What I Learned on My Summer Vacation
Sunday, August 18, 2024 – 10 a.m.
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
“Independence from Britain is celebrated somewhere in the world
roughly every six days.” ― Amazing Maps
“It’s not about convincing those who are currently in power,
it’s about changing the very face of power” ― Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
AN INVITATION FROM OUR BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
Board of Business ― Alan Hill
Open and Affirming ― Brandon Telg
Racial Justice ― Doris Harvey
PRELUDE – offered by Phillip Herr-Klepacki, Director of Music Ministry
CENTERING PRAYER – “Signs” by Havatslet Levi ― offered by Rev. Talia Raymond
One: If of seas and hills we continue to sing,
If somehow we think of all kinds of things,
If there still be some who with many colors paint,
Then perhaps together these are signs and more:
A sign that overhead the sun will still rise,
A sign that lilies will bloom white as before,
A sign that again the fields will be only green
And the skies not covered with clouds of red.
ALL: If yesterday we closed the shelters up,…
If these be not tears but the wetness of rain,
And the street-lamps glowing once again –
It is a sign that we might yet find the golden mean,
A sign that from now on forever we will only love,
A sign that one night a full moon will shine above –
And the peace we have been seeking
Will be back on the scene.
Amen.
OPENING HYMN – “O for a World”
TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
INTERLUDE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond
MEDITATIVE MUSIC – offered by Shirell Hix, piano, and Jeff Shapiro, clarinet
READING: “Myth” by Frederick Buechner, from Wishful Thinking, read by Allan March
The raw material of a myth, like the raw material of a dream, may be something that actually happened once. But myths, like dreams, do not tell us much about that kind of actuality. The creation of humanity, Adam and Eve, the Tower of Babel, Oedipus—they do not tell us primarily about events. They tell us about ourselves.
In popular usage, a myth has come to mean a story that is not true. Historically speaking that may well be so. Humanly speaking, a myth is a story that is always true.
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “Journey to the Past” by Lynn Ahrens / Stephen Flaherty – offered by Elena Frenock and Phillip Herr-Klepacki
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate.
HEBREW BIBLE READING: Genesis 11:1-9 – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
SERMON: “Babel and the British Museum” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
CLOSING HYMN – “Amazing Grace” (vs. 1, 3, 5)
BENEDICTION – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
ALLELUIA
POSTLUDE
Time and Talent Sunday
10 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
Friendship Group – west wing
10:15 a.m. Kids United – children’s wing
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages – courtyard
Ask the Leadership – courtyard
Time and Talent Fair – Reimer Hall
4:30-6 p.m. Middle School Together Pool Party
6-7:30 p.m. Youth United Pool Party
Friendship Group – We will be putting together scrapbooks, so we remind everyone to bring a collection of photographs of things to be remembered. Blank booklets will be provided. Looking forward to getting together again!
Time and Talent Fair – Each year, we host a Time and Talent Fair in late summer to recruit new board and committee members to join our important work. Please visit the tables in Reimer Hall to learn about the boards and committees, have a snack, and sign up to join!
Ask the Leadership – The Moderator and other church leaders 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. Email moderator@ucgainesville.org with additional questions.
Middle School Together and Youth United Pool Parties – Come swim, eat pizza, get the year’s schedule and hang out with friends old and new at Rev. Bromleigh’s house.
Puzzler Exchange
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Talia Raymond
10:15 a.m. Kids United
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
Ask the Leadership
Meet the Teacher
11:15 a.m. Lively Arts Committee Meeting
11:30 a.m. Middle School Together
Youth United
Puzzler Exchange – Stop by the Puzzlers’ Table in front of Seminar B. Take home some puzzles this week, a great substitute for TV watching, and good for your brain! You can bring puzzles to swap, or not; we have plenty to share.
August 25th is Meet the Teacher – If you have a child in kindergarten through 5th grade, please stop by West Wing immediately following the August 25 service and hear more about this year’s program. We look forward to speaking with you.
Save the Date – Special Congregational Meeting Sunday, September 8 at 11:30 a.m. We will have a congregational meeting after the service to discuss the Pathfinders subcommittee report. All are encouraged to attend in person or via Zoom. There will be opportunities prior to the meeting to discuss the report in small groups and to ask clarifying questions. Please stay tuned to your email, the bulletin, visit the leadership table, or check the board outside Seminar B for more information.
Are you interested in helping Yes on 4 get reproductive freedom passed in Florida in November? UCG member Peggy Bowie invites you to attend the next Super Saturday on August 24 at How Bazar, 60 SW 2nd St, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Attending will get you plugged in with local organizers and trained on how to talk to Florida voters about the importance of voting yes on 4. This may involve door knocking, canvassing, and/or telephone banks. Learn more at FloridiansProtectingFreedom.com View upcoming events and register for Super Saturdays at www.mobilize.us/yes4florida/
Calling UCGers of all ages! Come to our Ent’racte Food 4 Kids Benefit concert on Sunday, September 22 at 2 p.m. And if you’re a musician, we’d love for you to sing, dance, play music… however known! Dancers, skaters, rappers, spoken word…. All forms of music are welcome here. If you’re not performing, tap your foot, sing along, and enjoy the afternoon. An offering will be collected to help fund our Food 4 Kids program which gives food to children whose families need help feeding them on the weekends. If you’d like to perform, please send an email to Nan Ryan by August 30.
Capital Campaign Feasibility Study Update: One of the important findings of this spring’s Capital Campaign Feasibility Study was that congregants needed to learn more about the projects on the “Essential Repairs and Improvements” list, what they entailed, why they were necessary, and so on. As part of the effort to address this need, the UCG Capital Campaign Visioning Committee and the Buildings and Grounds Committee are assembling a series of short videos to describe projects on the “Essential Repairs and Improvements” list. Two videos have been added: West Bathrooms and HVAC, in addition to the first two videos about water supply and the beam that separates Reimer Hall from the West Wing. The videos will be available on this YouTube playlist. Please send any questions or comments about the projects, and about the effectiveness of these videos, to either Tim Martin or Erick Smith.
