United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, November 24, 2024 – 10 a.m.
Soul Food
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
PRELUDE – offered by Phillip Herr-Klepacki, Director of Music Ministry
CALL TO WORSHIP – “Tiny Prayer (for those who are finding it difficult to be optimistic)” by Rev. Micah Bucey – led by Rev. Talia Raymond
May you welcome the nonbinary knowledge that optimism and pessimism are not your only choices, and may you commit to a truth in between, a truth that exists even when you don’t remember it, that you have resources, community, and your own gifts to offer, that there is meaning, even when the path ahead is unclear, and may you stop trying to force assured steps and instead wander with the rest of us for a while. Amen.
OPENING SONG – “This Is My Song”
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
INTERLUDE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond
MEDITATIVE MUSIC – offered by Nan Ryan, handpan
SCRIPTURE – “Bryce Farmers Psalm 121 – A Song of Ascents” from Liturgies From Below: Praying with People at the End of the World by Cláudio Carvalhaes – read by Stuart Huggard
I lift up my eyes to the green Jamaican hills.
From where does our produce come?
It comes from us – God’s proud Jamaican farmers,
who toil, till, and sow God’s beautiful, bountiful earth.
We will not let our faith be moved,
we who keep each other in constancy,
we who keep each other,
we will praise our land and our lord together always.
We are each other’s cheerful keeper.
We are the seeds and the machete in each other’s hands.
The market will not ruin us by day
nor the thieves who steal crops by night.
We will keep each other through empire.
We will keep each other’s life and laughter.
We will keep each other’s plantings and harvests,
from now on and forevermore.
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING – “What Does the Lord Require of You?”
Laurie Alsobrook and the “Rounders” will sing through this multi-part round and then invite the congregation to join in singing, part by part.
SERMON – “What is Required” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “Simple Gifts” attributed to Joseph Brackett – offered by Laurie Alsobrook and Jean Cunningham, dulcimer
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate.
LITANY OF DEDICATION – Members of the Enlistment Team
CLOSING HYMN – “Amazing Grace” verses 1, 3, and 5
Rev. Larry Reimer will offer a trumpet introduction before the congregation joins in singing.
BENEDICTION – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
ALLELUIA
POSTLUDE
Here are our UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week:
Alberto Breccia
November 27
Jackie Davis
Laura Line
Jim Harper
Sharon Conley
November 29
Art Crummer
December 1
Carol Barron
Lane Devereaux
December 2
Max Archer
Today at UCG
9:45 a.m. Childcare
Puzzler Exchange
10 a.m. Worship Service
Friendship Group
10:15 a.m. Kids United
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Meet the Interim Minister Search Committee
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar
Lessons and Carols Rehearsal
1 p.m. Congregational Life Team Meeting
6 p.m. Special Service for Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Calling all puzzle lovers – Stop by the Puzzler’s Table in front of seminar B today before service. Take home some puzzles, a great substitute for TV watching, and good for your brain! You can bring puzzles to swap, or not; we have plenty to share. If you have puzzles to donate to the church please contact puzzle co-chair Marianne Schmink.
Friendship group will meet today at 10 a.m. in the west wing. We will be practicing the chimes for playing in the Prelude on December 15. We’ll do some other singing as well and our usual catching up. Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Meet the Interim Minister Search Committee – Members of the search committee want to chat with you and get your feedback! Meet us at a table in the courtyard for informal conversation. If you don’t have time to chat this morning, feel free to answer our 2-question survey online.
Sunday Seminar today at 11:30 a.m. in Reimer Hall and on Zoom – Theology of Lessons and Carols – The language of Christmas carols is always a source for conversation and questions: What is a Noel? What is the difference between a Gaudete and a Gloria? Rev. Talia Raymond will lead a discussion about some of our 2024 Lessons and Carols texts. Join us to learn some history, some context, and get a sneak peek at some of our musical pieces for this year’s beloved service. Seminar is available via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624
It’s All-Church Band Time Again – If you do now or ever have played a band instrument, you are invited to join the UCG All Church Band for our annual Christmas Sing-Along Medley on December 15. We have one rehearsal at 9:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Music will be available in the foyer beginning today. Take a part, sign your name so we know who is playing, reintroduce yourself to your instrument if necessary, and join in the joy.
The Congregation / Ministry Review Board (CMRB) invites you to a special service in the Sanctuary, tonight at 6 p.m., reflecting on our shared ministry with Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan as its close draws near. Special music, prayers, and time to share space together, in thanksgiving and grief for what has been and what yet will be. All are welcome.
