Spirituality, However Known
Sunday, July 28, 2024 – 10 a.m.
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
“All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir”
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Talia Raymond
UCG STORY CORPS – Alexis Dixon
PRELUDE – “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem,” Trad. music and pre–Israeli words and “Artza Alinu,” words 1928 by Shmuel Navon; trad. melody from a Hasidic nigun. Offered by The Klezmer Katz Band: Elaine Jacobson, piano and vocals, Jeff Shapiro, soprano and bass clarinets, Keith Berg, percussion, and Chris Ypsilanti, double bass
CALL TO WORSHIP – C.A.M.P. UCG Staff
One: We are amazed by the creation of the world and all the living creatures in the earth, sky, and sea.
ALL: We are thankful, O God.
One: For the gentle eyes of the deer, the friendship of dogs, the purr of cats, the strength of bears, the beauty of a hippo, the humor of chimps, the intelligence of gorillas, the grace of dolphins, and the magnificence of whales. Help us to keep them safe.
ALL: We are thankful, O God.
One: For the bond between all living creatures created by the same author, and for the memory of our kinship to the animal world kindled each time a rainbow appears,
ALL: We are thankful, O God.
One: Keep us mindful of the vision of the peaceable kin–dom in which all living creatures dwell in harmony.
ALL: This we pray, O God.
One: Give us eyes to see our responsibilities, not just to the human community, but the community of all living creatures. Let us be mindful of the rabbinic instruction that “The way a person treats an animal is an index to their soul.”
ALL: Help us to see, O God.
One: We pray this, O God. Help us be kind and gentle with all of creation, that we may help the sun shine on all of your creation with peace and love. Amen.
CAMP SONG SING–A–LONG – led by C.A.M.P. UCG Staff
“Paula the Koala”
“All God’s Critters” – Rev. Larry Reimer, guitar
Chorus:
All God’s critters got a place in the choir
Some sing low, some sing higher
Some sing out loud on the telephone wire
And some just clap their hands, or paws
Or anything they got.
Listen to the bass, it’s the one on the bottom
Where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamus
Moans and groans with a big to-do
The old cow just goes MOOOOO
The dog and the cat pick up the middle
While the honey bee hums and the cricket fiddles
The donkey brays and the pony neighs
And the old coyote howls (Chorus)
Listen to the top where the little birds sing
On the melody with the high note ringing
The hoot owl hollers over everything
And the jaybird disagrees
Singin’ in the night-time, singin’ in the day
Little duck quacks, and he’s on his way
The possum ain’t got much to say
And the porcupine talks to himself (Chorus)
It’s a simple song of livin’ sung everywhere
By the ox and the fox and the grizzly bear
Grumpy alligator and the hawks above
Sly raccoon and the turtle dove.
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “How to Hug a Pufferfish” by Ellie Peterson, told by Lucy Stein, Jamie Bell and the C.A.M.P. UCG Kids
CAMP Slideshow
INTERLUDE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond
MEDITATIVE MUSIC – offered by Sally Simonis, flute, Ruth Saunders, violin, and David Turner, cello
RESPONSIVE PRAYER: Prayer for Peace Siddur from Lev Shalem
ONE: May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease, when a great peace will embrace the whole world.
ALL: Then nation will not threaten nation, and the human family will not again know war.
ONE: For all who live on earth shall realize we have not come into being to hate or to destroy. We have come into being to praise, to labor and to love.
ALL: Compassionate God, bless the leaders of all nations with the power of compassion.
ONE: Fulfill the promise conveyed in Scripture: I will bring peace to the land, and you shall lie down and no one shall terrify you.
ALL: I will rid the land of vicious beasts and it shall not be ravaged by war.
ONE: Let justice and righteousness flow like a mighty stream. Let God’s peace fill the earth as the waters fill the sea. And let us say:
ALL: Amen
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING: “Zemer Atik,” (“Ancient Melody”) choreographed by Rivka Sturman, 1956. Offered by The Klezmer Katz Band
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REFLECTION: “L’Ayla L’Ayla – Higher and Higher: A reflection on Spirituality and Meaning in Judaism” – Rabbi David Kaiman
CLOSING HYMN – “All Things Bright and Beautiful,”
BENEDICTION
ALLELUIA
POSTLUDE – “Noch A Bisel” (“A Little More”, a Yiddish/klezmer song), Recorded 1917, arr. by Jack Kammen. Offered by The Klezmer Katz Band
A huge, hippopotamus–sized thank you to all who made “Critter Camp” at CAMP UCG possible through donations, support, and care! A special ca–cawphony of thanks to our camp staff and volunteers:
Jamie Bell
Leif Bittikoffer
Justin Blake
Catherine Cake
Aiyana Duerksen–Raymond
Bea Engels
Finnette Fabrick
Carlos Frenock
Elise Lee
Finn Peck
Kathryn Rabb
Mio Sow
Lucy Stein
Sofi White
Julia Crawford, Director of Children’s Ministries
Rabbi David Kaiman has served as rabbi at Congregation B’nai Israel since June 2003. Rabbi Kaiman was ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY in June of 2003 with an MA in Hebrew Letters and concentration in religious education. Rabbi Kaiman has served as a rabbi and educator at congregations in Florida, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Maryland. Rabbi Kaiman also spent several summers as an educator at Camp Ramah including two years with the Tikvah Program for Special Needs Jewish Education at Camp Ramah in New England. Prior to entering seminary, Rabbi Kaiman spent 21 years as a corporate manager in industry where he was active as a community leader for religious and secular organizations. Rabbi Kaiman also is proud to be a graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville and a Gator. Married to Rebeca Shalom, LCSW, they have two grown sons and two wonderful daughters–in–law. They also have three adorable granddaughters and this year welcomed their first grandson.
