United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, May 26, 2024 – 10 a.m.
Let’s Make It Count!

Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
– Matthew 5:9

PRELUDE – Bill Hutchinson, Shelby Havens, Mary Fukuyama, and Elise Lee, drums

WELCOME, INTRODUCTION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Pam Smith

CALL TO WORSHIP – text by Hopi Elder Chief White Eagle, offered by Bill Hutchinson

ONE: This moment that humanity is living through can be considered a door or a hole. The decision to fall into the hole or go through the door is yours. If you consume information 24 hours a day, with negative energy, constantly nervous, with pessimism, you will fall in this hole.

ALL: But if you take the opportunity to look at yourself, to rethink life and death, to take care of yourself and others, you will go through the door.

ONE: Take care of your home, take care of your body. Connect with your spiritual home. When you take care of yourself, you take care of others at the same time.

ALL: Do not underestimate the spiritual dimension of this crisis.

ONE: Adopt the perspective of an eagle that sees everything from above with a broader vision. There is a social demand in this crisis, but also a spiritual demand. The two go hand in hand.

ALL: Without the social dimension, we fall into fanaticism.

ONE: Without the spiritual dimension, we fall into pessimism and futility. You are prepared to go through this crisis.

ALL: Grab your toolbox and use all the tools at your disposal. Learn to resist by the example of the Indian and African peoples: we have been and continue to be exterminated.

ONE: But we never stopped singing, dancing, lighting fires and having joy. Don’t feel guilty for feeling lucky in these difficult times. Being sad and without energy doesn’t help at all.

ALL: Resilience is resilience through joy!

TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “My Big Brother” by Valorie Fisher – offered by Pam Smith

INTERLUDE AND OFFERING – Phillip Herr-Klepacki

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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – offered by Mary Crummer

REFLECTION – “Let’s Make It Count” – offered by Bill Hutchinson

MUSIC – Bill Hutchinson and the congregation

“Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must the white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?

[Chorus]
The answer, my friend
Is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

Yes, and how many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?

[Chorus]

“Imagine” by John Lennon

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one.

“I’m in the Mood for Love” by Dorothy Fields

I’m in the mood for love
Simply because you’re near me.
Funny, but when you’re near me
I’m in the mood for love.

Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we’re under
Oh! Is it any wonder
I’m in the mood for love?

Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We’ve put our hearts together
Now we are one, I’m not afraid!

If there’s a cloud above
If it should rain we’ll let it
But for tonight, forget it!
I’m in the mood for love.

PRAYER – offered by Hannah Norton

BENEDICTION – offered by Bill Hutchinson

ALLELULIA

POSTLUDE

Many thanks to our guest speaker, Bill Hutchison. Bill is the owner and curator of the Theatre of Memory here in Gainesville. He is a Vietnam veteran. He was the Entertainment Director for the City of Gainesville for nearly 40 years. He organizes and directs the Solstice celebration done by Vets for Peace every year. Bill loves making people happy for a living.