Welcome to Worship
The United Church of Gainesville – February 14, 2021
The Rising Tide
Happy Valentine’s Day!
This morning our worship service will premiere at 10am.
Please click here to begin.
Welcome – Andy Bachmann
Call to Worship – “For Presence” by John O’Donohue
Awaken to the mystery of being here,
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path.
Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.
May anxiety never linger about you.
May your out dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience this day as a sacred gift woven
around the heart of wonder.
Time for Prayer – Bromleigh McCleneghan
Song- The Gift of Love
Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be giv’n by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship and are freed.
Time with the Children (of all Ages) – Janet March, Master Gardener and member of our Kairos Committee
United Tribes Virtch Church and Activity Time
Reading – “Aimless Love” by Billy Collins, offered by Talia Raymond
Reading- “The Skinned Knee is Better Off,” by Hafiz, translated by Daniel Ladinsky, read by Bromleigh McCleneghan
Scripture, from Mark 12:29-31 and Matthew 22: 34-40
Sermon – “Six Sides of Love” by Andy Bachmann
Alleluia
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week.
Happy Birthday!
| Heather | Parbst | 02/14 |
| Robert | Sammel | 02/14 |
| Shanna | Johnson | 02/15 |
| Alan | Hill | 02/17 |
| Sean | McQueen | 02/17 |
| Elena | Frenock | 02/18 |
| Haley | Chance | 02/19 |
| Daniel | Webster | 02/19 |
| Mary | Aplin | 02/20 |
| Andy | Bachmann | 02/20 |
Sunday Schedule
Sunday Seminar at 11:15am – From Conflict to Connect: Building Bridges of Undestanding – Jeffrey Weisberg, co-founder of the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding in Gainesville, has extensive experience with facilitation of local, national and international trainings in peaceful communication and conflict resolution. He is currently working with projects to bring together people of opposing political beliefs and differing backgrounds and has developed and facilitated programs for police-youth dialog. He will provide resources to go deeper into the process of peace building with people of different interests. Join here. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624
Please also join us at 12:30pm for Congregational Coffee Hour. Andy will be available on our Zoom account to talk and share about the online worship experience, or whatever else is on your mind! Join here. Meeting ID: 875 0792 2974 Passcode: 1624
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Announcements
The CIA Committee invites you to another “drive-by” donation event! Valentine Gift Bags to brighten the lives of the those experiencing homelessness in Gainesville will be accepted from 11am-1pm today. Here is a list of suggested items to include in the bags. Thank you for your generosity!
Spring Small Groups Registration continues through Sunday, February 21! For our Spring offerings, we are utilizing the ShelbyNext platform for all our sign-ups and ongoing communications. Click here to register.
If you need assistance getting your login credentials, please contact the front office. Here is a slideshow on how to register. Here are step by step written instructions.
Lent at UCG
Lenten Devotional Booklet – with daily readings to guide you through your Lenten journey, will be available beginning Wednesday, February 17. More
Ash Wednesday on February 17 – More
Thursdays at Noon Live Devotional – More
Lenten Contemplative Prayer with Sandy Reimer – Wednesday evenings, February 24, March 3, 10, 17 and 24 – from 6 to 7pm . More information and registration here.
Labyrinth Walks – Tuesdays and Thursdays during lent. More
Devotional for Families with Children Small Group – 20 minute Lenten session, Sundays in Lent on Zoom at 5pm. More
Youth Lenten Offering- Talia will host a youth Lenten Study each Wednesday in Lent on Zoom at 5:30pm. See Friday YU/MST emails or contact Talia for details.
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If you are a regular supporter through our collected offering, please consider making your donation now. Our budgeted (anticipated) amount of Plate Income for 2021 is $36,000, so we rely on the weekly passing of the plate. To GIVE, click here to make a one-time donation to UCG -or- to set up a recurring donation via your bank account or credit card click here. Thank you for your support.
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Please note: While the Church Office remains closed due to Covid-19, we are still available by phone or email from 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.