January 19, 2025 Second Sunday after Epiphany
*Please rise in body and/or spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: God of miracles, we praise you.
You have turned water into wine!
Many: The ordinary into the beautiful.
One: Scarcity into abundance.
Many: Despair into confidence.
One: And you turn us once again into your people:
Many: No one into Someone.
One: Scattered pieces into one Body.
Many: Ordinary lives changed into worship. Alleluia!
*HYMN OF PRAISE Enter, Rejoice And Come In Blk 73 vs 1-4
*UNISON PRAYER Betty
Gracious God, as Jesus turned the water into wine, so you have made our lives beautiful and blessed. Jesus is with us in our celebration now, turning the water of our lives into the wine of your praise. In our worship, transform us and make us new in the image of Christ, that we may be your glory for all the world. Open our hearts and minds, that as the scriptures are read and your good news proclaimed we may hear with joy what you are saying to us today. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE (GLORIA) Blk 8, v 4
PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN WORD
READING FROM THE PSALMS Psalm 36 Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL: John 2:1-11
HYMN OF PREPARATION Songs Of Thankfulness And Praise
On screen and in bulletin, W&R 243 vs 1-2
SERMON “When the Wine Runs Out” 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
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:
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth, Vicki Kemper
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light
On screen and in bulletin, W & R 248 vs 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
We welcome Heather Hjelle to worship this morning! Heather is teaching voice lessons in our sanctuary on Monday afternoons/evenings and will be offering special music on the third Sunday each month. This morning, she will lead our singing. Please greet Heather warmly!
![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 19, 2025
Sunday Jan 19 FROG Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Annual Financial Meeting
Coffee Fellowship, FROG Lunch
Monday Jan 20
10 Caffeinated Christianity @ Dunn Bros
7:00 UCC@Good Shepherd
Tuesday Jan 21
11:30 Lunch bunch @ Pioneer Grill
5:00 Board of Administration
6:00 Council Meeting
Wednesday Jan 22
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday Jan 23
9:00 Walking group@Mall
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday Jan 26
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Memorials Board
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Today, 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.
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
The men’s dartball team will be playing at Good Shepherd on Monday at 7 pm.
Lunch Bunch
The Lunch bunch will be getting together at 11:30 on Tuesday Jan 21 at the Pioneer Grill restaurant. All are welcome to attend. We meet there just before they open.
Tuesday is Meeting day
The Board of Administration will be meeting at 5 pm. If you have an agenda item, contact Clayton or the office.
Church Council meets at 7 pm. Please see Jane or the office if you have an item for the agenda.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 5:15 on January 22.
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.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Dorothy Shinn 01/26
Linda Capistrant 01/29
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.
Bountiful Basket
Kim Boutain from Love, Inc will visit on January 26 to tell us about what we should contribute to the Bountiful Basket for February.
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.
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.
