Second Sunday in Lent* March 16, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in 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 Marcie Watson
One: Please stand in body or spirit until the Passing of the Peace
One: Come as you are.
If you have deep faith
Many: or your faith has run dry,
One: if you know every scripture
or none at all,
Many: if you have calloused hands
and live your faith through good works,
One: or if you kneel at God’s feet,
with a million hungry questions,
Many: come as you are.
One: This is God’s house.
Many: None are turned away.
One: All are welcome here.
*OPENING HYMN Be now my vision, Blk# 451 Vs 1,2,4
*CALL TO CONFESSION Marcie
The story of Mary and Martha is often painted as a story where one does right and one does wrong. We know that life is often more complicated than that. We know that faith is embodied through being present and taking action—and everything in between. Knowing this, like Mary and Martha, let us draw near to God. Let us be honest about our lives, our hopes, and our mistakes. For even in our messy middle, God meets us with grace. Let us pray:
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON): Marcie
God of Grace,
We long to do the “right” thing.
We long to make the “right” choice.
We long to stand on the “right” side of the dividing line.
In our earnestness, we sometimes miss the sacred right in front of us.
In our earnestness, we sometimes miss opportunities to show love.
Show us how to hold our heart’s desire for perfection loosely.
Show us how to lead with grace and love, over anything else.
For even more than our desire to be right, we desire to be close to you.
Show us the way. Amen.
*WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Marcie
One: Faithful friends, God knows your heart. When you mean well and lose your way, God knows. When you try to do the right thing and miss the point, God knows. When you long to be close to God, and doubt your worth, God knows. You are seen. You are loved. You are forgiven. You have been sent to serve. This is the good news of the gospel! Nothing can separate you from God’s love.
Many: Thanks be to God! Amen.
*GLORIA tune from blk 759
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE Marcie
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
One: Please be seated
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MINISTRY IN MUSIC Heather Hjelle and Brad Lambrecht
How Beautiful are the Feet from the Messiah, Handel
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE EPISTLES James 2:14-26 Marcie
14 What good is it, my siblings, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you faith.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is worthless?
21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and by works faith was brought to completion.
23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road?
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
Reading from the GOSPEL Luke 10:38-42 Pastor Jill
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him., 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying.
40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.”
41 But Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things,
42 but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
HYMN OF PREPARATION Ministry and Presence, on screen and in bulletin
SERMON Everything In Between: Faith & Works
Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Brad Lambrecht
WE RESPOND TO GOD
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a Christ who
teaches, sees, affirms, and celebrates all of who we are.
We believe in a Christ who
invites us to use our gifts for good
and celebrates every step we take in that direction.
We believe in a Christ who
understands our anxieties
and is gentle with our concerns.
And we believe in a Christ who
looks at us with undiluted love.
The world will try to rank, rate, and declare winners,
but we know love has no limit.
So with God’s help,
may we nurture our faith
and do good work. Amen.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & 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: Pastor Jill
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth, Mary Luti
Praise God, the source of breath and birth,
Who formed us from the dust of earth,
And made us one humanity
To love and set each other free.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN. Your Servant Comes this Hour, W&R 566 vs.1-4 in bulletin and on screen
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
May you know that the world is bigger than two sides.
May you trust that you are made in the image of God, and therefore, you contain multitudes.
So may you move through this world with an open heart, with a curious mind, and with the confidence that you do not go alone.
God is with you in the mountains, in the valleys, and everywhere in between. Believe that good news–and go in peace.
POSTLUDE Brad Lambrecht
Liturgy is from Everything In Between series by A Sanctified Art. The hymn Ministry and Presence is also from this series.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY March 16, 2025
Sunday March 16 FROG Power Sunday
9 am FROG Fellowship
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:15 Visio Divina Bible Study
Monday March 17
10 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons with Heather Hjelle
Tuesday March 18
8-4 VITA Tax prep
11:30 Lunch bunch
5:00 Ad Bd
6:00 Council
Wednesday March 19
8-4 VITA Tax prep
5:15 Lenten meal and program
Thursday March 20
9:00 Walking group@Mall
9:30 Morning circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
5:00 Empty Bowls
5:15 Choir practice
Sunday March 23
9:15 Choir Practice
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Visio Divina Bible Study
FROG Power Sleep Over
This morning FROG power will be hosting a fellowship before the service. They will serve fresh caramel or cinnamon rolls before church today from 9-10 am. Join us for breakfast.
