United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, November 20, 2022 
At This Table
Prepare The Way

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Our Livestream begins at 9:15 am. Click here to join.

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature. To mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” -Henri Bergson 

Please share in the chat section of YouTube a single word about why you give to UCG. You may choose to make a brief list. If you are watching this later, please send your word or brief list to Bromleigh.

WELCOME and EXPLANATION FOR THE DAY – Daniel Webster 

PRELUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki  

CALL TO WORSHIP – Renee Andrews, Hannah Norton & Congregation 

Leader: Come on! Let’s Go! 

All: Where are we going? 

Leader: To God’s gathering of love! 

All: What does it look like? 

Leader: Like a rainbow after a storm. Like recess and lunch with friends! Like the moon rising and the sun setting and stars twinkling in the sky. Like grandma’s hands 

Leader: It looks like love! 

All: What does it smell like? 

Leader: Like freshly baked bread and hot cookies. Like a field of wildflowers. Like bubbles and pine needles [raindrops] Like home. 

Leader: It smells like love. 

All: What does it sound like? 

Leader: Like a lullaby and laughter. Like the church choir singing. Like children playing and people praying. Like you and me. Just like this. 

Leader: It sounds like love. 

All: What does it feel like? 

Leader: Like a goodnight hug. Like saying sorry when you hurt someone. Like safe arms when you’re scared or lonely or sad. Like sitting quietly with your best [a close] friend. 

Leader: It feels like love. 

Leader: Come, beloved of God, 

All: Let us come into God’s gathering of love     -Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson 

OPENING MUSIC – “A Future with Hope” – UCG Choir 

A TIME FOR CELEBRATION – Members of the 2022 Enlistment Team 

OPENING SONG – “Come, O Thankful People, Come”


TIME WITH CHILDREN & BIRTHDAYS – “The Miracle of the First Poinsettia: A Mexican Christmas Story” by Joanne Oppenheim – read by Pam Smith  

INTERLUDE/OFFERTORY – “Thanksgiving,” by George Winston 

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Renee Andrews 

POEM – “November” by Margaret Morgan – Mary Kramek 

Now it is November, trees are nearly bare; red and gold and brown leaves scatter everywhere. 

Dark now are the mornings cold and frosty, too; damp and misty evenings chill us through and through. 

Busy are all creatures winter food to hide; nests to make all cozy warm and safe inside. 

SCRIPTURE READING - Isaiah 40:3-5  NRSVUE – Todd Louis  

SPECIAL MUSIC – “Prepare Ye, The Way Of The Lord” from Godspell   

MESSAGES 

Trees – Pam Smith, musical interlude  

Wreath/plants – Jean Cunningham, musical interlude  

Light – Daniel Webster, musical interlude  

CLOSING SONG – “People Look East”  

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BENEDICTION – Hannah Norton 

ALLELUIA 

Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!

Shanna 

Swiers 

11/21 

Berta 

Hernandez-Truyol 

11/22 

Jeremy 

Archer 

11/22 

David 

Rixx 

11/23 

Cory 

Wise 

11/23 

Alberto 

Breccia 

11/25 

Announcements

Sunday Seminar Today – “Taking Care of Our Church Home” presented by the Building & Grounds Subcommittee – The Building & Grounds Subcommittee, known as the Re-Mod Squad, will present information and discuss with attendees our plan and progress for addressing the UCG Campus’ substantial needs for repairs, renovations, and replacements. Your input is encouraged and welcome! Join us at 10:30am in Reimer Hall or via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624. 

A FUTURE WITH HOPE Enlistment Campaign – ends TODAY. If you haven’t already, please submit your pledge for 2023 now. All pledge information is confidential.

Click here to read Jim Harper’s enlistment message from last Sunday, November 13.  
Winter Small Group Registration starts TODAY! Come make some friendly connections with your fellow UCG’ers while enhancing your life through one of our amazing offerings. Sign up through ShelbyNext from a desktop computer or tablet.  

