Welcome to Worship

January 9, 2022
Epiphany Sunday

 Join us here for a live-stream beginning at 9:15am

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Andy Bachmann  

PRELUDE – “Minuet,” by Ravel – Offered by the Dalirusa Fling Quartet: Sally Simonis and Lisa McElwee-White, flute; Ruth Swartz, viola; David Turner, cello 

CALL TO WORSHIP 

Searching for a glimpse of change,
seeking liberation from colonizing forces,
the magi journeyed,
crossing foreign lands and borders
with only a star as their guide.

The same glimmer of hope
that guided their way
calls to us today.
Through night skies and morning dew. 

Through community and in silent meditation.
Through songs, ancient and new.
Through art and bodies and creation.
Through collectives of people who dare to break rules
in the direction of a better world.

It calls us 
to come and share our resources equitably,
to come and delight in love enfleshed,
to come and join in the spirit of deliverance
birthed far from the centers of power. 

At the birth-site of God,
the way is revealed.                         – Rev. M. Barclay, for enfleshed

TIME FOR CHILDREN AND BIRTHDAYS – “Home by Another Way,” by Barbara Brown Taylor. Offered by Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan 

SPECIAL MUSIC – “We Three Kings,” from A Claymation Christmas Celebration

READING – “Wise Women Also Came” – Rev. Talia Raymond 

Wise women also came. The fire burned in their wombs long before they saw the flaming star in the sky. They walked in shadows, trusting the path would open under the light of the moon. Wise women also came, seeking no directions, no permission from any king. They came by their own authority, their own desire, their own longing. They came in quiet, spreading no rumors, sparking no fears to lead to innocents’ slaughter, to their sister Rachel’s inconsolable lamentations. Wise women also came, and they brought useful gifts: water for labor’s washing, fire for warm illumination, a blanket for swaddling. Wise women also came, at least three of them, holding Mary in the labor, crying out with her in the birth pangs, breathing ancient blessings into her ear. Wise women also came, and they went, as wise women always do, home a different way.  – Jan Richardson

SCRIPTURE READING – Malachi 3:10 

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”

SERMON – “Another Way,” Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan 

SPECIAL MUSIC & OFFERING – “Maruntel,” by Bartok – Offered by the Dalirusa Fling Quartet: Sally Simonis and Lisa McElwee-White, flute; Ruth Swartz, viola; David Turner, cello 

PRAYER 

Epiphany is stronger
Than insurrection

That was the point
Herods

So be frightened
Our path will continue to be
A different way
Lit by the Star of Peace

Your sneakiness & violent ways
Are no match for our God
Thank Sweet Baby Jesus
Amen.                            — Rev. Katy Stenta

CLOSING SONG – “Arise, Your Light Has Come” #164, vs. 1-2

BENEDICTION 

ALLELUIA 


Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!

Karen

Niederkohr

01/05

Stephen

Bottomly

01/10

Mary

Fukuyama

01/10

Emma

Murphy

01/11

Mary Jay

McClave

01/12

Irma E

Riley

01/12

Mary

Clark

01/13

Madeline

Cox

01/13

Lauren

McLendon

01/13

Beatrice

Poe

01/13

Lauren

Poe

01/13

Emily

Anderton

01/13

Wilson

Bell

01/14

Karen

Archer

01/15

John

Denny

01/15

Blair

Sammel

01/15

Announcements

Epiphany Stars – Stars with YOUR special guiding word for 2022 are in baskets in the sanctuary foyer. When you attend worship and enter the foyer, find the basket, close your eyes, let a star pick you, and share its wisdom with you throughout the coming year!  If you are joining us online, click here to generate a word, or you can call the office to have one sent to you.

The Sunday Seminar “Three Days in Ireland,” with Andy Bachmann has been postponed. Watch for the rescheduled date!

United Tribes – This week the Tribes are gathering to discuss taking positive actions in the new spaces in our life. We will get our momentum going in our new church school spaces by creating group thank you cards for those who made our renovations possible. Miss Candice will lead our PreK tribes and Miss Keri will
lead K-5.

Racial Justice Committee will be selling all sizes of BLM t-shirts the in the courtyard between services. Martin Luther King Day is Monday, January 17, 2022. Help us make UCG a big presence on Monday, January 17, at the march that day. Cost of shirts is $10.00.

The Racial Justice Committee invites you to participate in any of these events in honor or Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There will be a group of UCGers marching in the parade on Monday, January 17, starting at noon at Bo Diddley Plaza and concluding at Citizens Field. Join us!

KAIROS requests your help – John Jopling needs additional assistance getting to and from physical therapy. Click here to help.

A little short on your 2021 pledge donations?  It’s not too late to fulfill your commitment!  Donations are always welcome via check, cash, or credit card (click here). If you love your church bookkeeper, please note the YEAR on your donation. NOTE: If you wish your donation to be booked to the 2021 fiscal year (for tax purposes), I will accept cash or checks dated 12/31/2021 or prior.

Small Group Submissions begin on January 16. Please consider offering a group through UCG. It can be just about anything! From nature hikes to car tutorials, to Bible studies to volunteer work opportunities. Help us stay connected through a small group opportunity! Submit Small Group ideas at bit.ly/spring22SG. The deadline for submissions is January 30.

Sunday Drive-Up Assistance Now Available – Volunteers are available to assist disabled persons from the apron in front of the UCG courtyard into the Sanctuary.  Please call or text Dar Mikula (352-359-4041) directly ahead of time to make arrangements and we’ll meet you out front.

Please help keep our church finances healthy while you stay healthy!  Please consider donating online when we cannot be together in person.  To GIVE,  click here  to make a one-time donation to UCG -or- to set up a recurring donation schedule via your bank account or credit card.  Here  is a video on how to use Shelby Giving.

Next Sunday, January 16
Poets & Prophets
9:00am                     Childcare
9:15 & 11:15am        Worship – Andy Bachmann
9:30am                     United Tribes
10:15am                  Youth United & Middle School Together
10:30am                   Adult Seminar – “Martin Luther King’s World House in a Changing Climate”

January 8 COVID Update

The Florida Department of Health reports that last week the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Alachua County increased from 760 to 1389 per 100,000 per week. The per cent of tests that were positive increased from 22.1 to 27.7%, a sign of continued uncontrolled spread. The threshold for the red zone (high risk of transmission) is 100 cases per 100,000 per week.