Welcome to Worship
The United Church of Gainesville – October 3, 2021
Join us here for a live-stream of Sunday Worship beginning at 9:15am.
Return, Reunite, Reimagine
“Solidarity does not assume that our struggles are the same struggles, or that our pain is the same pain, or that our hope is for the same future. Solidarity involves commitment, and work, as well as the recognition that even if we do not have the same feelings, or the same lives, or the same bodies, we do live on common ground.” ― Sara Ahmed
It matters not that you are silk and I am wool,
What matters is that we touch,
And make each other whole.
OPENING HYMN – “This is My Song” with Trumpets, Carl Carter, Ewan Johnson, Tim Martin, and Larry Reimer, flugelhorn
This is my home, the country where my heart is, Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating, With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover, And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for their land and for mine.
NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
Jennifer Pritchett in abstentia
Glenn Terry
- Something I am seeking at UCG
- A talent or strength that I bring to this church
WELCOME OF NEW MEMBERS – Donn Smith-Lopez, UCG Moderator
READING OF THE UCG COMPACT:
“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.”
PRAYER FOR NEW MEMBERS
SPECIAL MUSIC – “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, offered by Larry Reimer, flugelhorn and Phillip Herr-Klepacki, piano
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 133
REFLECTION – “On Solidarity” – Rev. Talia Raymond
COMMUNION – All are invited to share in Communion.
CLOSING HYMN “They’ll Know We’re God’s People By Our Love”
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
We will work with each other; we will work side by side (2x)
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride (chorus)
Chorus
All praise the Creator, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, who guides us on
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.
Chorus
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week
|
Bethany |
Highsmith |
10/03 |
|
Rachel |
Howard |
10/03 |
|
Aaron |
Gitzendanner |
10/04 |
|
Carlos |
Hernandez |
10/05 |
|
Lisa |
Langford |
10/05 |
|
Stephanie |
Wohlgemuth |
10/05 |
|
Lisa |
Wolcott |
10/05 |
|
Andy |
Ingram |
10/07 |
|
Phillip |
Herr-Klepacki |
10/07 |
No Sunday Seminar
Announcements
Fall Congregational Meeting – This Morning at 11:00am on Zoom
Please Join Us!
The Board of Business will present the proposed budget for 2022 and Jim White will offer information about the council-approved outlay decisions of the excess budget funds resulting from the forgiven PPP loan. We will also hear from the the Compensation Committee, Food 4 Kids, the COVID Advisory Team, the Enlistment Committee, and about the new Vinery program. Join here. Meeting ID: 939 8977 2536 Passcode: 251723
Calling Early Birds – The 2022 Pledge/Response Campaign Kicks Off today during the Congregational Meeting. And Early Birds are welcome to respond even before the official kickoff. Whether you can increase support for the church over last year or need to keep it the same or lower it a little, why not use this link here or the QR code below to do it NOW? There is even an option to say you can’t make a financial commitment right now, but you still want to let us know you are still part of UCG. So whatever your financial ability, please respond now and know it’s done. Thanks!
FOOD FIRST SUNDAY! October 3 – Bring your non-perishable food items for Gainesville Community Ministries to church. If you forget or prefer to support with an online donation, you may donate here OR use the QR below to support GCM.
Today is World Communion Sunday. We will celebrate communion in solidarity with those who gather around the table of love and unity the whole world round. World Communion Sunday offers congregations a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. Join us in the courtyard, or from your home as we celebrate our interconnectedness as members of the divine creation, called back into relationship with God and with one another.
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion in the United States. In 2021, Neighbors in Need “Unfailing Love” offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects that are serving homeless and immigrant neighbors or communities. To learn more about Neighbors in Need special mission offering, including who receives grants and the various levels of UCC’s support., click here. If you would like to give to the Neighbors in Need offering, you may include “NIN” on the memo line of your check, select Neighbors in Need from the drop down menu in the Shelby giving portal, or give through the UCC directly at the above link. Thank you for your generosity to this important offering.
The UCG Jazz Band will be playing that great arrangement of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” on November 7. We’ll rehearse at UCG on Thursday, November 2 at 7:00 pm. Music is available in the church office. If you want Shanna to send it to you, please contact the church office. Please let Larry Reimer know if you plan on playing. Cindy Martin has transcribed the sax music for flute, so we have lots of opportunities for our flutes to join the band. NOTE: The UCG Jazz band is open to anyone playing a jazz instrument.
UCG Family Promise needs your help with providing for families experiencing homelessness in our community by offering catered meals each weeknight of our weeklong “hostings.” Your continued financial support will allow us to continue our catering until it is safe to gather again for on-site hostings. Donations can be made by sending a check to UCG with “Family Promise” noted in the memo line or by donations made to UCG’s online giving page here. Use the drop down menu to choose Family Promise. Thank you for your generosity!
October 2 Covid Update
According to the Florida Department of Health, last week the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Alachua County decreased from 212 to 157 per 100,000 per week, inching closer to the threshold of 100 for the red zone (high risk of transmission).
