*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
CHORAL INTROIT
Sing and Rejoice
Sing and rejoice
sing and rejoice
Let all things living
now sing and rejoice. (X 2)
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
ONE: Please rise in body and/or spirit and join me in the Call to Worship and remain standing through the Passing the Peace.
One: God, you bring us together in this place,
we come to be fed,
to be renewed,
to seek understanding.
Many: God, you challenge us in this place,
we embrace the challenge,
trusting that through challenge we grow in faith.
One: God, you are revealed in this place,
sometimes in shining glory,
sometimes in tears and struggle.
Many: God as we worship in this place,
refresh, renew, and challenge us
so that we would see your awesomeness.
One: We pray in Jesus’ name,
as we strive to walk the path of discipleship. Amen
~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/
*OPENING HYMN “We have come at Christ’s Own Bidding” Blk 182, vs1-3
*OPENING PRAYER (UNISON) Betty
Holy and gracious God, you have shown us your glory in the transfiguration of your beloved Son. Grant us the vision of faith, so we may see Jesus, truly love him, and follow him all the days of our lives. Amen.
*GLORIA Black 236
Hal-le, hal-le, Hal-le-lu-ja
Hal-le, hal-le, Hal-le-lu-ja
Hal-le, hal-le, Hal-le-lu-ja
Hal-le-lu-ja Hal-le-lu-ja (x2)
*PASSING THE PEACE Betty
CHOIR ANTHEM
THE READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: 2 Kings 2:1-14 Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Mark 9:2-9 Pastor Jill
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Holy Ground” W&R 654
SERMON Transfiguration Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
MUSIC for REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE, PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
(Please use the form of address for God that you choose. Some might choose a name for God that comforts them—and others might choose a name that challenges them or deepens their understanding of God.)
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.
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:
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY Lasst uns erfreuen
Praise God from whom
all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures
here below, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God the
Source of all our gifts,
Praise Jesus Christ
whose pow’r uplifts
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN Shine, Jesus, Shine W&R 319 vs 1&3
*Blessing and Sending Forth Pastor Jill
Choral Benediction
May the peace of the Lord bring joy.
May the peace of the Lord bring love.
May the peace of the lord bring comfort.
May the peace of the Lord bring hope;
May the peace of the Lord bring rest.
May the peace of the Lord bring life.
May the peace of the Lord surround you.
May the peace of the Lord go with you.
Amen.
POSTLUDE MUSIC Diane Alveshere
The Hymns Holy Ground and Shine, Jesus, Shine are from Worship and Rejoice and reprinted with permission under OneLicense A-715438. All rights reserved.
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 second Sunday of the month.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday February 11, Transfiguration, Radio Sunday
9:15 Choir Rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday February 12
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
7 pm Dartball Villard@UCC
Tuesday February 13
8-5 VITA Tax preparation WCMCA
9:00 Friendly Service
12-4 Elder network (fellowship hall)
Wednesday February 14, Ash Wednesday
8-5 VITA Tax preparation WCMCA
5:15 Choir rehearsal
7:00 Ash Wednesday Service
Thursday February 15
9:00 Walking group @Church or Mall
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday February 18 FROG Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:00 FROG activities
KXRA Radio Sponsor
We extend a warm welcome and greetingto our KXRA listeners this morning. Our service is re-broadcast the 2nd Sunday of the month at 11:00 am. Today’s broadcast is sponsored by Judy Kuhlmann and family in loving memory of Vern.
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.
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 software provider, Churchtrac.
Year-end Tax Statements
Thank you for your support and generosity in 2023. Tax statements will be emailed out shortly. If you don’t have email or need a printed copy, please contact the office for it to be mailed out or printed for you.
VITA Tax Preparation
West Central Minnesota Community Action’s Volunteer Income Tax Preparation will meet here starting on Tuesday. They will be here Tuesdays and Wednesdays, each week, until Tax Day. To make an appointment or to find out more about the program call 320-304-3458.
You are Invited
To participate in the Lilly Grant Renewal Team for Jill’s 2025 sabbatical. Applications for 2025 are due March 13, 2024.
The goal is to have as many people from our congregation as possible participate in the planning and application process. This ad hoc group will work together for 2 months to dream about what renewal might look like for pastor and congregation. The competition for the grants will be stiff, but we feel it’s worth a try. If you were not able to attend the first meeting you can still participate with a group.
Bountiful Basket
This is the last Sunday for the Maker Space at Woodland Elementary. The Mission Committee could use help packing up the Basket and carrying it out after worship. Next week collection for the food shelf begins.
Use of Space at Church
As Tax season begins later this month, many of our rooms will have the West Central’s Volunteer Income Tax prep group in them. Groups from within our church can still use the Family room (shared with VITA), Cambridge Room, and the Fellowship Hall. The Plymouth Room can be used in the evenings and on weekends without issue. Please contact the office if you need to schedule a meeting.
Men’s Dartball
Contact Clayton for more information.
Friendly Service
We need your help! We could use a lot of help from the people in our congregation or your friends. You do not have to sew or even cut squares. We could use help in tying the quilts together. Tuesday 9 am in Fellowship Hall. We take a coffee break around 10 am.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir will have rehearsal on Wednesdays at 5:15pm each week. All are welcome to join. If you cannot attend every rehearsal, you can still be part of the choir.
Ash Wednesday Service
7pm February 14
Join us for our Ash Wednesday service and imposition of ashes. During the service we will focus on tuning our hearts to be in harmony with God’s heart.
Morning Circle
Join us at 9:30 for devotions, a brief meeting and coffee and treats. All are welcome. We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Lenten Dinner Series
Once again we will be having a Lenten Dinner discussion series. Our first meeting is Feb 21 at 5:15 pm. We will have a light meal that we share. The program begins at 6 pm. We have servers for Feb 21 and 28th but we are looking for more servers for the March Wednesdays. The video series is written and produced by Amy-Jill Levine and is called “Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week.” Discussions will be led by Pastor Jill, Marcie Watson and Joy Wrolson.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for January-March. If you are able to greet, usher, or read, help serve coffee or clean up after Fellowship, please sign up there.
First Sunday Music Worship Team
Do you like to sing, do you play an instrument? Do you want to join the First Sunday Music worship team. See Kayla or contact the church office for more information.
Child Care Needed:
On the first and fifth Sundays we need volunteers for nursery/child care. Kris Sundberg is available for some of the dates. Please sign up or contact the office to indicate your availability. 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.
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 January are Linda Namur (320) 815-1856 and Dorothy Shinn (320) 491-4029.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Brian Chlian 02/18
Lilyanna Johnson Schauff 02/23
Annie Clark 02/24
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Community Events
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration.
The event will be held Father’s Day, June 16th, 2024 at the Alexandria Area High School football field.
We are reaching out to you and your congregation for a couple of reasons. Of course, we are working on getting the word out and inviting the public to the celebration. However, more importantly at this time, we are working on connecting with the local Vietnam Veterans to get them registered to be honored at the celebration. The Vietnam veterans we are inviting to be celebrated are from the Greater Douglas County area and would have served In-country and received a Vietnam Service Medal. If any members of your church have information about local Vietnam veterans who may wish to participate, we encourage them to get in touch with us.
About First Congregational United Church of Christ
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.