Help Serve a Thanksgiving Lunch at Girls Place – Since 2018 some of our members have helped Girls Place serve a Thanksgiving meal for the girls andstaff. After a two-year pause, we safely returned in 2022 and have been invited back since. The meal is served between 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27. Please arrive at 10:30 a.m. for a guided tour of their facility. You are welcome to stay and eat with the girls once everyone is served. Please note: Girls Place is not requiring masks but they are always welcome. If you do wear a mask, please bring your own or let Shanna at the UCG office know to bring you one. Click here to sign up! If you would like more information about Girls Place, visit their website here. Thank you!
A note about Advent Contemplative Prayer from Sandy Reimer – “Advent,” says author Frederick Buechner, “is like the hush of a theater just before the curtain rises.” And that’s what I invite you to… the hush of a theater just before the curtain rises. During December’s busy-ness, this hour of quiet each week offers time to experience that spiritual hush, moments that bring respite for your soul. In the beauty of our candlelit Sanctuary, we will reflect on three components of the Advent journey through silence, readings and quiet reflection, gather in small groups to share and to listen and to hold one another in prayer. Participants are asked to commit to at least two of the three sessions on Tuesdays; December 3, 10, and 17, 6 – 7 p.m. If you registered through the adult small groups process, you are already signed up, or to register now, you can email Shanna or email Sandy directly. The registration deadline for this group is Friday, November 29.
Christmas Mini-Grants – The Compassion in Action Committee is soliciting requests for Christmas Mini-Grants in support of people or causes in need of financial assistance during the holiday season. These small grants of $50 to $150 go to local individuals, families, and non-profit organizations known by our congregation members. Forms are available in the church office or online at bit.ly/ciamingrant24. The deadline for requests is Friday, November 29.
Next Sunday, December 1
Food First Sunday
9:15 a.m. Youth Choir
9:45 a.m. Childcare
10 a.m. Worship Service – Board of Parish Ministry
10:15 a.m. Kids United
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:15 a.m. Lively Arts Committee Meeting
11:30 a.m. Hanging of the Greens
Sunday Seminar – Interim Minister Search Committee
Lessons and Carols Rehearsal
2 p.m. OWL Program
This month’s Food First Sunday is both December 1 and 8, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Gainesville Community Ministry’s Food Pantry especially needs nonperishable donations to their food pantry for holiday meals such as: gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, ham, vegetables, beans, fruit pie filling, spaghetti sauce, pasta, brownies, cookies, and frosting. To date in 2024, we have provided 1.6 tons of food – 3,184 pounds! If you forget to bring your donations or prefer to donate online, please visit bit.ly/ciafoodfirst.
Sunday Seminar: Interim Minister Search Committee – Join members of the Interim Minister Search Committee to learn about the role of an interim minister, what work we’ve done so far, and what to expect as our process of finding and hiring a minister continues. We’ll answer questions we’ve received up to this point as well as any that come up during the seminar. There will also be an opportunity for you to provide input on what skills and qualities you’re looking for in an interim minister. Seminar is available via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624
Mark Your Calendars for Flamy Grant in Concert at UCG – Award-winning and Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant, a shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina will have a concert at United Church of Gainesville on December 3 at 8 p.m., tickets are $20 and available online. A powerhouse vocalist and intrepid songwriter who blends country, folk, gospel, and roots music, Flamy delivers a theatrical, therapeutic, and wholly original storytelling experience, all shared through the evocative art of drag.
Men’s Lunch Group Annual Squirrel Pie Lunch – All United Church of Gainesville men are invited to this holiday tradition on Friday, December 6, 12 – 1:30 p.m. in Reimer Hall. Bring adult beverages, salads, side dishes, and desserts that go with squirrel. Sign up at bit.ly/Squirrel24 or look for the sign up on the bulletin board on Sundays.
The Kids United Lessons and Carols Final Rehearsal with Phillip, our Director of Music will be on Saturday, December 7, at 9 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Children have been learning their song on Sunday mornings.
Mark Your Calendar for this Year’s Children’s Advent Craft Fair –This year’s theme is holiday-focused activities that spark interest in our youth and foster intergenerational relationships within our church community. The craft fair will take place on Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Reimer Hall. Cost is $5 per child or $10 per family as a suggested donation, look in future communications to sign up.
