United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, May 4, 2025 – 10 a.m.
Rev. Talia Raymond
“Pen Pals”
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
“For God as my witness, how I long for all of you, because you hold me in your heart…” – Philippians 1:8
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Talia Raymond
PRELUDE – “The Church’s One Foundation” from Paul Basler’s Four Hymn Tune Settings, offered by Michael Dixon, French Horn and Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano
CALL TO WORSHIP – adapted from enfleshed
One: As the whole earth groans for freedom,
ALL: We will find our way through practices of love.
One: Love that is generous. Love that is bold.
ALL: Love that is reciprocal and risky.
One: Love that does not abandon nor neglect,
ALL: But is fulfilled in the joy of giving and receiving in equal measure.
One: That our hope may thrive and love be our aim,
ALL: Come, Holy Spirit, and stir in us your wild and creative force.
OPENING SONG – “The Gift of Love” #69 UCG Songbook
Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be giv’n by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, ( ) our hearts control ( ),
Our spirits long ( ) to be made whole ( ).
Let inward love ( ) guide every deed ( );
By this we worship ( ), and are freed ( ).
( ) = echo preceding phrase
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Talia Raymond
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Ellen Ribe
MEDITATIVE MUSIC – Offered by Mark Burlingame and Shirell Hix
READING – Excerpt; a letter from Allen Ginsberg to Peter Orlovsky, 1958 – read by Edo Carter
Bill thinks [the] new American generation will be hip and will slowly change things – laws and attitudes, he has hope there – for some redemption of America, finding its soul… you have to love all life, not just parts, to make the eternal scene, that’s what I think since we’ve made it, more and more I see it isn’t just between us, it’s a feeling that can [be] extended to everything. Tho I long for the actual sunlight contact between us, I miss you like a home. Shine back honey and think of me.
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – Piano Improvisation by Michael Dixon, piano
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate.
READING FROM SCRIPTURE – Excerpts from Paul’s letter to the Philippians
SERMON – “Love Letters” – Rev. Talia Raymond
HYMN – “The Rose” #75 UCG Songbook
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves the heart to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need;
I say love, it is a flower; and you, its only seed.
It’s the heart, afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.
It’s the dream, afraid of waking that never takes the chance.
It’s the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give;
And the soul, afraid of dying that never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember, in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love, in the spring, becomes the Rose.
BENEDICTION – Rev. Talia Raymond
ALLELUIA
Summer Hartley
Shelby Malaterre
Pat Morse
May 5
Nancy Day
May 6
Anne Casella
Bruce Jennings
May 7
Susan Cary
May 8
Charlie Williams
May 9
Kai Lemstrom
Anna Grace Niemann
Today at UCG
Food First
8:45 a.m. Childcare
9 a.m. Ministerial Mornings with Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Talia Raymond
Coffee Church
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Lost and Found table
11:15 a.m. Common Threaders
Youth United/Middle School Together
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar
Board of Parish Ministry meeting
Our interim minister, Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper, invites you to join her on Sunday mornings from 9 – 9:45 a.m. in Reimer Hall for “Ministerial Mornings” (aka coffee and conversation) starting today! Childcare will be available at 8:45 a.m.
Food First Sunday – In the first four months of 2025, our congregation donated over 942 pounds – almost half a ton – to the food pantry of our community partner, Gainesville Community Ministry. Thank you for your commitment to this important ministry! Donations of nonperishable food items immensely help those experiencing food insecurity in our community. Place your donations in the shopping cart outside of the Sanctuary. If you forget to bring your donations or prefer to donate online click here.
Coffee Church will be held in Reimer Hall at 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.
Lost and Found table – Please stop by the table in the courtyard today or next Sunday, May 11, and see if you find anything that you’ve lost. Items not claimed by May 11 will be donated.
Middle School Together and Youth United – Please grab some cash and join Lucy, Yo and friends in the courtyard at 11:15 a.m. for our last Walk and Talk of the year. Also, mark your calendars for next Sunday, May 11, from 5 – 7 p.m. for “Nailed It! UCG Edition.”
Sunday Seminar – Join the Congregational Life Team for another exciting seminar at 11:30 a.m. in Reimer Hall. We will be discussing the behavioral covenant draft, holding space for reflection and feedback, and answering your questions about what a behavioral covenant is and how it will support our life of faith (however known). In person and on Zoom.
We are still celebrating our record-breaking Noodles and Doodles work tour fundraising effort last Sunday. We had our biggest turnout of attendees yet, and raised $4,875 so far in support of work tour – just shy of our $5,000 goal! If you wish to donate to work tour, click here.
A new art exhibit in the UCG Library starts on Sunday, May 11, featuring mixed media and watercolor works by artist friends who have been meeting weekly via Zoom since 2020. When Covid hit, folks who had drawn and painted together as part of Journey Daybook decided to continue to meet online for sharing and support. Most of the participants are members of UCG. The opening reception will follow the church service.
We are excited to announce that remodeling of the west side bathrooms is complete! We still need to do one more electrical hookup in the gender inclusive restroom, but the two main restrooms are open and “good to go.” 😊
Next Sunday, May 11
8:45 a.m. Childcare
9 a.m. Ministerial Mornings with Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper
Coffee Church
11 a.m. Library Art Reception
11:15 a.m. Board of Membership meeting
11:30 a.m. Sunday seminar: Building a Welcoming Community
with Lauren Poe
3 p.m. Dances of Universal Peace
5 p.m. Youth United/Middle School Together
6 p.m. Sacred Sound Symphony
Save the Date!
***Sabbatical Send-Off Celebration for Rev. Talia***
hosted by Congregation Ministry Review Board
Join us for a potluck breakfast on Sunday, May 18 before the service from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Stop by for a few minutes or stay awhile! There will be a slideshow of some of the sights/activities she has planned. Stop by to decorate a bookmark with a message of love, a book recommendation, or a suggestion of a must-see location in France or England! If you feel so moved, you can also make a financial donation to symbolically purchase her a cup of coffee at a cafe or an admission ticket to a museum.
The Spring Congregational Meeting will also be held that morning at 11:30 a.m. following the Children’s Sabbath and Graduate Sunday service.
That same afternoon, a service of celebration, full of music and love to honor the life of Jeff Shapiro will be held at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary with reception to follow in Reimer Hall.
This will be another full day at UCG!
Let’s Stay Connected
Read our May newsletter!
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 May 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.
