Third Sunday in Advent December 15, 2024
*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 Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP Marcie Watson
One: “Teacher,” the crowd asked, “What should we do?”
Many: If you have two shirts, give one away.
Hold onto hope.
Live like we belong to one another.
Speak the truth.
Look for God.
Do the good that is yours to do.
One: It’s all that easy, and it’s all that hard.
Many: Let us worship our present and active God.
*HYMN O How Shall I receive You Black, # 102 v 1-3
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Cathy Johnson & Dorothy Shinn
A: In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again? Where do we start?
B: Let us start small. Let us begin with what is right in front of us. Let us do the good that is ours to do, and let us do it with joy!
A: Yes, let us begin with joy.
B: Today we light the candles of hope, peace, and joy. May these lights remind us of what could be. May these lights inspire action. May the warmth of these lights fill us with joy.
A: May it be so! Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION Marcie
Friends, there are times when the weight of the world can feel so heavy on us. Fortunately, when we come before God in confession, God removes that weight. God sees our shame, our guilt, our sin, and offers us grace. So join me in the prayer of confession. Come and allow yourself to be freed. Come and allow yourself to begin again. Let us pray:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) Marcie
Liberating God,
There are days when the world can feel like it’s crumbling.
There are days when I doubt that I can make a difference.
I ask myself,
What could these two hands do?
What could this one voice say?
Shake me free of my own paralysis and self-doubt.
Remind me that I am not called to fix everything.
I am simply called to do the good that is mine to do.
With hope in my heart and a fire in my bones, I pray. Amen.
WORDS OF FORGIVENESS: Marcie
One: Friends, no matter how many times we lose momentum, doubt our own ability, or tell ourselves that the problems of the world are simply too big, God sees what we cannot. God calls us by name, surrounds us in grace, and invites us to begin again. Trusting in this good news, join me in proclaiming these words of forgiveness:
Many We are loved. We are forgiven. We are invited to do the good that is ours to do. Thanks be to God for this new beginning. Amen.
One: Please stand for the Gloria and the passing of the peace.
*THE GLORIA Blk #125, Refrain
Gloria, in excelsis Deo,
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE Marcie
GOD SPEAKS TO US
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS FROM FROG POWER
Clarinet solo Skylar Johnson
Christmas reading Lillyana Johnson
Reading from the Hebrew Bible Isaiah 58:9b–12 Marcie
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.” If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail.
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 3:7–16 Pastor Jill
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?”
11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.”
14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”
15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,,
16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
HYMN OF PREPARATION Awake, Awake to Love and Work Blk, 89, vs 1-3
SERMON “Do the Good that is Yours to Do” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
HYMN OF REFLECTION Do the Good that is yours to do, in bulletin and on screen, @Sanctified Arts
WE RESPOND TO GOD
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (unison)
In the Spirit of Jesus Christ, we say:
Do not be discouraged by the weight of the world.
Instead, hold fast to hope.
Roll up your sleeves.
Feed the hungry.
Tend the garden.
If you have two coats, give one away.
Do the good that is yours to do.
In doing so, you will see God.
For this we believe: small acts of love can make a difference. Amen.
Moment for Mission Sam Anderson
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & 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
*DOXOLOGY Traditional words sung to “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above you heavenly host;
Praise Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN On Christmas Night, All Christians Sing Worship & Rejoice, 222, verses 1-3 (Brad play the song through once as introduction)
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
As you leave this place,
may you have the wisdom to lean on one other.
May you have the courage to hold onto hope,
the compassion to do the good that is yours to do,
and the confidence to trust that God sees you as a blessing.
For in a world full of dead ends,
Advent invites us to begin again.
So start here.
Start now.
Start with love and begin again.
In the name of Christ,
our new beginning,
go in peace.
POSTLUDE Brad Lambrecht
Today’s Call to Worship, Prayers, The Affirmation of Faith and hymn are from A Sanctified Art, Words for the Beginning, Advent Series, 2024.
| 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 December 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, FROG Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship/FROG Program
Monday Dec 16
10-11: “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
7 :00 UCC @ St. John’s
Tuesday Dec 17
11:30 Lunch bunch
5:00 Board of Adminstration
5:30 Council
Thursday Dec 19
9:00 Walking group@Church
9:30 Morning circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour@ Pike and Pint
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Sunday Dec 22
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
4:30 Blue Christmas service
FROG Sunday
Today is FROG Sunday and all youth are invited to share a talent and the whole congregation is invited for lunch and crafts after the service.
Sundays in Advent
Please bring a favorite quilt or family quilt to church for the Advent season. We will find a time to share stories about the quilts we bring!
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.
Bulletin board
There is a fresh bulletin board across from Cambridge Room that is inviting you to contribute photos, card fronts, or poems that say “this is beauty for all seasons”. These items to share, about 4×6, can be placed in Barb Brown’s mailbox. They will be changed out as we receive more examples. If you want your item returned please let me know. Looking forward to seeing your ideas of beauty.
Dart ball
If you are interested in playing with our Men’s Dartball League, please contact Clayton Mielke.
Lunch Bunch
Our next luncheon is on Tuesday, Dec 17 at 11:30 a.m. We will meet at the Grand Arbor’s Pioneer Grill. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Morning Circle
We will meet Dec 19 at 9:30 am in the Cambridge Rm. All are welcome. We serve coffee and a treat and have a devotional/video.
Tuesday is Meeting Day
The Board of Administration and the Church Council will meet on Tuesday. If you have an agenda item, please contact the office or Clayton Mielke or Jane Harstad.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsal at 5:15 on Thursday Dec 19.
Blue Christmas
Sometimes we just cannot get into the Christmas spirit. This may be because of grief and loss, depression, illness, or any other reason that the season feels like it is not the most wonderful time of the year. We gather in a quiet service to sing and pray and remember God’s promises to us in the midst of life’s challenges. If you are looking for a space and a place to remember the true meaning of Christmas—that God comes to be with us—please join us. And if you wish to be present for those who are struggling in this season, please join us as well!
Christmas Eve
We will gather at 4:30 p.m. to hear the Christmas story, sing familiar Christmas carols, light candles and share the light with one another. Please join us for a Hot Chocolate Bar immediately following worship!
Multiple Volunteer Opportunities
Worship Service volunteers. 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.
Christmas dinner volunteers needed. Look for more information soon.
As always, your time and talents are always appreciated and as we approach Advent we have many opportunities available for you.
Tree of Lights
This year’s Tree of Lights recipient is the Teen and Adult Challenge center that just opened in Alexandria. For every $25, we will light one light on the tree in our sanctuary.
Christmas Fund
Each year the United Church of Christ has a special offering for retired ministers and lay staff. Please consider donating today to ensure more healers receive the loving support of the Church in their moment of deepest need. The Christmas Fund was here for them. Thanks to your generosity, last year the Christmas Fund provided over $1.9 million in pension and health benefits, emergency grants, and thank-you checks to retired church servants and their families.
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.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Desi Silva 12/25
John Etnier 12/25
Kristi Mische Waschull 12/25
Bill Riggs 12/27
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
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.
