Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, KXRA Radio Sunday Oct 12, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
CHORAL INTROIT This Little Light of Mine Joel Raney
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: Please rise in body or spirit and remain standing through the passing of the peace
One: A word of encouragement came from prophet to people;
Many: Live a life that is full – build, plant, eat, love, multiply–
One: Pray for your communities
Many: Keep God in the center of all that is.
One: We enter into worship today with hope in our hearts
Many: For something happens here that reminds us that we can live as God desires.
One: God has made a promise of faithfulness to us
Many: and we can trust the promise.
~ written by Henrietta Stith Andrews, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways
*OPENING HYMN God!, when human bonds are broken, W&R #416 Vs. 1,2,4,5
*UNISON PRAYER Betty
Loving God, Compassionate Architect, You are the bearer of all our souls, the hope of all possibilities when walls surround us. You carve paths in mountainous regions when our roads appear blocked. You build bridges between people separated by gaps and distances. May we be ones who create channels so that your children continue to form relationships with one another and with you. Amen.
—from United Church of Christ, Worship Ways
*THE ACT OF PRAISE (GLORIA) (Black #55. Verse 5)
Praise God who rules all worlds, the risen Christ adore,
Praise God the Spirit, Holy Fire, one God forevermore!
Rejoice, Rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US
CHOIR ANTHEM Go Light Your World Chris Rice
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Betty
Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles in Babylon 29 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.
7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to God on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
Reading from the Gospel Luke 17:11-19 Pastor Jill
Jesus Cleanses Ten Men with a Skin Disease 11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As Jesus entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 When Jesus saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean.
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’s feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? 18 Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
19 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
Hymn OF PREPARATION Be Not Afraid, W&R #430 vs 1-3 with refrain
SERMON “Invest in the Common Good” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
O God, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE & OFFERING OUR GIFTS PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth, Matt Laney
Do justice, says the One we praise,
In loving kindness, spend your days,
Walk humbly with the living Christ:
The way, the truth, our endless life.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION Pastor Jill
*SENDING HYMN Hope of the world, Blk #46, Vs. 1,2,4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
CHORAL RESPONSE As You Go On Your Way
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY Oct 12, 2025
Fellowship Hall closed for all activities until labyrinth project done
Today Sunday Sunday Oct 12
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online, KXRA Radio Sunday
11:00 Coffee Fellowship/ Celesta Birthday celebration
Monday October 13
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice Lessons
Tues Oct 14
12-4 Elder network
2-7 Voice Lessons
5:00 19th Annual Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence Walk
Wednesday Oct 15
11:30 Annual UCAN and Someplace Safe Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention luncheon
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday October 16
Lisa Moriarty in residence painting the labyrinth
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Friday Oct 17
Lisa Moriarty in residence painting the labyrinth
Saturday October 18
10:30 Celebration of Life for Phil Midtvedt
Next Sunday Oct 19
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Council Meeting (to be confirmed)
KXRA Radio Sunday
Celesta Podolske and family are sponsoring our radio broadcast in loving memory of Harold.
Birthday Celebration for Celesta
Celesta Podolske is celebrating her birthday after church on October 12 during the coffee fellowship. There will be cupcakes and ice cream served.
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.
NOTICE TO THE DART Ball Team
Our first season game is on Mon night October 20, at Zion 1. It’s gonna be another fun year!!!! See Clayton if you wish to be part of the men’s team.
Confirmation Kickoff
Oct 5 6:30 at Glenwood United 10 17th Ave NW, Glenwood, MN 56334. If you are in 6th, 7th or 8th grade and are up for the adventure of learning about Jesus and what it means to follow him, please plan to participate in this year’s Confirmation experience! The Kick-Off on October 5 is for parents and youth who wish to learn more about the Confirmation process.
Christmas Dinner
Each year, our congregation hosts a Spaghetti Supper fundraiser in November and a Free Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day. We always have plenty of volunteers for the actual event but need someone(s) to be the point person(s) or primary organizer(s). Are you willing?
Labyrinth Floor Project
The Labyrinth Floor Project is in progress and the Fellowship Hall and potentially the kitchen will not be accessible for most of October.
Choir
The Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 5:15 pm. They sing on the 2nd and 4th Sundays and rehearse before services. If you are interested in joining come to a rehearsal or check in with Carrie.
