United Church of Gainesville
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The Second Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022 – 9:15am
Our Livestream begins at 9:15 am. Click here to join.
To repent is to come to your senses. It is not so much something you do as something that happens. True repentance spends less time looking at the past and saying, “I’m sorry,” than to the future and saying, “Wow!” — Frederick Buechner
WELCOME and BIRTHDAYS- Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
PRELUDE – Offered by our musical director, Phillip Herr-Klepacki
INVOCATION
True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.
Holy One, may your love of justice ignite our hearts, too, that we might speak truth and confess our wrongdoing. May we see signs of reconciliation and peace each and every day, even if we, with all the earth, wait for your promised coming, your reign of peace.
OPENING SONG – “Toda La Tierra” vv. 1 and 3
LIGHTING THE SECOND CANDLE OF THE ADVENT WREATH- The Candle of Peace – Aaron and Angela, Olivia, Mia, and Eve Mickle. The whole Mickles family recently volunteered their time at our Fall Campus Clean-up Day. Olivia, Mia, and Eve will appear in our children’s Christmas pageant in a few weeks.
CHORAL RESPONSE – “Advent Canticle” by Lloyd Larson offered by the UCG Choir
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN –Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
PRAYER
BIRTHDAYS
INTERLUDE
READING – Offered by Larry Reimer
“Teaching a Child the Art of Confession” by David Shumate
It is best not to begin with Adam and Eve. Original Sin is
baffling, even for the most sophisticated minds. Besides,
children are frightened of naked people and apples. Instead,
start with the talking snake. Children like to hear what animals
have to say. Let him hiss for a while and tell his own tale.
They’ll figure him out in the end. Describe sin simply as those
acts which cause suffering and leave it at that. Steer clear of
musty confessionals. Children associate them with outhouses.
Leave Hell out of the discussion. They’ll be able to describe it
on their own soon enough. If they feel the need to apologize
for some transgression, tell them that one of the offices of the
moon is to forgive. As for the priest, let him slumber a while more.
SCRIPTURE – Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist proclaims the coming of the Messiah
SERMON- “Peace but Not Quiet” Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERING- “Someday at Christmas” by Ronald Miller and Bryan Wells, offered by Elizabeth Clark and Michael McCoy
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate
Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where all are free
Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life’s really worth
There’ll be peace on earth
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where all are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
TIME FOR SHARING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN- “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
O Come, Desire of Nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
Make envy, strive and quarrels cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
POSTLUDE
Here are our UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
|
Carol |
Barron |
12/01 |
|
Lane |
Devereaux |
12/01 |
|
Max |
Archer |
12/02 |
|
Fred |
Gregory |
12/03 |
|
Adriane |
Isenberg |
12/03 |
|
Thatcher |
Morse |
12/03 |
|
Harper |
Fitzpatrick |
12/04 |
|
Suzanne |
Byrne |
12/04 |
|
Beverly |
Holt |
12/06 |
|
Patti |
Williams |
12/06 |
|
Colt |
Brewer |
12/07 |
|
Aoife |
Boisseau |
12/07 |
|
Jonathan |
Gitzendanner |
12/08 |
|
Travis |
Harris |
12/08 |
|
Patt |
Shille |
12/09 |
|
Mitchell |
Jim |
12/10 |
|
Thomas |
Vogel |
12/10 |
Announcements
Today at UCG
Second Sunday of Advent & Food First
9:00am Childcare
9:15 & 11:15am Worship – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
9:30am United Tribes Lessons & Carols Rehearsal
10:15am Fellowship and Beverages- Courtyard
Art in the Library Reception
10:30am Youth Annual Chili Lunch – Reimer Hall
United Tribes Pageant Walk-Through
12:30pm Lessons & Carols Rehearsal – Sanctuary
2:00pm OWL Session* – West Wing
Collage/Vision Board/Scrapbook Club* – Offsite
*pre-registered group
Advent Reflection booklets, with a reading for each day, are available in the Foyer and front office or online here. These special and beautiful booklets feature original artwork, photos, and writings by UCG members.
United Tribes – We will be rehearsing Lessons and Carols. At 10:30, we will rehearse for our new Christmas Pageant, “The Time Travelers.” The pageant
is on December 18 with one service at 10am.
