The United Church of Gainesville – November 7, 2021
Join us here for a live-stream of Sunday Worship beginning at 9:15am.
“So, let’s make the most of this beautiful day. Since we’re together we might as well say: Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you please, Won’t you please? Please won’t you be my neighbor?” -Mr. Fred Rogers
WELCOME – Rev. Talia Raymond
EAT LOCAL, GROW HOPE GLOBAL – video from our partnering farms
PRELUDE MUSIC – “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” by Fred Rogers, offered by the All Church Jazz Band under the direction of Rev. Larry Reimer
INVOCATION
One: O God, deepen our understanding of neighbor,
ALL: That we may perceive the hidden hurts, encourage the neglected gifts, and answer the call for kindness.
One: Widen our understanding of neighbor,
ALL: That we may support the powerless, recognize the struggling, and befriend the lonely.
One: Heighten our understanding of neighbor,
ALL: That love may dilute that which divides, acceptance make sacred our relationships, and our commitment to care renew our communities of faith.
TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN – There are many ways to say I love you with Mister Rogers
A MOMENT FOR STEWARDSHIP – Shawn Larson
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER RESPONSE – “Servant Song” #61 in the UCG Songbook
SCRIPTURE READING – Matthew 5: 1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
INTERLUDE
READING – Quoted from Mr. Rogers
I have always called talking about feelings “important talk.” Knowing that our feelings are natural and normal for all of us can make it easier for us to share them with one another… The purpose of life is to listen – to yourself, to your neighbor, to your world and to God and, when the time comes, to respond in as helpful a way as you can find; from within and without.
SERMON- Neighborly Values – Rev. Talia Raymond
*CLOSING SONG – “It’s You I Like” -by Fred Rogers
BENEDICTION
ALLELUIA
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
| Jan | Adkins | 11/07 |
| Lori | Robinson | 11/08 |
| Angela | Mickle | 11/08 |
| Isaac | Adams | 11/09 |
| Mary | Nutter | 11/09 |
| Jim | Wagner | 11/09 |
| Janie | Stancyk | 11/10 |
| Deon | Winchester | 11/10 |
| Jackie | Trudeau | 11/11 |
| Dawn | Beachy | 11/12 |
| Autumn Leora | Frenchman | 11/13 |
| Lance | Gravlee | 11/13 |
| Xander | Kiker | 11/13 |
| Javier | Leon | 11/13 |
Sunday Seminar
Sunday Seminar in Reimer Hall or via YouTube Livestream at 10:15am – “Eat Local, Grow Hope Global” – Join members of the Compassion in Action committee as we learn more about two UCG projects that support food security. Meet several of the 16 local farmers market vendors who partner with UCG. And learn about Growing Hope Globally, which teaches women to grow vegetables in greenhouses in the highlands of Guatemala. Seminar is the perfect preparation for our annual Break-Fast, on Wednesday, November 10.
_____________________
Announcements
Imagine, Engage, Invest – Our enlistment campaign to fund the 2022 UCG budget continues. To date there are 252 pledges totaling $644,670.00 of the required $814,429.00, which equals 79% of our goal. We have many options to make pledging easier, and as always your gift is secure and confidential with our Church Accountant, Catherine Cake. If you have not already made your pledge for 2022, please click here to do so now. Thank you!
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. 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! 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!
KAIROS requests your 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. Thank you!
Small groups have always been creative outlets for UCG, encompassing art and music, health and science, social justice and psychology, caregiving and self-help, the environment and inner space… If you have an idea for a small group that you’d like to lead, we want to hear from you! They can meet once or many times, and can be on almost any topic or practice that interests you. Please click here for the submission form, deadline to submit a small group is Monday, November 8. Have questions? Contact the Committee Chair, Jeff Shapiro, at shap6102@gmail.com or call at (352) 359-2075. (An email subject line including “Small Groups” is appreciated.)
CIA – We appreciate our 16 local farmers who are partnering with our Eat Local, Grow Hope Global Project. Please visit one of our farmers markets this week. Watch for more information about the Eat Local, Grow Hope Global Seminar TODAY and our annual Break-Fast supper on November 10th!
Q&A Session on Vaccines for Children 5-11: Thursday, November 11 at 6:30pm on zoom. Join UCG dad and Pediatric Cardiologist, Jeremy Archer on Zoom on Thursday to talk about the new approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 as well as the risks of Covid in this age group. There will be lots of time for questions. Presented by the Board of Children, Youth, and Families. Zoom Meeting ID: 842 9055 7679 Passcode: 1624
The Racial Justice Committee is sponsoring the UCG All-Church Read and would appreciate your input. Please follow this link to a very short poll that will allow us to gauge interest in the UCG All-Church Read: Caste, The Origins of our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson and our upcoming seminar. Thank you for your help!
November 6 COVID Update
According to the Florida Department of Health, last week the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Alachua County decreased from 59 to 39 per 100,000 per week. Alachua County will enter the yellow zone when the number of new cases falls below 25.
We are holding services inside the Sanctuary again! 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 starting November 7. There’s no lifting involved – just a friendly smile illuminating from behind your mask! To sign up please click here, email Dar Mikula, or call (352) 378-3500.
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!