Show your support and unite with our local transgender community at the 2022 Transgender Day of Remembrance TONIGHT at 7 pm on the steps of City Hall. Gather with transgender community leaders and allies to celebrate the lives lost this year to anti-trans violence.

UCG Men’s Retreat: “Exploring the Patterns of Our Lives,” December 2-4, 2022 at Camp Weed in Live Oak.  Join us for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and exploration together.  See the newsletter or contact Jeremy Archer or Andy Bachmann for more details and to sign up.The church office will be closed Wednesday, November 23 – Friday, November 25 for Thanksgiving. Regular office hours resume on Monday, November 28.  

Girls Place Thanksgiving Helpers Wanted this Wednesday– Help serve a thanksgiving meal to GP’s children and staff on Wednesday, November 23 from 11:00am – 12:30pm. Arrive at 10:30am for a guided tour, and stay and eat with the girls once everyone is served. Please sign up here. Thank you!!

Advent Contemplative Prayer: The season of Advent is meant to be a journey. There is time for silence, scripture and readings as well as time in small groups to reflect and listen and pray for one another. We will meet on three Wednesday evenings – Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14 – from 6 to 7pm in the Sanctuary. Participants are asked to commit to at least two of the three sessions. You can sign up by contacting Sandy Reimer at reimer.sandy@gmail.com by Sunday, November 20.

CIA’s Christmas Mini-Grants in support of people or causes that are in need of financial assistance during the holiday season. These small grants of $50 to $150 typically go to local individuals, families and non-profit organizations that have been identified by church members. Forms are available in the church office or https://bit.ly/2022miniGrants . The deadline is November 28.

Rawlings Elementary Christmas Angel Gift Collection Begins next Sunday, Nov. 27 -Thank you so much for donating to the Rawlings gift market! This year there are two options for choosing the gifts you purchase. You can Sign-up at https://bit.ly/ciaangel22 or you can take a Christmas angel from the tree in the foyer of the Sanctuary. Look for more information in the Events email or next week’s bulletin.  

Advent Conversation – Join Bromleigh for an hour of devotional reading, bible study, reflection and more as we prepare for the coming of Christmas. This small group will meet on Thursdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 12pm. You can sign up through ShelbyNext under small groups or contact Bromleigh.

Calling all Crafties! Do you have a fun holiday craft that you would like to share with our children at the holiday craft fair? If you are interested in sharing your artistry by teaching a craft on Saturday, December 17 from 3-5 pm. Email Taylor Williams at gutsandglorygnv@gmail.com to get more information. All holiday celebrations welcome! Please make your craft idea submission by Sunday, November 27 if possible.

Men’s Squirrel Pie Lunch December 9 at 12pm in the West Wing – All UCG men are invited to this holiday tradition. Bring adult beverages, salads, side dishes and desserts that go with squirrel. 

Women’s Lunch Group Tasteful Christmas Luncheon December 9 at 12p.m. in Reimer Hall. All UCG women are invited to bring a potluck dish, dessert, or beverage to share good food and fellowship this Christmas season. Sign up at http://bit.ly/tastefulLunch22. You do not have to be a regular lunch group attendee to join!

Grushers Needed on Sundays. Come 15 minutes early and be a welcoming presence for our friends and families at UCG. Please email hannah.norton@gmail.com or visit https://bit.ly/grusher to sign up now! 

Next Sunday, November 27

First Sunday in Advent

9:00am                    Childcare
9:15 & 11:15am        Worship –Rev. Andy Bachmann
9:30am                     United Tribes – Lessons & Carols Rehearsal
10:15am                   Fellowship and Beverages           
10:30am                   United Tribes Pageant Rehearsal: Scenes 2 & 4
                                 Sunday Seminar
12:30pm                   Lessons & Carols Rehearsal – All Voices
        

November 18 COVID Update – According to the CDC, Alachua County is back in the yellow zone, a medium risk of serious illness from COVID. This change is a result of continuing increases in hospitalizations due to COVID. Masks are optional but highly recommended for people with medical risks.