Reader: Please make certain that candles are lit at the beginning of the service and put out at the end of the service.
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Fathers’ Day June 16, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Kirk Landman
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: Your creation gives thanks to you, O God.
Many: And we, your faithful, bless you.
One: We will speak of the glory of your realm and tell of your power.
Many: We will let all people know your mighty deeds and glorious splendor
*OPENING HYMN. Stand up and bless the Lord W&R 11 vs 1-4
*OPENING PRAYER (unison) Lee
Generous God, you give us what we need and satisfy our desires in due season. Grant that our inner beings may be strengthened through your Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, that you may accomplish within us far more than all we can ask or imagine. Amen
*GLORIA Black #273, verse 1
Praise with joy the world’s Creator,
God of justice, love and peace.
Source and end of human knowledge,
Grace bestowing without cease.
Celebrate the Maker’s glory,
Power to rescue and release.
*PASSING THE PEACE Lee
GOD SPEAKS TO US
A READING FROM THE PSALMS Psalm 8 Lee
To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE Hebrew Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:19-20 Pastor Jill
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,
20 loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
HYMN OF PREPARATION My God, Accept My Heart this day. Blk. 352 Vs 1,3,4
Message “Everything Happens for A Reason” Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Kirk Landman
WE RESPOND TO GOD
MOMENT FOR MISSION: MN CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING Bruce Bina
CELEBRATION OF FATHERS AND FATHER FIGURES
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be Done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God the Source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN This Is My Song Blk. 591. Vs. 1-2
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
POSTLUDE MUSIC Kirk Landman
| We welcome all who are joining us for worship virtually, on YouTube, http://tiny.cc/firstcongo or Cable Channel #181 (each weekday). Our service is broadcast on KXRA 1490 AM at 11 am the second Sunday of the month. |
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY June 16, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday June 16 Fathers’ Day
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday June 17
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity at Dunn Bros this week.
Tuesday June 18
11:30 Lunch bunch
5:45 Board of Administration
7:00 Council Meeting
Wednesday June 19
5:15 Choir rehearsal
6:15 Choir Potluck
Thursday June 20
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
10:00 Morning Circle at Barb Grover’s home
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday June 23
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Pastor Jill’s Office Hours
Pastor Jill is available throughout the week for pastoral care, conversation, or coffee! She is typically in the office on Tuesday mornings—and other times as well. It is always best to schedule a time if you want to talk. She can be reached directly at jill@firstcongregationaluccalex.com or (319) 361-0737. Shetypically takes Fridays off.
Virtual Giving Options: Online and Text
Check out our updated website: firstcongregationaluccalex.com.
Click on the word “Give” at the top of the screen. You can also text (844)987-4483 to give to our general fund. Please contact the office if you need help setting up a giving account online using our provider, Churchtrac.
Stained Glass Window project
The Stained glass restoration project is starting this coming week. We will do the best to not disrupt weekly meetings
Bountiful Basket
We are collecting for Someplace Safe through June. A list is on the basket to find suggested items.
Strengthen the Church offering
Our denomination-wide mission for June is Strengthen the Church. We will be collecting each Sunday in June. See bulletin insert for the types of projects that Strengthen the Church funds.
Sound system project
As you may know our aging sound board has a channel that is no longer working. We hope to upgrade our entire sound system to improve sound quality in our sanctuary and online. The cost for the new equipment (sound board, new mics, etc) is $7000.
Tuesday Lunch Bunch
The group meets at 11:30 at Pioneer Grill in Grand Arbor. Join us.
Tuesday meetings
Our Board of Admin and Council meet on Tuesday. If you have an agenda item let the chair or Joy in the office know.
Choir Rehearsal & Potluck
Choir is rehearsing this Wednesday. Immediately after rehearsal we will have a potluck celebrating our time together. The choir will be on their summer schedule and only sing on the second Sunday of the month. Rehearsals will skip the Wednesday immediately following the 2nd Sunday. All are welcome to join. If you cannot attend every rehearsal, you can still be part of the choir.
Morning circle
Morning circle will meet at Barb Grover’s home. If you need her address, call the office.
Newsletter deadline July/Aug
The deadline for articles is June 24.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for June and July. If you are able to greet, usher, or read, help serve coffee or clean up after Fellowship, please sign up there.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Penny Trenne 06/23
Pam Schauff 06/25
Deb Verpy 06/25
Capistrant anniversary 06/26/71
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Country and Gospel Worship
June 30 is the fifth Sunday of the month and the Nobles will be featuring a Country and Gospel service. Invite your friends and family as we worship together and enjoy country and gospel music.
Save the Date!
Women’s Fellowship will again hold their annual Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale on Thursday, July 11th. The Bake Sale is from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m and the Salad Luncheon is 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The sign-up sheets are at the back of the church for helping with the luncheon and bake sale. We will also need your help with bringing baked goods and salads. Please mark the baked goods with a price as you know the cost of your ingredients. Take a poster to hang in the community
We are an inclusive community that welcomes extravagantly, seeks God and follows Jesus into the world.
We are also a member of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ and honor the dignity of each person created in God’s image. All are welcome here.
