United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, June 9, 2024 – 10 a.m.
“Spirituality, However Known”
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
WELCOME, INTRODUCTION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Talia Raymond
UCG STORY CORPS – Barbara Kelleher
PRELUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
CALL TO WORSHIP, written by m jade kaiser
ONE: The One who raises the sun each morning and lifts high the moon at night,
ALL: ushers us too,
ONE: through cycles of rising, falling, and rising again. Though we stumble,
ALL: God lifts us.
ONE: Though we doubt,
ALL: God remains.
ONE: Though we get weary,
ALL: God revives. Amen.
OPENING SONG – “Amazing Grace”
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “She Persisted” written by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger – shared by Rev. Talia Raymond
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “Author of Justice” words by Lloyd Larson, tune: Slane, trad. Irish melody – offered by our UCG Choir
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond
MUSIC FOR MEDITATION – Offered by Connie Caldwell, drums, Mary Fukuyama, native flute, and Shirell Hix, piano
READING FROM SCRIPTURE – 1 Samuel 16:1-11 – Dr. Rik Stevenson
SERMON – “Overcoming the Giants in Your Life” – offered by Dr. Rik Stevenson
CLOSING SONG – “Here I Am, Lord”
I the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in shadows dim, my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Chorus:
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them; whom shall I send?
(Chorus)
I the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide ‘til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
(Chorus)
BENEDICTION – Dr. Rik Stevenson
ALLELULIA
POSTLUDE
Many thanks to our guest speaker, Dr. Robert L. Stevenson, Jr. Dr. Stevenson is a retired pastor after 30 years of full-time service. He serves presently as an Assistant Instructional Professor at the University of Florida. He teaches several courses in African American and African Studies as well as courses in Liberal Studies and African American Religion and African American Church History. Dr. Stevenson also teaches courses in Theological and Biblical Research Methods at The United Theological Seminary, Ocala Campus. Dr. Stevenson holds two master’s degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Doctorate in Divinity from the Southern California School of Ministry, and a PhD from Michigan State University. His primary area of research focuses on the role of suicide by drowning as a form a resistance during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. He is a certified scuba diver and has done multiple underwater expeditions in search of sunken slave vessels. Finally, Dr. Stevenson is the CEO of RLS2 Consulting, a Diversity Equity and Inclusion company that conducts seminars on Cultural Competency for Police Departments, School Districts and Colleges and Universities, nationwide.
Here are our UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week:
Eva Fabrick6/15:
Joyce Griffiths
Jan Haase
Sam Harris
Ted Runions
Joan Stevens
Steven Wallace
Today at UCG
10 a.m. Worship Service
10:15 a.m. Activity Time
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Ask the Leadership
11:15 a.m. Art in the Library Reception
11:30 a.m. UCG Concentric Connections
5 p.m. Leadership Summit
6 p.m. SG: Sacred Sound Symphony
Art in the Library Reception – There will be a reception in the library after the worship service for art by Mary Fukuyama. The exhibit is titled “Life is a Journey” or “It’s for the Birds!”
UCG Concentric Connections: Reconnecting With Each Other with Helda Montero at 11:30 a.m. in Reimer Hall. Time flies. So much has happened in our lives. With the busy pace of our lives, it is easy to lose the connecting points with each other and as a congregation. Are there folks you haven’t spoken with in a while? Have you been away for a time? Are you newer to our community and want to get to know more people? Have you ever felt lifted after spending some moments in deeper connection with a fellow UCGer? Come join us for this fun and easygoing way to get to know each other again. You won’t want to miss it.
Story Corps – Tell YOUR UCG Story! This summer’s UCG activity inspired by NPR’s Story Corp is here and you can be a part of it. We will be recording stories of your seminal experiences at UCG. See the sign-up sheet and sample questions at the Story Cycle in the courtyard. Available storytelling dates are June 16, June 30, July 14, and July 21.
Ask the Leadership – After the service, look out for the new “Ask the Leadership” table in the courtyard. The Moderator and other church leaders will take turns at the table each Sunday to answer questions and provide updates on UCG activities. You’re welcome to stop by, grab a seat, and get an update on church happenings. Handouts with updates will be available at the table.
Letter from Shanna Swiers – For the Town Hall meeting on May 5, links to a few documents were provided. Shanna was in the process of drafting a letter, so it was not provided at the time of the meeting. She took time to formulate her thoughts and sent her statement on May 21. If you would like to have or see a copy of her letter, please stop by the Ask the Leadership table this Sunday or email moderator@ucgainesville.org.
Leadership Summit – from 5-8 p.m. in Reimer Hall. This year we would like to invite anyone interested! Our theme is “Every Member is a Leader.” Even if you have not registered, you are still welcome to attend. Please bring a potluck dish to share with others.
Art in the Sanctuary – Please take the time to enjoy the calligraphy art by Joon Thomas hanging in the Sanctuary as we explore “Spirituality However Known” this summer. For more information about their work, see https://worldcalligraphy.com/about/.
Pathfinding in Progress – The Pathfinder Subcommittee began meeting on May 22 and continues to meet every Wednesday for the summer (except on Church Council Wednesdays). The committee is engaging in conversations with past and present Congregation-Ministry Review Board (CMRB) chairs, moderators, and other lay leaders. Planning is underway for listening sessions, and additional outreach opportunities. They plan to meet monthly with CMRB and deliver their recommendations on August 14 to CMRB. Committee members are Meaghan Bonnaghan (chair), Andy Ingram (CMRB Liason), Berta Hernandez, Heather Dewar, Taylor Stein, Shelby Havens, Hannah Norton, Joanne LaFramenta, Ronald Nutter, and Mary Fukuyama.
The All-Church Band is planning another performance at the 10 a.m. service on July 7, offering “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Musicians of all skill levels are encouraged to pick up music in the Sanctuary foyer, practice on their own, and join others for a single rehearsal at 9 a.m. on July 7.
Ray Meeks Birthday Offering: This June, Ray will turn 71. He has had quadruple heart bypass surgery. He has degenerative disc disease and uses a walker. And he never stops smiling. The only worry he had when he left Death Row was that people at UCG might forget about him, since his case was no longer quite so notable. So, let him know that we remember him on his birthday, June 28. We’ll be accepting money for him at UCG throughout June. Make a contribution to UCG and designate it for Ray Meeks. You may leave a note for him at the office or send him a card at PO Box 23608, Tampa, FL 33623. Please include his number next to his name, 046346.
Summer of Congregational Renewal – The Congregation-Ministry Review Board and the Renewal Subcommittee have spent the past several months preparing for the sabbatical of Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan. They have put together a series of speakers, events, and activities. Schedules are available here or in the foyer.
10:00 a.m. Worship Service with Pradeep Kumar
10:15 a.m. Activity Time
11:00 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Ask the Leadership
11:15 a.m. Lively Arts Committee Meeting
Story Corps
11:30 a.m. UCG Summer Book Tasting
