Sunday, Aug 27, 2023 13th Sunday after Pentecost
PRELUDE: Greg Kapphahn
WELCOME Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pastor Jill
POURING THE BAPTISMAL WATER: Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Marcie Watson, reader
One: You who live in the shelter Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty… will say to God:
Many: We will say of God, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
*OPENING HYMN “God is Truly with US” Blk 68 vs 1-3
*Opening Prayer: (Unison) Marcie
God our Redeemer, you promise deliverance to those who love you. Draw near to us as we draw near to you in worship. Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our minds to comprehend, and our spirits to encounter the message you have for us today. Transform us with the truth of your love and grace, in the name of the one who loved us and gave his life for us. Amen.
-based on Psalm 91
*GLORIA Black 236
Hal-le, hal-le, Hal-le-lu-ja Hal-le, hal-le, Hal-le-lu-ja
Hal-le, hal-le, Hal-le-lu-ja Hal-le-lu-ja
*PASSING OF THE PEACE: (responsive) Marcie
Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 91 Marcie
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
HYMN FOR PREPARATION “Blessed Assurance” Blk 473 vs 1-3
SERMON “Under God’s Wings” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSICAL REFLECTION Greg Kapphahn
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, Moment of Silence, Pastoral Prayer
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom Come,
Thy Will be Done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,
And Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
*DOXOLOGY Lasst uns Erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God the Source of all our gifts.
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
*CLOSING HYMN: “On Eagle’s Wings” Worship and Rejoice #438
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
*POSTLUDE: Greg Kapphahn
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 2023
The weekly Calendar
Sunday Aug 27
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:00 Memorial Board meets
Monday Aug 28
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity.
Wednesday Aug 30
4:30 Choir practice
Thursday Aug 31
9:00 Walk @ Big Ole
4:30 Happy Holy Hour
Sunday Sept 3 KXRA Radio Sunday
9 am choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in-person & online Backpack blessing and choir
11:00 Pictures taken for Picture directory
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
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.
Choir
Choir practice is Wednesday at 4:30. They would happily welcome new members/occasional singers. Except during the summer months, they sing 3 Sundays per month.
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. Daisy and Neva Nickel will be angels for September.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Clark anniversary 09/01/90
Anne Riggs 09/06
Joan Holverson 09/07
Marcie Watson 09/07
Norma Woodward 09/07
Donna Jamieson 09/09
Pastor Jill Sanders 09/09
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Directory Update
We have decided it has been a long time since our last photo directory. We will start taking photos this Sunday if you are ready, however, our main push will be during September. Connections will help schedule any additional photos after September 24, including committee pictures. If your contact information has recently changed, please let the office know. We expect the new picture directory will come out in October.
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.
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.
