Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, June 23, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Flute Choir
Barb Brown, Kristen Buckley, Karen Erickson, Pam Miller, and Julie Parent
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: God of generosity, you provide for us abundantly.
Many: We open our hearts to your presence.
One: Loving Christ, you grant us deep, deep mercy.
Many: We open our hearts to your healing.
One: Holy Spirit, you fill us with compassion and grace.
Many: We open our hearts to your power. By your grace, make us grateful and merciful people.
*OPENING HYMN. Awake, Awake to Love and Work Blk 89 vs 1-3
*OPENING PRAYER (unison) Betty
O God, Our Mother, Our Father, your presence is holy. We open ourselves to you, that the reign of your love may take over our hearts and take over the world. May your grace feed us. May your forgiveness guide us. May your wisdom lead us through all the challenges of life, for your sake, and for the sake of the wholeness of the world. Amen.
*GLORIA Black #273, verse 1
Praise with joy the World’s Creator,
God of justice, love and peace.
Source and end of human knowledge,
Grace bestowing without cease.
Celebrate the Maker’s glory,
Power to rescue and release.
*PASSING THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Scripture Readings Psalm 10:14b, 17-18a Betty
14bThe helpless commit themselves to you;
you have been the helper of the orphan.
17 O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18a to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
SPECIAL MUSIC Flute Choir
THE READING FROM THE Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 Pastor Jill
25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.[a] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
HYMN OF PREPARATION They Asked Who Is My Neighbor. Blk. 541
Message “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves?”
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 Jesu, Jesu, fill Us with Your Love W &R #273 Vs. 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
POSTLUDE MUSIC Diane Alveshere
| 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 June 23, 2024
Sunday June 23
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday June 24
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity at Dunn Bros this week.
Tuesday June 25
12-4 Elder Network
Wednesday June 26
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday June 27
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday June 30
10:00 Fifth Sunday Country/Gospel Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
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.
Stained Glass Window project
The Stained-glass restoration project started this week. We will do the best to not disrupt weekly meetings. It should be complete early this coming week.
Help needed on the First Sunday
We will need assistance on Sunday July 7 with childcare. The children can sit with you in the sanctuary or spend time playing in the nursery with your companionship. Ideally, if the nursery is used, we would like to have two adults providing care. If you are willing to volunteer for one of these Sundays, let the office know.
Bountiful Basket
We are collecting for Someplace Safe through June. A list is on the basket to find suggested items.
Strengthen the Church offering
Our denomination-wide mission for June is Strengthen the Church. We will be collecting each Sunday in June. See bulletin insert for the types of projects that Strengthen the Church funds.
Sound system project
As you may know our aging sound board has a channel that is no longer working. We hope to upgrade our entire sound system to improve sound quality in our sanctuary and online. The cost for the new equipment (sound board, new mics, etc) is $7000.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsal is Wednesday at 5:15. The choir will be on their summer schedule and only sing on the second Sunday of the month. Rehearsals will skip the Wednesday immediately following the 2nd Sunday. All are welcome to join. If you cannot attend every rehearsal, you can still be part of the choir.
Newsletter deadline July/Aug
The deadline for articles is June 24.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Erin Weatherwax 06/30
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Country and Gospel Worship
June 30 is the fifth Sunday of the month and the Nobles will be featuring a Country and Gospel service. Invite your friends and family as we worship together and enjoy country and gospel music.
Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale
Women’s Fellowship will again hold their annual Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale on Thursday, July 11th. The 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. Take a poster to hang in the community
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.
