Welcome to Worship
The United Church of Gainesville – September 12, 2021
Join our Zoom here for live Sunday Worship beginning at 11:15am.
Return, Reunite, Reimagine
Gathering Music – Phillip Herr-Klepacki
Welcome – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Call to Worship – Rev. Talia Raymond
One: Our return is not the one we first imagined.
Many: We are not all here. We have lost too many. Things are different now.
One: We long to reunite: with one another, with our truest selves, with the Sacred
Many: This time of dis-unity has not really ended. How will we go forward?
One: Let us reimagine: turn again, connect again, find new ways to live as God’s people.
Many: In our work and in our rest, on our own and in community, may the Spirit of Love and Life be present, filling us with the hope of imagination.
Prayers of the People
Song – Gather Us In, vv 1-2 UCG Songbook #19
Here in this place new light is streaming
Now is the darkness vanished away
See in this space our fears and our dreamings
Brought here to you in the light of this day
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken
Gather us in, the ones who’ve known blame
Call to us now and we shall awaken
We shall arise at the sound of our name
We are the young, our lives are a mystery
We are the old who yearn for your face
We have been sung throughout all of history
Called to be light to the whole human race
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty
Gather us in, the proud and the strong
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly
Give us the courage to enter the song
Reading – From 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.
Meditation and Chalk Talk Introduction – Donn Smith-Lopez
Chalk Talk Question 1:
What are the ingredients of the secret sauce that will inspire our wider UCG church family (however known) to further reconnect and “join as a spiritual community”?
Song – Weave Us Together UCG Songbook #78
Weave, weave, weave us together.
Weave us together in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together.
Weave us together, together in love.
Reading – from the writing of Phillips Brooks – Donn Smith-Lopez
As we step from one rocking stone in the stream to the next, our balance requires that for a time we stand on both rocks,
putting ourselves in line with the love of the universe, loving where we are, which means loving what we had as we leave it,
and loving where we are going as we step into it.
Chalk Talk Question 2:
Which UCG traditions are so sacred that we should ensure their return without change? If we could transform one tradition of the church, what would it be and how should it be reimagined?
Song – Like a Tree Planted By the Water – UCG Songbook #42
Blessed are those whose hearts are open,
Delighting in the way things are.
Like a tree planted by the water,
We are planted right here.
Chorus:
I’m planted right here.
I’m planted right here.
Like a tree planted by the water, I’m planted right here.
Roots digging deep in the soil,
Branches reaching for the sun,
Like a tree planted by the water,
I’m planted right here.
Chorus
UCG’s my family tree,
Rooted in love and care.
Like a tree planted by the water
I’m planted right here.
Chorus
Chalk Talk Question 3:
As UCG reunites more and more over the next year, what are the opportunities we should undertake to enhance our connections and nurture our spiritual development?
Song – Servant Song UCG Songbook #61
Neighbor, let me be your servant
Let me be as grace to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too
We are pilgrims on a journey
We are neighbors on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
| I will hold the grace light for you In the night-time of your fear I will hold my hand out to you Speak the peace you long to hear |
| I will weep when you are weeping When you laugh’ I’ll laugh with you I will share your joy and sorrow Till we’ve seen this journey through |
Reading – from the writing of Zora Neale Hurston – Donn Smith-Lopez
“Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to ‘jump at the sun.’ We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.”
Chalk Talk Question 4:
Over the next 5-10 years in what ways should we, the UCG community, challenge ourselves within our ministries to adapt to the changes of a post-pandemic world?
Meditation – Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan
Closing Song – This Little Light Of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
- 2 Won’t let COVID blow it out! vs. 3 This love I have…
Blessing and Benediction
Sunday Seminar
Sunday Seminar at 10:15am on Zoom – “UCG Enriches My Life” – Hosted by Sanford Berg, this seminar will be a time for sharing experiences when UCG programs, activities, and worship services have made a difference in our lives . . . a time for members to pause, reflect, and share. Jeremy Archer, Kimberly McCollough, and Renata Serra will get the ball rolling by telling stories about how our community has helped them overcome challenges, find meaning, and experience deep joy. Then the discussion will open up to all participants for additional ways, as Annie Dillard wrote, that we find “ . . . hope of beauty laid bare, life heightened, and deepest mystery probed.” Join us and bring a story, poem, or just yourself—learn about how UCG touches us and reaches out to the wider community. People interested in joining UCG are especially welcome! Join here. Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624.
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Announcements
Small Group Registration Continues – Signing up for one of our small groups is a great way to make some friendly connections with your fellow UCG’ers while enhancing your life through one of our amazing offerings. Click here to register on ShelbyNext or here for additional instructions. Registration deadline is September 19.
Do You Want to Join UCG? – The Board of Membership is hosting two new member gatherings this month: in person in the courtyard, on Sunday, September 19th at 10:15am, and on Wednesday, September 22nd, on zoom at 6:30pm. We will then welcome new members in the Sunday services on Sunday, October 3rd. Contact Lisa or Shanna in the office if you’d like to attend.
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!
All Church Book Read, Caste by Isabel Wilkerson –All are encouraged to participate in our “all church book read” of the best selling book, Caste; The Origins of Our Discontents by Pulitzer prize winning author Isabel Wilkerson. “In this brilliant book the author gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores how America…has been shaped by a hidden caste system…Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste system…”There will be 4 separate book groups offered in the Fall Small Groups for discussion. Join us! Sponsored by Racial Justice Committee. Please join us!
The UCC has launched a “Severe Storms 2021” appeal to take donations for Hurricane Ida relief. Gifts can be made directly to the UCC online using this page at the UCC website. If you would like credit for your gift on your UCG Giving Statement you can submit a check to UCG with the notation Hurricane Ida Relief and we will submit it to the UCC.
Member Information Update Forms – Each year during Time & Talent, we ask our UCG friends to update their information for our database. Please complete an electronic one here and email it to lisag@ucgainesville.org. Thanks for helping us keep our records updated!
Looking Ahead to Next Sunday
- Sunday Seminar – “How Do You Experience Awe? – Hosted by John Harvey at 10:15am on Zoom.
- New Members Gathering at 10:15am in the Courtyard, meet our ministers and get more info on becoming a member
- Last day to register for Small Groups
September 11 Covid Update
According to the Florida Department of Health, last week the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Alachua County decreased from 535 to 468 per 100,000 per week, still remaining far above the threshold of 100 for the red zone (high risk of transmission).
Your help is needed on Sunday mornings. We are still looking for volunteers willing to assist with setup and greeting congregants at the 9:15AM outdoor Sunday service. There’s some moderate lifting involved if you want to come at 8:30AM and help with chairs or no lifting involved if you can come about 25 minutes early and help at the greeting table. 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!