First Sunday after Christmas December 28, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Bruce Bina
CALL TO WORSHIP Judy Rose
Eddi, priest of St. Wilfrid
In his chapel at Manhood End,
Ordered a midnight service
For such as cared to attend.
But the Saxons were keeping Christmas,
And the night was stormy as well.
Nobody came to service,
Though Eddi rang the bell.
“‘Wicked weather for walking,”
Said Eddi of Manhood End.
“But I must go on with the service
For such as care to attend.”
The altar-lamps were lighted, —
An old marsh-donkey came,
Bold as a guest invited,
And stared at the guttering flame.
The storm beat on at the windows,
The water splashed on the floor,
And a wet, yoke-weary bullock
Pushed in through the open door.
“How do I know what is greatest,
How do I know what is least?
That is My Father’s business,”
Said Eddi, Wilfrid’s priest.
“But — three are gathered together —
Listen to me and attend.
I bring good news, my brethren!”
Said Eddi of Manhood End.
And he told the Ox of a Manger
And a Stall in Bethlehem,
And he spoke to the Ass of a Rider,
That rode to Jerusalem.
They steamed and dripped in the chancel,
They listened and never stirred,
While, just as though they were Bishops,
Eddi preached them The World,
Till the gale blew off on the marshes
And the windows showed the day,
And the Ox and the Ass together
Wheeled and clattered away.
And when the Saxons mocked him,
Said Eddi of Manhood End,
“I dare not shut His chapel
On such as care to attend.”
CHRISTMAS CAROLS chosen by the Congregation
THE GOSPEL READING Matthew 2:13-23 Bonnie Bina
The Escape to Egypt 13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
The Massacre of the Infants 16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was infuriated, and Herod sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi.
17 Then what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
The Return from Egypt 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said,
20 “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
22 But when Joseph heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, Joseph went away to the district of Galilee.
23 There Joseph made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.”,
CHRISTMAS CAROLS chosen by the Congregation
A READING It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Linda Capistrant
CHRISTMAS CAROLS chosen by the Congregation
CONFESSION by Walt Whitman Lee Becker
One
I think I could turn and live with animals,
they are so placid and self-contain’d,
I stand and look at them long and long.
They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,
Many
Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with
the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that
lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth
So they show their relations to me and I accept them!
CHRISTMAS CAROLS chosen by the Congregation
ON BEING “GOD BEARERS” visio divina Julie McCarty
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, Bruce
INVITATION TO GIVE & OFFERING OUR GIFTS PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY In the Bleak Midwinter Blk 128 verse 4
What Can I offer, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise one, I would do my part;
But what I can I offer: all of my heart
*PRAYER OF Gratitude from the Psalm of the Day 148:5-13 Lee
One: Let them all praise the name of the Lord,
for he spoke their name and they were created
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you water-spouts and ocean depths;
fire and hail, snow and ice,’
gales of wind obeying his voice;
Many: Let all praise the name of the Lord:
One: all mountains and
fruit-trees and all cedars;
wild beasts and cattle,
created things and winged birds;
kings and all earthly rulers,
old and young together
All: Let all praise the name of the Lord!
CHRISTMAS CAROLS chosen by the Congregation
BENEDICTION Mark 1:9-13, NRSV Judy Rose
The Baptism of Jesus
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
The Temptation of Jesus
12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
POSTLUDE Diane Alveshere
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY Dec 28, 2025
Sunday Dec 28
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Dec 29
Office open 10-11:30
2-7 Voice lessons
Tuesday Dec Dec 30
2-7 Voice lessons
Wednesday Dec 31
Joy working remotely, office closed
Thursday Jan 1
Office closed
Friday, Jan 2
10-11:30 Office open
Next Sunday January 4
10:00 Worship in person and online, First Sunday Music
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Acts Book of the Bible
Thank you!
Thanks to all who helped in any way with the Christmas Dinner! A special word of gratitude to Ron and Ann Branch for planning, organizing, and coordinating our efforts! The meal was a blessing to many in our community—and we were blessed to be able to provide it!
PASTOR JILL is on Vacation
Pastor Jill is on vacation this week—and will return next Sunday, January 4. If emergencies arise in her absence, please contact the Rev. Marc Blakesley (612)-325-1467.
Caffeinated Christianity will not meet
Caffeinated Christianity will not meet Dec 22 or 29. It will resume on January 5.
Small Group Parent and Caring Adult Education
The Faith Formation Groups will be meeting in the building for the first time on Oct 29 beginning at 5:30. You are welcome to attend these groups. They will not meet on New Year’s Eve.
Choir rehearsal
The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 5:15 pm and at 9 am each Sunday they sing. They are on hiatus this week and will not rehearse on Dec 31. You are more than welcome to come to a rehearsal and sing with the choir.
Next Sunday, Acts Book of the Bible discussion group
Join us in our second installment of reading a book of the Bible study. Sunday Jan 4 at 11:30 in the Cambridge Room. This book group encourages you to read a book of the bible as a whole to help place it in context. We will be discussing Acts.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL Fiscal MEETING
Sunday, January 11, after the service, please plan to stay after worship for the Annual All-Church Financial Meeting. This is an important all-Church meeting when the financial records of 2024 will be reviewed; and then the Budget for 2026 will be presented as recommended by our Board of Administration and Council. An opportunity will be given for comments and questions before the new 2026 Budget will be approved by vote of the congregation. Please plan to attend this important annual meeting. Thank you for participating!
Tree of Lights
The Tree of Lights gifts will go to Elder Network this year. We have had a long partnership with the Elder Network with their Coffee Break respite care. For every $25 donated, we will light one light each Sunday of Advent. Gifts in any amount welcomed. We have lit 94 lights so far.
Winter Weather Wear
If you have extra outerwear for winter that you don’t need, please bring it to church. It will be on display in the East Entry with a sign saying “Take what you need.” Examples could be new or gently used socks, gloves, scarves, hats and other warm things.
Christmas Fund
This is one of our 5 denomination wide offerings The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees.
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.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Nina Clark 01/06
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
FAVORITE HYMNS NEEDED Those who select hymns for our traditional services would like to hear suggestions favorite hymns. The list will then be used when possible as they choose hymns for us to sing that might fit into the theme for a Sunday. Please fill out the forms in your bulletin or email your choices to the church.
ALZHEIMER & DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Join us at the Public Works Dept. meeting room (526 Willow Dr) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 3-4:30. Please contact the facilitator Stephanie Aasness at 320-766-1856, to learn more.
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.
