like to share with our children at the holiday craft fair? If you are interested in sharing your artistry by teaching a craft on Saturday, December 17 from 3-5 pm. Email Taylor Williams at gutsandglorygnv@gmail.com to get more information. All holiday celebrations welcome! Please make your craft idea submission by TODAY!
CIA’s Christmas Mini-Grants in support of people or causes that need financial assistance during the holiday season. These small grants of $50 to $150 typically go to local individuals, families, and non-profit organizations that have been identified by church members. Forms are available in the church office or https://bit.ly/2022miniGrants. Deadline for requests is Monday, November 28.
Youth United Annual Chili Lunch is back Sunday, December 4th! – Join us from 10:30am-12:30pm to help support our UCG youth’s summer Work Tour. The cost is $7 for adults (16 and older), $5 for children ages 3-15 and free for ages 2 and under. You are encouraged to bring muffin tins if you would like to taste many different chilis, but bowls will be provided. Cornbread, brats, dogs (meat-eater and vegan friendly), and desserts included. We also need donations of chili and other food items! If you can help with this, please contact the front office.
UCG Men’s Retreat: “Exploring the Patterns of Our Lives,” December 2-4, at Camp Weed in Live Oak. Join us for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and exploration together. See the newsletter or contact Jeremy Archer or Andy Bachmann for more details and to sign up. Deadline is Today!
Men’s Squirrel Pie Lunch December 9 at 12pm in the West Wing – All UCG men are invited to this holiday tradition. Bring adult beverages, salads, side dishes and desserts that go with squirrel. Look for the signup sheet in the courtyard!
Women’s Lunch Group Tasteful Christmas Luncheon December 9 at 12p.m. in Reimer Hall. All UCG women are invited to bring a potluck dish, dessert, or beverage to share good food and fellowship this Christmas season. Sign up at http://bit.ly/tastefulLunch22 or look for the signup sheet in the courtyard!
The All-Church Band will play its medley of sing-along Christmas carols on Sunday, December 18 at one 10am service. If you play, or have ever played a band instrument, please pick up music which is available in the foyer and plan to participate in this great UCG tradition. Rehearsal will be at 9:15am on December 18 in the Sanctuary. Please bring a music stand.
THANK YOU THANK YOU for your dedicated monthly gifts of nonperishable food items to help keep Gainesville Community Ministry’s Food Pantry stocked! Since January, you have generously donated over 2,700 pounds and $2,365!
Next Sunday, December 4
Second Sunday of Advent – Food First Sunday
9:00am Childcare
9:15 & 11:15am Worship – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
9:30am United Tribes Lessons & Carols Rehearsal
10:15am Fellowship and Beverages
10:30am Youth Annual Chili Lunch
United Tribes Pageant Rehearsal: Scenes 2 & 4
12:30pm Lessons & Carols Rehearsal
2:00pm OWL Session*
Collage/Vision Board/Scrapbook Club*
3:30pm CIA Committee Meeting
*pre-registered group