WELCOME, PRAYER CONCERNS, AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Talia Raymond

PRELUDE – Nan Ryan, Handpan

LIGHTING THE FOURTH CANDLE OF THE ADVENT WREATH- The Candle of Love – The Collins-Smith-Lopez Family

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT – “I Will Use My Gifts!” by Rev. Talia Raymond

During the Pageant, please join in singing the following carols:

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky, looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes
I love you, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good

Jesus our brother, strong and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around him stood,
Jesus our brother, strong and good.

Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,
In the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
The gifts the gave Emmanuel.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echo back their joyous strains.

Chorus: Gloria, in excelsis Deo, Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may tidings be,
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Chorus

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Chorus: Go tell it on the mountain, over the hill and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
Chorus

What Child is This?

Bring gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh; come, join in jubilation;
The Holy Child, though meek and mild, has come with God’s salvation.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the child of Mary!

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing and voices ring with peace to all on earth.

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come: let earth its praises bring!
Let every heart prepare Christ room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! Now gladness reigns: let all their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

The Little Drummer Boy

Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A newborn King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
So to honour Him, pa rum pum pum pum
When we come.

Little baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor kid too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give a King, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING – “O, Holy Night,” Melvin Smith-Lopez, vocals and Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano

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

SERVICE OF FAREWELL/RELEASE OF COVENANT FOR REV. BROMLEIGH McCLENEGHAN – Special Liturgy written by Rev. Anna Blaedel, enfleshed

Rev. Nayiri Karjian: When we share in the depths of life together, parting ways is a cause for sorrow, as well as celebration. There is nothing more Sacred than learning how to live and love well, together. The Spirit moves us to open our lives to each other. Doing so is never without risk, and rarely if ever without mess and mistakes along the way. Each new beginning emerges from an ending, and each ending is an invitation into reimagining, and beginning again. Even heartbreak can reveal possibilities that might yet bloom, when we tend the seeds germinated and sown together. As a community of faith, we are still writing a story that can become a testament to the transformative power of sharing deeply in life’s countless sorrows, and immeasurable sweetness. Today we release Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan and United Church of Gainesville from our ministry covenant and honor this particular season of sharing in life together coming to an end.

Members of the Search Committee: Bromleigh, you came to us when our collective life was marked by chaos, and crisis. We said “Yes” to this covenant, not knowing what we could create together, but trusting the Spirit to guide and inspire our work. You have heard our stories and helped us recognize how our stories are woven into God’s Story. You have encouraged us to open to the Holy around and within us, with wonder, awe, and curiosity. Our time together has revealed much about our capacity to cultivate beauty, as well as cause pain. We are still learning from all we have shared and will for years to come. As we part ways, we bear witness to our gratitude, and our grief.

Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan: I came to you when our collective life was marked by chaos, and crisis. I said “Yes” to this covenant, not knowing what we could create together, but trusting the Spirit to guide and inspire our work. Our time together has revealed much about my capacity to cultivate beauty, as well as cause pain. I am still learning from all we have shared and will for years to come. As we part ways, I bear witness to my gratitude, and my grief.

Congregation: Bromleigh, for the care we have received from you, we are grateful. Thank you for dreaming prophetic dreams, and casting visions that continue to enliven and inspire our community. You have helped craft a foundation for our congregation that will ground and guide our collective life for years to come. Thank you for accompanying us through loss. Thank you for journeying with us in grief. Thank you for the laughter and tears you have witnessed and held. Thank you for the ways you have honored who we are, as well as who we long to become. 

Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan: Thank you for the ways you have opened your hearts, spirits, minds, lives, and homes to me, and my family. Thank you for sharing in the depths of beauty and pain. Thank you for all the ways you have met me and participated in growing and deepening the spiritual life of this community. Thank you for the ways you have honored who I am, as well as who I long to become.

Congregation: For the gifts of yours we have not known how to receive, we renew our commitment to open, learn, and unlearn. We confess the ways we have turned on each other, when we might have turned toward each other. We lament the ways we have lashed out, when we could have learned by listening. We bear witness to any regret, at how things could have been otherwise, and let go of our hopes for a better past. We apologize for missed opportunities to connect and are sorry for the ways we have fallen short, or missed the mark.

Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan: For the gifts of yours I have not known how to receive, I renew my commitment to open, learn, and unlearn. I join you in bearing witness to any regret at how things could have been otherwise and let go of my hopes for a better past. I apologize for missed opportunities to connect and am sorry for the ways I have fallen short, or missed the mark.

Rev. Nayiri Karjian: Like faith, and hope, and love, forgiveness is more than a feeling; it is a practice. May we commit to the ongoing practices of forgiveness and restoration that make healing and wholeness possible.

Congregation: We forgive you and receive your gratitude. We release any regret or resentment we have held. May all that remains be a blessing for the sacred labors of love, healing, and liberation that are ever and urgently before us. We hope for you and yours a gentle landing, and a beautiful next chapter.

Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan: I forgive you and receive your gratitude. I release any regret or resentment I have held. May all that remains be a blessing, as I turn my time, energy, and attention toward other places and other people. I hope for you a meaningful transition, and a beautiful next chapter.

Rev. Talia Raymond: Though we are parting ways and releasing this covenant, our lives are forever entangled, and our stories are eternally interwoven. How we integrate all that we have shared into what comes next will be a testament to who we have become, together. We celebrate that we are forever changed by our time together, and also that we are free to embrace what is yet to come.

