United Church of Gainesville
Sunday, September 25, 2022 – 9:15am
Common Threads

Click here to join the live stream beginning at 9:15am.

WELCOME – Rev. Andy Bachmann

PRELUDE – “Out on the Ocean,” and “Banish Misfortune”– two traditional Irish songs, offered by John Maze, Uilleann pipes, Julie Anspach, guitar, and Andy Bachmann, bouzouki.

*INVOCATION – please join together with Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

Weave my wanting threads with yours to form one cloth
It matters not that you are silk and I am wool;
what matters is that we touch,
And make each other whole.

OPENING SONG “Will You Come and Follow Me?” #87 UCG Songbook

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – Rev. Andy Bachmann

BIRTHDAYS

INTERLUDE

New members are invited to come to the front of the stage as we sing the first two verses of “And They’ll Know We’re God’s People by Our Love.”

We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord (2x)
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored,
And they’ll know we’re God’s people by our love, by our love (2x)

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand (2x)
And together, we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
And they’ll know we’re God’s people by our love, by our love (2x)

NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
Something I am seeking at UCG
A talent or strength that I bring to this church
One thing I’d like you to know about me

WELCOME OF NEW MEMBERS – UCG MODERATOR Barb Gibbs

9:15am
Amanda Tudeen
Michael Tudeen
Malika Green
Orlando Barros
Ron Hix
Shirell Hix
Eleanor Miller Smith

11:15am
Annabel Crater
Suzanne Byrne
Holly Lovejoy

READING OF THE 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
The Congregation virtually is invited to raise your hands as we send our love and prayers forward, then join in singing the third verse of, “And They’ll Know We’re God’s People by Our Love.” as the in person congregants return to their seats.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side, (2x)
We will guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
and they’ll know we’re God’s people by our love, by our love (2x)

SPECIAL MUSIC & OFFERTORY – “Jimmy Ward’s Rag,” a traditional Irish folk tune. Offered by John Maze, Julie Anspach, and Andy Bachmann. If you are so moved to get up and dance, please be our guest!

(During the song, we welcome your offerings as the plates are passed. Your gifts support all facets of the UCG community. You can also give online: bit.ly/ucgplate)

SCRIPTURE – Isaiah 58:9-12

SERMON – “Weaved and Wanting” – Rev. Andy Bachmann

Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together in unity and love,
Weave, weave, weave us together
Weave us together, together in love.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & PRAYER CONCERNS

BENEDICTION

ALLELUIA

POSTLUDE

Announcements

Today at UCG
New Member Sunday

9:00am                 Childcare
                             LifeSouth Blood Mobile – East parking lot
9:15 & 11:15am    Worship – Rev. Andy Bachmann – Sanctuary
9:30am                 United Tribes Time for Children – Education Wing
10:15am               New Member Reception – Courtyard/Kitchen
                             Fellowship & Beverages – Courtyard
Youth United & Middle School Together – Youth Room 10:30am
                             Sunday Seminar – Reimer Hall
12:15pm               Young Adult Lunch – meet at the courtyard fountain

United Tribes – We will consider what it means to be a member of a church. We will play a game to remind us of different roles in the wider community and in our church community. We will learn that everyone has an important role in a church like ours, including us! If you haven’t already, please register kids for children’s programs in person or go to https://bit.ly/UTregis22.

LifeSouth Bloodmobile is in the east Parking lot TODAY. Please give the gift of life. Thank you!

Sunday Seminar – The Creation Care and Climate Justice Task Force invites you to learn about their mission. Get to know the newest group on the UCG campus! Andy Bachmann saw the potential for our group growing out of several small groups that were talking about climate change issues. We are now united in one task force, and our hope is for UCG to consider becoming an official Climate Justice Congregation with the United Church of Christ. Join us today to learn where that journey could take us in our pursuit of environmental justice. Join them today in Reimer Hall or on Zoom at 10:30am. Click here to join Zoom Meeting. Zoom Meeting ID: 829 6457 0385, Passcode: 1624.

You are invited to join the UCG team at the NAMI Gainesville Walk and 5K on Sunday, October 2. Please sign-up through the small groups portal.

Fall Small Group Registration deadline to sign up is TODAY! 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 see the offerings and then sign up through ShelbyNext from a desktop computer or tablet.

Grushers Needed on Sundays. Come 15 minutes early and be a welcoming presence for our friends and families at UCG. Please email hannah.norton@gmail.com or visit https://bit.ly/grusher to sign up now!

The Racial Justice Committee is dedicating a shelf in our library to banned books. RJC created a list of books banned by counties across the country and in Florida. Being a committed congregation that seeks to “Learn from our religious heritage, yet to grow by seeking new dimensions of truth,” we invite you to join us, donate to us, borrow from us, and grow with us. Titles will be removed from the list. Please choose the shipping address labeled “UCG Library (c/o Shanna Swiers.)” Go to https://bit.ly/rjcbbooks22 for the Amazon list. Thank you for your support!

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! The UCG Art Show will take place NEXT Sunday, October 2, from 10:15am – 12:30pm. All artists are welcome to participate. You can exhibit your work or sell it; 20% of all sales will go to a designated church fund. Applications are available in the Sanctuary foyer or apply online at https://bit.ly/artsapp22, deadline to sign up is TODAY.

Roadmap to Reconciliation: A Trip to the Legacy Museum and Monument for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama – We have partnered with the Alachua County Community Remembrance Project and the NAACP to travel together to Montgomery, Alabama the weekend of November 18 – 20. We will visit the Legacy Museum and the Memorial for Peace and Justice, then meet with representatives from the Equal Justice Initiative. All participants are asked to join us for a preliminary gathering on November 10 and again on December 1 for a time of community building, reflection, and a memorial service for those who have been lynched in Alachua County. This will be our third trip to Montgomery. Spots are limited. You may register between worship services beginning Sunday, October 2 or look for it in ShelbyNext under Small Groups.

Mark your calendars (and Fido’s, too!) for a special service of Pet Blessing, October 2 at 4pm in the courtyard!

Creation Care & Climate Justice Task Force asks to save the date – COLLABORATIVE INTERFAITH WATERFRONT CLEAN-UP Organized by “Current Problems” and “Let’s Talk Climate” on Sunday, October 2 from 8:30-11:30am at Earl P. Power’s Park (5910 SE Hawthorne Road, Gainesville, FL) Help clean up our beautiful local waterways, Lake Pithlachocco (formerly called Newnan’s Lake) and Prairie Creek. Please bring: Hat/Sun Protection, Water, Boots or Closed-Toe Shoes, Pants and Long Sleeves are best, Clean-Up Supplies will be provided on-site. To RSVP & learn more info go to https://bit.ly/cleanup10-22.

Next Sunday, October 2
Food First Sunday

9:00am                 Childcare
9:15 & 11:15am     Worship – Rev. Talia Raymond
9:30am                 United Tribes Time for Children
10:15am               Fellowship & Beverages
                             Lively Arts Fine Arts Show
Youth United & Middle School Together
Living Fully Engaged Lives Using the Monk Manual* 
Women’s Easy Backpacking*
10:30am              Sunday Seminar
12:15pm              Young Adult Lunch
1:00pm                UCG Team for NAMI Walk of Gainesville*
2:00pm                OWL Session*
4:00pm                Pet Blessing Service

*Pre-Registered Group

September 23 COVID Update – According to the CDC, Alachua County residents still have a high risk of serious illness from COVID-19 (the Orange Zone). The number of new cases has leveled off while the number of new hospital admissions is still declining. Masks are still required upon entering the sanctuary and are recommended when visiting crowded indoor venues.