Second Sunday of Easter * April 27, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere & Carrie Gamm
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP Marcie Watson
One: Loving God, this is the day that you are making.
Many: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
One: You have raised Christ from the grave and overcome death.
Many: You have defeated the power of evil and oppression.
One: We long for your presence, and we open ourselves to your Spirit.
Many: Christ, our living Chief, you are with us, and we give you thanks.
One: We look for signs of your rising; and we live in a world that longs for your living presence.
Many: Breathe your Spirit into us, and raise us to new life,
that we may be living evidence of your resurrection,
the Body of your risen Christ. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Christ is Alive, W&R #312, Vs. 1,4,5
UNISON PRAYER Marcie
Resurrecting God,
when the risen Jesus appeared to his disciples,
he offered them signs of peace,
and breathed his spirit on them.
Breathe your Spirit into us,
and grant us seeing hearts,
that we may live as your faithful disciples,
and offer peace and healing in a broken world. Amen.
*GLORIA Blk 236
Halle halle hallelujah
Halle halle hallelujah
Halle halle hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah x 2
*PASSING OF THE PEACE Marcie
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM ACTS Acts 5:27-32 Marcie
27 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them,
28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority., 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.
31 God exalted Jesus at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
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 were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
20 After Jesus 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 Jesus 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 Thomas, “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 Jesus’s 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 Jesus 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 that are not written in this book.
31 But these are written so that you may continue 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 O Sing a Song of Bethlehem, Blk # 51 vs 1,3,4
SERMON Jesus Hits “Send” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
Hymn FOR REFLECTION Send Us, Jesus, tune blk 82
By Steve Garnaas Holmes, on screen
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PASTORAL PRAYER, & 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: Pastor Jill
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY Blk #565, verse 3
Treasure, too, you have entrusted, gain through powers your grace conferred;
Ours to use for home and kindred and to spread the Gospel word.
Open wide our hands in sharing as we heed Christ’s ageless call.
Healing, teaching, and reclaiming, honoring you by loving all.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING Hymn Peace I Leave with you, my friends, Blk# 249, Refrain, Vs 1,2,3, Refrain
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
Postlude Diane Alveshere & Carrie Gamm
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY April 27, 2025
Sunday April 27
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
6:30 Just One event, doors open 6 pm, DMS
Monday April 28
10-11 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons
5:15 Group Spiritual Direction
Wednesday April 30
5:15 Choir Practice
6:15 Worship Band Practice
Thursday May 1
9:00 Walking group@church
12 Women’s Fellowship, 11 am Women’s Fellowship Board
4:30 Holy Happy Hr
Sunday May 4 Communion Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online, communion, First Sunday Music
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Imagine Together
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.
Just One
Please join us tonight for the Just One Event at Discovery Middle School. There will be a musical artist and a speaker for this event which focuses on mental health and suicide prevention. We are sponsoring this event along with our friends from the Alexandria United Methodist Church, Calvary Lutheran Church, and First Lutheran Church and the Matt Kjelland Foundation. Doors open at 6 and the event is 6:30-8:00 p.m.
To reserve your free ticket, go to: justonealexandria.eventbrite.com
Graduation Sunday is coming up
We will honor high school and college graduates during worship on Sunday, May 18. If you are celebrating a graduation this year, please contact the church office!
Annual Programmatic Meeting
The Annual Programmatic meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 18. 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 11. The deadline for contributions to the Programmatic Booklet is April 30.
Choir Rehearsal
The choir will meet on Wednesday April 30 at 5:15.
Women’s Fellowship
Our next Women’s Fellowship meeting is Thursday,May 1. The board will meet at 11:00 am and the bring your own bag lunch will be at noon. Because our meeting was cancelled in April, we are rescheduling the program from that day. Marcie Watson will be our program and discussion leader.
Imagine Together
Our second installment of Imagining Together will begin during the May 4 Coffee Fellowship and breakout into another room.
Angel Care Team volunteers needed.
We are trying to re-imagine how the Angel Care team will evolve to meet the needs of the congregation and our volunteer capacity. If you are available to be a phone buddy or are able to make visits in person this would be much appreciated. We currently have volunteers for in person visits for 4 months. Let the office know if you are available to volunteer.
Worship Service volunteers needed
We need readers, ushers, greeters, tech staff and coffee fellowship servers through the end of the year. Sign up is at the back of the sanctuary.
One Great Hour of Sharing
We participate in 5 conference wide offerings. We collect this offering during the month of April. The United Church of Christ uses this offering to fund comprehensive development programs in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, food security, microfinancing, and women’s empowerment. By partnering with Global Ministries and international response networks, OGHS maximizes its impact. Your contributions help meet urgent needs while addressing the root causes of vulnerability, ensuring long-term, sustainable solutions for affected communities.
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.
Bountiful Basket
Bountiful Basket is collecting for Someplace Safe in the months of April and May.
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.
