PRELUDE MUSIC Margaret Kalina
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
CHORAL INTROIT “Were you there on Christmas Eve?”
*CALL TO WORSHIP Marcie Watson
ONE: Please rise in body and/or spirit and join me in the Call to Worship and remain standing through the Opening Hymn
One: How does a weary world rejoice?
Many: We sing songs of hope. We allow hope to change us, to strengthen us. We tell the stories of what could be. We listen for God’s word. We resist the temptation to give up or give in. We remember Mary’s song. We gather for worship. We hope. We hope. Against all odds, we hope.
One: Friends, this is the day that the Lord is still making. Let us worship holy God.
*OPENING HYMN “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” Red #132 v. 1, 2 & 4
One: Please be seated
CANDLELIGHTING LITURGY Bruce and Bonnie Bina
A: How does a weary world practice love?
B: By sending cards, and picking up the phone. By practicing empathy, and assuming the best in others. By learning people’s stories, and finding common ground. By advocating for justice, and saving a place at the table.
A: There are a million ways to practice love. So today we light the candle of love as a reminder and a charge. With God’s help, may we bring love into a weary world. Amen.
RESPONSE TO CANDLELIGHTING Bridge over Troubled Water
When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I’ll dry them all
I’m on your side
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
*CALL TO CONFESSION Marcie
One: Please stand in body or spirit.
One: Family of faith, we all know that a small group of convicted people can change the world. That’s how it’s always been. People like Mary, people like Zechariah, people like John the Baptist. And yet, we rarely feel like we can be one of those people. We downplay our ability to make a difference. We choose pessimism over optimism. We sweep hope under the rug for the sake of realism. We forget the words to Mary’s song. Fortunately for us, our God carries enough hope and grace for all of us. So let us go to God in prayer. Let us speak the truth of our lives, and let that honesty change us. Friends, let us pray:
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Marcie
More days than not, hope feels like the rain. We try to hold onto it with cupped hands, but eventually, it slips right on through. Forgive us for holding hope so loosely. Forgive us for allowing the realities of today to define tomorrow. We know that this world needs people of hope, so today we pray: turn us into those people. Teach us how to sing Mary’s song of hope for the world. With open hearts we pray, amen.
WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Marcie
One: Body of Christ, no matter how many times we let hope slip through our fingers, we still belong to God.
So hear and repeat these words after me: I am God’s beloved.
Many: I am God’s beloved.
One: I am forgiven.
Many: I am forgiven.
One: I am blessed and sent to serve.
Many: I am blessed and sent to serve.
One: This is the good news of the Gospel. This is a hope we can hang our hats on. Thanks be to God for God’s unending love. Amen. *GLORIA Angels We have heard on High, Gloria
Glo——–ria, in excelsis Deo!
Glo——–ria, in excelsis Deo!
*PASSING THE PEACE
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
One: Please be seated (after a moment)
CHOIR ANTHEM Bells are Ringing
Music Ministry by THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pamela Schauff, Andrew Fleming, Lily and Skylar Johnson
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Luke 1:46-55 Pastor Jill
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” W&R 221 vs 1-2
SERMON How Does A Weary World Rejoice?
We Sing Stories of Hope Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC for REFLECTION Sweet was the Song
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, SILENT PRAYER, Pastoral Prayer
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR (ecumenical version)
Our Father 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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
OFFERTORY MUSIC Sing Softly of Him
*DOXOLOGY DIVINUM MYSTERIUM
Christ to thee with God the Savior,
And O Holy Ghost, to thee.
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion and eternal victory.
Evermore and evermore.
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN Hark the Herald Angels Sing Red 120
*BENEDICTION Pastor Jill
Family of faith, as you leave this place, you go into a weary world— so speak tenderly. Do the good that is yours to do. Choose connection. Hold onto hope. And remember that Christ took on flesh for you. You are God’s beloved. So go rejoicing. The world needs it. Amen.
*CHORAL BENEDICTION A Child of Hope
POSTLUDE MUSIC Margaret Kalina
The Hymn “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” is published in Worship & Rejoice reprinted and used with permission under OneLicense: A-715438. All rights reserved. Today’s Liturgy is written by Rev. Sarah Speed for A Sanctified Art for the sermon series How Does A Weary World Rejoice?.
