Menu

UCC Admin

Weekly Update for 5-31-20

by

ORDER OF WORSHIP 5-31-20/Pentecost/Graduation
Welcome & Announcements
Pouring of the Baptismal Water
Responsive Call to Worship
Opening Hymn
Unison Prayer
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21(on screen)/Gloria Patri
The Gospel: John 20:19-23
Sermon Hymn
Sermon: “That Dangerous Dove”
Musical Interlude
Honoring of Graduates
Sharing of Celebrations and Concerns/
“Worry Stones”/Silence/Prayers of the People/
Lord’s Prayer (using “debts”)
Invitation to Give of Ourselves and our Gifts to God/Doxology/Prayer of Dedication
Closing Hymn
Benediction and Blessing

OUR CHURCH CALENDAR THIS WEEK
Monday through Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm join Pastor Jill for “Prayer Connection” (see connection information on back)
Wednesday, June 3
7:15 pm small Zoom group, “We Make the Road by Walking,” meets each Wed evening to discuss Brian McLaren’s book
Next Sunday, June 7/Trinity Sunday/KXRA
10:00 am Worship online with us:
YouTube/First Congregational UCC Alexandria, MN

This is the day of Pentecost—marking the time when God poured the Holy Spirit upon the church, empowering us to be witnesses nearby, in the surrounding areas and to the ends of the earth!

We’re celebrating graduates today! At this time of year we have some very proud parents and grandparents. We have received the following information to share, and Pastor Jill has prepared a slide presentation:

David Fleming has graduated from Alexandria Area High School and plans to attend Concordia College in Moorhead. His proud parents are Cindy Fleming, Brian Fleming, and grandma Nancy Hansen.

Kaden Zook is graduating from Oregon State University. He is continuing in a Master’s program this summer and plans to become a teacher. Proud grandma is Dorothy Shinn.

We are still taking measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our worship services can be found on YouTube and also each weekday morning at approximately 10:45 on Charter cable channel #181, where we are 3rd in the lineup after Calvary which begins at 9:00 am, then Zion, and then our Church. The exact time (other than Calvary at 9:00 am) depends on the length of the services, which varies each Sunday for all three churches. We will continue to use the screen in worship, which you can see at home, so you can follow and sing along if you wish. If you have questions, please call the Church office or Barb at home (320-846-7801). We are trying to keep everyone “connected” as a Church family, and we’re meeting those challenges and keeping the faith.

Pastor Jill invites everyone to join her Monday through Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm for “Prayer Connection” using Zoom. As a participant, you can use the following information for your online device; or you can use your phone to join in. These are drop-in sort of sessions and no attendance is taken, so join us whenever you wish. We have been having good groups these past weeks and we are reminded by these gatherings how much we need each other and each other’s prayers! -Pastor Jill

1) TO JOIN VIA YOUR CONNECTED DEVICE:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/9990015170?pwd=MGMwU0lycTNQSFI0cVJVT0xpcC9Udz09
Meeting ID: 999 001 5170
Password: PRAY

2) To dial in by phone:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 999 001 5170
Password: 427210

Our Angel Care visits are temporarily suspended due to the virus outbreak. If you have any concerns during this period, please contact the Church office and we will do our best to assist you.

Office is closed! Until further notice, we are in lock-down mode for as long as advised by the Governor, except for essential business. If you have a concern or need assistance, you may leave a phone message at the Church or contact Barb (Church secretary) at home: 320-846-7801, and we will make whatever arrangements we can to help. You can also email the Church office at our new email address: office@firstcongregationaluccalex.com, which we monitor daily. Please stay safe.

Many thanks to those who have agreed to be “calling buddies” so folks who do not have email can still receive timely and pertinent messages from Church that are generally sent out on the Holy Hot Line as our Church news occurs.

Some ways you can get items to us:
You may use the box in the CE/computer lab room just inside the door on the left side on the computer desk. Or, you may drop items or your offering in the secure Church mailbox slot on the outside brick wall of the West entrance. It is locked and only the Church office has a key. Please be sure not to leave cash in the outside box; checks should be secure. We check those drop spots regularly.

However, we strongly encourage you to abide by the Governor’s request to stay at home as much as possible and use phone and email instead. Keep the faith and we’ll get through this together.

WE NOW HAVE ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLE!
As you know, the Church continues to incur expenses, even though our ministries have had to change for this season while we live with COVID-19.

