United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, January 19, 2025 – 10 a.m.
“Intersections”
Our livestream begins here at 10 a.m.
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND BIRTHDAYS – Rev. Chad McGinnis
PRELUDE AND OFFERING – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate.
CALL TO WORSHIP – from enfleshed
One: When the way is difficult and dangerous,
ALL: let us still choose what is good and just.
One: When evil comes to break us down and break us apart,
ALL: let us still choose to carry on with each other.
One: When power from on high strikes fear in our hearts,
ALL: let us still choose the courage to persist.
One: For we know that the love and power of God, which abides in us,
ALL: will not be overcome.
OPENING SONG – “We Shall Overcome” #570 in the UCC Hymnal
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Chad McGinnis
MEDITATIVE MUSIC – Offered by Mark Burlingame, tongue drum and Shirell Hix, native flute
Icon by Kelly Latimore
“Voices of Courage: The Fannie Lou Hamer Story”
Written and offered by Pamela Marshall-Koons
HYMN – “Lift Every Voice and Sing” #593 in the UCC Hymnal
BENEDICTION – from the Prayers of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
God, give us strength of body to keep walking for freedom. God, grant that we wage the struggle with dignity and discipline. O God, make us willing to do your will, come what may. Increase the number of persons of good will and moral sensitivity. Give us renewed confidence in nonviolence and the way of love as taught by Christ. Amen.
ALLELUIA
Irma M.
Attie A. H.
Nancy B.January 20
Anja E.January 21
Vivienne L.January 22
Sandi C.
Suzanne N.
January 23
Ellana G.
January 24
Andrea B.
Flo T.
Rhonda R.
Robert C.
January 25
Mark R.
Rob W.
Orlando B.
****************ANNOUNCEMENTS******************
Today at UCG
MLK Weekend and Racial Justice Sunday
9:45 a.m. Childcare
10 a.m. Worship Service – Pamela Marshall-Koons
Friendship Group
10:15 a.m. Kids United
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:15 a.m. Board of Membership
Lively Arts Committee
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar
Middle School Together (Youth United on Mystery Trip)
Want to know what’s going on at United Church of Gainesville this month? Click here for our January 2025 newsletter.
Sunday Seminar – “Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings” with Flo Turcotte in Reimer Hall and on Zoom at 11:30 a.m. Flo Turcotte, Literary Manuscripts Archivist at the George A. Smathers Libraries at UF will discuss the life of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and the influence of the Florida landscape on her work, including 1939 Pulitzer winner, The Yearling. Zoom Meeting: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624 Click here for Zoom meeting.
Small Groups Submissions ending soon! If there is a particular topic or place that you would like to explore, a book you want to discuss, or a skill or hobby you’d like to share, consider submitting a small group at https://bit.ly/SGWinter25. The deadline for submissions is January 20.
Black History Matters T-shirt Sale! – The UCG Racial Justice Committee will be selling their Black History Matters shirts in the courtyard today and on Sundays, February 2 and 9. Cost is $20 payable by cash, check, or credit card payments accepted in the front office. Or you can pay online at bit.ly/ucgplate and select Racial Justice from the fund drop down panel.
King National Holiday Parade and March is on Monday, January 20, meet at noon at the bicycle racks on the SE corner of Bo Diddley Plaza to march from the plaza to the MLK Center at Citizens Field. There is a free shuttle bus provided back to the plaza. Make sure to wear your UCG Black History Matters t-shirt.
February Newsletter reminder – The deadline to submit a newsletter article for February is tomorrow, January 20. Submissions can be sent to Shanna Swiers.
Our first Church Council meeting of 2025 will be on Wednesday, January 22 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in Reimer Hall. Our primary task this month is to receive and vote on the Board of Business’ final 2025 budget which is then presented for a congregational vote at our winter congregational meeting (February 9). All are welcome to join us in Reimer Hall or to listen via Zoom. Meeting ID: 835 7905 5656 Passcode: 236502
Save the date for Saturday, January 25 at 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m for a Convergence Futures Lab. To our United Church of Gainesville visionaries, way makers and beloved members (i.e., all of you!): UCG, in collaboration with Convergence Congregational Consulting, requests your attendance. Please RSVP here. Lunch and childcare will be provided.
Next Sunday, January 26
Convergence Sunday
9:45 a.m. Childcare – children’s wing
Puzzler Exchange
10 a.m. Worship Service – Rev. Cameron Trimble
10:15 a.m. Kids United
11 a.m. Fellowship and Beverages
11:15 a.m. Art in the Library Reception
11:30 a.m. Sunday Seminar
Youth United and Middle School Together
Art in the Library Reception is Sunday, January 26 after the service. We have a new art exhibit of watercolors by Bob Schackow.
Racial Justice Committee are 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 second lecture will be on Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Haile Homestead. For more information, click here.
The next Supper Club will be Saturday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. and will feature a chicken entree. We meet in groups of 8-10. Recipes are provided so that each group shares the same menu. Please RSVP to Anne Casella or Kimberly McCollough if you would like to participate. If you are able to host one of the groups, please let them know. The deadline to sign up is Sunday, February 2.