United Church of Gainesville
Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 – 10 a.m.
Rev. Talia Raymond
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
PRELUDE – “The Trumpets Shall Sound on Easter Morn” by David Lantz III. Offered by The UCG Choir and Brass Ensemble: Trumpet – Nadal Gutierrez-Hernandez, Brian Martin, David Martin, Tim Martin, Larry Reimer; Trombone – Nati Gutierrez-Hernandez, Lucia Nelson; Flugelhorn – Mark Burlingame; French Horn – Michael Dixon
WELCOME – Rev. Talia Raymond
CALL TO WORSHIP from enfleshed
One: The tomb is empty!
ALL: How can it be?
One: God’s Love did not die at the hands of the empire!
ALL: The Resurrected One is alive,
One: moving ahead,
ALL: meeting us on the road,
One: leading us towards liberation.
ALL: Violence cannot threaten
One: nor can the power-hungry silence the workings of Radical Possibility.
ALL: Love is Resurrected!
One: The Holy is ever-present, beckoning us towards collective flourishing.
ALL: Bloom new life, bloom!
UNISON OPENING PRAYER
Holy Spirit, you show us the meaning of hope – that after tragedy, after death, there is more meaning to be lived. There is more beauty to witness, more intimacy to experience, more relationships to delight in, more liberation to embody. Embolden us to be a people who practice this hope. Amen.
OPENING HYMN – “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” #233 UCC Hymnal
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Chad McGinness
INVITATION TO OFFERING
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate
INTERLUDE AND OFFERING – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Chad McGinnis
MEDITATIVE MUSIC – “Only a Dream in Rio” by James Taylor, offered by David Evans
THE EASTER STORY – as told in Luke 24: 1-12 – Read by Michael Tudeen
SERMON – “Crying Hallelujah!” – Rev. Talia Raymond
EASTER LITANY by Janet Morley
Rev. Larry Reimer: When we are all despairing;
When the world is full of grief;
When we see no way ahead, and hope has gone away:
ALL: Roll back the stone!
Rev. Talia Raymond: Although we fear change;
Although we are not ready;
Although we’d rather weep and run away:
ALL: Roll back the stone!
Rev. Sandy Reimer: Because we’re coming with the women;
Because we hope where hope is in vain;
Because you call us from the grave and show the way:
ALL: Roll back the stone!
REJOICING TOGETHER – “The Hallelujah Chorus” G.F. Handel – Led by the UCG Choir and Brass Ensemble
BENEDICTION
ALLELUIA! #2 UCG Songbook
POSTLUDE
Valerie Aslakson-Jennings
Maxwell Burger
Ian Ragsdale
April 21
Owen Niemann
April 22
Juniper Barros
Alyssa Collins
Jill Ragsdale
Melissa Varady
April 23
Sally Chesrown
Beth Dovell
Brook Mathis
April 24
Teresa Donaldson Thomas
Hattie Hammond
April 25
Don Hall
Noah Kaufman
Hadiya Najm-Cary
Amanda Tudeen
Kaydie Vistelle
April 26
Bryan Clark
7:45 a.m. Childcare
8 a.m. Worship Service
Coffee Church
10 a.m. Worship Service
Coffee Church
Friendship Group
Middle School Together
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Coffee Church will be held in Reimer Hall at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. as an alternative space to the Sanctuary. The service will be livestreamed on the big screen TV and coffee and tea will be available. Join us if you want to eat and drink and be together in a less-crowded room for the service.
The small group “The Earth Loves You Back” still has some spaces available. The group will celebrate Earth Day 2025 on Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the library. If you wish to join and/or want more information, please contact Susan Cary, facilitator, at esqary@gmail.com.
Our Annual Noodles and Doodles Fundraiser is coming on Sunday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. This art sale and pasta dinner fundraiser supports our Youth United as they prepare for their summer work tour. This year, they are headed to Washington, DC to volunteer at World Pride 2025 and serve at various non-profits throughout the city. If you have artwork that you have made or that you would simply like to re-home, we are accepting donations! Please leave it in the office for Tami by Wednesday, April 23. We appreciate your support of this fun event and of our youth!
Welcome Basket for Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper and Warren Goldstein – Following her onsite interview and introduction to the congregation, the Reverend Dr. Donna Schaper was voted in unanimously as UCG’s first Interim Minister! Rev. Schaper will start at UCG on May 1. If you would like to contribute to a “Welcome to Gainesville” basket, please bring a gift card to your favorite local spot in any amount to the office by Sunday, April 27.
Lively Arts invites you to the spring concert of the Gainesville Flute Ensemble on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Join us for a varied program of music arranged for the full range of flute voices. The concert is free and open to the public.
UCG Directory – The Board of Membership encourages members to wear their name tags and upload a photo of themselves in our ShelbyNext online directory. This helps us put a face to a name and get to know one another. It is also helpful when individuals sign up for boards/committees, small groups, etc. To view your profile, go to https://bit.ly/UCGSNLog.
Work continues on the remodeling of the west side bathrooms. Please continue to use the office bathrooms for now. Exterior access is available from the breezeway between the chapel and courtyard, next to the water fountain. Note also that our west side parking lot may have limited spaces available.
Next Sunday, April 27
9:45 a.m. Childcare
Puzzlers Exchange
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Sandy Reimer, preaching sermon titled, “On the Other Side”
Coffee Church
Youth United/Middle School Together
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar – “The Trans, the Cis, and the Non-binary: Understanding the Gender Spectrum” with Carolina Cordero
2 p.m. OWL Program
5:30 p.m. Noodles and Doodles Pasta Dinner and Art Auction
Let’s Stay Connected
Read our April newsletter!
May newsletter deadline is this Tuesday, April 22.
Submit Your E-vents and Bulletin Announcements – Please email E-vents and bulletin announcements to Shanna Swiers to have them included in our newsletter, bulletin, and emails.
Church Office Schedule for April 2025
Mondays and Saturdays – Closed
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays – 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sundays – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
