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·         Greeting, Welcome & Announcements

·         Moment for Missions:  “Neighbors in Need”

·         Pouring of the Baptismal Water

• Responsive Call to Worship
• Opening Hymn of Praise (song sheet #1)
• Unison Prayer

·         Gospel Reading:  Luke 15:1-24

·         Hymn of Preparation (song sheet #2)

• Message:  “Pursued by Love”
             (based on the movie, “Finding Nemo”)
• Musical Interlude
• Sharing Celebrations & Concerns
• Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer (using debts)

·         Closing Hymn (song sheet #3, both sides)

·         Benediction & Sending Forth

   1:30-2:30 pm   “Church Chat” on the west lawn
   6:30 pm  Prayer Connection
Tuesday, August 18
  Newsletters go out in email
   1:00 pm  Worship Planning Team meets by ZOOM
   6:30 pm  Prayer Connection
Wednesday, August 26
      Newsletters are mailed
    6:30 pm  Prayer Connection
    7:15 pm  Musings on the Movie  (“Finding Nemo”)
                             (see connection information below)
Thursday, August 27
    6:30 pm  Prayer Connection
Next Sunday, August 30/at City Park/(“Les Miserables”)
  10:00 am  worship at City Park, and shortly after, on YouTube
_____________________________________________________________
Our summer sermon series continues with “Spirit on the Screen.”  You are invited to join “Musings on the Movie” at 7:15 Wednesday evenings.  This week, we will talk about “Finding Nemo.”  To join via Zoom, click on this link– https://zoom.us/j/9990015170.  To participate via telephone—call +1312-626-6799 and, if prompted, enter the code 9990015170#.

_______________________________
Next Sunday (August 30) we will have worship at City Park again!!  Plan to join us there.  We’ve been having a great
time seeing our Church friends in a safe outdoor environment.  Please wear your face masks and observe social distancing, and bring a lawn chair.  We have also reserved two Sundays
in September (the 13^th and the 27^th) to worship again at
City Park. 

________________________________
We are still receiving gifts for the Conference campaign, “Strengthen the Church” through next Sunday, August 30.  The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations.  This offering embodies the wisdom, “together we grow stronger.”  Thank you for your generosity!                      -Julie Hjelm, Missions
_______________________________
Women’s Fellowship is excited about their virtual “Bizarre Bazaar!!”  In keeping with the tradition of their Quilt Raffle
fundraiser usually held at their annual Bazaar, they mailed letters containing quilt raffle tickets.  Drop your tickets off at Church in the outside mailbox at the West entrance, or bring your tickets when you come to one of the upcoming Sundays  at City Park.  We will have “greeters” on hand at the top of the hill to take your tickets and enter them for the drawing!!    
__________________________________
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! 
                                                                   
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
____________________________

WE NOW HAVE ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLE!   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.  We have several folks who have been taking advantage of this means to support the Church they love.   Thank you for your generous and ongoing support!
________________________________
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 11:45 on Charter cable channel #181,      * * * NOTE NEW TIME!!! * * *
To watch our recorded services or to watch live on Sundays:  Enter the Church’s website: firstcongregationaluccalex.com;
then click on the “watch live” bar to take you to the video
page where you can choose the one you want to watch.  We
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. 
______________________________
Pastor Jill is holding “Church Chat,” a unique and casual opportunity to get better acquainted!  She sits on the West lawn of the Church inside a 6-foot circle from 1:30-2:30 pm on Mondays.  Grab a lawn chair or a blanket and stop by!  Please wear a mask and maintain 6 feet between you and anyone else who might show up.  Hope to see you!                 -Pastor Jill
______________________________
The new, updated Church phone book of members and
friends is hot off the press!  This year it’s a blue one.  Call the office to arrange to pick one up!                  –Barb, Church office
_______________________________
Special days this week:  Pat Nelson has a birthday on Friday, August 28.  Happy Birthday, Pat!! 
We have been growing a list of dates so we can all celebrate together.  We hope to hear from many more of you!  Please call or email the Church office or Joe Capistrant with your special dates!!
______________________________
Pastor Jill sent a message on the Holy Hot Line on August 12 giving the worship-location schedule through September. 
So mark your calendar as follows:    

    August 30:         Worship at City Park

  September 6:    Worship Live-streamed from Sanctuary 
                                                                                  (radio  Sunday)

  September 13:  Worship at City Park with Communion

  September 20:  Worship Live-streamed from Sanctuary

  September 27:  Worship at City Park    

Monday, August 17
1:30-2:30 pm “Church Chat” on the west lawn
6:30 pm Prayer Connection

Tuesday, August 18
(The Board of Administration is not scheduling meetings for the
time being, but if you have concerns/issues, please contact
Board Chair Clayton)
6:30 pm Prayer Connection
7:15 pm Church Council meets (site or Zoom connectionto be announced)

Wednesday, August 19
Newsletter items for September due in Church office
6:30 pm Prayer Connection
7:15 pm Musings on the Movie (“Philomena”) (see connection information below)

Thursday, August 20
6:30 pm Prayer Connection
Next Sunday, August 23 (“Finding Nemo”)
10:00 am worship at City Park, and shortly after, on YouTube

---

Our summer sermon series continues with “Spirit on the Screen.” You are invited to join “Musings on the Movie” at 7:15 Wednesday evenings. This week, we will talk about “Philomena.” To join via Zoom, click on this link– https://zoom.us/j/9990015170. To participate via telephone—call +1312-626-6799 and, if prompted, enter the code 9990015170#.

