Second Sunday in Advent December 8, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Laura Harding
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
Moment for Mission Sam Anderson
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
Choral Introit A Little child will come to us, Price and Besig
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: In a world that is lonely,
Many: we will save a seat for you.
One: In a world that is anxious,
Many: we will light candles against the gloom.
One: In a world that is weary,
Many: we will sing songs of joy and truth.
One: I am not alone.
Many: We are not alone.
One: For here in this place, God is weaving us together.
Many: Light the candles! Sing with joy! We are a three-cord strand, not easily broken.
*HYMN Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Black, # 122
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Shelly Karnis & Sara Robinson
CALL TO CONFESSION Lee
Family of faith, one of the beautiful things about the prayer of confession is it is often a prayer we say together. There are times when we close our eyes, bow our heads, and exchange private words with our Creator. But there are other times when praying out loud as a community allows us to right our relationship with God and with one another as well.
This is one of those moments. So as a community, please join me in our call and response prayer of confession. Join me in speaking the truth of our lives. Join me in practicing grace.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION & WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Lee
One: I have tried to make my own way.
I have tried to lace my own shoes, to build my own house, to kindle my own faith.
I have said a thousand times, “turn back,” as if I am fine on my own.
But the days are long and I am forgetful. I need your help. Can you remind me?
Many: We will remind you of this everlasting truth:
You are not alone.
Where you go, God goes.
You are held in grace.
Trust in this good news.
One: Thanks be to God! I remember. I believe.
Many: Now we need your help. We, too, have tried to make our own way. We have tried to lace our own shoes, to build our own houses, to kindle our own faiths. We have said a thousand times, “turn back,” as if we are fine on our own.
But the days are long and we are forgetful.
We need your help. Can you remind us?
One: I will remind you of this everlasting truth:
You are not alone.
Where you go, God goes.
You are held in grace.
Trust in this good news.
Many: Thanks be to God! We remember. We believe.
Alleluia! 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 Lee
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Anthem In the Bleak Midwinter, Holst, Ellingboe
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Ruth 1:1-18 Lee
1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons.
2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.
3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food.
7 So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah.
8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
9 The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. 10 They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.”
11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?
12 Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons,
13 would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.”
14 Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 So she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”
16 But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you, to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God.
17 Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!”
18 When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
Reading from the Gospel Luke 1:39-45
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Hymn OF PREPARATION To Be Known (to the tune of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” Music and Lyrics from A Sanctified Art
SERMON “We Can’t Go Alone” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Laura Harding
WE RESPOND TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith (unison)
We believe in a with-us God:
a God who walks with us in the valley,
dances with us on the mountaintop,
sings with us through the night
and rejoices in the morning.
We believe that this with-us God
wired us for relationship,
saying to creation on the very first week,
“Humans should not be alone.”
Therefore, in an effort to be who God called us to be,
we strive to live like the Trinity—
connected, united, and centered.
We believe in the power of community.
We commit to learning each other’s names.
We choose to journey with each other,
like Ruth with Naomi.
And we remember that no one can go through life alone.
Thanks be to God, for lighting our way.
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 Blessed Be the Tie that Binds, blk, #393
Choral Benediction A Little child will come to us, Price and Besig
*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 Laura Harding
| Today’s Call to Worship, Prayers, The Affirmation of Faith and the hymn To Be Known are from A Sanctified Art, Words for a New 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 8, 2024
Sunday Dec 8,KXRA Radio Sunday
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Dec 9
10-11: “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
7 p UCC @ Good Shepherd
Tuesday Dec 10
9 a Friendly Service
12-4 Elder network
Wednesday Dec 11
9:00 Connections, Coffee Pot
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday Dec 12
9:00 Walking group@Church
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike and Pint
Friday Dec 13
6 pm Lakes Area Pride Holigay event
Sunday Dec 15 FROG Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship/FROG Program
KXRA radio sponsor
We extend a warm welcome and greetingto our KXRA listeners this morning. Our service is re-broadcast each 2nd Sunday of the month at 11:00 am. Today’s broadcast is sponsored by Dorothy Shinn in loving memory of Darwin.
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.
Friendly Service
Tuesday, December 10th at 9 a.m. We will have our annual Christmas potluck. Please bring your favorite dish to share with the group. We will eat lunch around 11:30. Hope to see you there. We will assemble our usual quilts. Everyone is welcome
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsal at 5:15 on Wednesday December 11.
Lakes Area Pride Holigay event
This is a community event that we have shared our space with for this annual holiday party. All are welcome to attend. Dec 13, 6 pm.
FROG Sunday
Next Sunday is FROG Sunday and all youth are invited to share a talent
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!
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
Mary Jo Hochsprung 12/16
Patty Puyear 12/16
Carol Zavadil 12/18
Haaven anniversary 12/20
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
