First Sunday in Advent
The Parables of Christmas
The United Church of Gainesville – November 29, 2020
If you would like to watch the service as a playlist, please click here and you will be directed to our YouTube page. If you prefer, you may click on the individual links below at your own pace.
Welcome, Prayers, and Musical Response
Welcome and Prayers – Rev. Talia Raymond
Lighting the First Advent Candle – Tom, Andrew and Ella Bittikoffer, and Catherine Cake
Singing Together — Keep Awake, Be Always Ready, #112 New Century Hymnal Tune, Wachet Auf, adapted by J.S. Bach performed by Tané DeKrey on piano
Keep awake, be always ready,
God’s time approaches sure and steady,
God’s strength will keep your heart from blame.
Clouds, the Spirit’s light concealing,
Disperse, God’s purest light revealing;
Creation will its Sovereign name.
Dry branches burst forth green,
God’s advent signs are seen: Hallelujah!
Christ’s judgment won, God’s will be done;
God’s new dominion thus begun.
Rise and shine for One is coming
Whose love will quench all nature’s thirsting
To be made whole forever more.
On that day to end all weeping,
Death’s swords transformed
To tools of reaping,
The God of might will mercy pour.
Incarnate, God appears,
Embracing all our tears: Hallelujah!
God’s majesty eternally
Revealed to set the cosmos free.
Time with Children – “Hello Lighthouse,” by Sophie Blackall, Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Reading, Sermon, and Responsive Song
Reading – “The Risk of Birth, Christmas 1973,” by Madeleine L’Engle – Read by Talia Raymond
This is no time for a child to be born,
With the earth betrayed by war & hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out & the sun burns late.
That was no time for a child to be born,
In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;
Honour & truth were trampled by scorn–
Yet here did the Saviour make his home.
When is the time for love to be born?
The inn is full on the planet earth,
And by a comet the sky is torn–
Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.
Sermon – “The Risk of Hope,” Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
on Mark 13:24-37
‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’
Hymn – All Earth is Waiting (Toda La Tierra), #121, performed by Tané DeKrey on piano,
All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,
And open furrows, the sowing of our God.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
It cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
Thus says the prophet to those of Israel,
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel!”
One whose name is “God with us,” our Savior shall be,
Through whom hope will blossom once more within our hearts.
Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain;
Open new highways, new highways for our God,
Who is now coming closer, so come all and see,
And open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
In lowly stable, the Promised One appeared,
Yet feel that presence throughout the earth today,
For Christ lives in God’s people and is with us now;
Again, on arriving, Christ brings us liberty.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Verse 1
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Child of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week.
Happy Birthday!
|
Carol |
Barron |
12/01 |
|
Max |
Archer |
12/02 |
|
Fred |
Gregory |
12/03 |
|
Adriane |
Isenberg |
12/03 |
|
Thatcher |
Morse |
12/03 |
|
Harper |
Fitzpatrick |
12/04 |
Sunday Schedule
Sunday Seminar, November 29 at 11:15am – Mark the days of advent bringing light and joy into your home. Join Heidi Stein for an Art Seminar on November 29th where she will help you create a crafty advent wreath. This seminar will be great for both parents and their children to do together and great for anyone interested in crafting. We will be decorating recycled jars which can be used in your advent celebrations or as a candle holder or gift wrap for a special handmade treat. Click here to join. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385 Passcode: 1624
Please also join us at 12:30pm for Congregational Coffee Hour – Bromleigh will be available on our Zoom account to talk and share. She’ll be prepared to talk about the online worship experience, but with no set agenda other than hoping to see your faces and have a chance to touch base. Join here. Meeting ID: 875 0792 2974 Passcode: 1624
Important Announcements
The Compassion in Action Committee is soliciting requests for Christmas Mini-Grants in support of people or causes that are in need of financial assistance during the Holiday season. These small grants of $50 to $150 typically go to local individuals and families who have been identified by church members. Click here to submit your request. The deadline for requests is Dec. 1.
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Rawlings Christmas Angel Gift Market – Thank you so much for donating to the Rawlings gift market. This is a highly anticipated event at Rawlings and parents have been asking for the past month if it is going to happen again this year. In a time of financial hardship, this event is more important than ever. Please use the link to Sign-up Genius here to indicate which gifts you will purchase. Please drop them off unwrapped at UCG in the parking lot on December 6 or 13 between 10 and 12 or in Seminar B on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10 and 2 the weeks of November 29 or December 6. It would be very helpful if you could include a cloth shopping bag or sturdy paper bag with handles (like those from Trader Joe’s) that parents can use for shopping. Blessings to you for being a Christmas Angel!
The All Church Band Christmas Sing-A-Long will happen. The musicians only will gather on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 10:00 AM IN THE COURTYARD AT UCG to record the music, which will be part of the December 20th Worship Service.
Here’s How:
- Pick up music at UCG beginning December 1. It will be on a card table next to the office by the water fountain in a bin of some sort. Sign the sheet indicating you have picked up music and are going to play.
- Show up on December 12 at 10:00 am. Have a mask for yourself, and if possible, one for your instrument. If you don’t have an instrument mask, wrap a cloth around the bell and secure it with a rubber band. We will have a few extra trumpet masks.
- Bring a music stand if you have one.
- We will gather in the courtyard 6 feet apart, perhaps in two rows, also 6 feet apart.
- We’ll do one practice.
- Then we’ll do a take, performing it so Holden Martin can record it to be used at the December 20 service.
Let Larry know if you’re playing – reimer.larry@ucgainesville.org. Or just show up.
Please note: do not come to the session if you have answered yes to any of the following questions on December 12:
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In past 5 days, have you or anyone in your household had a fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, or diarrhea?
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In past 14 days have you been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 or displaying coronavirus symptoms?
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Have you tested positive for COVID-19 and not yet received medical clearance to return to public activities?
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The Children’s Christmas Pageant is on! Please sign-up here to take part in this year’s first UCG Drive-Through Pageant on December 6th! Each scene will be set up around the parking lot in order so folks who drive through can experience the Christmas Story. Please pay attention to the grade levels, we don’t want you to miss your year to be that character. This is open to all children Pre-K – 5th grade and there are two spots available for each speaking part so that they can take turns.
We ask that the cast arrive at 9:30 for a talk-through and to get in costume. The Drive-Through will begin at 10am and last until 10:45. Adults, if you can help set the scenes at 8:30, and break down after, we will appreciate the help!
**Masks are required for all, social distancing will be in place, and we will be outside only**
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The survey is here! As part of our newly-adopted Three-Year-Plan, we have committed to periodically checking in with each other to assess how well church programs are meeting our needs for spiritual nurture, connection, and accessibility. Please respond to the survey today! It should take less than 10 minutes for most. Thanks!
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Small Group Registration continues through Sunday, December 6. We currently have over 20 various offerings and invite you to join! Click here to see the offerings and register. If you need help with Zoom, contact Jeff Shapiro, and we can arrange practice sessions and/or phone conversations about your participation in Zoom-space.
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If you are a regular supporter through our collected offering, please consider making your donation now. Our budgeted (anticipated) amount of Plate Income for 2020 is $40,000, so we rely on the weekly passing of the plate. To GIVE, click here to make a one-time donation to UCG -or- to set up a recurring donation via your bank account or credit card click here. Thank you for your support.
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Please note: While the Church Office remains closed, we are still available by phone or email from 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.
