Welcome to Worship
The United Church of Gainesville – January 3, 2021
Our service today is a single video. Click here
Welcome – Rev. Talia Raymond
Poem – This Brightness That You Bear by Jan Richardson, read by Shanna Swiers
This blessing
hardly knows what to say,
speechless as it is
not simply
from grief
but from the gratitude
that has come with it—
the thankfulness that sits
among the sorrow
and can barely begin
to tell you
what it means
not to be alone.
This blessing
knows the distances
you crossed
in person
in prayer
to enter into
days of waiting,
nights of long vigil.
It knows the paths
you traveled
to be here
in the dark.
Even in the shadows
this blessing
sees more than it can say
and has simply
come to show you
the light
that you have given
not to return it
to you
not to reflect it
back to you
but only to ask you
to open your eyes
and see
the grace of it,
the gift that shines
in this brightness
that you bear.
The Story of Epiphany – Home by Another Way: A Christmas Story by Barbara Brown Taylor, illustrated by Melanie Cataldo
Music – “March of the Kings,” Sally Simonis, flute; Ruth Saunders, violin; David Turner, cello
Prayers of the People – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Music: – “Coventry Carol,” Sally Simonis, flute; Ruth Saunders, violin; David Turner, cello
Sermon – “One Foot in Front of the Other” – Rev. Talia Raymond
Alleluia
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week.
Happy Birthday!
|
Elizabeth |
Franco |
01/03 |
|
Beckett |
Baldwin |
01/04 |
|
Dorothy |
Burnham |
01/04 |
|
Matt |
Gitzendanner |
01/04 |
|
Bill |
Munselle |
01/04 |
|
Joyce |
Koopman |
01/05 |
|
Karen |
Niederkohr |
01/05 |
|
Salam |
Tims |
01/06 |
|
Peggy |
Bowie |
01/07 |
|
Julie |
Thaler |
01/07 |
Sunday Schedule
Sunday Seminarat 11:15am – Lessons Going Forward — On Jan. 3, 2020 will finally be over and we will have to-do lists and resolutions for the New Year to write. Mary Fukuyama will help us with suggestions for how to get in a better frame of mind to get a fresh start for the new year. Join here. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624
Please also join us at 12:30pm for Congregational Coffee Hour – Talia will be available on our Zoom account to talk and share. She’ll be prepared to talk about the online worship experience, but with no set agenda other than hoping to see your faces and have a chance to touch base. Join here. Meeting ID: 875 0792 2974 Passcode: 1624
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Drive-By Donations!
Today, January 3, 2021 – 10 AM-12 PM
UCG Courtyard
The Compassion in Action Committee brings you these community outreach opportunities for the new year:
- Bring for Gainesville Community Ministry: non-perishable food items (shop the BOGOs).
- Bring for Grace Marketplace: cold weather items–blankets, jackets, sweatshirts with hoods (consider after Christmas sales)
On January 3, from 10am — noon, drive alongside the street in front of the UCG courtyard, pull off the street near the volunteers with tables, wear your mask, pop your trunk, and our awesome volunteers will pick up your donations.
Alternate plans for donating if January 3 is inconvenient:
Gainesville Community Ministries:
- Call CIA member Priscilla Arinson 352-219-6439 to coordinate pickup/dropoff of food with her; or
- Write a check to GCM, add UCG in memo line and mail to GCM, 238 SW 4th Ave, Gainesville, Fl 32601
Grace Marketplace:
Drop off your donations of blankets or coats/jackets/sweatshirts with hoods on
Kathryn Seagle’s protected front porch—near her red front door. Address is
3915 NW 21st Lane in Woodcreek between B’nai Israel and Fresh Market (from
16th Ave turn north on 38th Drive, turn left at second cul de sac, middle left
house – warning some GPS’s will send you to another NW 21st Lane in Forest
Ridge!)
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The survey is here! As part of our newly-adopted Three-Year-Plan, we have committed to periodically checking in with each other to assess how well church programs are meeting our needs for spiritual nurture, connection, and accessibility. Please respond to the survey today! It should take less than 10 minutes for most. Thanks!
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If you are a regular supporter through our collected offering, please consider making your donation now. Our budgeted (anticipated) amount of Plate Income for 2020 is $40,000, so we rely on the weekly passing of the plate. To GIVE, click here to make a one-time donation to UCG -or- to set up a recurring donation via your bank account or credit card click here. Thank you for your support.
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Please note: While the Church Office remains closed, we are still available by phone or email from 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.
