Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, August 4, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Nobles and the Worship Band
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
GATHERING MUSIC The River Is Here
PASSING THE PEACE
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH WORD AND SACRAMENT
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
This Little Light of Mine
Scripture Reading: Choral Reading Isaiah 35:1-6, Revelation 22: 1-7, John 7: 38-39
Isaiah 35:1-6
(1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad
The desert shall rejoice and blossom
Like the crocus (2)it shall blossom abundantly
And rejoice with joy and singing
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it
The majesty of Car’mel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord the majesty of our God
(3) Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees
(4) Say to those who are of a fearful heart
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is you God
He will come with vengeance with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
(5) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped
(6) then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongue of the speechless sing for you.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert;
Revelation 22:1-7
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb (2) through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for healing of the nations. (3) Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; (4) they will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads(5)And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.(6) And he said to me “These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord and the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what soon take place.”
7 “See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
John 7: 38-39
(38) and let the one who believes in drink. As the scripture has said “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water, (39) Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified
SONG OF PREPARATION God of Wonders
SERMON Everything Will Live Where the River Goes
Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
Prayer
Consecration
Receiving the Bread and the Cup
As the bread and cup are passed, please join in singing
Oceans & Down to the River to Pray
Prayer of Thanksgiving following Communion (Unison)
God, we give you thanks for this holy meal in which you
have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the
world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for
others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
OFFERTORY MUSIC Shall We Gather at the River
*DOXOLOOGY We are the offering
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN I’ve Got Peace Like a River
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
POSTLUDE MUSIC I’ve Got Peace Like a River
| 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 August 4, 2024
Sunday August 4
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Inspiring voices discussion group
Monday August 5
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity at Dunn Bros this week.
Wednesday August 7
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday August 8,
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday Aug 11, KXRA Radio Sunday
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 KXRA Radio broadcast
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Inspiring voices discussion group
Communion
All are welcome at God’s table. We celebrate open communion (everyone invited), and for today’s Communion, we will pass the sacraments for all to receive it. The cup contains unfermented grape juice so all can partake.
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 a giving account online using our provider, Churchtrac.
The Good Samaritan Fund
We have given a lot of gas cards, grocery cards and a few one- or two-night stays in hotels since we collected for the Good Samaritan fund last. The ability to provide these gifts to people in need is an important part of our extravagant welcome mission. We are currently in need of donations to this fund.
Voices of Inspiration Discussion Group
After church today, 11;30 am-12:30 pm. and every Sunday after for the foreseeable future. Many are feeling some distress about the upcoming election and the issues that face us as a nation. A small group from our congregation has decided to gather for VOICES OF INSPIRATION. This will offer an opportunity to hear voices from history as well as contemporary voices that offer guidance to light our way in these troubling times. After a short reading is shared, there will be 20 minutes of silence/meditation/contemplation, and then 20 minutes of discussion. ALL are invited–including members of the larger community. No advance preparation is necessary—and it’s possible to drop in anytime. We’ll start in the Cambridge Room and move to a bigger space, if necessary.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir will meet at 5:15 p Wed July 7.
Mission Committee
The church mission committee is once again making extra produce available to members and friends. If you have extra produce from your garden, you may bring it in to the church on Sunday for others to enjoy. There will be a basket for donations. All the money collected will go towards covering food costs to provide lunch for 30 plus HFH volunteers on September 19th. Thank you to all
Upcoming August Birthdays and Anniversaries
Sue Pommerenke 08/05
Jonathan Carlson, Jr. 08/08
Micki Schneider 08/08
Bina Anniversary 08/08/1980
Gralow Anniversary 08/10/69
Nancy Hansen 08/17
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us
Outdoor Projects
If you have specific ideas or suggestions for outdoor landscaping of the south yard/West yard that is not part of the Eagle Scout project, please contact the office either via email or phone or in person with proposals that will be brought to the Board of Administration. If you have a budget or other similar items, please include that with your ideas.
Later in August
Spirit on Screen
August 14 6:00 pm The Apartment. Join us for this oldie and we follow Jack Lemmon as Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he’s left with a major problem to solve.
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.
