Fourth Sunday after Epiphany* February 9, 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
CHOIR INTROIT
CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: Please stand in body or spirit until the Passing of the Peace
One: Children of God, we come to worship today with expectations: how we expect to feel, what we expect to experience, songs we expect to sing, or prayers we expect to pray. We find comfort in the familiar.
Many: We come to worship, expecting God to meet us here.
One: Sometimes what feels familiar grows stale. We stop noticing the power of our prayers. We hear but don’t listen to the Word. We sing without letting the music seep into our hearts. Yet, God is still here, moving and working among us.
Many: We come to worship, expecting God to meet us here.
One: We may meet God in a familiar voice speaking a hard word, in a song we love that pierces our hearts, in a prayer that we receive in a new way. Because God is here, moving and working among us.
Many: We come to worship, expecting God to meet us here.
One: Children of God, come! Let us worship, ready to embrace God’s Word already at work among us, even when we are challenged to recognize God in the familiar and unfamiliar alike.
Many: We come to worship, expecting God to meet us here. Thank be to God! Amen.
-Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, August 2024.
OPENING HYMN Come Away from Rush and Hurry W & R 655 v 1-3
*UNISON PRAYER Betty
In a cynical and despairing world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim your hope.
In a violent and angry world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim your peace. In a dismissive and disinterested world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim your compassion.
In a lonely and inhospitable world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim your love.
In a grieving and weeping world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim your joy. May we be so captivated by your hope, O God, that we cannot help but to whisper, to sing, and to enact, the message of your reign which is always coming into our world; And may our quietly prophetic lives be channels of your restoring grace wherever we may go. Amen.
–Written by John van de Laar and posted on Sacredise.com.
*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
CHOIR ANTHEM Family of Christ Besig
Reading from the Hebrew Bible Jeremiah 1:4-10 Betty
4 Now the word of God came to me saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”
7 But God said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.
8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” 9 Then the Lord put out God’s hand and touched my mouth, and God said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth.
10 See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 4:21-30 Pastor Jill
21 Then Jesus began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of Jesus and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
23Jesus said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’ ”
24 And Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.
25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a severe famine over all the land,
26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.
27 There were also many with a skin disease in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage.
29 They got up, drove Jesus out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff.
30 But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
HYMN OF PREPARATION Holy Spirit, Truth Divine Blk 63 v. 1-4
SERMON “Speaking Truth” 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 Go My Children, With My Blessing W & R 719 v. 1,2 & 4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
BENEDICTION RESPONSE Reach Out Choir
Postlude Diane Alveshere
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY February 9, 2025
Sunday February 9
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 KXRA radio broadcast
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday February 10
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2:30 Voice Lessons with Heather Hjelle
7 pm Dartball UCC@Good Shepherd
Tuesday February 11
8-4 VITA Tax prep
Office hours change 10:15-2:45
9 a Friendly Service
12-4 Elder network (fellowship hall)
Wednesday Feb 12
8-4 VITA Tax prep
Office hours change 11-3 pm
5:15 Choir rehearsal
5:30 Get Acquainted meal
Thursday Feb 13
9:00 Walking group@Mall
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Saturday Feb 15
10:00 Visitation, 11 am Celebration of Life for Anne Riggs
Sunday February 16 FROG Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship, FROG Power lunch and service project
2:00 Dartball Tournament at Zion Lutheran Church
KXRA Radio Sunday
We extend a warm welcome and greetingto our KXRA listeners this morning. Our service is 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.
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.
Dartball
Makeup game for Dartball at 7 pm at Good Shepherd.
The dartball tournament is at Zion on the 16th at 2 pm. Come cheer us on.
Friendly Service
Join us as we tie and finish quilts on Feb 11 at 9 am in Fellowship hall.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 5:15 on Feb 12.
Celebration of Life of Anne Riggs
Anne Riggs’ celebration of life will be February 15. Visitation begins at 10 and her service will be at 11 am.
FROG Power Sunday
Join FROG power on Sunday Feb 16 for lunch and help assemble bags for the LOVE in ACTION for those who get services at the Alomere Cancer Center.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At Love In The Name of Christ, we work alongside the church and community to serve our neighbors in need, transforming lives In The name of Christ. One key way we do this is by providing essential personal items like clothing and household goods, through donations from generous supporters like you. These incentives are given to our clients who shop at our facility for clothing and those who attend our 10-week life skills classes. By offering these practical items, we not only meet immediate needs but also encourage personal growth, empower self-sufficiency, and demonstrate God’s love. Thank you First Congregational United Church of Christ, your support helps make this transformative work possible and changes lives in lasting ways.
Global Hope
On January 7, 2025, wildfire activity began in Los Angeles County, California. The Disaster Ministries Team and other staff at the National Setting of the United Church of Christ continue to be in communication with the Southern California and Nevada Conference to monitor the situation and determine how best to support communities at this time.
The devastation caused by the California wildfires has left countless families without homes, communities in mourning, and landscapes forever changed. As the smoke clears, the work of recovery begins—and it’s a long road ahead. The Altadena UCC church lost their building, many of its members have lost their homes and the various ministries and community organizations that the church housed has far-reaching impact.
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
Eric LeBrasseur 02/09
Aaron Larson 02/10
Eric Larson 02/10
Glenda Richardson 02/11
Pam Randle 02/14
Niki Froemming 02/15
Joyce Hodge 02/16
Phil Pham 02/16
Brian Chlian 02/18
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
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.
Doodling Divina Retreat
Join Marcie Watson, spiritual director, on Saturday, February 22nd from 9:30 a.m. to noon to learn this practice of drawing repetitive patterns as a form of meditation and prayer. Learn to focus, relax your mind, and boost your creative confidence. Ages 8 to 98 will be able to find their own rhythm using the Doodling Divinaprocess. Sign up is at the back of the sanctuary. Supply kits will be provided for all who sign up
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 .
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.
