United Church of Gainesville
“Another Scroll”
Sunday, June 18, 2023 – 10:00 a.m.
Our live stream begins at 10:00 am. Click here to join.
“How should we consider a different spiritual path? We shall approach it with humility as well as a willingness to learn about another tradition. If our faith can be shaken from merely learning about a different tradition, then that faith is not worth keeping.” – Rev. Dr. Kang Won Yong
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS – Chad McGinnis
PRELUDE – “High Above the Earth” Words by Rev. Vince Amlin, music by Zach Neece. Offered by Cindy Martin, flute, Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano
RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP – A Litany for Father’s Day from The United Church of Mapleton, led by Tim Martin
One: Let us praise those fathers who have sought to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.
Many: Let us praise those fathers who, lacking good role models, have worked all the harder to do right by their children.
One: Let us acknowledge those fathers who, by their own account, were too often absent, but who now offer those children their love and support.
Many: Let us acknowledge all those who have repented for their failings and have sought reconciliation.
One: We pray for the fathers who were never able to repair, reconcile or mend the wounds they caused in the lives of their families.
Many: And we take a moment to celebrate the strength of those who overcame these wounds in spite of their fathers.
One: Let us praise those fathers who prioritize their children’s good, even when the marriages that brought them into their lives have ended.
Many: Let us praise those fathers who have adopted children, and whose love and support have offered new life.
One: Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and always strive for their stepchildren’s love and respect.
Many: Let us pray for those fathers who have lost a child to death and continue to hold the child in their heart.
One: Let us praise all those who have no children but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.
Many: Let us praise all those who have fathered us in their role as mentors and guides and found family.
One: Let us rejoice with those who are about to become fathers and pray that they may openly delight in their children.
Many: And let us remember the fathers who have died but whose love and memory continue to nurture us.
HYMN – “Be Now My Vision”
TIME WITH CHILDREN – “Hair Love,” by Matthew A. Cherry. Offered by Taylor Williams
BIRTHDAYS
INTERLUDE
SCRIPTURE READING – Luke 7: 36-50 – Chad McGinnis
SPECIAL MUSIC AND OFFERTORY – “High Above the Earth,” (Amlin and Neece) Quartet – Phillip Herr-Klepacki, Edo Carter, Rick Johnson,
Andy Olivenbaum
I will toss you in the air. Brush the gravel from your knees.
I will place you on my shoulders. Hold you high above the earth.
I will spend my years on you. Measure life by marks on walls,
quarters hidden under pillows. Hold you high above the earth.
Through the darkness of the night, I will listen for your key.
I will sleep when you are sleeping. I will dream of holding you.
You can call from far away to hear home beneath my words.
I will always be your father. Hold you high above the earth.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
SERMON – “Seeing and Being Seen” – Chad McGinnis
SONG – “One Ohana”
Here in the garden of creation,
Here is the home of life and love,
Circled ’round by endless blessings,
Earth below and sky above.
Chorus: All of creation, one ohana,
All of creation sings in you;
Many the voices, one great music,
Part of me and part of you.
We are a part of all creation,
There is a mystery all around.
All the creatures, all that grows here,
Light and darkness, every sound.
Chorus
Hiding within the seed in winter,
Rising anew in every spring,
Dancing through the hill and forests,
God is alive in everything.
Chorus
If you would know and love your Maker,
If you would learn the Sacred Way,
Treasure every plant and creature,
Treasure each other every day.
Chorus
BENEDICTION
There is only one river.
There is only one sea.
And it flows through you,
and it flows through me.
There is only one people.
We are one and the same.
We are all one spirit.