Frozen Pies Available
There are a few pies still available. $15 a pie.
Harvest Table
Once again, we are opening our harvest table. Please bring in any excess produce, flowers or herbs from your garden. Free will offering will go to support our Missions Committee activities.
Bountiful Basket
We will be filling the Bountiful Basket for ATCC students for our Bingo Night and also for Jenny’s cupboard. A list of items needed will be on the basket. You can also write a check or give cash as long as you designate on the check memo line ATCC or on the envelope. Money can also be brought to the church office. (The Bountiful Basket will be under the coat rack if necessary to accommodate the Labyrinth Floor Project.)
Neighbors in Need
The Neighbors in Need Offering is our October Special Mission Offering of the United Church of Christ. Your gifts support ministries of justice and compassion, the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM) and Neighbors in Need grants. Thank you for your generosity!
Gifts to Neighbors in Need (NIN) support the United Church of Christ’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). The other two-thirds of the offering support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, direct service projects, and grants. Neighbors in Need grants are annually awarded to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities.
The Good Samaritan Fund
We have given a lot of gas cards, grocery cards and a few one- or two-night stays in hotels since we collected for the Good Samaritan fund last year. The ability to provide these gifts to people in need is an important part of our extravagant welcome mission. We are currently in need of donations to this fund.
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.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Barb Grover 10/19
Jay Clark 10/20
Celesta Podolske 10/22
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
FAVORITE HYMNS NEEDED Those who select hymns for our traditional services would like to hear suggestions favorite hymns. The list will then be used when possible as they choose hymns for us to sing that might fit into the theme for a Sunday. Please fill out the forms in your bulletin or email your choices to the church.
ANGEL CARE TEAM October VOLUNTEERS
October Volunteers are Evelyn Henrickson and Jo Undem. If you would like a visit or know someone who needs a visit, please contact one of them or the office.
Save the Date
19th Annual Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence Walk
St Mary’s Alexandria 300 Lake St, Alexandria, MN, United States
Free Event, T-Shirts, & Food! 5:00 P.M. at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN Speakers: Josh & Niki Sakry, Parents of Ariel, Victim of Domestic Violence Homicide in 2022.
UCAN Luncheon Table
The 25th Annual Domestic Abuse Awareness Luncheon is Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 11:30 – 1:00 P.M at the Broadway Ballroom. We will host 2 tables this year for the October 15th UCAN luncheon. There is a sign up at the back –the luncheon is $25. We have 1 spot left at our table. Please pay asap—we have paid UCAN, if you haven’t paid yet—please write a check to church rather than UCAN.
Alexandria Blizzard Tickets
We have 15 tickets available for a Blizzard game on October 15. This is their Faith and Family night and the tickets are free to us and you. If you are interested let Joy know and she will print out your tickets for you.
Soup & Sandwich
Our Saviours Church Nelson Minnesota October 26 11-1 pm Free Will Offering
Dementia Care Essentials Workshop
This workshop gives you tools to bring more compassion, confidence, and calm into every interaction. Walk out with skills and understanding you need to live with the Dementia. October 27, 2025 1:00-4:00 St. William’s Living Center Vogrin Hall 212 West Soo St. Parkers Prairie, MN 56361. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dementia-care-essentials-tickets-1669556260719?aff=oddtdtcreator For more information call Stephanie Aasness at 320-766-1856.
Spaghetti & Meatball Supper
Our Annual Spaghetti and Meatball Supper is Nov 13 beginning at 4:30 -7 pm. Volunteers needed. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under.
ALZHEIMER & DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Join us at the Public Works Dept. meeting room (526 Willow Dr) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 3-4:30. Please contact the facilitator Stephanie Aasness at 320-766-1856, to learn more.
Individual Spiritual Direction Opportunity
Looking for someone to listen in a confidential setting? Spiritual direction, a.k.a. spiritual companionship, is a way of paying attention to how God or the Divine is present and acting in your life. Julie McCarty is a trained and experienced spiritual listener who offers confidential, nonjudgemental, monthly, one-on-one spiritual direction in person or online. For more info, contact Julie at 320-766-6176 or e-mail juliemccarty@usfamily.net .
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.