Here are our UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week:
Frances Kaufman
Mary Anne Wagner
Khoe WinchesterAugust 1
Lucy SteinAugust 2
Betsy Harris
August 3
Robin Nuzum
Emily DeRoche
Today at UCG
Puzzler Exchange
10:00 a.m. Worship Service
10:15 a.m. Activity Time
11:00 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Ask the Leadership
1 p.m. Picnic at O’Leno State Park
Puzzler Exchange – Stop by the Puzzlers’ Table in front of Seminar B. Take home some puzzles this week, a great substitute for TV watching, and good for your brain! You can bring puzzles to swap, or not; we have plenty to share.
Ask the Leadership – The Moderator and other church leaders take turns at the table each Sunday to answer questions and provide updates on UCG activities. You’re welcome to stop by, grab a seat, and get an update on church happenings. Handouts with updates will be available at the table. Email moderator@ucgainesville.org with additional questions.
Art in the Library – A new artwork exhibit by Keith Berg will be available for a preview this Sunday. Stop into the library after the service and have a look. The official reception will be held on August 4.
Picnic at O’Leno State Park today at 1:00 p.m. – All UCGers and friends come have fun and fellowship at our church picnic. Pack a picnic basket, bring your own chairs. There is river access, so bring a swimsuit if you’d like to cool off. Please note there will be no lifeguard on duty. O’Leno State Park is located at 410 SE O’Leno Park Rd, High Springs, FL 32643. Park admission fee is $5 per vehicle. Visit the park website for information and directions.
Capital Campaign Feasibility Study Update: One of the important findings of this spring’s Capital Campaign Feasibility Study was that congregants needed to learn more about the projects on the “Essential Repairs and Improvements” list, what they entailed, why they were necessary, and so on. As part of the effort to address this need, the UCG Capital Campaign Visioning Committee and the Buildings and Grounds Committee are assembling a series of short videos to describe projects on the “Essential Repairs and Improvements” list. The videos will be available on this YouTube playlist: https://tinyurl.com/UCGProjects. The first two videos cover the church water supply, and the beam that separates Reimer Hall from the West Wing. Please send any questions or comments about the projects, and about the effectiveness of these videos, to either Tim Martin or Erick Smith.
Food First Sunday
10:00 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Talia Raymond
10:15 a.m. Activity Time
11:00 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Ask the Leadership
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar: “Spirituality as I Know It”
Art in the Library Reception
A Reminder to Gather Water – Wherever you are this summer – in your own backyard or somewhere else, in this or another country – gather a small amount of water to bring to our annual Gathering of Waters service on Sunday, August 11. We will celebrate our summer journeys, however known, and our reunited community. We will combine the gathered waters into one sacred water to use for baptisms and blessing rituals in the coming year.
Open and Affirming Sunday Social – UCG’s Open and Affirming Committee (ONA) is launching a new monthly social gathering the second Sunday of the month called the “Open and Affirming Sunday Social.” Come get to know members of UCG in a fun and inclusive environment, hosted by ONA. Our second Sunday Social will be dinner on August 11 at 5 p.m. at the 4th Ave Food Park (409 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601). This event will be family friendly, so bring the kids (and the kids at heart)! Please contact Brandon Telg with any questions.
COVID is back! Emergency room visits and hospitalizations for COVID-19 have both increased dramatically. The newest variant LB.1 causes symptoms much like previous COVID strains but evades most people’s waning immunity. However, prior immunization against COVID will help protect you from serious, life-threatening illness.
With such a high prevalence in the community, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with compromised immunity are advised to wear masks when attending indoor public events. People who are severely immune compromised should speak to their doctor about getting a monoclonal antibody called Pemgarda (pemivibart) to protect them against acquiring COVID-19.
Everyone should consider getting one of the three updated COVID vaccines that will be available in August and September.