Third Sunday of Easter, KXRA Radio Sunday April 14, 2024 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
CHORAL INTROIT Come, Let Us Gather
Come, let us gather now to sing praises and thanks to
God Our King. God’s love surpasses everything
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: Sometimes believing, sometimes doubting
Many: We come to God’s house!
One: Sometimes weeping, sometimes laughing
Many: We come to God’s house!
One: Sometimes afraid, sometimes joyful
Many: We come to God’s house!
One: Whatever has happened to us, here we are welcome
Many: This day and this house belong to God.
One: As God sent Jesus
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: To bring hope and healing
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: To care for our neighbors
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: To work for justice
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: With the gift of the Holy Spirit
Many: Jesus sends us! Jesus sends us with love!
*OPENING HYMN “Yours is the Glory, Resurrected One” Blk 253, vs 1-3
*Opening Prayer Lee
God of the Resurrection, you open the tomb and invite us to sing and dance in the new life you give us. In Jesus Christ, whose wounds are not erased but glorified in resurrection, touch our wounds that they may be transformed into healing for others. Holy Spirit, breathe into us the poser to forgive so that all may have new life. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
*GLORIA UMH 162
Alleluia, Alleluia! give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia! Give praise to God’s name. (x2)
*PASSING THE PEACE Lee
CHORAL ANTHEM A Joyful Song Robert Leaf
THE READING FROM THE Acts Acts 3:1-8
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon.
2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms.
4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”
7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: JOHN 20:19-31 Pastor Jill
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
HYMN OF PREPARATION “We Live by Faith” Blk 256, vs 1-3
SERMON From Limping to Leaping Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
Music for Reflection Diane Alveshere
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE, PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
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 “Christ is alive” on screen and bulletin vs1, 4&5
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
One: As God sent Jesus
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: To bring hope and healing
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: To care for our neighbors
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: To work for justice
Many: Jesus sends us!
One: With the gift of the Holy Spirit
Many: Jesus sends us! Jesus sends us with love!
CHORAL BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE MUSIC Diane Alveshere
| 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 14, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday April 14 KXRA Radio Sunday
9:00 FROG Power breakfast
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
Monday April 15
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
Tuesday April 16
11:30 Lunch bunch
5:45 Board of Administration
7:00 Council
Wednesday April 17
4:30 Pastoral relations
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday April 18
9:00 Walking group@Church
9:30 Morning Circle
12:00 Estate sale of Kathryn LeBrasseur
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Friday April 19 & Saturday April 20
8-4 Estate Sale of Kathryn LeBrasseur
1:00 We are better together (Sat only)
7:00 Earth Day Hymn Sing, First Lutheran (Sat only)
Sunday April 21
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Today is KXRA Radio Sunday
Linda Namur is sponsoring our radio broadcast on KXRA in loving memory of her parents, Leanne and Hop. The second Sunday of every month our service is broadcast on KXRA 1400 AM at 11:00 am.
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 OFS.
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 18.
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.
Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, April 16th at 11:30 a.m. We will meet at the Pioneer Grill, Grand Arbor restaurant. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Tuesday meetings
The Board of Administration and Church Council will meet on Tuesday April 16.
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.
Morning Circle
Please join us for devotions and a treat on Thursday April 18 at 9:30 in the Cambridge Room.
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
Brian Fleming 04/25
John Speirs 04/25
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Conference and Community Events
Bible Book of the Month will meet on April 16 at 8:00 a.m. on zoom. The book of the month is Galations. After reading The Gospel of Mark, we decided to read the New Testament writings that came before the gospel was written.
ID 597 949 7340 Passcode 9UQu5r https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5979497340?pwd=g2HaUYWrUDxuletk9NwDjL6pP4ct11.1&omn=74792375636
Kathryn LeBrasseur Estate Sale
The estate sale of Kathryn LeBrasseur will be April 18, 19, 20 at the Knights of Columbus Hall 722 6th Ave E. Thurs 12-4, Friday and Saturday 8-4 pm. Proceeds will benefit Women’s Fellowship and the Senior Center. Volunteer assistance on April 17 and the estate sale times will be appreciated. Sign up in the back of the sanctuary.
You Belong! Join the Spring 2024 Conference Youth Event
April 19-21, Camp Onomia $175
MN Conference youth will spend a weekend exploring “belonging.” Together we’ll reflect on how we as people and we as the church can extend our welcome to others and to ourselves through discussion, worship, play, time in nature, music, and art. For more information and to register: https://www.uccmn.org/event/spring-2024-conference-youth-event-you-belong/
Earth Day Hymn Sing
A Creation hymn sing will be held again this year for Earth Day on April 20 at 7:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1655 18th Ave. E. in Alexandria.
Bring your voices! Honor the Earth and the glories of Creation!
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.
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.
