Church Bulletin for January 12, 2025

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

Text Box: 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 January 12, 2024

The Weekly Calendar

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.