United Church of Gainesville
Children’s Sabbath and Graduate Sunday
May 18, 2025 – 10 a.m.

Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.

“I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve. The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change.”  – Maya Angelou

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - Eliot Mathis

PRELUDE – “Grown Up” by Leith Ross, flag solo by Mae Jewell McGinnis

CALL TO WORSHIP

Oak: Dear God, Thank You for making me me.
Abby: With my own thoughts and my own heart,
Callie: My silly laugh and my quiet wonder,
Gideon: My bright ideas and big feelings.

ALL: We are all one of a kind, and that is a gift.

Adelyn: Help me remember that I am beloved,
Koa: Not because of what I do, but just because I am.
Frida: When I feel unsure,
Riley: Remind me that I belong,

ALL: to my family, my friends, my church, and always to You, O God of belonging. Thank You for loving every part of me, and for helping me love others too. Amen.

OPENING SONG – “What a Wonderful World” #83, UCG Songbook

OPENING PRAYER – Gloria Burger

TIME WITH GRANDPARENTS AND BIRTHDAYS – Georgia Vanover and Ana White, What Would You Do in a Book About You? by Jean Reidy, pictures by Joey Chou

PRESENTATION OF BIBLES – Mira Lemstrom, 2^nd-3^rd grade Lead Teacher
BLESSING – Julia Rainer, Director of Children’s Ministries

FIFTH GRADE BRIDGE BLESSING – Fiona Hammond, 4^th-5^th Grade Lead Teacher with Tami Herchel, Lucy Stein, and Yo’Quarius Tucker, Middle School Together Team

INTERLUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
Children 3 years – 5^th grade may leave for our children’s program, Kids United, in the education wing and playground. Our nursery for babies and toddlers is also available until 12:45 p.m., as is a parents’ room at the back of the Sanctuary.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond

SABBATICAL BLESSING for Rev. Talia Raymond, led by Edo Carter and Beth Hinrichs, on behalf of CMRB

Leader: Dear friends, as our minister prepares to embark on a time of sabbatical set aside for study, renewal, and fun, we gather to bless her, and to bless one another in this season of change.

Rev. Talia: I stand at the threshold of this sabbatical, feeling both the weight and the wonder of stepping into a season of learning. I have felt your love and guidance, and I trust that as I wander these new paths, I carry with me the spirit of our community. I receive this time of sabbatical as a sacred opportunity; to renew my spirit, my mind, and my heart. I will step away from the daily rhythms of ministry, trusting that I will return with new wisdom and insight as I rekindle the flame of calling.

Leader: We, your church family, lift you up in prayer, sending you with our blessing, our love, and our prayers that your sabbatical be a time of rest and refreshment, a time for deep learning, and for the renewal of your spirit. We trust that the Holy Spirit will guide your journey. May you return to us with strength and vision, ready to continue the work of love and justice with us.

ALL: We affirm the journey, embrace the learning, and celebrate the bonds that unite us. Together, we will carry the work forward while you are away. We bless one another in this season of change, and we trust in the Spirit’s guidance and the wisdom that will emerge.

Rev. Talia: Thank you for your blessing as I begin this pilgrimage into insight, imagination, and rest. I will return to you with a renewed heart, a sharpened vision, and the joy that comes from deep wells. My prayer for you is that you practice trust, shared leadership, and the holy work of healing and discernment this summer.

ALL: May we all share an openness to wisdom and growth. May we support one another with compassion. Knowing that we are held in love and care, we will remain faithful to our shared calling. May this be a season of blessing for pastor and people alike. Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERTORY – “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks, offered by Beatriz Engels, Fiona Hammond, Mira Lemstrom, and Mae Jewell McGinnis, vocalists, accompanied by Art Crummer, David Evans, and Alan Hill

Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate.

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR GRADUATES 

Maxwell Burger
Beatriz Engels
Fiona Hammond
Mira Lemstrom
Mae Jewell McGinnis

SENIOR SLIDESHOW

A PARTING BLESSING FOR OUR GRADUATING SENIORS

CLOSING SONG – “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” #82, UCC Hymnal

BENEDICTION 

ALLELUIA

POSTLUDE

Congratulations to our 2025 Graduates

Maxwell Burger is graduating from the Buchholz High School Academy of Finance with honors. He will begin a study abroad program at the University of Salamanca in Palma, Spain this summer, and continue his studies at Santa Fe College in the fall.

Beatriz Engels is graduating from the IB program at Eastside High School and will be attending Colgate University in New York in the fall.

Fiona Hammond is graduating from Gainesville High School and will be attending Loyola University Chicago to study English in the fall.

Mira Lemstrom is graduating from Gainesville High School and will be attending Florida State University in the fall to study Biology and English.

Mae Jewell McGinnis will be graduating from Gainesville High School and Santa Fe’s dual enrollment. In the fall, she will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in film and media production. After college she plans to work as a wildlife filmmaker for National Geographic or other organizations as well as break into the creative side of the film industry.

Miles Wolcott-Durante is graduating from Gainesville High School after spending his junior and senior years in dual enrollment at Santa Fe College. He is attending University of South Florida in Tampa beginning this August and will be majoring in business.

Eric Vogel is graduating from P.K. Yonge and will attend Florida State University, majoring in Civil Engineering.

 

We are thankful for our Children’s Ministry Staff

Julia Rainer – Director of Children’s Ministries
Mae Jewell McGinnis – Kids United K-1^st Lead Teacher
Mira Lemstrom – Kids United 2^nd-3^rd Lead Teacher
Fiona Hammond – Kids United 4^th-5^th Lead Teacher
Lucy Stein – Middle School Together Lead Teacher
Shay Smith – Director of Infant and Toddler Care

And our wonderful Childcare Aides

• Juniper Barros
• Justin Blakely
• Alithia Del Vecchio
• Beatriz Engels
• Carlos Frenock
• Diego Frenock
• Callie Hammond
• Will Hartley
• Eliza McGinnis
• Mae Jewell McGinnis
• Maggie Nelson
• Anna Niemann
• Olivia Sandberg
• Isa Ward
• Benny White