World Communion Sunday, 1st Sunday Music, October 4, 2026
*invites all to rise as you are able, in body or spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE The Praise Band
Raise A Hallelujah, All the People Said Amen, Behold the Lamb
Music on screen &handout
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Creator God, Mother and Father of us all, your children worship you.
All: People of every tribe, nation, language and culture praise you!
Leader: Risen Christ, your sisters and brothers around the world give thanks to you
All: People of every kind and status, in every hut and cathedral sing to you!
Leader: Holy Spirit, you make us one, the Body of Christ, throughout the World.
All: Loving Christ, we come to your table to be together with our siblings.
May there be unity among us. May we be one in the love and faith of Christ, one in the Spirit, and one in ministry to all the world, to the glory of God. Amen.
*GATHERING Song Raise A Hallelujah
*OPENING PRAYER (unison)
God of love, as we gather on this day we are one with all your children in Christ around the world. In Asia and Australia and Pacific Islands, in Africa and Europe and South America, throughout North America and even at the poles, we are one body in Christ. We give thanks and we open our hearts to your Word, the Word of Love that comes to us in every language and tradition and community. Speak to us and bring us closer to your heart, in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN WORD AND SACRAMENT
Song Jesus Loves Me
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Isaiah 5:1-7
READINGS FROM THE GOSPEL Matthew 21:33-46
SONG OF PREPARATION Speak O Lord
SERMON “Whose Vineyard?” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO COMMUNION, COMMUNION PRAYER, WORDS OF INSTITUTION on screen
SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP
If you are able, you are invited to come forward to receive the bread and cup. If you prefer to be served where you are seated, please inform an usher. A gluten free option is available.
We will sing, “Behold the Lamb” while going forward.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION:
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have also given yourself to all your beloved people, those who are welcomed and those who are excluded. Send us into the world to widen the circle, to bring all to your table of grace, that we may truly be one, in the name of Christ. Amen.
WE RESPOND TO GOD
PRAYER SONG Down to the River to Prayer
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND JESUS’ PRAYER
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
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Speak O Lord instrumental
*DOXOLOGY Holy Spirit
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*SENDING SONG All the People Said Amen
*BLESSING & SENDING FORTH
POSTLUDE All The People Said Amen Praise Band
| *The Liturgy for this morning is written by the Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes (www.unfoldinglight.com). |
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 October 4, 2026
Sunday, Oct 4th, World Communion
8:30 Band Rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online, First Sunday music
11:00 Coffee Fellowship, Mission CommitteeWe
2:00 Blessing of the Animals
Monday October 5
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Common Ground
4-8 Voice lessons
6:30 Confirmation Glenwood United Parish
Tuesday October 6
11:00 Worship Cmte
2:30 Voice lessons
Wednesday Oct 7
4-6 Labyrinth
4:45 choir rehearsal
5:30 Youth/parent small group
6 pm Music Committee meeting
6-7:30 Youth Bowling @ Garden Lanes in Alexandria
Thursday Oct 8
9:00 Walking group @ Big Ole
4-7 Arts Space returns
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Next Sunday, Oct 11th, KXRA Radio Sunday
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Information session for Common Ground on the Border
4-6 Common table UCC
Communion Sunday
This Sunday we celebrate communion with millions of other Christians across the globe. At God’s table, All are welcome. We will be celebrating communion by coming forward today. If you need to be served in the pews, please let an usher know. We also have a gluten free option.
Blessing of the Animals Sunday
Join us on the south lawn on Oct 4 at 2 p.m. where Pastor Jill will bless the animals! Bring your critters if you have them—and come and join us even if you have no pet to bring but love animals. All Creatures Great and Small—the Lord God loves them all!
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.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The labyrinth is open on Wednesdays 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.
Choir Rehearsal
The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 4:45 pm and at 9:15 on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. All are welcome.
Calvary Partnership
We will host the parents of Calvary’s Kid and Student Programming. 5:30 Wednesdays. If you have a child between newborn to 5th grade, you can meet with other parents while your child is attending a Wednesday evening program at Calvary.
Youth Bowling Night at Garden Lanes in Alex
This event is sponsored by the Alex UMC. Please let Pastor Jill know if you will attend so we can ensure that we reserve enough lanes. Bring money for bowling and snacks—and if you need help with that, talk to Pastor Jill.
Arts Space
This fall, artist Jax Rose will resume the arts space for teens on Thursday nights 4-7 in our Fellowship Hall. These classes are free to any student who attends, and every student receives one on one instruction. Students are highly encouraged to bring their sketchbook or any projects they might be working on. Hope to see you there!”
Information session Common Ground at the Border Conference
If you are interested in attending (or learning more about) the “Common Ground at the Border Conference” at the Good Shepherd UCC in Sahaurita, Arizona, January 14-16-2027, please plan to stay for a short informational meeting next Sunday, October 11, at 11:30 am in the Cambridge Room. The conference includes speakers, films, music and optional field trips. Registration for the event will open soon.
Intergenerational Common Table Game Night
Game night and Karaoke. Oct 11, 4-6 pm. Please bring snacks to share, drinks will be provided. Most importantly, show up for a fun night together. This is a great opportunity to build relationships across the generations. Did you know that Search Institute says that a positive relationship with one adult besides their parents makes a huge difference in a young person’s success in life?
Thrivent Community Action Grant
Are you a Thrivent member? Have you used your Thrivent Action Grant this year? If you are a member of Thrivent consider using your allotted grant money for the Spaghetti dinner or Christmas dinner. See Joy in the office for possible grant ideas for all three coming events.
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.
Harvest Table
If you have extra produce from your garden, please consider sharing your bounty. If you have need of veggies, herbs, flowers or other produce, consider making a free will donation to be used by the Missions committee as they determine needs.
Bountiful Basket
The Bountiful Basket is back Sunday as we begin our Sept/Oct collection for the Alexandria College. (ATCC) Items needed will be posted on the basket but we encourage gift cards for gas, groceries and local restaurants, items for their food shelf and items appropriate for Bingo prizes.
Neighbors in Need
In October we are participating in the Neighbors in Need UCC offering. The Neighbors in Need offering supports ministries of justice and compassion, with one-third of the offering given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds supporting UCC justice ministries. In 2025, the Neighbors in Need Offering supported 26 grant recipients across the UCC who were engaged in projects of direct service and advocacy. Learn more at www.ucc.org/nin
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.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Dillon Schauff 10/12
Jacob Fleming 10/12
Sara Robinson 10/12
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
Upcoming Events or Community Events
Evening Prayer Services
All are welcome to join the First Lutheran Care for Creation Team for a time of music, scripture, and prayer. The purpose is to pray for the world, for peace, for all leaders, for creation, and for God’s presence in our lives. This prayer service is the 3rd Sunday of every month at 5:00 pm. October will return to the 3rd Sunday Oct 18.
UCAN Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention Luncheon
Sign up for the UCAN Luncheon October 14 at 11:30 at Broadway Ballroom. Tickets are $25. We plan to get two tables as a church group. Please write checks out to UCAN. Sign up at the back of the sanctuary.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the first and 3rd Mondays of the Month. 6:30-8:30. The 1st Mondays are at Glenwood United Parish, the 3rd Mondays rotate between us and Alexandria United Methodist.
Youth Group Events coming up
Starting in October there are multiple youth group events—please put the following dates on your calendar—see the Church Visitor for more details Oct 14 6:30-8 Youth Group Game Night, Oct 28 6:30-8 Collaborative Youth Group at Alex UMC, Oct 31 Trunk or Treat.
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.
