Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2024 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
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
*OPENING HYMN “God of Grace and God of Glory” Blk #436 vs 1, 3, 4,
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison, based on Mark 10:41-45) Marcie Watson
Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we tend to expect that you will do what we want, whatever we ask. We want places of honor and all the glory. We want to be thought of as great. We want to be first. But you, O Christ, showed us a different way to live and lead. Forgive our brazenness. Forgive our self-importance. Forgive us for using our power to serve only ourselves. Teach us to be humble. Teach us to be more like you. Amen.
WORDS OF FORGIVENESS AND ASSURANCE Marcie
One: Beloved of God, hear this good news. Jesus has called us his friends. He invites us to become great through service and to finish first by going to the end of the line. He has given us an example that, now set free, we might follow in his steps.
Many: Thanks be to God—for both the gift and the challenge!
*GLORIA UMH 162
Alleluia, Alleluia! give thanks to the risen Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia! Give praise to God’s name. (x2)
*PASSING THE PEACE Marcie
Choir Anthem: “Help Us Accept Each Other” by John Ness Beck
Featuring soloist Leah Zenner
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE Epistles Philippians 2:5-11 Marcie
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Mark 10:35-45 Pastor Jill
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?”
37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
39 They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.
43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Take My Life, God, Let it Be” Blk 448 vs 1-4
SERMON Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
“Confronting Christian Nationalism: The Use of Power”
WE RESPOND TO GOD
Music for Reflection Diane Alveshere
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 For the Healing of the Nations Blk 576 vs 1-4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
CHORAL BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you:
The Lord make his face to shine upon you,
to shine upon you and be gracious,
and be gracious unto you. x2
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 28, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
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
Monday April 29
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
Tuesday April 30
Deadline for Programmatic Reports
Wednesday May 1
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday May 2
9:00 Walking group@Church
12:00 Women’s Fellowship and Board mtg @ 11 am
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sat May 4
8 am Elm Street Entrance Project Work
Sunday May 5 Communion Sunday/First Sunday music
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.
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 13 (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
Curt Schimmelpfennig 05/07
Donna Myers 05/09
Charles Lawrence Perkins 05/10
Megan Norling Wilken 05/11
Deb Bergstrom 05/11
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Free Items in Church Office Hallway
These items are not needed in church spaces as we redesign our spaces for new uses. Anyone is welcome to take an item that you know of a use for it. Deadline for removing objects is May 15th unless special arrangements are made with the church office.
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.
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.
