12th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug 16, 2026
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
*OPENING SENTENCES Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: God above us–trees, birds and sunshine, stars and moonlight—
Many: God above us.
One: God beneath us—earth, rocks and rivers, roots and caverns—
Many: God beneath us.
One: God around us—seas, winds and cities, animals and people—
Many: God around us.
One: God within us—hope, tears and laughter, love and wonder—
Many: God within us.
One: God above us, God beneath us, God around us, God within us—
Many: We celebrate your great love for us and for the whole creation. Give us the ability recognize your presence as we go about our days. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN God is Truly with Us, Blk #68
*CONFESSION AND CENTERING Betty
One: Lord God, mercy is in your hands. Pour me a little. And tenderness, too. My need is great. I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
Many: We confess we hurry through our days. Impatience puts a halter on our faces, and we run away over the green fields.
One: Yet we know how to pay attention, to fall down into the grass, to kneel in the grass.
Many: These are our instructions: To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work. We are forgiven, re-wilded, and released. Amen.
(based on the poetry of Mary Oliver)
*GLORIA BLK 760
The congregation sings once in Zulu, then twice in English.
PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US
HYMN OF THE MONTH Lift Your Heads, O Martyrs Weeping Blk #445 Judy Rose
READING FROM THE PSALMS Psalm 19: 1-6 (from the Message) Betty
1–2 19 God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3–4 Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. 4–5 God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Exodus 3:1-6 Pastor Jill
3 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; Moses led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God.
2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.
3 Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.”
4 When the Lord saw that Moses had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 Then God said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
6 God said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
HYMN OF PREPARATION God, Speak to Me, That I May Speak BLK #531
SERMON The Art of Paying Attention Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Brad Lambrecht
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (unison) (from the Iona Abbey)
We believe that God is present in the darkness before the dawn,
In the waiting and uncertainty where fear and courage hold hands,
Conflict and caring link arms, and the sun rises over barbed wire.
We believe in a with-us God who sits down in our midst to share our humanity.
We affirm a faith that takes us beyond the safe place into action, into vulnerability, and into the streets.
We commit ourselves to work for change, and put ourselves on the line. To bear responsibility, take risks, live powerfully and face humiliation; To stand with those on the edge, to choose life, and be used by the Spirit
For God’s new community of hope.
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND JESUS’ PRAYER
Our God in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY TUNE: Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One! Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*SENDING HYMN All Things Bright and Beautiful BLK #31
*BLESSING & SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
Postlude Brad Lambrecht
The Opening Sentences and the Affirmation of Faith are from the Iona Abbey Worship Book. The Confession and Centering is based on poetry of Mary Oliver.
We welcome all who are joining us for worship virtually, on YouTube, https://tinyurl.com/firstcongalex 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 August 16, 2026
Sunday, August 16,
10:00 Worship in person and online, choir
11:30 Nancy’s Bingo Bash
Monday August 17
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
4-8 Voice lessons
Tuesday August 18
11:30 Lunch bunch
2:30 Voice lessons
5:00 Board of Administration
6:00 Church Council
Wednesday August 19
4-6 Labyrinth
4:45 Choir
Thursday August 20
4-7 Arts Space
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Next Sunday, August 23,
10:00 Worship in person and online, choir
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Nancy Hansen’s Bingo Bash
Please join us for Nancy’s Bingo Bash at 11:30 am today. Lunch will be provided. If you have a bingo prize to donate, you can bring them to down to fellowship hall. Come enjoy the food and a few rounds of Bingo.
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. She typically takes Fridays off. She will have hours this week.
Tuesday Lunch Bunch
Join us at 11:30, Lunch begins at noon. We will meet at the Grand Arbor’s Pioneer Grill. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Tuesday is Meeting Day
Our Board of Administration and Church Council will meet on Tuesday after the Sabbatical hiatus. If you have an agenda item, see either Clayton or Bruce, you can also call the office.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The labyrinth is open on Wednesdays from 4-6. Anyone at church or the greater community is warmly invited to participate. The labyrinth is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit, and a mirror of the soul. May it serve as one of these, and more, for you.
Choir rehearsal
The choir is on its summer schedule and will rehearse on August 5 and August 19 at 4:45. They also rehearse the Sundays they sing at 9:15 am. The choir sings in worship on the 2nd Sunday of the month through June-August.
Arts Space
This summer, artist Jax Rose will be holding an arts space for teens on Thursday nights 4-7 in our Fellowship Hall. These classes are free to any student who attends, and every student receives one on one instruction. Students are highly encouraged to bring their sketchbook or any projects they might be working on. Classes start June 11th and go to September 3rd. Hope to see you there!”
Newsletter deadline
Please submit your articles for the Church Visitor by August 24.
Angel Care Team August
August Angels are Judy Kuhlmann and Mary Mische. Please let the office know if you would like a visit.
Worship Volunteers Needed
We have sign ups at the back of the sanctuary for volunteers interested in ushering, greeting and providing coffee fellowship. You are free to sign up for as many as you wish at a time. If you are interested in tech, let someone at the tech desk know and we can train you on the job.
Harvest Table
If you have extra produce from your garden, please consider sharing your bounty. If you have need of veggies, herbs, flowers or other produce, consider making a free will donation to be used by the Missions committee as they determine needs.
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.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Kurt Norling 08/25
Barb Williams 08/25
Misha Harstad 08/27
Steve Harstad 08/27
Pat Nelson 08/28
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
Upcoming Events or Community Events
Evening Prayer Services
All are welcome to join the First Lutheran Care for Creation Team for a time of music, scripture, and prayer. The purpose is to pray for the world, for peace, for all leaders, for creation, and for God’s presence in our lives. This prayer service is the 3rd Sunday of every month at 5:00 pm. There is a change in the schedule for August and September. August is canceled and September’s will be Sept 13. October will return to the 3rd Sunday Oct 18.
Diversity Fest
The Diversity Fest is looking for volunteers for their 2026 event on September 15. They will need help with set-up, ticket selling, greeting and assisting with vendors. If you are unable to volunteer, come eat and enjoy the entertainment. More details will follow.
Diane Alveshere’s celebration of life
Please join us for Celebration of Diane’s life September 27, 2026 @ 12:30pm at Broadway Ballroom 115 30th Ave East Alexandria, MN. All are welcome!
Samaritans screening
Sept 27, 5 pm. We will be hosting a screening of the documentary Samaritans. The director of the documentary will be here for the screening along with one of the Samaritans. It is a volunteer project in the southern Arizona desert and with a border town in Mexico.
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.
