The United Church of Gainesville
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Sunday, November 21, 2021 – 9:15
“If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that would be enough.”
Meister Eckhart, medieval Christian mystic.
Join us here for a live-stream of Sunday Worship beginning at 9:15am.
WELCOME and Announcements- Bromleigh McCleneghan
Including an update from the Education Wing Renovation Team
RINGING THE BELL
PRELUDE – “All Good Gifts” from Godspell (Steven Schwartz) – Phillip Herr Klepacki
CALL TO WORSHIP – Donn Smith-Lopez – UCG Moderator 2021-2022
How sweet to sing to you, O God, and to thank you for all your blessings!
You rebuild what has been ruined and recreate what was lost.
You heal the broken-hearted, you are medicine for their wounds.
You lift up the afflicted and give them courage to endure.
You cover the sky with clouds, and you send rain to the earth.
You make grass to grow on the hills and plants to nourish our bodies.
You delight in those who let you shine through them.
You send your wisdom to them and your love speaks in the silence
Of every heart.
Psalm 147, as translated by Stephen Mitchell.
A Procession of UCG Moderators
Hymn #422 in the black hymnal, “Come, O Thankful People Come”
Cindy Martin, flute; Brian, David, and Tim Martin, trumpets; Mark Martin,
Trombone.
THE COMPACT OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF GAINESVILLE
Led by the former Moderators gathered this morning. (See list at end of bulletin)
We join as a spiritual community in this compact:
To worship God, however known,
To welcome into our church those of differing
understanding and theological opinion,
To learn from our religious heritage,
yet to grow by seeking new dimensions of truth.
To follow even imperfectly the way of Jesus
in personal involvement with each other,
And, strengthened by this bond,
to act in Christian concern for the welfare of all people.
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – Larry Reimer and Keri Trosper
INTERLUDE – Sharing of Offerings – (Children leave for United Tribes)
PRAYER CONCERNS
Choral Response – “In the Lord I’ll be Ever Thankful”
Phillip will play it through once. Then we will sing it together twice.
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful, in the Lord I will rejoice!
Look to God, do not be afraid; lift up your voices, the Lord is near;
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near.
SCRIPTURE – Luke 17:11-17
READING – “The winds of grace are always blowing. It is for us to raise our sails.”
-Sri Ramakrishna
SERMON – “The Tenth Leper at the Thanksgiving Table”
Larry Reimer
PRAYER
HYMN – #425 in the black hymnal – “For the Fruit of All Creation”
Vs 1 sung by Bromleigh McCleneghan, Fiona, Hattie, and Callie Hammond; Sandy and Larry Reimer
Vs 2-3 – Congregation
BENEDICTION
May God’s goodness be yours
And well, seven times well, may you spend your life.
May you be an isle in the sea.
May you be a hill on the shore.
May you be star in the darkness
And may the love of God fill your heart always. Amen.
POSTLUDE
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
|
Shanna |
Swiers |
11/21 |
|
Jeremy |
Archer |
11/22 |
|
David |
Rixx |
11/23 |
|
Cory |
Wise |
11/23 |
|
Alberto |
Breccia |
11/25 |
|
Jackie |
Davis |
11/27 |
|
Laura |
Line |
11/27 |
|
Jim |
Harper |
11/27 |
Sunday Seminar
Sunday, November 21 at 10:30am –All-Church Read for Fall 2021, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Pulitzer Prize winner, Isabel Wilkerson – “Caste” is a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America and explains how our country’s history and lives have been shaped by a hidden caste system. “As we go about our daily lives, caste is the wordless usher in a darkened theater, a flashlight cast down the aisle, guiding us to our assigned seats for a performance. The hierarchy of caste is not about feeling or morality It is about power–which groups have it and which do not.” RJC members Barbara Gibbs and Doris Harvey will examine the premise of the book. You will consider questions to deepen your understanding of how caste and race are not the same, but deeply embedded in our current racial, political, and social problems. Join the live stream here.
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Announcements
The church office is closed November 24-26 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
LifeSouth Blood Drive this 9am – 12pm TODAY at UCG. Please give the Gift of Life!
Small Groups Registration for Winter has begun! – Click here to register on ShelbyNext or here for additional instructions. It is best to registration through a web browser rather than the ShelbyNext app. Here is a list of group offerings. If you have difficulty registerering, contact the church office for help. Deadline to register for winter small groups is Sunday, December 5.Lessons & Carols Rehearsals This Week: Thursday 7:15pm and Sunday at 12:15pm, masks required.
KAIROS requests your help – Thank you!
- Elena Fabrick recently gave birth to her third child and could use some meals. Please click here to help.
- Shi Breedlove, who is caring for her mom recovering from a broken femur as well as starting a new job, could use some help with meals. Please click here if you can help.
- UCGer, John Jopling is in needs of assistance getting rides to and from to his orthopedic appointments this week and next week. Please sign up here if you are able to help.
New Art Exhibit in UCG Library – “Plants and Flowers Re-imaged” Photo Exhibit by Barbara Gibbs. A reception will be held on Nov 28 during coffee time. Meet Barb, enjoy light refreshments and tour the library.
Rawlings Christmas Angel Gift Market – Thank you so much for donating to the Rawlings gift market! This year there are two options for choosing the gifts you purchase. You can link to Sign-up Genius here or you can take a Christmas angel from the tree in the foyer of the sanctuary. Drop your unwrapped gifts off at UCG in the foyer on December 5 or 12 between during either service or bring them to Seminar B between 10 and 2 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday the weeks of November 28 or December 5. You don’t need to provide bags this year – we have lots leftover from last year. Blessings to all of our Christmas Angels.
Christmas Mini-grants -The deadline to turn in requests for mini-grants is December 5. Click here to submit an application or email Shanna at to obtain one.
Advent Contemplative Prayer Group – on Wednesdays, December 1, 8 and 15 from 6 to 7 pm – in person in the Sanctuary – led by Sandy Reimer. The deadline to sign up for this group is this Monday, November 22. You can sign up on ShelbyNext or by e-mailing Sandy directly at reimer.sandy@gmail.com.
Volunteers needed for Holiday Craft Fair, December 4, 3-5 pm (set up at 2:30) – Board of Children Youth and Family is looking for volunteers to staff craft making tables for our kids. We can provide the craft and materials, or you can provide your own. There will be youth volunteers to help you. Please contact Beth Hinrichs at beth.hinrichs@gmail.com if you can help with this wonderful event!
Sunday Drive-Up Assistance Now Available – Volunteers are available to assist persons with mobility issues 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. A 24-hour notice is preferred but we will help you even if you wake up Sunday morning and decide to attend the worship service.
We are holding services inside the Sanctuary again and your help is needed more than ever on Sunday mornings with greeting and ushering individuals and families at the 9:15AM service AND the 11:15 service. There’s no lifting involved – just a friendly smile illuminating from behind your mask! To sign up, click here, email Dar Mikula, or call (352) 378-3500.
CMRB sends out a periodic survey which boards and committees and church leadership can use to gauge our progress with our Three Year Plan. The next survey is ready, and can be found at this link. The survey has been significantly shortened, so it should only take you a few minutes to complete. Please provide your input today!
November 20 COVID Update
According to the Florida Department of Health, last week the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Alachua County moved from 65 to 53 per 100,000 per week. Alachua County remains in the orange zone (25-100).
Please help keep our church finances healthy while you stay healthy! Please consider donating online. 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. Our budgeted (anticipated) amount of Plate Income for 2021 is $36,000, so we rely on the weekly passing of the plate. Here is a video on how to use Shelby Giving. Thank you for your support!