UCG’s Art in the Library is pleased to present “A Tribute to the Art Journey of Pamela Barry”. Join us this Sunday, December 4 for a reception in the library beginning at 10:15. Please stop in on your way to the Youth Chili lunch fundraiser.
Winter Small Group Registration ends today! Go to https://bit.ly/winter22-23 to see the offerings; sign up through ShelbyNext from a desktop computer or tablet.
Youth United Annual Chili Lunch is TODAY! – Join us from 10:30am-12:30pm to help support our UCG youth’s summer Work Tour. The cost is $7 for adults (16 and older), $5 for children ages 3-15 and free for ages 2 and under. Cornbread, brats, dogs (meat-eater and vegan friendly), and desserts included. Don’t forget to bid on one of our great gift basket offerings!
Food First is today! Please place your nonperishable goods in the UCG shopping cart. If you prefer, you can donate here. Next collection will be January 8. Thank you!
Ray Meeks – Each December we receive donations for incarcerated UCG member Ray Meeks to support the costs of life in prison. Give on Sundays in December or at http://bit.ly/RayMeeksGive.
It’s not too late to submit your 2023 pledge! To date, we are at 87% of our pledge goal of $836,301. If you haven’t already, please submit your pledge today.All pledge information is confidential. Pledge online here, fill out a pledge card available in the church office and foyer, or send an email to the UCG accountant at catherinec@ucgainesville.org
Parents’ Night Out this Friday, December 9 at 5:30–9:30pm. Children, infants through 5th grade are invited for a night of pizza and fun. $15 for the first child/$10 for each additional child. RSVP by Wednesday, Dec. 7 to taylorb@ucgainesville.org.
Rawlings Elementary Christmas Angel Gift Collection – This year there are two options for choosing gifts to purchase. Sign-up at https://bit.ly/ciaangel22 or take a Christmas angel from the tree in the Foyer. Return unwrapped gifts to UCG in the foyer on December 4 or 11 or bring them to Seminar B between 9 and 4 on Monday – Friday the weeks of November 28 or December 5. You don’t need to provide bags this year.
Men’s Squirrel Pie Lunch this FRIDAY, 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. Look for the signup sheet in the courtyard!
Women’s Lunch Group Tasteful Christmas Luncheon this FRIDAY, December 9 at 12pm in Reimer Hall. All UCG women are invited. Please bring a potluck dish, dessert, or beverage to share Sign up in the Courtyard or at http://bit.ly/tastefulLunch22. Please bring your own plate and utensils, to save on clean-up and waste. Also, if you can do so, please bring new underwear or a donation (cash or check to Helping Hands Clinic) which will be given to Helping Hands Clinic for the women’s boutique.
The All-Church Band will play a medley of sing-along Christmas carols on Sunday, December 18 at one 10am service. If you play or have ever played a band instrument, pick up music that is available in the foyer and plan to participate in this great UCG tradition. Rehearsal will be at 9:15am on December 18 in the Sanctuary. Please bring a music stand.
Next Sunday, December 11
Third Sunday of Advent
10:30am Fellowship & Beverages
10:45am Nursery & Toddler Care and Activity Time
11:00am 31st Annual Service of Nine Lessons & Carols
11:30am United Tribes Pageant Rehearsal
12:15pm Rawlings Gift Market Collection & Organizing*
7:00pm 31st Annual Service of Nine Lessons & Carols – Child care available from 6:30pm – 8:30pm
8:00pm Reception in Reimer Hall
*pre-registered group
Join us for a reception after the 7pm Lessons & Carols Service! – This lovely event is our traditional way of giving thanks for the countless hours of work by singers and musicians in this wonderful seasonal performance. Please bring cookies or something similar. If you come to the first service and do not plan to come to the reception, you could bring a sweet offering and leave it in the kitchen. This is a joyous UCG community event in which all are invited to participate.
December 2 COVID update: According to the CDC, Alachua County residents have a medium risk of serious illness from COVID-19 (the Yellow Zone). Although the numbers of hospitalizations and new cases were unchanged, the new COVID omicron sub-variants are still spreading. Also, cases of the RSV virus are increasing. Masks in the sanctuary are optional but recom-mended for people with medical risks.
