Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 28, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
CALL TO WORSHIP Marcie Watson
One: Before God who loves us with great compassion,
Many: We come with our sorrows.
One: For the damage to this planet,
Many: We are weeping, Creator God.
One: For the unequal consequences to the poor,
Many: We are weeping, Shepherding God.
One: For refugees fleeing war and injustice,
Many: We are weeping, Traveling God.
One: For children alone, abducted or stray,
Many: We are weeping, Mothering God.
One: For the denials and fears within us,
Many: We are weeping, Holy God.
One: Loving God, take away the fears that freeze us and give us courage to live your compassionate justice.
Many: Amen.
–From “We Will Tread the Earth Lightly” by Chris Polhill, Iona Books.com
*OPENING HYMN. “The Whole Creation is a Song of Praise” vs 1,2 & 4
tune (Blk 362, on screen and in bulletin)
*OPENING PRAYER (unison) Marcie
Opening Prayer: O God, grant us grace to grow deeper in respecting and caring for your creation. Help us to recognize the sacredness of all your creatures as signs of your wondrous love. Spark our imagination so that we might find new ways to live harmoniously with creation and new technologies to reverse the damage we have done to your creation. Help us turn from selfish consumption of resources meant for all to see the impacts of our choices on the poorest and most vulnerable on our planet. Amen.
—From Catholic Relief Services
*GLORIA Sing! #12
We bring the sacrifice of praise
Into the house of the Lord. (repeat)
And we offer up to you, the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And we offer up to you, the sacrifices of praise.
*PASSING THE PEACE Marcie
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
Scripture Reading: Choral Reading Isaiah 1:23; Micah 6:1-2; Hosea 4:1-3 & Isaiah 24:4-7
Isaiah 1:23
23 Your princes are rebels
and companions of thieves.
Everyone loves a bribe
and runs after gifts.
They do not defend the orphan,
and the widow’s cause does not come before them.
Micah 6:1-2
6 Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
2 Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for the Lord has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
Hosea 4:1-3
4 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel;
for the Lord has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or loyalty,
and no knowledge of God in the land.
2 Swearing, lying, and murder,
and stealing and adultery break out;
bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land mourns,
and all who live in it languish;
together with the wild animals
and the birds of the air,
even the fish of the sea are perishing.
Isaiah 24:4-7
4 The earth dries up and withers,
the world languishes and withers;
the heavens languish together with the earth.
5 The earth lies polluted
under its inhabitants;
for they have transgressed laws,
violated the statutes,
broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore a curse devours the earth,
and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;
therefore the inhabitants of the earth dwindled,
and few people are left.
7 The wine dries up,
the vine languishes,
all the merry-hearted sigh.
The READING FROM THE Epistles Roman 8: 19-23 Pastor Jill
19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now;
23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
HYMN OF PREPARATION “God of the Sparrow” Blk 32 vs 1,3,6
Sermon “Creation in Crisis” Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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:
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God the Source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN “Pray for the Wilderness” Blk 557 vs 1-5
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
POSTLUDE MUSIC Diane Alveshere
| The Call to Worship is from “We Will Tread the Earth Lightly” by Chris Polhill, Iona and the Opening Prayer is from the Catholic Relief Services. |
| We welcome all who are joining us for worship virtually, on YouTube, http://tiny.cc/firstcongo 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 July 28, 2024
Sunday July 28
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Inspiring voices discussion group
Monday July 29
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity at Dunn Bros this week.
Tuesday July 30
Office closed
Wednesday July 31
Office open
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday August 1,
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday Aug 4, Communion & First Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Inspiring voices discussion group
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.
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.
The Good Samaritan Fund
We have given a lot of gas cards, grocery cards and a few one- or two-night stays in hotels since we collected for the Good Samaritan fund last. The ability to provide these gifts to people in need is an important part of our extravagant welcome mission. We are currently in need of donations to this fund.
Voices of Inspiration Discussion Group
After church today, 11;30 am-12:30 pm. and every Sunday after for the foreseeable future. Many are feeling some distress about the upcoming election and the issues that face us as a nation. A small group from our congregation has decided to gather for VOICES OF INSPIRATION. This will offer an opportunity to hear voices from history as well as contemporary voices that offer guidance to light our way in these troubling times. After a short reading is shared, there will be 20 minutes of silence/meditation/contemplation, and then 20 minutes of discussion. ALL are invited–including members of the larger community. No advance preparation is necessary—and it’s possible to drop in anytime. We’ll start in the Cambridge Room and move to a bigger space, if necessary.
Office coverage for Joy’s vacation
Joy will be out of the office until July 31. The office will be closed on Tuesday July 30 (Jill will still have her office hours).
Choir Rehearsal
Choir will meet at 5:15 p Wed July 31.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Sue Pommerenke 08/05
Jonathan Carlson, Jr. 08/08
Micki Schneider 08/08
Bina Anniversary 08/08/1980
Gralow anniversary 08/10/69
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Outdoor Projects
If you have specific ideas or suggestions for outdoor landscaping of the south yard/West yard that is not part of the Eagle Scout project, please contact the office either via email or phone or in person with proposals that will be brought to the Board of Administration. If you have a budget or other similar items please include that with your ideas.
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.
