First Sunday in Lent February 22, 2026
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Jill
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
*Introit O Jesus, Sweet Jesus Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: The good news of the gospel is:
Many: manna in the desert, water turned into wine, love after loss, forgiveness after pain.
One: The good news of the gospel is:
Many: release for the captive, hope for the hopeless, mourning turned to dancing, and strangers turned to friends.
One: So come on in. There’s no time to waste! This surprising good news is here for you.
Many: Let us worship this good-news God.
*OPENING HYMN God is Truly With Us Blk 68 vs 1-3
*CALL TO CONFESSION Lee
You may have heard, “All is fair in love and war,” or “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
But God says, “Forgive seventy times seven.” God says, “I am slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” God says, “Turn the other cheek.” God’s mercy catches us by surprise.
So with wonder and gratitude, let us go to God in prayer.
Let us be surprised by God’s grace all over again.
Friends, let us pray:
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lee
Loving God, somewhere along the way we picked up the message that in order to be faithful, we have to be serious. We have to pray on our knees without ceasing. We have to be somber in worship and quiet in our studies. We have to check our wiggles and our questions at the door. But then you say the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed—unruly and untamed. You turn water into wine—surprising and extravagant. And all of a sudden, we wonder: Can we be like that mustard seed? Can we be faithful and unruly? Can we be playful and curious? Can we be messy and still be yours? We know the answer already. The Spirit whispers: of course, of course, of course. Forgive our doubt. Pull us closer into your embrace. With faith like a mustard seed, we pray. Amen.
*WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Lee
One: God’s grace is wild and unruly.
God’s mercy is abundant and surprising.
God’s love is expansive and unending.
So if you ask, “Holy One, am I forgiven?”
the answer is and always will be:
Many: of course, of course, of course.
One: This is the good news of the gospel.
Many: Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA tune from blk 759
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE Lee
GOD SPEAKS TO US
ANTHEM How Can I Keep from Singing? R. Lowry, C. Courtney
THE FIRST GOSPEL READING Matthew 13:31-32 Lee
The Parable of the Mustard Seed 31 Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in their field;
32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
THE SECOND GOSPEL READING John 2:1-11 Pastor Jill
The Wedding at Cana 2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.”
5 Jesus’s mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it.
9 When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom
10 and said to the bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
HYMN OF PREPARATION We Plant A Grain of Mustard Seed Blk 540 vs 1-4
SERMON The Good News Is So Good It Catches Us By Surprise Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, Pastor Jill
THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Our God in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day 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 yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE & OFFERING OUR GIFTS PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Diane Alveshere
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth, Mary Luti
Praise God, the source of breath and birth,
Who formed us from the dust of earth,
And made us one humanity
To love and set each other free.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION Pastor Jill
*CLOSING Hymn Let Justice Flow Blk 588 vs 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
As you leave this place, when you meet anger, speak with love.
When you meet fear, speak with hope.
When you meet pain, speak with gentleness.
But no matter what, speak this good news.
For the good news of the gospel is
love and justice for all.
It is joy that surprises,
and nonviolence that transforms.
The good news of the gospel is alive in the world,
so go forth speaking.
For if you won’t, then who will?
Thanks be to God
for this good, good news. Amen.
*Choral response Shalom Chaverim’ Choir
*POSTLUDE Diane Alveshere
Today’s liturgy is from the “Tell Me Something Good” series written by Sarah (Are) Speed for A Sanctified Art.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY February 22, 2026
Sunday February 22
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Book discussion group
12:00 Dartball tournament @ Good Shepherd
Monday February 23
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons
4-6 Labyrinth open
5:15 Group Spiritual Direction
Tuesday February 24
8-4 VITA tax services
11:30 Lunch bunch
12-4 Elder Network
Wednesday February 25
8-4 VITA tax services
5:15 Lenten dinner/discussion group
Thursday February 26
9:00 Walking group@mall
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike and Pint
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Next Sunday March 1, Communion
10:00 Worship in person and online,, First Sunday Music
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:00 Mission team
11:30 Book discussion group
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.
Today, Group Book Study
Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang. Join us for a new group book study exploring faith, civic life, and the call to love our neighbors. Our first meeting will be held Sunday, February 15, at 11:30 a.m. We are reading Chapters 3 & 9.
Dartball Tournament
Sunday February 22 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church tournament begins at 1 pm, lunch begins at noon. Come cheer on our team.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The labyrinth will be open on Mondays beginning February 23 from 4-6. Anyone at church or the greater community is warmly invited to participate. The labyrinth is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit, and a mirror of the soul. May it serve as one of these, and more, for you.
Small Group Parent and Caring Adult Education
The Faith Formation Groups will be meeting in the building for the first time on Oct 29 beginning at 5:30. You are welcome to attend these groups.
Wednesdays Lenten Discussion and Light Meal
Join us Wednesdays beginning February 25 at 5:15. We will serve a light meal and use the study Way of Life to direct our conversations. We have a participant guide available for you to use. If you wish to defray cost, a donation is appreciated. Please bring a bible (we will have additional ones available too). If you are available to volunteer to cook and serve a meal, please let the office know.
Choir rehearsal
Beginning February 26 they will rehearse on Thursdays at 5:15 through Holy Week. They will also rehearse Sunday mornings at 9 am on the Sundays on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
Angel Care Team February
Katy Mohabir and Julie Thompson are the Angels for the month of February. If you know of a need, please let the office know.
Bountiful Basket
The Bountiful Basket will be collecting for Love, Inc in January and February. Lists of needed items will be posted on the Basket (but will include household cleaning products, paper products and other similar items.)
Worship Volunteers Needed
We have sign ups at the back of the sanctuary for volunteers interested in ushering, greeting and providing coffee fellowship. You are free to sign up for as many as you wish at a time. If you are interested in tech, let someone at the tech desk know and we can train you on the job.
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.
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.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Bonnie Bina 03/03
Barb Brown 03/04
Shirley Otto 03/04
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
FAVORITE HYMNS NEEDED
Those who select hymns for our traditional services would like to hear suggestions favorite hymns. The list will then be used when possible as they choose hymns for us to sing that might fit into the theme for a Sunday. Please fill out the forms in your bulletin or email your choices to the church.
Upcoming Events or Community Events
ALZHEIMER & DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Join us at the Public Works Dept. meeting room (526 Willow Dr) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 3-4:30. Please contact the facilitator Stephanie Aasness at 320-766-1856, to learn more.
Knitting Group Fundraiser
Currently a group of knitters meets Mondays 11-1 at Rancho Viejo’s back room. They also meet on Tuesday evenings (5-8) next to RAW & Co at 110 6th Ave E, Suite B. This location has stairs. The group are knitting Red Resistance Hats as part of a mutual aid fundraiser.
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.
