Trinity Sunday & Fathers’ Day* June 15, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Michael Fritz
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Rev. Michael
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: We return our focus to the God who will not give up on us
Many: A place has been set for us at Wisdom’s banquet
One: We desire to continue growing in our faith journey
Many: We desire to continue growing in closeness to God
One: We believe that the Spirit can use this time of togetherness
Many: We believe that Wisdom is being stirred up among us
*OPENING HYMN Your Love, Has Called Us Here, Blk #361 vs 1-3
*Opening PRAYER (Unison) Lee
Still-Speaking God, we are vulnerable to the false belief that we are the center of the universe. We are tempted by shortsightedness into acting against our better judgement. When we are experts in deceiving ourselves, call us back to the wisdom which you offer. Be gracious with us, bless us, and guide us each day, that we may live flourishing lives in praise of You. Amen
*ACT OF PRAISE Rejoice You Pure In Heart (Black #55. Verse 5)
Praise God who rules all worlds, the risen Christ adore,
Praise God the Spirit, Holy Fire, one God forevermore!
Rejoice, Rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE Lee
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Scripture Reading 1 Kings 3: 3-15 Lee
3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places.
4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I should give you.”
6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you, and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne today.
7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
8 And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted.
9 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or for the life of your enemies but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
12 I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you, and no one like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you.
14 If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”
15 Then Solomon awoke; it had been a dream. He came to Jerusalem, where he stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt offerings and offerings of well-being and provided a feast for all his servants.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Michael
2nd Scripture Reading Proverbs 9:1-6, 10 Pastor Michael
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her female servants; she calls
from the highest places in the town,
4 “You who are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says,
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Lay aside immaturity and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Hymn of Preparation Be Thou My Vision, Blk 451 vs 1,2 &4
SERMON Rev. Michael Fritz
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Brad Lambrecht
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS & PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Fathers’ Day Litany (video)
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR (A Version from New Zealand)
O most Compassionate Life-giver,
may we honor and praise you;
May we work with you to establish your new order of justice peace and love; Give us what we need for growth,
And help us, through forgiving others, to accept forgiveness.
Strengthen us in the time of testing, that we may resist all evil,
For all tenderness, strength and love are yours, now and forever.
Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY Tune: Old Hundredth, Matt Laney
O Spirit, midwife of the Church,
To dry old bones you give new birth,
And blaze a trail where there was none:
Your work will never be undone.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING Hymn Happy The One That Finds Grace,
tune: Blk 96, words on screen
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Michael
POSTLUDE Brad Lambrecht
| The bulletin cover image is Proverbs 9 by David Wierzbicki, 2009. It and Portrait of Lady Wisdom by Melanie Rogers, 2010 are also our sermon slides. |
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY June 15, 2025
Sunday June 15 Fathers’ Day
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday June 16
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity
2:-7 Voice lessons
Tuesday June 17
11:30 Lunch bunch
5:00 Board of Administration
6:00 Council
Wednesday June 18
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday June 19
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
11:30 Morning Circle @Barb Grovers
4:30 Holy Happy Hr
Sunday June 22
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
2:00 Godspell performance
Celebrating All Who Father
This Father’s Day, we honor and celebrate every father and father figure in our lives. We give thanks for the many ways people offer guidance, love, and support – whether through biological ties, adoption, mentorship, spiritual leadership, or simply being a steady, caring presence. Your impact shapes lives, and we are deeply grateful for all you do. Happy Father’s Day!
Pastor Jill’s Vacation/Office Hours
Pastor Jill is back from vacation on Monday June 16.
Pastor Jill is normally 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.
Lunch Bunch
Our next luncheon is on Tuesday, June 17 at 11:30 a.m. We will meet at the Grand Arbor’s Pioneer Grill. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Tuesday is meeting day
The Board of Administration and Church Council meet on Tuesday. If you have an agenda item, please contact the office, Pastor Jill, or Clayton Mielke or Bruce Bina.
Morning Circle
Morning Circle will meet at 11:30 June 19 at Barb Grover’s house for a salad luncheon. Please join us. 6340 E. Lake Carlos Dr. NE. We won’t meet again until September.
Godspell
We have reserved tickets for the June 22, performance. Please get Joy the money as soon as possible if you are part of the group. If you didn’t get in on the group tickets but still want to go, you can purchase directly from Wild Gem.
June 20-21 and 26-28, 2025 at 7:00pm
June 22 and 29, 2025 at 2:00pm
Discovery Middle School Auditorium
Tickets available at wildgemtheatre.com
Angel Care Team June Volunteers
Joan Holverson (320) 763-5353 and Daisy Stahlberg, 320-763-9461 are the Angels for June. If you would like a visit or know someone who needs a visit, please contact them.
Favorite Hymns wanted
As you may know, we have a group of people who select hymns for our traditional services. They would like to hear suggestions from the congregation as to favorite hymns they would like to sing and possibly why they like them. The list will then be used when possible as they choose hymns for us to sing that fit into the theme for each Sunday. Please fill out the forms in your bulletin or email your choices to the church.
Thanks from the music committee.
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.
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.
Strengthen the Church offering
We will be collecting for this national UCC special offering the month of June. Through the Strengthen the Church Offering, people across the United Church of Christ support the formation of new congregations and the renewal of existing ones, fund new programs for youth and young adults and sponsor leadership development for the whole church.
Birthday and Anniversary celebrations
Penny Trenne 06/23
Logan Winters-Helmbrecht 06/23
Pam Schauff 06/25
Deb Verpy 06/25
Capistrant anniversary 06/26/71
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
Pride In the Park
We will have a booth at Pride this year. And we would love for you to volunteer at this event. It is Saturday July 12. The event is from 11-4 pm. We would like a volunteer to help set up the booth as well. Let the office know your availability.
We will also host a Sunday Pride Worship service at 4 pm on July 13.
Save the Date!
Women’s Fellowship will again hold their annual Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale on Thursday, July 17th. La Boutique & Bake Sale is from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m and the Salad Luncheon is 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The sign-up sheets are at the back of the church for helping with the luncheon and bake sale. We will also need your help with bringing baked goods and salads. Please mark the baked goods with a price as you know the cost of your ingredients.
Rocking Walking Taco Night
Volunteers needed to plan and serve on July 24 from 5:30-8 pm. We will need publicity and other planning, please contact Joy in the office for more information.
Community Events
Alzheimer’s Association 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.
Remembrance Picnic
Anderson Funeral Home and Anderson’s on Broadway invites you and your family to a Remembrance Picnic on Wednesday June 18, 2025 at 5:30 pm at the City Park Pavilion (Lake Henry Bandshell). This remembrance picnic is centered around keeping memories of loved ones in our hearts to help endure the days following a death. Please RSVP by June 13, at 320-219-6278 or broadway@andersonfuneral.net Food and beverages will be provided.
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.
