Second Sunday in Advent , KXRA Sunday, December 3, 2023 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
CHORAL INTROIT
*CALL TO WORSHIP Marcie Watson
One: Family of faith, one of the greatest joys of worship is that it is not a solo act. We gather together. We find joy, and God, in the act of connection. So as we begin our worship, I invite you to turn and face someone you are close to so that you can see one another. (Pause as people get in position.) Now repeat these phrases after me:
One: Welcome to worship.
Many: Welcome to worship.
One: I am glad you’re here.
Many: I am glad you’re here.
One: Surely God is in this space.
Many: Surely God is in this space.
One: I see God in your face.
Many: I see God in your face.
One: Let us worship together.
Many: Let us worship together.
*OPENING HYMN “We are Advent People” tune: Blk 245
We are an advent people
who hope and wait and pray
though God in Christ is with us,
yet still we seek a day.
When justice reigns with mercy
and peaceful-love sustains
all peoples, lands and creatures
in God’s true holy way.
Last Verse
Our eyes are fixed on Bethlehem
but what of now, today?
If God is in our waiting,
is love in what we say?
Are we just simply watching?
Or do we earnest pray?
For Christ is birthed within us,
not just on Christmas Day.
One: Please be seated
CANDLELIGHTING LITURGY Sue Schneider & Micki Schneider
A: How does a weary world practice peace?
B: By listening before we speak and saying sorry when we need to. By advocating for justice and caring for our neighbor. By practicing Sabbath and forgiving seventy times seven. By choosing grace over hate and opening the door for each other.
A: There are a million ways to practice peace. So today we light the candle of peace as a reminder and a charge. With God’s help, may we bring peace into a weary world. Amen.
RESPONSE TO CANDLELIGHTING Bridge over Troubled Water
*CALL TO CONFESSION Marcie
One: Family of faith, one of the ways we find joy in a weary world is through connection. The prayer of confession is a place of connection with God. In the prayer of confession we get to come before God with our full, messy, honest selves. And in the midst of that mess, God tells us that we are loved, claimed, and forgiven. There is no greater joy than that. So join me in the prayer of confession, not because you have to, but because you can. Let us connect with our merciful God.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (responsive) Marcie
Many: We move through this world waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for life to fall apart, waiting for our humanity to get the best of us.
One: Instead of leaning into joy, we lean into scarcity.
Many: We lean into fear. We lean into isolation.
One: Forgive us for forgetting that joy is amplified when shared.
Many: Heal the wounds we have from past hurts, and teach us how to throw open our doors like Elizabeth. Show us how to find joy in connection. Amen
WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Marcie
Faith family, I imagine that when we come before God with the truth of our lives, God meets us like Elizabeth meets Mary in our scripture today. The door is thrown open. There is laughter. There is joy. There is embracing—and it is holy. So trust this; believe this: You are claimed. You are loved. You are forgiven. And you are sent to serve. Find joy in that. 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.
CHOIR ANTHEM In the Bleak Midwinter Gustav Holst, Ellingboe, arr.
THE READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 40:1-11 Marcie
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Luke 1:24-45 Pastor Jill
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Keep Awake, Always Be Ready” Blk 112 vs1-2
SERMON How Does A Weary World Rejoice?
We Find Joy in Connection Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC for REFLECTION Jane Herth
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe that joy is a sacred gift, existing on a plane deeper than happiness, stemming from the truth that we belong to God.
We believe that joy is not meant for isolation. Joy is meant to be shared, weaving us together in laughter and in hope.
And when joy feels impossibly out of reach, we believe that part of being sacred community is leaning on one another.
So together we say: I will share my joy when yours runs out. You will share your joy when mine runs out. And in doing so, we will both see God. Amen.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, SILENT 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
*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 “I Can Celebrate You” “In the Bleak Midwinter”
*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
POSTLUDE MUSIC Jane Herth
Liturgy for today is written by Rev. Sarah Speed for a Sanctified Art. Music Reflection slide is “Two Mothers” by Nicolette Peñaranda
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 first Sunday of the month.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY December 3, 2023
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday December 3, 2nd Sunday in Advent, KXRA
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person & online
11:30 Freeing Jesus
Monday Dec 4
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
7 pm Dartball UCC@Zion2
Tuesday Dec 5
Office closed
Wednesday Dec 6
9-1 Office open alternate hours
4:30 Choir rehearsal
Thursday Dec 7
Office open regular hours
9:00 Walking group @Church
2:00 Women’s Fellowship Christmas Tea and Carolers
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike & Pint
Sunday December 10, 3rd Sunday in Advent, Communion
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person & online
KXRA radio sponsor
We extend a warm welcome and greetingto our KXRA listeners this morning. Our service is re-broadcast each 1st Sunday of the month at 11:00 am. Today’s broadcast is sponsored by Dorothy Shinn in loving memory of Darwin.
Beginning next month our KXRA radio Sunday will be the second Sunday of the month.
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.
Office hours
The office will be closed on Tuesday, except for Jill’s office hours. Wednesday it will be open 9-1 pm. On Thursday, the office will be open 10-2 pm our regular hours.
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.
Freeing Jesus — Book Discussion Group
Meets at 11:30 today. Last session.
Women’s Fellowship Christmas Tea
will be held on Thursday, December 7th, at 2 p.m. If you have made Christmas Cookies, please share them with our women. You can bring them and put them in the kitchen downstairs. Any leftovers will be saved for the Christmas Dinner. Thank you.
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. If you make lefse or Christmas cookies, 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 11 lights lit so far.
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
Diane Severson 12/14
Mary Jo Hochsprung 12/16
Patty Puyear 12/16
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.
