Welcome to Worship
The United Church of Gainesville – February 28, 2021
“Elemental”
This morning our worship service will premiere at 10am.
Please click here to begin.
Welcome – Rev. Talia Raymond
Time with Children – with Ann Gill, based on “Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents)” by Eline Snel
Prayers of the People – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Prayer Response – “The Breath of My Spirit” From Women’s Spiritual Quest Conference, Berkeley, CA July 1998
Reading – Rev. Andy Bachmann
“Gift”
I have to trust what was given to me
if I am to trust anything
it led the stars over the shadowless mountain
what does it not remember in its night and silence
what does it not hope knowing itself no child of time
what did it not begin what will it not end
I have to hold it up in my hands as my ribs hold up my heart
I have to let it open its wings and fly among the gifts of the unknown
again in the mountain I have to turn
to the morning
I must be led by what was given to me
as streams are led by it
and braiding flights of birds
the gropings of veins the learning of plants
the thankful days
breath by breath
I call to it Nameless One O Invisible
Untouchable Free
I am nameless I am divided
I am invisible I am untouchable
and empty
nomad live with me
be my eyes
my tongue and my hands
my sleep and my rising
out of chaos
come and be given
W.S. Merwin, from Writings To An Unfinished Accompaniment (1973)
Special Music – “Keep Breathing” by Ingrid Michaelson, Offered by Anja Julian and Jillian Provost
Sermon – Ruach (רוח) – Rev. Talia Raymond
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
Closing Song – “The Peace of the Earth”
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week.
Happy Birthday!
| Elizabeth | Bate | 02/28 |
| Joseph | Hartley | 02/28 |
| Carl | Jury | 02/28 |
| Sharon | Parker | 02/28 |
| Shelly | Wilson | 02/28 |
| Aiyana | Duerksen-Raymond | 03/01 |
| Marilu | Nelson | 03/03 |
| John | Schert | 03/03 |
| Amy | Vollmer | 03/03 |
| Renee | Andrews | 03/04 |
| Chris | Coates | 03/05 |
| John | Lybas | 03/05 |
| Gabriel | Thompson | 03/05 |
| Doug | Whalen | 03/05 |
| Cherie | Stabler Anderson | 03/06 |
Sunday Schedule
Sunday Seminar at 11:15am – Near Death Experiences – What happens when we die? Considerable research being conducted on NDEs (Near Death Experiences) and the reports of what is experienced during clinical death are often quite similar. What should UCGers believe? In this Seminar hosted by Fletcher Crowe, Dr. Louis Ritz, an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the UF McKnight Brain Institute will lead a discussion of this research and describe his use of meditation to transcend normal everyday experience. Join here. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624. Click here to learn more about Dr. Ritz.
Please also join us at 12:30pm for Congregational Coffee Hour. Talia 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
One Great Hour of Sharing Throughout Lent – One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering that is received by United Church of Christ congregations during the season of Lent for the purpose of meeting needs around the world. Please support this important initiative through a check mailed to UCG or online. Thank you for your generous support.
Lent at UCG
Lenten Devotional Booklet – with daily readings, as well as a bag of intentional items, to guide you through your Lenten journey, are available. More
Thursdays at Noon Live Devotional – More
Labyrinth Walks – Tuesdays and Thursdays during Lent. More
Devotional for Families with Children – 20 minute Lenten session, Sundays in Lent on Zoom at 5pm. More info or click here to join. Meeting ID: 891 5904 4033 Password: 2021
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.