We have made it easier for you to support the Church finan-cially. You can go to the Church website: www.firstcongregationaluccalex.com and click on the “give” button to give directly. Or you can text the word “Give” to 1-(844) 913-1752. Thank you for your generous and ongoing support!

Until further notice: Our Church has been serving as a drop-off/pick-up spot for the making of face masks for the community. Calvary Church was doing this, but they are in the asbestos-abatement stage of their remodeling, and we are providing a space free of contamination for this project to continue. We are happy to help with this community effort and have provided space in our secure West entryway. Our outside doors at the West entrance are open 24/7 to accom-modate folks who want to drop off supplies, to pick up supplies to make more masks, or to get completed masks.

Therefore, our inner doors at the West entrance are locked (also 24/7) to keep the interior of the building secure. So, whenever you need to enter the Church building, please use the East (alley) entrance only.

The goal is that everyone in our area has at least 1 mask. So, if you need one, pick one up and wash before wearing. Thanks to everyone!

Special thanks to Julie Hjelm for thoughtfully providing special Memorial Day bouquets at the front of the sanctuary last Sunday for our worship viewers. She arranged white apple blossoms, red tulips, and blue iris for the occasion

Interfaith Vigil and Call to Action in Response to George Floyd Murder

by

Thursday, May 28, 5 pm via Facebook LiveJoin the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Muslim-American Society of Minnesota, and other interfaith representatives from the Twin Cities, Minnesota and beyond for a vigil in response to the police slaying on Monday night of George Floyd in Minneapolis. We will lament the death of another unarmed black man, confront the idolatry of white supremacy that underlies it, offer responses from our faith, and commit to ongoing action for safe, multiracial public life in Minnesota. Join the event on Facebook via this link.

PARADE!

by

Dear Friends:
Greetings on this beautiful morning!  I trust that this email finds you well.  I pray for you regularly and certainly miss seeing you!
Here is some good news!  We have an opportunity to see one another (even if it is through glass!)  This Sunday, we are planning a PARADE!  In order to celebrate David Fleming’s graduation from Alexandria Area High School, we want to do a DRIVE-BY CELEBRATION.  As you know, the Class of 2020 has experienced many disappointments this spring,  When COVID-19 forced teaching and learning to move online, it meant that many events including concerts, prom and graduation ceremonies were not able to be held.   However, that doesn’t make David’s accomplishment any less significant.  As a church family, we want to “show up” for David.
If you would like to participate in this celebration, please meet in the church parking lot at 2 pm this Sunday, May 31, 2020.  If you would like, make signs or decorate your car with streamers to make it look festive.  (Decorations not required).  Bring a card for David, and be prepared to flash your headlights, honk your horn, and wave and give the “thumbs up” sign.  We want David to know that his church family loves him, celebrates his achievements, and wishes him well as he takes the next step toward his future.  
Remember–this pastor has never led a parade before.  So–I will be in my Blue-Green Toyota Corolla parked by the west entrance of the church parking lot facing Calvary Lutheran Church (which probably means I will be headed the wrong way on a one way street?)   Line up behind me when you arrive if you are able to join the parade.  (I will probably be walking around the parking lot with my mask on so that I can see you all and wave!)   If you have a card for David and would prefer not to roll your window down to hand it to him, you can give it to me at this time.  Once we have passed by David’s house, the parade will be officially over, and you are free to go on your way.
I think this will be fun!  I hope you can join in!  Who doesn’t love a parade?
Peace:Pastor Jill

Graduate recognition!!!

by

Are you, or do you have, a graduate in the family?  Pastor Jill is planning a special Graduate Recognition during an upcoming online worship service (likely May 31 or June 7) and she’d like names, baby & current pictures for comparisons (!), a biography, etc., as soon as possible so we can celebrate with you.  Please call the Church office 763-3341 if you have any questions or email what you have to office@firstcongregationaluccalex.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!  Thanks and congratulations!    -Barb, Church offfice

Prayer for a Pandemic

by

-by Dr. Cameron Wiggins Bellm of Seattle, Washington

May we who are merely inconvenienced, remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors, remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home, remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close, remember those who have no options.
May we who have had to cancel our trips, remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market, remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home, remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.

