Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, 2024 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
PRELUDE MUSIC Kirk Landman
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
*CALL TO WORSHIP Micki, Lee Becker, Pastor Jill
CALL TO WORSHIP (on screen)
Jill: Whose land is it? The Canaanites or the Hittites? Or is it Hivites? No, wait I think it’s actually the Perizzites? Or maybe it’s the Girgashites? It certainly cannot be the Amorites and Jebusites…right?
Micki: No, no, no! You have it all wrong! The land is for none of those people! Joshua clearly says the land is for the Hebrew people. God told him that all those people have to go. The land must be for the Hebrews…right?
All: Whose is it? Whose is it? Whose country is it, God?
Jill: Whose is the Holy Land? Does it belong to the Jews or the Palestinians? What about the Muslims who have also been there for thousands of years? The Bahai also call this land holy. Who is right?
Micki: Hey! Wait a second here! What about us, the Christians? Shouldn’t we get a say about the Holy Land? It’s where Jesus came from after all. The Holy Land must belong to Christians…right?
All: Whose is it? Whose is it? Whose land is it, God?
Jill: What about the land we live in? Does the land belong to ancestors of the indigenous people who were here first? Or do we only count the Europeans who planted a flag in the ground when they arrived? How do I know what is right?
Micki: Good grief, aren’t you paying attention? Obviously, this is supposed to be a Christian land. None of that other stuff matters because we are supposed to establish a Christian nation here…right?
All: Whose is it? Whose is it? Whose country is it, God?
Lee: Perhaps, we aren’t asking the right question here. In a land where Christian nationalism has twisted God’s story for selfish purposes, maybe we should ask ourselves if God really demands us to build a Christian nation?
Jill: Instead of asking questions about “whose country it is,” maybe we should ask ourselves what kind of reign God hopes to create.
Micki: Maybe God doesn’t see borders like we do. Maybe God calls us to create a beloved community that spans all borders.
Lee: Well, we can know this for sure! All are welcome here! All are embraced, all are loved, and all are called! Come, siblings in Christ, let us seek God’s reign together! Amen.
All: Amen!
ONE: Please rise in body and/or spirit and join me in for the Opening Hymn and remain standing through the Passing the Peace.
*OPENING HYMN “Thank Our God for Sisters, Brothers” Blk 397, vs 1-3
*OPENING PRAYER (unison) Micki
Architect of the world, who created this nation and every other nation with equal measures of love, we come to you this day seeking to hear your voice through the noise of modern life and division, and asking that you help us to keep our ears, eyes, and hearts pointed only towards you and your way of love. This we pray through the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
*GLORIA UMH 162
Alleluia, Alleluia! give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia! Give praise to God’s name. (x2)
*PASSING THE PEACE Micki
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
One: Please be seated (after a moment)
GOD SPEAKS TO US
THE READING FROM THE Hebrew Bible Joshua 3:1-13 Micki
3 Early in the morning Joshua rose and set out from Shittim with all the Israelites, and they came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing over. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp
3 and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place. Follow it,
4 so that you may know the way you should go, for you have not passed this way before. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, a distance of about two thousand cubits; do not come any nearer to it.”
5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
6 To the priests Joshua said, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass on in front of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went in front of the people.
7 The Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses.
8 You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’ ” 9 Joshua then said to the Israelites, “Draw near and hear the words of the Lord your God.”
10 Joshua said, “By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites:
11 the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan. 12 So now select twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
13 When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off; they shall stand in a single heap.”
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Matthew 6:24 Pastor Jill
24 “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Renew Your Church ” Blk 311 vs 1 & 4
SERMON Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
“Confronting Christian Nationalism: The Choice Required of Us”
WE RESPOND TO GOD
Hymn for Reflection “This is My Song” Blk 591
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 Blk 785
We give you but your own
Whate’er the gift may be.
All that we have is yours alone,
We give it gratefully.
