Second Sunday after the Epiphany January 18, 2026
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: Please stand in body or spirit and remain standing until after the Passing of the Peace
One: Jesus asked John’s followers, “What are you looking for?”
Many: We are looking for you, God.
One: They asked him, “Where are you staying?”
Many: Where shall we look for you?
One: He answered , “Come and see.”
Many: We come to you, God. We draw near to look and listen,
to behold you among us. We come to worship.
*OPENING HYMN God, When I came to this life, Blk 354 vs 1-5
*OPENING PRAYER Lee
God of love, you sent us your lamb to show us the way of mercy and justice. Open our hearts that we may hear your call, receive your grace, and follow the Lamb. Amen.
*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 Lee
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
One: Please be seated
GOD SPEAKS TO US
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Isaiah 49:1-7 Lee
The Servant’s Mission 49 Listen to me, O coastlands; pay attention, you peoples from far away! God called me before I was born; while I was in my mother’s womb God named me.
2 God made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand God hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver God hid me away.
3 And God said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord and my reward with my God.”
5 And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be God’s servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to God, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength—
6 God says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
7 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, “Kings shall see and stand up; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
READING FROM THE GOSPEL John 1:29-42 Lee
The Lamb of God 29 The next day John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’
31 I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Jesus.
33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.” The First Disciples of Jesus 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples,
36 and as John watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard John say this, and they followed Jesus.
38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to Jesus, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39 Jesus said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 Andrew first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed).
42 Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
HYMN OF PREPARATION This is the Day of New Beginnings Blk 417 vs 1,3,5
SERMON Which Jesus? Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Brad Lambrecht
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE,
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 Brad Lambrecht
*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 Just As I Am Blk 207 1-4
BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
Postlude Brad Lambrecht
Pastor Jill will be on-screen this morning to give the message as she is retreating with our Confirmands at LutherCrest this week-end.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY January 18, 2026
THE WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday January 18
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:00 Memorial Committee
Monday January 19
2-7 Voice lessons
7 p Dart ball Zion 2@UCC
Tuesday January 20
11:30 Lunch bunch
2:-7 Voice lessons
5:00 Bd Admin
6 pm Council
Wednesday January 21
4-6 Labyrinth open
5:15 Choir
5:30 Children’s program small group
Thursday Jan 22
9:00 Walking group@mall
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Next Sunday January 25
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship/Barb Brown Potluck
1:30 Open House—Cathy Johnson’s Nativities
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.
Star Words
Did you receive a star word to guide you through 2026? If not, there are still star words available in the back of the sanctuary. Get yours today.
Confirmation
Please pray for our Confirmands—Skylar and Lilly Johnson—and the Confirmands from Alexandria UMC and Glenwood United Parish who will be retreating at Luther Crest this weekend and focusing on the life of Jesus. Prayers for the pastors—Amy Van Valkenburg, Kelby Werner and Pastor Jill are also appreciated!
DART Ball Team
Our game will be here at 7 pm on January 19.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The labyrinth will be open Wednesdays from 4-6 pm. 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.
The labyrinth serves as a spiritual path for prayer and meditation. Walking its winding passages is a form of active contemplation—a moving meditation that can lead to personal transformation. May the labyrinth meet you in your spiritual journey, providing whatever you need—be it reflection, peace, or renewal.
On Wednesdays, the labyrinth will be prepared and ready for walking, with no need for participants to move furniture or make arrangements. Information will be available about different ways to walk and pray within the labyrinth. However, participants are encouraged to know that there is no wrong way to walk or pray—the path is open to personal interpretation and individual experience.
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.
Choir rehearsal
The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 5:15 pm and at 9 am each Sunday they sing. . You are more than welcome to come to a rehearsal and sing with the choir.
Next Sunday
Wish Barb Brown “bon voyage” as she moves to Bloomington in February. Join us on Sunday, Jan. 25 for a meal after worship. Menu will be ham and meatballs. Please bring a side dish, dessert or salad to share. And bring stories to share!
Cathy Johnson Nativities Open House
Beginning at 1:30 you can come to Cathy’s house to see her many nativities.
GET ACQUAINTED GATHERING
If you are new to the church, the Connections Team invites you to join us for a light meal on Wednesday, February 4 at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is a great time to get to know more about the UCC, our congregation, and each other. If you plan to come, please contact the church office or Pastor Jill (jill@firstcongregationaluccalex.com).
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.)
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
Skylar Johnson Schauff 01/25
Dorothy Shinn 01/26
Linda Capistrant 01/29
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.
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.
Community Chorus
From Darkness to Light, Choral Concert Sunday January 18 2 pm Shalom Lutheran Church.
Upcoming 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 8, at 11:30 a.m. The initial session will be no longer than one hour and will focus on the Introduction and first two chapters of the book. Watch for additional details in the coming weeks.
If you are interested or would like to sign up, please contact the Church Office.
Social Gathering Hosted by Morning Circle
1st Thursday February 5, 11:30 am. Bring your own lunch. There will be no program.
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.
