United Church of Gainesville
“Another Scroll”
Sunday, July 2, 2023 – 10:00 a.m.
Our live stream begins at 10:00 a.m. Click here to join.
“O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!”
-Langston Hughes
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
PRELUDE – “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” – by Fred Rogers, jazz arrangement by Paul Murtha – All Church Band, directed by Larry Reimer
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP – inspired by Psalm 133
One: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
Many: It is precious, and life-giving, to live in communities of peace.
One: How very good and pleasant it is to hear stories from others, to learn and grow from one another.
Many: How delightful to be introduced to other scrolls, to other traditions, and to other wisdom.
One: How very good and pleasant it is to know that we need not live our lives in isolation but can depend on the bonds of our community to hold us and lift us.
Many: As we gather this day, let us continue to dream of and work for a world in which all creation sings, and all people can flourish.
HYMN – “This is my Song”
TIME WITH CHILDREN – “It Takes a Village,” by Hillary Rodham Clinton, illustrated by Martha Frazee
BIRTHDAYS
INTERLUDE – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
SINGING & OFFERTORY, “Like a Tree Planted by the Water”
Blessed are those whose hearts are open,
Delighting in the way things are.
Like a tree planted by the water,
We are planted right here.
Chorus:
I’m planted right here.
I’m planted right here.
Like a tree planted by the water,
I’m planted right here.
Roots digging deep in the soil,
Branches reaching for the sun,
Like a tree planted by the water,
I’m planted right here.
Chorus
UCG’s my family tree,
Rooted in love and care.
Like a tree planted by the water
I’m planted right here.
Chorus
Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate
READING – Book of Esther, chapter 3, verses 1-10 – Rabbi Michael Joseph
REFLECTION – Rabbi Michael Joseph
READING – Dr. Saeed Khan
REFLECTION – Dr. Saeed Khan
READING – “The Hill We Climb” – by Amanda Gorman, offered by Catherine Cake
Reflection – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
SONG – “Garden Song”
Chorus:
Inch by inch, row by row,
gonna make this garden grow.
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
and a piece of fertile ground.
Inch by inch, row by row,
someone bless these seeds I sow.
Someone warm them from below
til the rain comes tumbling down.
I feel a need to grow my own
for the time is near at hand.
Grain for grain, sun and rain,
find my way through nature’s chain.
As I tune my body and brain
to the music of the land.
temper them with warmth and song.
Mother earth will make you strong
if you give her love and care.
See that crow, watching hungrily,
from its perch on yonder tree.
In my garden I’m as free
as that feathered thief up there. (Chorus)
BENEDICTION
ALLELUIA
|
Zachary |
Baldwin |
07/02 |
|
Leveda |
Brown |
07/02 |
|
Jill |
Fameree |
07/02 |
|
Geoff |
Dahl |
07/04 |
|
Holly |
Osborne Lovejoy |
07/04 |
|
Darrell |
Hartman |
07/05 |
|
Tom |
Dana |
07/06 |
|
Jenny |
Land |
07/06 |
|
Theresa |
Foster |
07/07 |
|
Nadal |
Gutierrez-Hernandez |
07/07 |
|
Nati |
Gutierrez-Hernandez |
07/07 |
|
Donn |
Smith-Lopez |
07/07 |
|
Vicki |
Evans |
07/08 |
|
Alice |
Hill |
07/08 |
|
Jenny |
Hill |
07/08 |
|
Lilliam |
Pancorbo |
07/08 |
|
Elizabeth |
Sugalski |
07/08 |
|
Tracy |
Bachmann |
07/09 |
|
Reid |
Schreiber |
07/10 |
|
Stasia |
Snowden |
07/10 |
Announcements
Summer office hours through August 11 are Monday – Friday,
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Food First Sunday
10:00 a.m. Worship – “Interfaith Interdependence” – Sanctuary
10:30 a.m. Activity Time – Education Wing
11:00 a.m. Ice Cream Social – Reimer Hall and Courtyard
No Sunday Seminars for July! Seminars will return in August.
Food First is today. – Please continue to bring non-perishable food items to church on Sunday. If you forget or prefer, you may donate here. Your generous donations provide much-needed food for the Gainesville Community Ministry (GCM) Food Pantry. In 2023, UCG donated over 1.5 tons of food! Thank you for your compassion in action!
The Ice Cream Social is TODAY! Join us for ice cream with a toppings bar, plus fresh watermelon after the service in Reimer Hall.
The church office is closed on Tuesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. The Events email will be sent on Wednesday, July 5.
C.A.M.P. UCG for children entering K-6th Grade will be July 24-28, 2023! Our theme is “All God’s Critters: Flying Animals Edition.” There will be special guests, a water slide day, yummy snacks, spiritual exploration, and a visit from some flying animals! Rates: $30 per child (8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.), $50 family cap for children in the same household. Aftercare Rate: (12-5 p.m.) $100 for the week, $20 per day. Email taliar@ucgainesville.org with any questions, or to volunteer with: crafts, STEM lessons, snacks, outdoor games, or if you have a connection to a community group that can teach our children about critters, however known. Monetary donations or gift cards to grocery/big box stores are also welcome. Register at https://bit.ly/campucg23
The Small Groups Committee wants to remind UCGers that there are ongoing small groups open to new participants during the summer. You can find a list of offerings in the foyer.
Gathering Water – Wherever you are this summer – in your yard, at the beach, in another state or country – remember to gather a small amount of water to bring to our annual “Gathering of Waters” service on August 13. This service is our ritual of re-gathering as a church community at the end of the summer.
10:00 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Activity Time
11:00 a.m. Fellowship & Beverages
12:30 p.m. Board of Membership
6:00 p.m. Sacred Sound Symphony
There will be a memorial service for long-time UCG member Lonnie Bryan on Saturday, July 8 at 11:30 a.m. at UCG. Lonnie passed away in hospice care on January 28.
