Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, June 30, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Kayla Noble and the Worship Band
I Saw the Light, How Can I Keep from Singing, Do Lord
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF BAPTISMAL WATER
GATHERING MUSIC I Saw the Light
OPENING PRAYER Pastor Jill
*PASSING THE PEACE Pastor Jill
GOD SPEAKS TO US
A reading from the Epistles 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
10 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food,
4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.
6 Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.”
8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents.
10 And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH This Little Light Of Mine Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 Pastor Jill
4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”
11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
SONGS OF PREPARATION I’ve Got Peace Like A River,
How Can I Keep From Singing
Message “God Doesn’t Give Us More Than We Can Handle?”
Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
WE RESPOND TO GOD
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Down to the River to Pray
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:
The offering Do Lord
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING Song I’ll Fly Away
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
POSTLUDE MUSIC Worship Band
I’ll Fly Away
| 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 30, 2024
Sunday June 30
10:00 Fifth Sunday Country/Gospel Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday July 1
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity at Dunn Bros this week.
Wednesday July 3
No Choir rehearsal
Thursday July 4, Independence Day
Office closed, no other events
Sunday July 7
10:00 1st Sunday and Communion 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. We will pack up the basket today in preparation for the Salad Luncheon.
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. We have enough money to purchase our equipment. We are currently looking into installation and checking our list.
Choir Rehearsal
No choir rehearsal this week due to the July 4th holiday. 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.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Volunteers needed
Lefse making
July 9. 9 am Help make lefse for the Bake sale.
Turkey Salad assemblers
July 10 9 am. Help put together the turkey salad for the luncheon.
Freezer donated
We have a working freezer that was donated. Thank you.
Salads and Bake Sale Help
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 for 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.
July Church Events
Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale
Women’s Fellowship will again hold their annual Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale on Thurs July 11th. The Bake Sale is from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m and the Salad Luncheon is 11 – 1:00 p.m. Tickets $10.
Pride in the Park
July 13. Join us for Pride in the Park. Volunteer for our table.
Created for Connection
Sunday July 14, 3 pm. Ecumenical Pride Worship Service. Coffee fellowship following.
Community Events
Jennifer Maloney presents
July 14 7 pm Magical Music Memories from the 60s, 70s, 80s
Alexandria Elks Lodge. Tickets are $10. Includes videos of the performers of the time including Alexandria local band, Skyline.
38th annual Shalom Western Barbecue
July 17 4:30-7 pm Tickets $15. Tickets on sale at Shalom’s office and through members. 681 Voyager Dr.
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.