All: Spirit of Connection, Creative Weaver of Life, we give thanks for our time together as a community of faith. While this covenanted time together is coming to an end, a new season is emerging. May any lingering hardness in our hearts soften. May any sharp words find only the company of silence. May any remaining bitterness or regret be sweetened by the covenants to come, and the opportunity to begin again, otherwise.  May we make of this threshold time a portal into healing, and transformation. May the holiness of our season together continue to work in and through us, until all that remains is gift, is blessing, is sacred offering, joyfully given, gratefully received, and freely shared. May we carry close the Sacred Wisdom kindled from all that we have shared. May we root in and remember the best of all we have been, and done, and become, together. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN- “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” #129 UCC Hymnal

BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

O Come, O Wisdom from on high, and order all things far and night;
To us the path of knowledge show, and help us in that way to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel is come to birth where all God’s children dwell.

POSTLUDE

Contemporary Children: Georgia Vanover and Ana White
Mary: Arianne Leeuwenburgh
Joseph: Eliot Mathis
Stable Animals: Adelyn Ansley, Frida Barros, Nadal Gutierrez-Hernandez, Nati Gutierrez-Hernandez, Riley Kershner, Anni Maxwell, Emi Maxwell, KC Nelson, Lucia Nelson, Liam Walker
Angels: Aiyana Duerksen-Raymond, Brook Mathis
Shepherds: Zeke Jackson, Gwendolyn Tierno, Oak Tudeen
Drummer Boy: Gideon Tierno
Magi: Koa Larson, Vivienne Larson
Directed by: Julia Crawford, Fiona Hammond, Mira Lemstrom, & Lucy Stein
Crew: Our amazing Childcare Aides

We welcome and thank Rev. Nayiri Karjian, Interim Conference Minister, Florida Conference, United Church of Christ.

Today at UCG
Fourth Sunday of Advent – “Love”

9:45 a.m.      Childcare – education wing
                     Puzzler Exchange – courtyard
10 a.m.         Worship Service:
                     Children’s Christmas Pageant and
Liturgy for Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan – Sanctuary
11:30 a.m.    Farewell Luncheon for Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan – Reimer Hall
2 p.m.          Christmas Carol Sing-Along – West Wing
5:30 p.m.     Youth United and Middle School Together Christmas Party – Reimer Hall

This service includes the Children’s Christmas Pageant and special liturgy for Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan.

If you would like to contribute to a love offering for Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan, please note that the gift is for her on the envelope or memo line, or please select “Love Offering for Bromleigh” from the drop-down menu if using the Shelby Next giving portal.

Join us after the service from 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. in Reimer Hall for a farewell lunch and fellowship for Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan and family on her last Sunday at United Church of Gainesville as Coordinating Minister.

Our annual Youth Holiday Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange will take place today at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and treats will be provided. Look for additional details and RSVP in your weekly youth email.

Soul Food Enlistment Update. As of Thursday, we have received 267 pledges totaling $802,667. We are very close to our goal and it is critical that all UCG families / pledging units submit a pledge card so that Board of Business can plan for next year’s budget. Even if your pantry is bare this year and you are able to pledge zero dollars at this time, we would like you to submit a pledge card, so we know where the church budget stands for next year. To pledge, you can visit the web portal at bit.ly/UCGpledge2025, turn in a physical pledge card, or email Catherine Cake. UCG member Catherine Berg has gifted us a set of books of North Florida Haiku as thanks for this year’s pledgers. Pick up your copy from an enlistment committee member in the courtyard after church.

Christmas Eve Worship Schedule

December 24 Christmas Eve services. All services conclude with the candlelit singing of “Silent Night” in the courtyard.

✦ 4:30 p.m. An interactive, multi-sensory service for all ages sharing the story of the first Christmas.

✦ 8 p.m. Special music from the choir and others, and a sermon from Revs. Bromleigh and Talia.

✦ 11 p.m. This special service of carols and candles ends just after midnight, with the ringing in of Christmas Day. Bring a bell!

The church office will be closed from December 25 through January 1. The front office answering machine will be checked for messages.

Next Sunday, December 29

9:45 a.m.       Childcare – children’s wing
10 a.m.          Worship Service – Board of Parish Ministry
10:15 a.m.     Kids United Activity Time – education wing
11 a.m.          Fellowship and Beverages – courtyard

The next Food First Sunday is January 5. Please bring your non-perishable donations. Thank you, United Church of Gainesville! In 2024, our generous congregation donated almost 2 tons (1,911 pounds) of non-perishable food items for the Gainesville Community Ministry Food Pantry and we gave $5,018 for them to purchase food items the pantry especially needs. Your ongoing compassionate support makes a difference in the lives of many in our community who face the challenge of hunger in their lives.

Visitors’ Coffee – Sunday, January 5. If you’ve been visiting UCG and would like to learn more about the church, please join Rev. Talia Raymond and members of the Board of Membership for coffee and conversation in the court yard following the 10 a.m. service.

January 31- February 2: Please mark your calendar to join us for the annual Women’s Overnight 2025! Our extravagantly planned weekend includes sessions at UCG on Friday (day) for anyone not available to get away, as well as the weekend at Camp Weed in Live Oak (you’re welcome to join us for all). Exciting details to follow in the January newsletter. Online registration starts January 3; see us in Seminar C in between services on Sundays, January 5 and 12 for questions or to register!

The Racial Justice Committee is looking forward to collaborating with the Alachua County Community Remembrance Project (ACCRP) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on a series of lectures about black history in Alachua County, The Other Book: Black History in Alachua County. Each lecture will be held in a different location to contribute to experiential learning the first lecture will be on Saturday, January 11 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Harn Museum. For more information contact the front office.

Join UCG’s Open & Affirming Committee at our next Open & Affirming Sunday Social. Come get to know members of UCG in a fun and inclusive environment, hosted by ONA. We meet up on the Second Sunday of the month in the evening. The next Sunday Social will be on January 12 at 4 p.m. We will be painting pottery at Corks & Colors! Afterwards, anyone who is interested can gather for a bite to eat at Mi Apa.