Reclaiming Righteousness
Sunday, January 21, 2024 – 10 a.m.

Our live stream begins here at 10 a.m.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”  ― Dalai Lama XIV

 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Chad McGinnis

PRELUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki   

OPENING – Janet March

You don’t want to hear the story
of my life, and anyway
I don’t want to tell it, I want to listen

to the enormous waterfalls of the sun.

And anyway it’s the same old story – – –
a few people just trying,
one way or another,
to survive.

Mostly, I want to be kind.
And nobody, of course, is kind,
or mean,
for a simple reason.

And nobody gets out of it, having to
swim through the fires to stay in
this world.

— from Dogfish by Mary Oliver

 

OPENING HYMN – “For the Beauty of the Earth”

 

TIME WITH CHILDREN – “Listening With My Heart: a Story of Kindness and Self-compassion” by Gabi Garcia, illustrated by Ying Hui Tan – offered by Tim Martin    

PRAYER     

BIRTHDAYS

INTERLUDE AND OFFERING 

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

SONG – “Servant Song” 

Neighbor, let me be your servant
Let me be as grace to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too

We are pilgrims on a journey
We are neighbors on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the grace light for you
In the night-time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Chad McGinnis

 

SPECIAL MUSIC – “Friendship” by Homer Banks and Lester Snell – offered by Adam Hill, guitar; Alan Hill, bass

 

SCRIPTURE – Jonah 3:1-5, 10 – Rev. Chad McGinnis

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.”

So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed their mind about the calamity that God said they would bring upon them; and God did not do it.

 

SERMON – “Stop Playing Nice: the Power of Kindness” – Rev. Chad McGinnis

 

CLOSING SONG – “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds”

 

BENEDICTION – Rev. Chad McGinnis

“ALLELUIA”

POSTLUDE

 

 

 Here are our UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!

Vivienne

Larson

01/21

Sandi

Chance

01/22

Suzanne

Newman

01/22

Andrew

Bittikoffer

01/24

Flo

Turcotte

01/24

Rhonda

Riley

01/24

Mark

Robinson

01/25

Rob

White

01/25

Orlando

Barros

01/25

Ron

Nutter

01/26

Nan

Ryan

01/26

Heidi

Stein

01/26

Nora

Hoover

01/27

Maggie

Nelson

01/27

Spencer

Wise

01/27

Aaron

Mickle

01/27

  

****************ANNOUNCEMENTS******************
WELCOME VISITORS! Please fill out a visitor card and leave your email if you would like to be included in our weekly email update.Today at UCG

9:45 a.m.              Childcare10:00 a.m.            Worship – Rev. Chad McGinnis
                             Friendship Group10:15 a.m.             United Tribes11:00 a.m.            Fellowship & Beverages                                
11:30 a.m.            Sunday Seminar                           12:00 p.m.            OWL Training
12:30 p.m.            Lively Arts meeting
7:00 p.m.              Small Group Series: “The History and Context of the Current Crisis in Israel/Palestine” 

Note: Due to illness, the seminar about the book “Shadows of Emmett Till” by Bob Newman has been postponed.

Sunday Seminar – Dr. Rik Stevenson, a historian in the Department of African American Studies at the University of Florida, presents part two of a talk on “Challenging Academic and Political Prohibitions in Florida.” Join us in Reimer Hall or on Zoom. Meeting ID: 82964570385  Passcode: 1624

Today is the last day for Small Group submissions. If you enjoy a hobby or skill or want to connect with friends through outdoor activities, here’s your chance to share with fellow UCGers. Go to https://bit.ly/sgspring24 to submit a group. Watch for registration to begin in February.

Please visit the lost and found table in the courtyard this Sunday to claim anything that belongs to you. There are a variety of water bottles and jackets that have been left behind, along with various other items. Anything not collected will be donated to Hospice Attic.

“The History and Context of the Current Crisis in Israel/Palestine” led by Fletcher Crowe – Beginning today, January 14, at 7 p.m. and continuing for two more Sunday evenings (January 21 and 28) in Reimer Hall, we will take up the troubling details of the war so far and try to arrive at policy recommendations that could lead toward peace in the Middle East. Advance registration is not required.

We will be welcoming new members on Sunday, February 11, and if you’d like to join UCG, please join us at UCG 101, our new members orientation on Wednesday, January 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Reimer Hall. Contact the office if you would like to attend (352 378-3500) or sign up on the bulletin board in the courtyard. Childcare and refreshments are provided.

Lent begins on February 14, and we are seeking submissions of art, photos, or writings for this year’s Lenten devotional booklet! Please email your submissions to Taylor Williams at gutsandglorygnv@gmail.com no later than January 31. For written word, please submit it in the body of your email or as a Word document. Please send all pictures and art pieces in a JPEG format. This year’s Lenten theme is “Lamentations.”

Call to the Winter Congregational Meeting Next Sunday, January 28 at 11 a.m. Please plan to attend this important meeting in the life of the church.

Next Sunday, January 28
Winter Congregational Meeting

9:45 a.m.              Childcare10:00 a.m.            Worship – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan                           10:15 a.m.             United Tribes11:00 a.m.            Winter Congregational Meeting                         
Noon                    Fellowship and Beverages           2:00 p.m.              OWL Training
7:00 p.m.              Small Group Series: “The History and Context of the Current Crisis in Israel/Palestine” 
January 19 Covid Update

The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 continues to surge across the country. Symptomatic people who have tested positive for COVID and are at risk for serious illness should consult a physician regarding a prescription for Paxlovid, which, if started within 5 days of symptom onset, will reduce the severity of the illness and reduce the need for hospitalization. Paxlovid is used to treat both immunized and non-immunized high risk people with early COVID.

The COVID virus continues to be found in nearly all Alachua County wastewater samples. The wearing of masks in crowded indoor events is therefore recommended. People with respiratory symptoms should remain at home. KN-95 masks are available in the foyer for people who wish to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID during Sunday worship services.