OUR CHURCH CALENDAR THIS WEEK

by

Next Sunday, May 10/Communion/Mother’s Day
10:00 am Worship online with us:
YouTube/First Congregational UCC Alexandria, MN

We extend a warm welcome and greeting to our KXRA listeners this morning.. Our service is re-broadcast each 1st Sunday of the month at 11:00 am. Our broadcast this morning is sponsored by Cathy Johnson in loving memory of Lanning.

Due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus, we are taking measures to help prevent the spread of this disease. Our worship services can be found on the internet on YouTube and also each weekday morning at approximately 10:45 on Charter cable channel #181, where we are 3rd in the lineup after Calvary which begins at 9:00 am, then Zion, and then our Church. The exact time other than Calvary at 9:00 am depends on the length of each service, which varies each Sunday for all three churches. We will continue to use the screen in worship, which you can see at home, so you can follow and sing along if you wish. If you have questions, please call the Church office or Barb at home (320-846-7801). We want to help keep everyone “connected” as a Church family, even in these rapidly changing, uncertain, and challenging times.

Pastor Jill invites everyone to join her each weekday evening at 6:30 pm for “Prayer Connection.” Since we are going to be physically apart from one another for a while, please join us from the safety of your homes. I have set up a ZOOM meeting called PRAYER CONNECTION for 6:30 pm each weekday evening. As a participant, you can use the information below on your online device to join us; or you can phone in using the number below. This is a drop-in sort of meeting and no attendance will be taken, so join us whenever you wish. We have had good groups these past weeks; and while there may still be some technical glitches, I am reminded by these gatherings how much we need each other, and how much we need each other’s prayers! -Pastor Jill

See the latest connection information below:

1) TO JOIN VIA YOUR CONNECTED DEVICE:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/9990015170?pwd=MGMwU0lycTNQSFI0cVJVT0xpcC9Udz09
Meeting ID: 999 001 5170
Password: PRAY

2) To dial in by phone:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 999 001 5170
Password: 427210

Our Missions Committee is participating in the UCC Conference campaign for “One Great Hour of Sharing” through April and May. Your gifts are very much appreciated. Thank you – Judy Kuhlmann, Missions Chair

Our Angel Care visits are temporarily suspended due to the virus outbreak. If you have any concerns during this period, please contact the Church office and we will do our best to assist you. We are all taking precautions as we feel necessary and encourage you to do the same.

Office is closed! Until further notice, we are all in lock-down mode for several more weeks as advised by the Governor, except for essential business. If you have a concern or need assistance, you may contact Barb (Church secretary) at home: 320-846-7801, and we will make whatever arrangements we can to help. You can also email the Church office at our new email address: office@firstcongregationaluccalex.com, which we will be monitoring daily. Please stay safe.

Many thanks to those who have agreed to be “calling buddies” so folks who do not have email can still receive timely and pertinent messages from Church that are generally sent out on the Holy Hot Line as our Church news occurs.

Some ways you can get items to us:
You may use the box in the CE/computer lab room just inside the door on the left side on the computer desk.
Or, you may drop items or your offering in the secure Church mailbox slot on the outside brick wall of the West entrance. It is locked and only the Church office has a key. Please be sure not to leave cash in the outside box; checks should be secure. We check those drop spots regularly. However, we encourage you to abide by the Governor’s request to stay at home as much as possible and use phone and email instead. Keep the faith and we’ll get through this together.

WE NOW HAVE ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLE!
As you know, the Church continues to incur expenses, even though our ministries have had to change for this season while we live with COVID-19.

We have made it easier for you to support the Church financially. You can go to the Church website: www.firstcongregationaluccalex.com and click on the “give” button to give directly. Or you can text the word “Give” to 1-(844) 913-1752. Thank you for your generous and ongoing support!

Until further notice: Effective Friday, May 1, our Church is serving as a drop-off/pick-up spot for the making of face masks for the community. Calvary Church was doing this, but they will be in the asbestos-abatement stage of their remodeling soon and asked if we could provide a space free of contamination for this project to continue. As of last week, the count of masks made is nearly 20,000.

We are happy to help with this community effort and have provided space in our secure West entryway. Our outside doors at the West entrance will be open 24/7 to accommodate folks who want to drop off supplies or to pick up supplies to make more masks.

Therefore, our inner doors at the West entrance are locked (also 24/7) to keep the interior of the building secure. So, whenever you need to enter the Church building, please use the East (alley) entrance only.