WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP – Shelby Hall

ONE: Calling all children of the Living God: the gospel is good news for every age and every stage.

ALL: Let us worship together, the young and the old.

ONE: The good news is proclaimed in God’s words, and also with crayons, silly songs, snacks, and rest time.

ALL: Let us worship together, every generation. 

ONE: We come together with different abilities and disabilities, learning in a rainbow of ways and styles.

ALL: Let us worship together, with our family of faith. 

ONE: All are welcome in the arms of the one who proclaimed, “Let the children come!”

ALL: Let us worship together, united in our eternal hope.

*OPENING SONG – “The Butterfly Song,” words and music by Brian M. Howard

If I were a butterfly
I’d thank you, God, for giving me wings
If I were a robin in a tree
I’d thank you, God, that I could sing
If I were a fish in the sea
I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee
But I just thank you, Mother, for making me, me

CHORUS

For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you, THANK YOU!, for making me, me
If I were an elephant
I’d thank you God by raising my trunk
If I were a kangaroo
You know I’d hop right up to you
If I were an octopus
I’d thank you God for my fine looks
But I just thank you, Father, for making me, me

CHORUS

If I were a wiggly worm
I’d thank you, God, that I could squirm
If I were a fuzzy, wuzzy bear
I’d thank you God for my fuzzy, wuzzy hair
If I were a crocodile
I’d thank you Lord for my great smile
But I just thank you, Parent, for
making me, me

CHORUS

LITURGY OF BLESSING FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR 

ONE: God of fresh starts and new beginnings, we bring ourselves, our big feelings, and our hopes for the school year to you.

ALL: As these beloved children return to school, they will carry blank pages, sharpened pencils, and pointy crayons, and in their hearts, they will carry big feelings, unanswered questions, and hopeful expectations. 

ONE: There are endless possibilities of what this new year might bring to us all – of what we might learn, who we might meet, and who we might become.

ALL: God, our friend who is always with us, be with these children through it all. Be with them as they ride the bus. Be with them as they walk. Be with them as they buckle seat belts, zip-up jackets, and tie shoes. However, they get there, and whatever they wear, bless this journey into something new. 

ONE: For the grown-ups going back to school, With-Us God, be with them too. Thank you for teachers, helpers, caregivers, and leaders, and for all they do to help others learn and grow. God, our friend who’s full of wonder, fill their hearts and bless their hands.
ALL: And may each of us bless others — with kindness, with curiosity, with love — as you have blessed us. Amen.

TIME WITH CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Talia Raymond

INTERLUDE – (Children 3 years – 5th grade may leave for Activity Time. Our nursery for babies and toddlers is available until 11:45am.)

READINGS – from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard – Shelby Hall

Nature is, above all, profligate.  Don’t believe them when they tell you how economical and thrifty nature is, whose leaves return to the soil.  Wouldn’t it be cheaper to leave them on the tree in the first place?  This deciduous business alone is a radical scheme…

From Stephen Hawking

Even if there is only one possible unified theory, it is just a set of rules and equations. What is it that breathes fire into the equations and makes a universe for them to describe? The usual approach of science of constructing a mathematical model cannot answer the questions of why there should be a universe for the model to describe. Why does the universe go to all the bother of existing?

READING – “The Swan” by Ogden Nash – Phillip Herr-Klepacki

The swan can swim while sitting down.
For pure conceit he takes the crown.
He looks in the mirror over and over,
And claims to have never heard of Pavlova.

SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “The Swan” from Carnival of the Animals C. Saint-Saëns – Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano

During the special music, we welcome your offerings as the Grushers pass the plates. Your gifts support all facets of the life of the UCG community. You can also give online at https://bit.ly/ucgplate.

SCRIPTURE READING – Proverbs 6:6

“Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise.”

SERMON – “Animals and Aliens” – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Talia Raymond

HYMN – “Earth and All Stars”             

BENEDICTION

ALLELUIA

Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!