Seventh Sunday after Epiphany* February 23, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
INTROIT Sing! Rejoice Together!, Doran, arr. Butler
CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: Please stand in body or spirit until the Passing of the Peace
One: Creator God, you are a stream of living water; we are trees planted nearby, rooted in your deep, flowing love.
Many: We drink from your blessing; we grow in your grace.
One: By the gentle presence of Christ with us we avoid the ways selfishness and cynicism, even when they are all around us.
Many: We fill ourselves with your Word, and we delight in your ways; rooted in your Creation, we flourish in your love.
One: All of our evil perishes in your grace. It becomes like dry leaves, blown away in the wind of your Spirit.
Many: In closeness with you, we bear the fruit of love for the healing of the world. Flow in us, God of life, and once again transform us by your grace. Amen.
*GATHERING HYMN. God is here, as we your people meet, Blk 70 vs 1,3,4
*UNISON PRAYER Betty
Vulnerable God, you challenge the powers that rule this world through the needy, the compassionate, and those who are filled with longing.
Make us hunger and thirst to see right prevail, and single-minded in seeking peace; that we may see your face and be satisfied in you.
*ACT OF PRAISE (GLORIA) Blk 8, v 4
Praise to the living God.
around, within, above,
beyond the grasp of human kind,
but whom we know as love,
in these tumultuous days,
so full of hope and strife,
may we bear witness to the Way,
O Source and Goal of life.
PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US
ANTHEM Let There Be Peace on Earth, Jackson & Miller arr by Brimhall
Reading from the Hebrew Bible Jeremiah 17:5-10 Betty
5 Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from God.
6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
9 The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? 10 I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 6:17-26 Pastor Jill
17 Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.
18 They had come to hear Jesus and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.
19 And everyone in the crowd was trying to touch Jesus, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
20 Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.
23 Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
HYMN OF PREPARATION Your Ways are not our own, Blk 170 Vs. 1,3-5
SERMON Upside Down Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
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 Old Hundredth, Vicki Kemper
Praise God whose light upon us shines,
Praise Word made flesh by Love’s design,
Praise Spirit who reveals the way,
To wise ones seeking to this day.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN. You call us lord, W&R 583 Vs. 1,3,4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
CHORAL BLESSING Reach Out Hughes, arr. Thygerson
POSTLUDE
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY February 23, 2025
Sunday February 23
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday February 24
10 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons with Heather Hjelle
5:15 Group Spiritual Direction, Cambridge Room
Tuesday February 25
8-4 VITA Tax prep
12-4 Elder network
6:00 Council Holiday party
Wednesday Feb 26
8-4 VITA Tax prep
5:15 Choir rehearsal
6:15 First Sunday rehearsal
Thursday Feb 27
9:00 Walking group @ Mall
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday March 2, First Sunday and Communion
10:00 Worship in person and online, Communion
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
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. She typically takes Fridays off.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 5:15 on Feb 26.
First Sunday Rehearsal
The Praise Band will rehearse at 6:15 on Feb 26.
Worship Service volunteers needed
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.
Bountiful Basket
February’s Bountiful Basket is for Love INC. The list of the recommended items is on the basket. We are also asking for donations of gently used, clean clothing for them. Please bring items to the office or on a Sunday.
Global Hope
To support the long-term recovery of those affected by the California Wildfires you can put a check in the offering plate, please put California Wildfire and Global Hope in the memo line, you can also give online at https://support.ucc.org/global-HOPE
Non-financial means of support is also welcome. Cards can be sent to :
SCNC UCC Conference Office
For the Altadena UCC
333 North Santa Anita
Suite 5
Arcadia, California, 91006
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Bonnie Bina 03/03
Barb Brown 03/04
Shirley Otto 03/04
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Bell Choir
Mary Jane Westra has volunteered to lead a bell (and maybe chime) choir for our church. She would like to have about 6 practices and at least two performances this spring when she returns from her travels, starting in March. She would like 10-12 participants, all of whom need to be able to read music. If you or anyone you know would like to join, please contact Katy Mohabir. Exactly times and dates will be announced later.
Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars by March 31st
Eligible Thrivent Financial members with available Choice Dollars have until March 31, 2025, to direct them. Don’t miss this opportunity to recommend that Thrivent Financial provide funding to your church! Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.
Tax Statements
Check your mailboxes for your 2024 Giving Statements. If you need additional copies, would prefer it as an electronic copy or if you need revisions let the office know.
VITA Tax Prep
We will again be hosting West Central Community Action’s VITA tax services on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Jan 29-April 15. If you would like to use their tax preparation services, please call 218-685-7004. Scheduling opens January 13.
Spiritual Direction Opportunity
Spiritual direction, a.k.a. spiritual companionship, is a way of paying attention to how God or the Divine is present and acting in your life. Julie McCarty is a trained and experienced spiritual listener who offers confidential, nonjudgmental, monthly, one-on-one spiritual direction in person or online. More info in newsletter or contact Julie at 320-766-6176 or e-mail juliemccarty@usfamily.net .
Inclement Weather Cancellation
A few weeks ago we cancelled for extreme cold weather. We may have future cancellations based on weather, be sure to check the Holy Hotline email list before coming to church or another church member who has access to that email list. If you use email and want to be put on the Holy Hotline, please contact the office at 320-763-3341 or office@firstcongregationaluccalex.com Please call the office if you wish to be part of a calling tree to notify/be notified if you do not use email, or if you are interested in a copy of our directory, please contact the office for a copy.
Updating the Church Directory
We are working on an update to the Church directory. Beginning in March there will be a form at the back of the sanctuary for you to confirm what information you want to include in the directory or what you want to opt out of including.
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.