We are all one name. –Peter Yarrow
ALLELUIA
Thanks to the following artists who contributed to today’s visual presentation:
Visual Artists: Valerie Aslakson-Jennings, Edo Carter, Madeline Cox, Susan Torgerson James, Judy Mans, Peggy Mixon, Heidi Stein, Carolyn von Zabern, and Nel Gammon Webster
Coordination of Visual Images: Mary Fukuyama and Heidi Stein
Visual presentation: Holden Martin
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Renata |
Serra |
06/18 |
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Bill |
Williams |
06/18 |
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Ellen |
Ribe |
06/20 |
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Linda |
Galloway |
06/22 |
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Avery |
Hill |
06/22 |
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Anne |
Taylor |
06/22 |
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Tiffany |
Fisher |
06/23 |
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Joseph |
Stein |
06/23 |
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Josh |
Hammond |
06/23 |
Announcements
Today at UCG
Sunday Seminar – Discuss the Sermon with Chad – Chad will lead a discussion session focused on his sermon. Come and bring your questions and thoughts and discuss ways to make practical applications of the spiritual themes. Join us in person or via Zoom. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624
Visitors’ Coffee with Rev. Bromleigh at 11:15 a.m. in the library – If you’ve been visiting UCG and would like to learn more about the church, please join us at a visitors’ coffee, where Rev. Bromleigh and members of the Board of Membership will be available to answer questions you may have.
Birthday Collection for Ray Meeks – Ray Meeks is turning 70 this month and every year we receive contributions for Ray at Christmas and for his birthday in June. All financial contributions must go through UCG. There are envelopes in the foyer, or you can give here. Please include your name and address since Ray likes to write thank-you notes. The address to write to Ray is Douglas Raymond Meeks #046346, P.O. Box 23608, Tampa, FL 33623. Thanks for your continued care and prayers for Ray over the years.
Thanks to the congregation for voting to become a Creation Justice Church at the last congregational meeting! The newest activity from the Creation Care & Climate Justice Task Force is a postcard campaign organized by the United Church of Christ. Climate Hope Cards were provided for free from UCC, and we are collecting names of people who support its purpose, which you can read about at https://www.ucc.org/climatehopecards/ (In brief, they implore President Biden and the EPA to fight pollution with strong standards.) The cards will be available at Sunday services in June, and they can be returned in person to Jim Harper or by dropping them at the UCG office. We plan to have more than 200 postcards signed by the end of June.
The Ice Cream Social is Back! We will be serving ice cream with a toppings bar, plus fresh watermelon after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, July 2 in Reimer Hall. We need volunteers to bring a topping and to help with set up or clean up. Please sign up here.
The Re-Mod Squad needs your help! We are working to mediate drainage issues in the courtyard and buy ourselves some time until long-term solutions can be implemented. Committee member Glenn Mans has been doing lots of hard physical labor in the courtyard with some help from a couple of volunteers, but more work is needed! We will primarily be leveling high areas of the courtyard, sifting excavated dirt to remove root mass, cutting out roots from old tree stumps, and hauling and spreading sieved dirt to help stabilize parking lot areas. Maximum work periods from 9:15 a.m. to noon as weather and stamina permit. Two volunteers per workday work well! If this sounds like work you can do, we’d love to have your help. Many thanks to those who have already volunteered! We still need assistance on July 7 and July 10. If you can help with this, please text Glenn Mans at 352-870-1303.
The Lively Arts Committee is pleased to feature World Calligraphy Art by Joon Thomas. The scrolls hanging in the sanctuary represent philosophies from the major world religions. There is currently a show of their work at the Sweetwater Print Coop in downtown Gainesville. Visit https://bit.ly/joonthomas for more information.
The All-Church Band is playing at the 10 a.m. service on July 2, offering the Fred Rogers classic, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Musicians of any and all skill levels are encouraged to pick up music in the foyer on Sunday, practice on their own, and join others for a single rehearsal at 9 a.m. on July 2.
10:00 a.m. Worship – Work Tour Participant Reflections
10:30 a.m. Activity Time
11:00 a.m. Fellowship & Beverages
Entr’acte
Lively Arts Committee
Puzzlers
11:15 a.m. Sunday Seminar
1:00 p.m. Patticakes Potluck
Patticakes Potluck Summer Pool Party! – Patticakes is a group for UCG member and visitor families with small children, from infants through 1st grade, as well as their siblings. Join us Sunday, June 25th 1-5 p.m. at the home of Donn and Melvin Smith-Lopez at 3994 NW 14th St., Gainesville. Pack your swim suits, towels and sunscreen. We have lots of pool toys for water play. Please bring a finger food appetizer, easily shareable dish or beverage. We will have water and juice boxes for the kids.
C.A.M.P. UCG for children entering Rising 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. Visit https://bit.ly/campucg23 to register.
Gathering Water – Wherever you are this summer – in your own 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.
June 16 COVID Update – Alachua County remains in the green zone.