Visio Divina Bible Study
Meets at 11:15 today. Visio Divina is a form of meditation, reflection, and prayer through a process of intentional seeing. Visio Divina extends the 6th century Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina by the use of visual imagery. Traditionally, Visio Divina was accompanied by Benedictine iconography and illuminations, however, different faith traditions have adopted the process over time, utilizing both secular and nonsecular images.
Beginning March 9, for five weeks following Worship and Coffee time, 11:30 to 12:15 p.m., we will be using this ancient practice to look deeper into the Bible passages we read in Worship. Just show up, no sign up is necessary.
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.
Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, March 18 at 11:30 a.m. We will meet at the Grand Arbor’s Pioneer Grill. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Tuesday Meetings
The Board of Administration and the Church Council will meet on Tuesday. If you have an agenda item, call the office, 320-763-3341 or contact Jane Harstad or Clayton Mielke.
Lenten Discussion series
We are screening the video series How Did We Get…? It gives us an introduction on key tenets of Christianity. Each video has discussion questions to guide us. A light meal will be provided at each meeting. We need volunteers to serve on March 26 and April 9.
Morning Circle
We will meet March 20 at 9:30 am in the Cambridge Rm. All are welcome. We serve coffee and a treat and have a devotional/video.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 5:15 on Thursdays. Note this is a change during Lent to accommodate the Lenten Wednesday night discussion group.
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.
Bountiful Basket
March’s Bountiful Basket is for the food shelf. Please pick up a list of most needed items from the Basket.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Jerry Fulton 03/24
Martha Hartz 03/26
Darcell Danziesen 03/27
Daisy Stahlberg 03/27
Jamie Koehnke 03/29
Lea Norling 03/29
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Bell Choir
Mary Jane Westra has volunteered to lead a bell (and maybe chime) choir for our church. She would like to have about 6 practices and at least two performances this spring when she returns from her travels, starting in March. She would like 10-12 participants, all of whom need to be able to read music. If you or anyone you know would like to join, please contact Katy Mohabir. Exactly times and dates will be announced later.
Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars by March 31st
Eligible Thrivent Financial members with available Choice Dollars have until March 31, 2025, to direct them. Don’t miss this opportunity to recommend that Thrivent Financial provide funding to your church! Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.
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.
VITA Tax Prep
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.
Spiritual Direction Opportunity
Spiritual direction, a.k.a. spiritual companionship, is a way of paying attention to how God or the Divine is present and acting in your life. Julie McCarty is a trained and experienced spiritual listener who offers confidential, nonjudgmental, monthly, one-on-one spiritual direction in person or online. More info in newsletter or contact Julie at 320-766-6176 or e-mail juliemccarty@usfamily.net .
Updating the Church Directory
We are working on an update to the Church directory. Beginning in March there will be a form at the back of the sanctuary for you to confirm what information you want to include in the directory or what you want to opt out of including.
Community Events and News
Empty Bowls Project
March 20 at the Alexandria Area High School Commons from 5-7 pm. $10 for a meal or $15 for a meal and a student-made bowl. All donations go to the Outreach Food Shelf and the United Way Backpack Attack Program. All checks must be addressed to Calvary Lutheran Church with memo line Empty Bowls Project. Venmo is accepted too @calvarychurchalex. There will be a silent auction, live entertainment and the AAHS Art Show.
Special Olympics
Can you help? Alexandria Special Olympics needs a Head Coach for the Golf Program. Will you volunteer for this rewarding position/adventure? Contact Karyn Sportel at (320) 491-8759 or Gail Feriancek at (320)-808-8176. Thank you!
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.