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN In the Midst of New Dimensions Blk 391 vs 1,2,3 & 5
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
POSTLUDE MUSIC Kirk Landman
| The Call to Worship was adapted from one written by Rev. Ryan Roth-Klink. |
| 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 April 21, 2024
Sunday April 21
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:20 Listening session in the Cambridge Rm
Monday April 22
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
Pastoral Relations
Tuesday April 23
12-4 Elder Network
Wednesday April 24
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday April 25
9:00 Walking group@Church
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday April 28
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:20 Listening session in the Cambridge Rm
Listening Session
If you would like to talk further about today’s sermon, please grab a cup of coffee or cold drink and join Pastor Jill in the Cambridge Room. We will start at 11:15-11:20.
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 your giving account online using our software provider, Churchtrac.
Bountiful Basket
We need help packing our cars with the Outreach Food shelf items after church. We are currently collecting for Discovery Middle Schools food shelf. A list of specific items is on the basket. Think easy to prepare single serve items or easy to prepare for a family items and gift cards to grocery stores. Note: we donated $1291.19 & 160 lbs of food to Outreach Food Shelf.
Elm St West Entrance ADA and Native Plant project
The Elm St/West Entrance ADA and Native Plant project is Andrew Fleming’s Eagle Scout Project. This project will make our west entrance accessible and it will also convert part of our grounds into a pollinator friendly, native species area. See the back of the sanctuary for plans, more information. You can support this project by an offering to the church. Volunteers needed on May 4 and May 11 (for both indoor and outdoor activities. Contact Andrew directly to volunteer: flemingajf4@gmail.com or (320) 808-5195
One Great Hour of Sharing
During the month of April, we are collecting for one of our 4 denomination wide missions, One Great Hour of Sharing. This year’s theme is Sharing the Light. Sharing our light, as the diverse and colorful expression of God’s love here on earth, leads to making blankets, staffing food pantries, cooking meals, building houses and schools, signing petitions for worthy causes, and protesting injustices. Please designate on your memo line that your offering is for OGHS.
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. If you would like to contribute, please indicate on the memo line that your gift is for the “sound system”.
Newsletter deadline
The Newsletter deadline is Apr 22. Please send your committee report, article or anything else to the church office. It is for our combined May/June newsletter.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir will return to its usual time on Wednesdays, beginning March27 at 5:15pm each week. All are welcome to join. If you cannot attend every rehearsal, you can still be part of the choir.
Do you have any Graduates (high school, college, tech, etc.) in your immediate family this spring? We will be celebrating their achievements in worship on Sunday, May 19, with a reception following. Please call the Church office with names and a brief description of their accomplishments to be shared that Sunday. Photos are welcome, too, and can be emailed to office@firstcongregationaluccalex.com Thank you!
Annual Programmatic Meeting
The Annual Programmatic meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 19. Please plan to stay a little longer after worship that morning! One of the main features of the Programmatic Meeting is to elect a slate of Committee and Board members and Chairs. Look for Programmatic Booklets on May 12. The deadline for contributions to the Programmatic Booklet is April 30.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for April and May. 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
Becky Strand 05/01
Stuart Henrickson 05/04
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Conference and Community Events
Minnesota Conference Annual Meeting June 7-8
The Minnesota Conference is holding its annual meeting June 7-8 at the College of St Benedict. The theme is “Sacred Reimagining”. Our church is allowed two delegates, plus Pastor Jill and a youth delegate (13-29 yrs old). If you are interested in being a delegate contact Jill or the office.
Someplace Safe 15th Annual Douglas Advocacy Spring fundraiser
Support the critical services and safety provided by Someplace Safe.www.betterunite.com/springfund24
Bidding begins at 8am on May 1 and ends at 8pm on May 5. Visit the Someplace Safe Douglas Office page on Facebook for item previews! For more information contact Leigh at 320-762-1995.
Other events in the area for Domestic Violence awareness/supporting Someplace Safe include: Denim Day April 24. Donations for this awareness campaign can be brought to the Someplace Safe office or via their website https://www.someplacesafe.info/index.php?id=95&pid=349
Purse and Yeti Bingo Fundraiser May 5 at 1 pm at Captain’s Bar in Glenwood.
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.
