First Sunday after Christmas December 29, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
PRELUDE Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee The Worship Band
Light of the World
Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Jane Harstad
*CALL TO WORSHIP (from John 1:1-5, 9, 14) Jane
One: Please stand in body or spirit and join me in the Call to worship and remain standing until the Passing the Peace
One: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Many: He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him.
One: In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
Many: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
One: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
All: And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
*GATHERING SONG O Come All Ye Faithful
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:8-20
8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”,
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS O Holy Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
A CHRISTMAS READING Lee Becker
CHRISTMAS CAROLS Mary, Did You Know?
What Child Is This?
A CHRISTMAS READING Judy Rose
CHRISTMAS CAROLS It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Away in a Manger
A CHRISTMAS READING Lee Becker
SPECIAL MUSIC A Christmas Song for All Year Round, Randy Stonehill Bruce & Bonnie Bina
A CHRISTMAS READING Reed Becker
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS Jane Harstad
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.
PRAYER SONG Silent Night
INVITATION TO GIVE
OFFERING SONG We Three Kings
PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (v. 1)
*CLOSING CAROL Go Tell It on the Mountain
*BLESSING The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman Jane
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among the people.
To make music in the heart.
Go in peace—to do the work of Christmas! Amen.
*Postlude Go Tell It on the Mountain
| 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 29, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday Dec 29, Fifth Sunday Music
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Dec 30
No Caffeinated Christianity
7:00 UCC @ Villard
Wednesday Jan 1
Office closed
Sunday Jan 5, First Sunday Music
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:00 Quilts/Taking down the greens
Quilts
If you brought a quilt to share—and are willing to leave it for one more week, we’d like to have a time for sharing their stories with those who are interested, next Sunday, January 5 after worship.
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. She is on vacation this week.
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.
Choir Rehearsal
No rehearsal this week.
Next Sunday
Please plan to stay for awhile after worship to put away our beautiful Christmas decorations until Advent 2025. Many hands make light work—and we will be out of here in no time!
Christmas Dinner Thank you
Thank you to Ron Branch for coordinating our efforts for our Christmas Day Community Dinner and to ALL who helped in any way to make it happen. This is a huge undertaking–and our efforts are so appreciated by those who come. Well done, good and faithful servants.
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.
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.
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. We have lit 60 lights so far.
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.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Nina Clark 01/06
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, January 19, 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 2023 will be reviewed; and then the Budget for 2025 will be presented as recommended by our Board of Administration. An opportunity will be given for comments and questions before the new 2025 Budget will be approved by vote of the congregation. Please plan to attend this important annual meeting. Thank you for participating!
Please Keep Sue Pommerenke in Your Prayers
Sue Pommerenke recently had a fall and could use some extra prayers and encouragement. To send a card:
Sue Pommerenke, The Glenview, Pelican Bay, 100 Glenview Pl, Naples, FL 34108
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.
