United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, April 21, 2024 – 10 a.m.
Earth Day Celebration

Our live stream begins here at 10 a.m.

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”
– Rachel Carson

GATHERING MUSIC (at 9:55) – “Mystery” from Missa Gaia by Paul Winter, as performed at St. Paul’s Cathedral, New York, in 2015 – photography and video editing by Allan March

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – offered by Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

PRELUDE – “It’s Only a Paper Moon” by H. Arlen, Y. Harburg and B. Rose – offered by The Jazz Bandits

CALL TO WORSHIP – from Upstream: Collected Essays by Mary Oliver – offered by Connie Caldwell

ONE: I would say that there exist a thousand unbreakable links between each of us and everything else,

ALL: and that our dignity and our chances are one. 

ONE: The farthest star and the mud at our feet are a family;

ALL: and there is no decency or sense in honoring one thing, or a few things, and then closing the list. 

ONE: The pine tree, the leopard, the Platte River, and ourselves – we are at risk together, or we are on our way to a sustainable world together.

ALL: We are each other’s destiny.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – offered by Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

OPENING HYMN – “For the Beauty of the Earth” – UCC Hymnal #28

TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – offered by Jim Harper

INTERLUDE – Mark Burlingame – Children 3 years-5th grade may leave for our children’s program, United Tribes, following the hymn. Our nursery for babies and toddlers and childcare for older is available until 12:30 p.m., as is a parents’ room at the back of the sanctuary.

READING – From “UCG Welcome Statement” – offered by Janet March

“This church is independent in spirit and congregational in organization, welcoming into its fellowship persons embodying a wide range of religious convictions. We honor the Timucua, Seminole, and all other Native people who lived on this land and cared for it long before us. The church values the human diversity each individual brings to the congregation, including racial identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and religious background.”

REFLECTION – “Remembering the Original Stewards of This Land” – offered by Dr. Aaron Broadwell

SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERTORY – “Fever” by E. Cooley and J. Davenport – offered by The Jazz Bandits. 

FEVER (Climate Change version by Jim Harper)

Captn’ Kirk and Miss Uhuru
Had a kiss that really shocked
Maybe they can send the Starship
Save us from this burning Rock

Chorus: 
You give me fever, when you kiss me,
Fever when you hold me tight,
Fever in the morning,
Fever all through the night

Feels like we’re inside an oven
Feels like we’ve made a mistake
Stop the fossil fuels from burning
Cause they’re gonna make us bake (Chorus)

Mother Nature’s got fever
Coming from Climate Change
When the fossil fuel is burning
Everybody gets deranged (Chorus)

Can we stop the whole earth burning?
Can we choose a cooler way?
Yes we have to make some changes
Cause climate change is here today (Chorus)

Everybody’s got the fever, that is something you all know
Fever isn’t such a new thing, Fever started long ago.

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

READING – by Kobayashi Issa – offered by Allan March

What a strange thing!
To be alive
beneath cherry blossoms.

A world of grief and pain,
But the flowers bloom
Even then.

REFLECTION AND MEDITATION – “From Redemption to Responsibility for Renewal: Answering the Call for Climate Action” – offered by Ellen Siegel

AFFIRMING OUR CLIMATE JUSTICE COVENANT – offered by Allan & Janet March

We, the people of the United Church of Gainesville, celebrate this beautiful land of sun and springs as a sacred natural heritage. We recognize that for thousands of years this region had been cherished by the Timucua and other Native peoples before them, whose names we do not know. As current stewards of these lands and waters, we pledge to restore and protect their integrity in honor of our connections to God, however known, to each other, and to the world around us.

We pledge to engage with the challenges of human-caused climate change and to overcome environmental injustice with global awareness and local action. We commit ourselves to be responsible stewards of the Earth and all of Creation.

We pledge to pursue clean energy, equity of resources, and systemic transformation. We commit ourselves to a vision of a restored Earth, a balanced atmosphere, the prosperity of all creatures great and small, and a new era of environmental justice.

In resolution that all life is interconnected; that we should care for and live in balance with all of Creation; that abuses to Nature cause deep exploitation and suffering; and that race, class, and global inequality cause some people to suffer disproportionately; the United Church of Gainesville covenants to:

•    Appreciate the wisdoms and wonders of Nature
•    Educate ourselves and others on historical and timely environmental issues
•    Connect in community with environmental justice allies
•    Protect wilderness and biodiversity, and support efforts for restoration and renewal
•    Advocate for rules, laws, and deeds that benefit the environment and protect vulnerable communities
•    Support and promote the safe, responsible, and equitable use and distribution of resources
•    Decrease our use of fossil fuels and lower our carbon footprint
•    Change our habits and choices in order to live more simply, humbly, and gently on the Earth.

We commit ourselves to these covenants and to monitoring our progress rigorously.

ALL: Therefore Be It Resolved: That the United Church of Gainesville declares itself to be a Creation Justice Church and affirms its commitment to strive for peace and justice throughout Creation.

CLOSING HYMN – “What a Wonderful World” #83 in UCG Songbook

BENEDICTION – offered by Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

ALLELUIA

POSTLUDE — “Pennies from Heaven” – music by A. Johnston and lyrics by J. Burke

Many thanks to all our guests this morning! Speakers Dr. Aaron Broadwell and Ellen Siegel, and musicians, The Jazz Bandits: Elena Frenock-vocal, Kali Blount-vocal, Larry Reimer-trumpet, Ed Haukland-drums, Mark Burlingame-keyboards, Mary Fukuyama-flute, and Jackie Davis-bass.