Aug 20, 2023 12th Sunday after Pentecost
“The Path”
*please stand in body and/or spirit
PRELUDE: Margaret Kalina, accompanist
WELCOME Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pastor Jill
POURING THE BAPTISMAL WATER: Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Lee Becker, reader
One: Beloved, you shepherd us in love
Many: In your grace we feast, we rest, we travel this life.
One: Beloved, you shepherd us in love.
Many: You lead us through death to new life.
One: Beloved, you shepherd us in love.
Many: In your love we love one another.
In our love we worship you. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN “My Shepherd is the Living God.” Blk 247 vs 1-3
*Opening Prayer: (Unison) Lee
Shepherd of love, lead us beside the still waters of your grace. Feed us in the green pastures of your Word. Guide us in your path of mercy. Restore our soul with your presence. Speak to us, and we will follow. Amen.
*GLORIA Black 236
*PASSING OF THE PEACE: (responsive)
Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 23 Lee
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
HYMN FOR PREPARATION “Father Almighty, Bless Us” Blk 510 vs 1-3
SERMON “The Path” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSICAL REFLECTION On the Path of Justice Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, MOMENT OF SILENCE, PASTORAL PRAYER
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
*DOXOLOGY Lasst uns Erfreuen
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
*CLOSING HYMN: “Come Away From Rush And Hurry,” W&R #655 vs 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
*POSTLUDE: Greg Kapphahn
The hymn “Come Away from Rush and Hurry” is from Worship and Rejoice and reprinted and used with permission under One License A-715438.. On the Path of Justice, Psalm 23. Words and music by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan. © 2017 Worldmaking.net. All rights reserved. Used with permission under One License A-715438 Call to Worship and Opening Prayer written by Steve Garnaas-Holmes, unfoldinglight.net
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 20, 2023
The weekly Calendar
Sunday Aug 20
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Aug 21
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity.
11:00 Connections group at ATCC Orientation
3:30 OnA planning committee
Tuesday Aug 22
12-4 Elder Network
Thursday August 24
9:00 Walk @ Big Ole
4:30 Happy Holy Hour
Sunday August 27
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:00 Memorial Board meets
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.
Disaster Ministries—Hawaii Wildfires
A historic United Church of Christ congregation lost their sanctuary and community center. Many of the congregants have lost their homes. Donations can be given during church—please put that on your memo line of your check. Two quicker ways to send support include giving directly to the Hawaiian UCC conference at bit.ly/hcuccrelief or to https://support.ucc.org/hawaii-wildfires. Both of these sites will provide relief for anyone in need in the devastated areas.
Harvest Table
Stop and check out the Harvest table across from the elevator near the east entrance. Please bring garden produce to buy, sell and share. Money from the table will go to purchase gas cards for the students at Alexandria Technical and Community College.
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.
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.
Coffee Fellowship servers
Look for an email coming to the Holy Hotline asking if you want to participate as a coffee fellowship server/service.
We are reimagining it and will assign people to (a) particular Sunday(s). To participate you will give us the Sundays you are not available and if you have limitations to what you can do—for instance Joy can clean up and provide food, but can’t make coffee or set out items because I am involved in tech. We will start this by October. We will
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Misha Harstad 08/27
Steve Harstad 08/27
Pat Nelson 08/28
Ann Branch 09/01
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 .
Painting Party
Sept 5 Light meal served at 5:30, Painting begins at 6 pm. The Redesign Taskforce invites you to a painting party for the Pilgrim room and the Heritage room. Many hands make the work light and fun.
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.
