January 12, 2025 Baptism of the Lord, 1st Sunday after Epiphany
*Please rise in body and/or spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
CHORAL INTROIT Come Let Us Gather Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: Baptized to begin lives of faith,
Many: we would witness to all you do
in our communities, in our midst, in our world.
One: Baptized to serve,
Many: we would speak up for the voiceless,
we would bring justice to those who have none.
One: Baptized to speak,
Many: we would heal, and not hurt;
we would bless, and not curse.
One: Baptized to do what is right,
Many: we would not play favorites,
but treat each as your Beloved.
*HYMN OF PRAISE As with gladness those of old, Blk 159 vs 1-3
*UNISON PRAYER Lee Becker
Dear Jesus, Guided by grace, you became the champion of justice. Beloved of the sightless, you release those we would shackle. You cup your hands around our flickering faith, breathing us to new life. You call us to work for justice, teaching us intentional acts of service. You immerse us in courage, daring us to speak words of hope. We give you glory and gratitude now and always. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE (GLORIA) Blk 8, v 4
PASSING OF THE PEACE Lee
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN WORD
ANTHEM I Want to Walk as A Child of the Light, Thomerson
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Isaiah 43:1-7 Lee
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
HYMN OF PREPARATION Beautiful Jesus, Blk 44 vs 1,3, 4
SERMON “Walking Wet in the World” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
*REAFFIRMATION OF BAPTISMAL VOWS
RENUNCIATION OF SIN AND PROFESSION OF FAITH
THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER
BAPTISMAL REMEMBRANCE
All who are baptized and have renewed their vows are invited to come to the font to touch the water as a sign of refreshing
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PASTORAL PRAYER & THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN O For a thousand tongues Blk 42 vs 1-4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
BENEDICTION RESPONSE Reach Out Choir
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY January 12, 2024
Sunday Jan 12, KXRA Radio Sunday
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Jan 13
10 Caffeinated Christianity @ Dunn Bros
7:00 Zion 2 @ UCC
Tuesday Jan 14
9 a Friendly Service
11:00 Worship
12:00 Elder network
Wednesday Jan 15
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday Jan 16
9:00 Walking group@Mall
9:30 Morning circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday Jan 19 FROG Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Annual Financial Meeting
Coffee Fellowship, FROG Lunch
Radio Sunday
Today’s Radio Sunday is sponsored by students of Madame Riggs in loving memory of the worlds she helped create. Our services are broadcast on KXRA at 11 am on the second Sunday of the month.
Quilts
If you would like to hear the stories of the quilts displayed throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, grab your coffee after worship and come back to the sanctuary. The quilt makers or owners will share briefly about their quilt.
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.
Dart ball
If you are interested in playing with our Men’s Dartball League, please contact Clayton Mielke.
Friendly Service
Join us at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall as we assemble quilts that we donate to various groups.
Elder Network Coffee Break
The Coffee Break is a program designed to benefit family caregivers as well as care receivers. As a group respite program, the Coffee Break, provides care receivers the opportunity to socialize with others in a fun, friendly, and secure setting, and affords caregivers time for their own activities. The Coffee Break meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 1-3 pm. If you are interested in volunteering for this program contact Lee or Joy in the office to get you in touch with Elder Network.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 5:15 on January 15.
Morning Circle
We have coffee and treats, and a devotional/video to discuss after we view it. All are welcome. Thursday at 9:30 in the Cambridge Room.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, January 19, after the service, please plan to stay after worship for the Annual All-Church Financial Meeting. This is an important all-Church meeting when the financial records of 2023 will be reviewed; and then the Budget for 2025 will be presented as recommended by our Board of Administration. An opportunity will be given for comments and questions before the new 2025 Budget will be approved by vote of the congregation. Please plan to attend this important annual meeting. Thank you for participating!
FROG Power Sunday
Please join us for lunch after the Annual Financial Meeting as we stuff the Love in Action bags 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.
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.
Tree of Lights
This year’s Tree of Lights recipient is the Teen and Adult Challenge center that just opened in Alexandria. For every $25, we will light one light on the tree in our sanctuary. We have lit 65 lights total.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Greg Kapphahn 01/24
Skylar Johnson Schauff 01/25
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Thank you from Diane Alveshere
Diane wishes to thank the congregation for their overwhelming generosity.
Later this Month
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.
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.