Aug 13, 2023 11th Sunday after Pentecost
“Water Stories”
*please stand in body and/or spirit
PRELUDE: Greg Kapphahn
WELCOME Joy Wrolson
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Joy Wrolson
POURING THE BAPTISMAL WATER: Joy Wrolson
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Betty Cichy-Anderson, reader
One: Turn the tap and water comes out.
Many: Clean, refreshing water quenches our thirst.
One: Stop at the market, twist open the cap.
Many: Spring water crosses our lips
and our craving is satisfied.
One: Step outdoors. Look up.
Many: The clouds dampen our faces
and nourish the earth.
One: Jesus answered,
“Everyone who drinks this water
will be thirsty again.” (John 4:13 CEB)
Many: After a time, we all thirst again.
One: “but whoever drinks from the water that I will give
will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.” (John 4:14 CEB)
Many: Please give us this water that we may never be thirsty again.
One: Come see the one
who turns our thinking and our world upside down.
Come see and experience
the love that knows no bounds.
Many: Praise be to Christ Jesus, whose love and justice quenches our thirst with living water. Amen.
~ written by Tim Graves, and posted on LiturgyBits. https://liturgybits.wordpress.com
*OPENING HYMN “Enter, rejoice and Come In.” Blk 73 vs 1-3, 5
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (inspired by Exodus 17: 1-7, John 4: 5-42)
One: God of Living Water, you call us to come and drink.
Many: why do we sit here and complain that there is not enough water?
One: You call us to strike the rocks of our world and let your Living Water flow.
Many: But we do not trust enough that the spring is there. We want to find the water on our own, using our own wisdom.
One: You call us to share the Water of Life with the world around us.
Many: But we believe that the water is limited, not abundant and so we are tempted to save it for ourselves.
One: For all the times we turn away from your Water, for all the times we sully the Water by misusing it, for all the times we let others go thirsty instead of offering a drink,
Many: Forgive us we pray. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE on screen Betty
One: The Water of Life flows with abundance to fill us with hope,
to cleanse us of our guilt, to float us to a new life.
Washed in the Living Water,
we are forgiven and set free to live abundant life.
Many: Thanks and praise to God. Amen.
~ written by Rev Gord, and posted on Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/
*GLORIA Black 236
*PASSING OF THE PEACE: (responsive) Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Julie McCarty
HYMN FOR PREPARATION “Crashing Waters at Creation” Blk 326 vs 1-4
Readings and Responses: “Water Stories” Joy, Jane, Lee, Julie
MUSICAL REFLECTION Greg Kapphahn
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS: Julie McCarty
*DOXOLOGY Lasst uns Erfreuen
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison) on screen
Giver and Sustainer of Life,
pour out your blessing upon these gifts
and upon all who give from their hearts.
Multiply them so they reach farther than our imaginations can carry them.
In the blessed name of our Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN: “Like A Mighty River Flowing,” W&R #20 vs 1,3 &4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
*POSTLUDE: Greg Kapphahn
The hymn “Like A Mighty River Flowing” is from Worship and Rejoice and reprinted and used with permission under One License A-715438. Readings include “The Pond” in Mary Oliver’s Devotions c 2017 and “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry in Selected Poems of Wendell Berry c 1998. Liturgy was used from the blogs Liturgy Bits and Worship offerings and The Voice of God Over the Waters:Service Prayers for Baptism of Christ Sunday was written by the Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson, Minister for Ministerial Formation, MESA Ministry Team, UCC.
We welcome all who are joining us for worship virtually, on YouTube, http://tiny.cc/firstcongo or Cable Channel #181 (each weekday).
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY AUGUST 13, 2023
The weekly Calendar
Sunday Aug 13 Laity Sunday
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Aug 14
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity.
Tuesday Aug 15
11:30 Lunch Bunch Pioneer Grill
5:45 Ad Board
7:00 Council
Thursday August 17
9:00 Walk @ Big Ole
4:30 Happy Holy Hour
Sunday August 20
10:00 Worship in-person & 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 your giving account online using our new software provider, Churchtrac.
Cookies/Baked Goods Wanted
Do you have extra cookies or baked goods? Love to bake but don’t want a lot of extras at home. We would love to have a supply of frozen cookies to serve on Sundays. This would relieve the burden on those who choose to serve on Sunday. Please put them in the freezer in the Plymouth Room.
Lunch Bunch
We will meet at the Pioneer Grill at 11:30 on August 15.
Tuesday meetings
The Board of Administration and the Council meet on Tuesday. Contact the office or the chairs if you have an agenda item.
Harvest Table
Do you have extra produce, please bring it to share on the Harvest Table. All proceeds will support Missions committee activities.
Bountiful Basket
The bountiful basket is back in its place near the elevator. We welcome early bird donations for Alexandria Technical College. These donations can include non-perishable groceries and hygiene supplies.
Rev. James Winters’s services
A Funeral Service will be held Monday, August 14th at 11:00am (visitation 10:00am) at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home, 515 Hwy 96 West in Shoreview, MN. A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday, August 15th at 3:00pm at Delft Cemetery, 49314 Co Rd 3 in Windom, MN
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 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
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.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Kurt Norling 08/25
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 Journey Toward Wholeness
3rd enneagram book group
if you studied one or both of suzanne stabile’s books on the enneagram or if you have studied the enneagram on your own, please join Marcie Watson for six consecutive Sundays following worship and coffee time from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. beginning September 10and ending October 15th. Please sign up as soon as possible so we can order a book for you. For more information contact Marcie at at marciewatson2027@gmail.com or text(call too) her at (319) 310-0565.
Freeing Jesus — Book Discussion Group
Julie McCarty is looking for others who would like to read/discuss Diane Butler Bass’ book Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence,
exploring the various ways, we relate to Jesus at various times in our lives. We will meet Sunday after church and anticipate an mid October start time. Contact Julie at 320-766-6176 or e-mail juliemccarty@usfamily.net .
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
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.