The choir is singing the following songs:
Sleeth, Natalie Were you there on that Christmas Eve? Hope Publishing Co, 1976
Althouse, Jay. Sweet was the Song, Carl Fischer, 1987
Ehret, Walter, The Bells are ringing on Christmas Eve. Carl Fischer 1988
Powell, Robert, Sing Softly of Him, Carl Fischer, 1979
Smith,Lani, Child of Hope.
1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 The Lorenz Corporation
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
Used with permission under CCLI License # 21982012 or One License A-715438
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 beginning in January.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY December 17, 2023
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday December 17, 4th Sunday in Advent
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person & online, FROG and Choir program
11:00 Lunch provided by FROG
After lunch, Christmas goodie and lefse making with FROG
Monday Dec 18
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
7 pm Dartball UCC@bye
Tuesday Dec. 19
11:30 Lunch Bunch @ Grand Arbor
Wednesday Dec 20
5:30 Blue Christmas service
Thursday Dec. 21
9:00 Second Lefse making opportunity
9:00 Walk @church
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike & Pint
Friday December 22
Newsletter items due
Sunday December 24, Christmas Eve
No morning Worship
4:30 Carols and Lessons and Candlelight service
Monday December 25
11-1 pm Christmas Dinner
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 software provider, Churchtrac.
FROG Power Sunday
FROG will be providing lunch after church today. After lunch, FROG power will be making lefse and Christmas cookies for our Christmas dinner. All generations are invited to join us as we make these goodies
Thank you
We are celebrating Evelyn’s last day with the choir during the FROG Lunch. Enjoy a piece of cake.
Men’s Dartball
Contact Clayton for more information.
Christmas Dinner
“Don’t spend Christmas alone” Join us on Christmas Day for our annual Christmas Day Dinner. Served on Monday December 25th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sign-up at the back of the church to help serve the dinner. We need drivers, people to help out in the office next week answering phones. Be sure to sign up if you are able to do any job.
Additional Lefse making day is Thursday Dec 21 at 9 am.
If you make lefse or Christmas cookies on your own, please consider donating some for the dinner. The lefse can be small rounds. All donated lefse or Christmas cookies can be put in the large freezer in the Fellowship Hall. Please take posters to put up at places you frequent or live. Thanks for your help.
Tree of Lights
Our Good Samaritan Fund is this year’s Tree of Lights mission. We use the Good Samaritan Fund to help people who have immediate needs for groceries or gas cards and occasionally a hotel room. We typically work with one or more agencies to meet these needs. Or have provided additional relief after another benefit had been exhausted. We have lit an additional 32 lights this week, one as a thank you for Evelyn for a total of 78 lights.
Book Exchange
Any money donated for the books in the Plymouth Room will be given to the Tree of Lights/Good Samaritan Fund.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for December. If you are able to greet, usher, or read, help serve coffee or clean up after Fellowship, please sign up there.
Child Care Needed:
Beginning in January, Kayla and Ray Noble will be leading music on the first Sunday each month–as well as fifth Sundays as they arise. They have two little ones who will need shepherding during worship when their parents are leading. They can sit with you in the sanctuary or spend time playing in the nursery with your companionship. Ideally, if the nursery is used, we would like to have two adults providing care. If you are willing to volunteer for one of these first Sundays, please contact the church office or Pastor Jill. The first date needed is January 7.
Angel Express and Angel Care Team
Volunteers are needed to cover additional months. Please contact the church office or Daisy 320-763-9461. The Angels for the month of December are Daisy and Sandy Grove (320) 491-2441.
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.
News from the Library:
Please stop in and check out the Christmas books in the library.
Blue Christmas Service
Dec 20 5:30pm. Do you doubt that this is the most wonderful time of the year? Are life’s changes robbing you of joy? If so—or if you want to support with your presence those who feel this way. Join us in the Guild Room at the back of the sanctuary. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve Service
There will be no morning service on Christmas Eve. Join us for our 4:30 service of Lessons, Carols, and Candlelight.
After the service, enjoy our hot chocolate bar offered by Marcie Watson and Pastor Jill. If you have plans, you may take your hot chocolate to go. If you have no plans for the evening, feel free to stay around to enjoy fellowship and bask in the beauty of our sanctuary on Christmas Eve.
