PRELUDE MUSIC – Phillip Herr-Klepacki

WELCOME, RINGING THE BELL, and LIGHTING THE CANDLE

CALL TO WORSHIP – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

God who sees the suffering of all people:
When the road is long,
When the way is hard,
When the cause is just,
Come by here.

Where hate is entrenched,
Where protest puts us at risk,
Where police are tempted to use deadly force,
Come by here.

When government is divided,
When security protects business and sacrifices citizens,
When our song is shouted down,
Come by here.

Where policy is changing,
Where it isn’t,
Where martyrs die and mourners cry,
Come by here.

Pillar of Fire by night and Cloud of Smoke by day,
lead and guide us in resolute action
knowing we belong to each other
until all shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of thing shall be well. Amen.

HYMN – “O For A World” –  hymnal #575

O for a world where everyone
respects each other’s ways,
where love is lived and all is done
with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared
and misery relieved,
where truth is spoken, children spared,
equality achieved.

We welcome one world family
and struggle with each choice
that opens us to unity
and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong,
the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn, outcasts belong,
who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for
God’s glorious reign of peace,
where time and tears will be no more,
and all but love will cease.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond

SPECIAL MUSIC – “Where No One Stands Alone,” music and lyrics by Mosie Lister. Offered by Hannah Norton, Cynthia Granger, and Elaina Cook

READING –  written by Rev. Laura Martin, inspired by “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” -Isaiah 43:19 – Rev. Andy Bachmann

The world of New Things must be born
Among us.
For every black boy stepping outside today–
A New Thing.
For every black mother holding her breath today–
A New Thing.
For every black man whose body aches from all it remembers–
A New Thing.
For every sister, friend, auntie, grandmother, uncle, brother
Driving, talking, praying, working, walking among us–
A New Thing.
Make us interrupters of the Old Ways,
And instruments of the Possible.
Make us ones who believe in the good news
That civilizations can turn and we
Are part of the turning.
Remind us of the world that gives us
Small seeds that become great trees,
Reversal of power,
Water to wine,
Honey from the rock,
A New Thing
That is ours to make real.

SCRIPTURE – Revelation 21:1-6

SERMON – “Where No One Stands Alone” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

SPECIAL MUSIC – “Beautiful City,” from the musical Godspell, words and music by Stephen Schwartz. Offered by Phillip Herr-Klepacki

BENEDICTION

ALLELUIA

Sunday Seminar

Sunday Seminar at 10am – The Executive Council will present a program on changing the church by-laws – Join Moderator-Elect Donn Smith-Lopez for a tour of the important updates we have been working on for our church by-laws, which will be voted on at our May 2 Congregational Meeting. Here is a draft version of the by-laws, so please come prepared with any questions you may have! This has been a labor of love for our Executive Council for the past seven months and has been discussed and approved by Church Council. We welcome your insights as we make these simple but important updates. Join here.  Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624

No Congregational Coffee Hour this week. 

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Announcements

Join us in supporting our Family Promise Bed Race Team This Year –  DIEGO and CARLOS FRENOCK, two stellar UCG young men, will be creating UCG themed Pinewood Derby Cars to race in this years version of the Bed Race! Have no fear! They are both seasoned veterans of the Pinewood track, and are proud to represent us as we race on to support Family Promise! The race will take place on Saturday, May 1st, so it is up to us to raise funds to support them between now and then. Simply click on this link and show your support for Family Promise. Thank you for your support!

We need YOU for our next clerk! – Church Council is seeking a volunteer to serve as Clerk beginning May 2021. Being clerk is a great opportunity for those wanting to be involved with council but without the responsibility of managing a board or committee. As Clerk, you will keep a record of all Church Council and Congregational Meetings. Meetings are currently conducted online via Zoom and would transition back to being in-person later in the year pending COVID precautions. If you’re interested in serving in this important way, please reach out to our moderator, Rebecca Beachy.

Art in the Library: Reflections in Rust –Heidi Stein shares her tiny shrinys made with found objects housed in sardine cans and other small tins. The works depict survival during COVID times and escapism. Click here to view the virtual tour video or take a socially distanced in-person tour on Sunday morning when attending worship.

The Board of Business making a second call for contributions to the Corona Contingency Fund.  Last Spring, UCG established the Corona Contingency Fund, where folks could contribute their initial federal stimulus check to help those in need. Since then, $5000 has been collected and used to help folks maintain access to safe housing, to repair cars needed to get to work, to cover unexpected medical and dental expenses, including for children, and to purchase devices to help folks remain connected to the church community over the internet. Donations can be made by check mailed to the UCG office, attention: Catherine Cake, or online here, by selecting Corona Contingency Fund from the drop-down menu. Thank you for your generous donations!

The next survey is here! As part of our 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.

Greeters for UCG’s Upcoming Services – Are you available to smile lovingly from behind your mask and greet UCG members with your best elbow bump? We need your help extending throughout the month of May. Click here for more information or email Lisa Goldstein or call (352) 378-3500. Thank you for your help with this important job!

Please help keep our church finances healthy while you stay healthy!  Please consider donating online. To GIVE,  click here  to make a one-time donation to UCG -or- to set up a recurring donation schedule via your bank account or credit card. Our budgeted (anticipated) amount of Plate Income for 2021 is $36,000, so we rely on the weekly passing of the plate.  Here  is a video on how to use Shelby Giving.  Thank you for your support!

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Please note: While the Church Office remains closed due to Covid-19, we