July 30, 2023 9th Sunday after Pentecost
“Doing Justice”
*please stand in body and/or spirit
PRELUDE: Greg Kapphahn
WELCOME Pastor Jill
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pastor Jill
POURING THE BAPTISMAL WATER: Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Betty Cichy-Anderson, reader
One: God, you are our refuge.
Many: You are the shore in sight;
You are the hands that reach out;
You are the ground on which to rest.
One: God, you are our strength.
Many: You are the life we long for;
You are the refusal to give up;
You are the keys of home we carry with us.
One: God, you are our help in time of trouble.
Many: We call to you from the ruins and the rubble;
We call on you from the wildness and the deep.
We call on you to meet us in this place!
(adapted from Liturgies from Below, p. 40)
*OPENING HYMN “We are called to be God’s people.” W& R 580 vs 1-3
*Prayer of Confession (UNISON): Betty
God of love, when your children suffer, are displaced, persecuted, or worse your heart is saddened, you cry out for justice. When apathy dulls our hearts and we do not speak out, forgive us. When we are slow to respond and lives are lost, forgive us. Give us a heart for justice and a prophetic voice, that this world might see your love in action through our lives and words.
~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Word
WORDS OF ASSURANCE Betty
One: The Bible tells us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just. God forgives our sin, cleanses us, and frees us to live again!
Many: Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA Black 236
*PASSING OF THE PEACE: (responsive) Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
HYMN FOR PREPARATION “O God of Love, O God of Peace” Blk 571, vs 1-3
Reading from the Psalms Psalm 82:1-5 Pastor Jill
SERMON: “Doing Justice” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSICAL REFLECTION Greg Kapphahn
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, MOMENT OF SILENCE & PASTORAL PRAYER
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
*DOXOLOGY Lasst uns Erfreuen
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN: “We Shall Overcome,” BLK #570 vs 1-4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
*POSTLUDE: Greg Kapphahn
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY, July 30, 2023
The weekly Calendar
Sunday July 30
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday July 31
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity.
Wednesday August 2
4:30 Choir practice
Thursday August 3
9:00 Walk @ Big Ole
4:30 Happy Holy Hour
Sunday August 6 KXRA Radio and Communion Sunday
9:00 Choir Practice
10:00 Worship in-person & online, Choir and Communion
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 your giving account online using our new software provider, Churchtrac.
Sunday Aug 13
Laity Sunday—we will have a lay Sunday on August 13. If you have something to contribute to the Sunday service—special music, reading or other witness, contact Joy in the office.
Tech Team Volunteers needed
Are you looking for a way to participate in our Worship but don’t want to be out front, you can help at the tech table. Training available. It is fun.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for July and August. If you are able to greet, usher, or read, help serve coffee or clean up after Fellowship, please sign up there.
Angel Express and Angel Care Team
Joy Wrolson, 612-227-4220 and Lee Becker will be the angels for July. Mary Mische and Judy Kuhlmann are the angels for August. Volunteers are needed to cover additional months. Please contact the church office or Daisy 763-9461.
Meals available
Our church has received a donation of frozen meals to distribute to people in need of a nutrition supplement. If the economy and times have made you a person a supplement would benefit or are aware of a person in need please contact Pastor Jill. All information will remain confidential.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Jonathan Carlson, Jr 08/08
Micki Schneider 08/08
Gralow Anniversary 8/10/69
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Updating the Directory
If your contact information has recently changed, please let the office know. We will have a draft of the directory in the back of the sanctuary at the beginning of August. New copies will be coming out late August/early September.
The Choir Would Love More Singers
There are so many wonderful singers in our congregation, but not very many members in our choir!
You do not need to be a professional musician to sing with us, just an interested amateur. If you’ve ever thought about sharing the fun and the sense of accomplishment that singing in a more organized way with other people gives, this fall would be a good time to join us!
There is a time commitment involved. During the summer, the Choir sings on the First Sunday of each month. During the Program year, the choir sings the first three Sundays of each month, with rehearsals at 4:30 p.m. each Wednesday before we sing (though not everyone is able to make each rehearsal or sing every Sunday we sing, which is fine).
If you’ve reached the time in your life when you’re ready for a new musical adventure, or just want to expand your talents and abilities a bit, come join us.
Our rehearsal in August is Wednesday, the 2nd and we’ll sing on Sunday the 6th.
About First Congregational United Church of Christ
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.
Conference Events
Women’s Retreat
Camp Onamia
September 8 – September 10
Cost: $200/person (shared room) | $250/person (private room) only available to the first 5 requests, REGISTER by September 1
For this weekend of rest and renewal on the banks of Lake Shakopee, Rev. Claire Klein shares music, dance, and storytelling, as we weave our stories with the women in Scripture. While Miriam led the people to dance in the wilderness and Tabitha created beautiful robes for the poor, the Spirit was weaving each of our stories together with love and compassion. Rev. Claire will guide us in activities that weave our stories together in new ways through song and movement.
There will be plenty of time to rest, relax, and enjoy each other’s company, along with an opportunity to take a forest meditation walk at Kathio State Park.
Retreat begins Friday with a 5:00pm check-in. Dinner is served at 6:00pm. The event ends on Sunday at 11:00am. Packing and other information will be emailed to you a week before the event.
Fall Conference Youth Event
October 6 – October 8
Location: Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center
Ages: Grades 6-12
Cost: $125/Youth, $100/Adult Leader
So often we have people in our lives who ask, “What do you plan to do?”, as if we must have a perfect answer. Through this time together, youth and adults will practice shifting our language that is more about curiosity and wonder rather than having the “right” answers. Through playful discussions, activities, and music, we will reimagine our “wild and precious life” that speaks to who we are, what we value, and how our faith can guide us in the world.
Musician and faith leader Hans Peterson will help shape the weekend and offer space to wonder together.