---

The next 2 Sundays (August 23 and August 30) we will have worship at City Park again!! Mark your calendars and plan to join us there. This is a great way to get to see your Church friends in a safe outdoor environment. Please wear your face masks and observe social distancing. We have also reserved 2 Sundays in September (the 13th and the 27th).

---

We are still receiving gifts for the Conference campaign, “Strengthen the Church” through the end of August. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. This offering embodies the wisdom, “together we grow stronger.” Thank you for your generosity! -Julie Hjelm, Missions

---

Women’s Fellowship is excited about their virtual “Bizarre Bazaar!!” In keeping with the tradition of their Quilt Raffle fundraiser usually held at their annual Bazaar, they mailed letters containing quilt raffle tickets. Drop your tickets off at Church in the outside mailbox at the West entrance, or bring your tickets when you come to one of the upcoming Sundays at City Park. We will have “greeters” on hand at the top of the hill to take your tickets and enter them for the drawing!!

---

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!

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

---

WE NOW HAVE ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLE! 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!

---

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 11:45 on Charter cable channel #181, * * * NOTE NEW TIME!!! * * *To watch our recorded services or to watch live on Sundays: Enter the Church’s website: firstcongregationaluccalex.com; then click on the “watch live” bar to take you to the video page where you can choose the one you want to watch. We 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.

---

Pastor Jill is holding “Church Chat,” a unique and casual opportunity to get better acquainted! She sits on the West lawn of the Church inside a 6-foot circle from 1:30-2:30 pm on Mondays. Grab a lawn chair or a blanket and stop by! Please wear a mask and maintain 6 feet between you and anyone else who might show up. Hope to see you! -Pastor Jill

---

The new, updated Church phone book of members and friends is hot off the press! This year it’s a blue one. Call the office to arrange to pick one up! –Barb, Church office

---

Special days this week: Nancy Hansen has a birthday on Monday, August 17; and organist Margaret Kalina has her birthday on Tuesday, August 18. Happy Birthday, Ladies!! We have a growing list of dates so we can all celebrate together, and we have space for many more – call or email the Church office with your special dates!!

---

Pastor Jill sent a message on the Holy Hot Line on August 12 giving the worship-location schedule through September.
So mark your calendar as follows:

August 16: Worship Live-streamed from the Sanctuary
August 23: Worship at City Park
August 30: Worship at City Park
September 6: Worship Live-streamed from Sanctuary
(radio Sunday)
September 13: Worship at City Park with Communion
September 20: Worship Live-streamed from Sanctuary
September 27: Worship at City Park

ORDER OF WORSHIP: 8-16-20
Greeting, Welcome & Announcements
Pouring of the Baptismal Water
Responsive Call to Worship
Opening Hymn
Unison Prayer
Psalter Reading: Psalm 103:1-12/Gloria Patri
New Testament Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
Sermon Hymn
Message: “Setting the Prisoner Free” (based on the movie, “Philomena”)
Musical Interlude
Sharing Celebrations & Concerns
Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer (using debts)
Invitation to Give/Offering Our Gifts to God/Doxology/
Prayer of Dedication
Closing Hymn
Benediction & Blessing

As you probably know, we held worship outside at City Park last Sunday. It was a great event, in spite of the fact that light rain fell on us for most of the service. People wore masks and sat 6-10 feet apart. There was no hugging or touching or passing the peace or the plate. We did everything we could to ensure that people present felt safe. It was great to see people in-the-flesh and to sing praises and offer prayers together. Several people have asked whether we might consider doing this every Sunday.

Due to the amount of work it takes to move worship to the park, the worship team has agreed to hold outdoor worship on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month in August and September–and City Park has been reserved. That means that the worship schedule through September will be as follows:

August 16: Worship Live-streamed from the Sanctuary
August 23: Worship at City Park
August 30: Worship at City Park
September 6 Worship Live-streamed from Sanctuary (radio Sunday)
September 13 Worship at City Park with Communion
September 20 Worship Live-streamed from Sanctuary
September 27 Worship at City Park

On “City Park Sundays” we are not able to livestream, but will record the service and post it to YouTube as soon as possible so that those unable to worship at the Park can watch it.

I know that lots of moving around can be confusing, but we want to worship together as much as possible before the snow flies!

I hope you have a wonderful week!!

Grace and Peace:
Pastor Jill