Fifth Sunday in Lent March 17, 2024 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
Andrea Olson, Barb Brown, Julie Parent, Julie Anderson, Kristin Buckley, Pam Miller
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: Why are you here?
Many: I am seeking God with my whole heart, with my entire mind, with a fire burning in my bones.
One: I see it! You’re in the right place! This is God’s house. The door is open to you.
Many: Why are you here?
One: I am seeking God with my whole heart, with my entire mind, with a fire burning in my bones.
Many: We see that in you! You’re in the right place. This is God’s house. The door is open to you.
One: Let us worship God.
Many: Let us learn from the Spirit. Amen!
*OPENING HYMN “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Black 459 1,3
*CALL TO CONFESSION Betty
Friends, when you study Peter’s story in scripture it’s almost impossible to ignore how much he loved to ask questions. He asks Jesus: “What does the parable mean?” “Where are you going?” “How many times should we forgive?” Like a tenacious toddler, Peter was full of questions, because Peter was eager to learn. I wish I was more like that. I still have so much to learn. So friends, let’s be like Peter. Let’s return to Christ with the humility of a student as we pray together the prayer of confession. Let this be a moment of learning. Let us pray:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Betty
Holy God,
We long to be lifelong learners. We long to approach you with curiosity and an open mind. Instead, we often live as if we know best. We forget that the disciples called you “Rabbi, Teacher.” Forgive us for the times when we fail to be curious. Forgive us for the times when we assume we know best. Forgive us for the moments when we imagine that our learning is done and that we have all the answers. Like Peter—who was brave enough to ask, “How many times should we forgive?”—make us brave. Spark a desire in us to learn, and may our curiosity carry our faith into deeper waters. With hope and humility, we pray, amen.
WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Betty
Family of faith, When Peter asked Jesus, “How many times should I forgive?” Jesus responded with abundance. That abundance exists for you as well. No matter what you have done or left undone, no matter what lessons you have learned or are still learning, God’s abundant grace exists for you. God’s love will never run out. So hear and rest in this good news: You are forgiven. You are loved. You are invited to serve. Thanks be to God! Amen.
*GLORIA Black 419, vs 3
All praise and thanks to God
our Maker now be given,
to Christ and Spirit too,
our help in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
*PASSING THE PEACE Betty
THE READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Psalm 119:9-16
Betty
How can young people keep their way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts,
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
SPECIAL MUSIC Flute Choir
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Matthew 18:15-22 Pastor Jill
15 “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.
16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
HYMN OF PREPARATION Love Your Neighbor and Forgive on screen and in bulletin
SERMON Wandering Heart: Teach me Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
MUSIC for REFLECTION Kristin Buckley
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
INVITATION
SENTENCES
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
ADDRESS
QUESTION ABOUT PARTICIPATION
WELCOME AND RECEPTION
Let us, the members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.
We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior.
GREETING OF CHRISTIAN LOVE
PRAYER
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE, PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever.
Amen.
– The New Zealand Book of Prayer
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
OFFERTORY MUSIC Kristin Buckley
*DOXOLOGY Blk 420
We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring;
we lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name: glad praises we sing.
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN O, Savior, Let Me Walk with You, Blk 503 vs 1-4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
Beloved wanderer,
as you leave this place,
may you carry your curious heart on your sleeve.
May you look for God in every face.
May you find the courage to get out of the boat,
to run to the tomb,
and to speak of your faith.
And when the world falls apart,
may you hear God’s voice deep within,
saying, “Take heart, it is I, be not afraid.”
You are called.
You are blessed.
In both your ups and your downs,
you always belong to God.
Go now in peace.
Go trusting that good news.
Amen.
POSTLUDE MUSIC Kristin Buckley
The Call to Worship, Confession and Affirmation of Faith is from Sanctified Art Wandering Heart Words for Worship and used with permission. The Prayer of our Savior is from the New Zealand prayer book. The sermon slide art is by Jan Richardson and used with permission.
| 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 March 17, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday March 17 FROG Power Sunday & New Member Reception
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 FROG Eggstravaganza/Eggcelent lunch/games and egg hunt/
11:00 Memorial committee
Monday March 18
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
Tuesday March 19
8-5 VITA Tax preparation WCMCA
11:30 Lunch bunch
5:45 Board of Administration
7:00 Council
Wednesday March 20
8-5 VITA Tax preparation WCMCA
4:30 Pastoral Relations
5:15 Lenten dinner and program
Thursday March 21
9:00 Walking group @Church or Mall
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Friday, March 22
11:00 Celebration of Life for Jolene Speirs (10:00 visitation)
Sunday March 24 Palm Sunday
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Today is FROG’s Eggstravaganza
Join FROG for lunch, games, and an egg hunt today after worship.
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 your giving account online using our software provider, Churchtrac.
Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars by March 31
Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have available Choice Dollars have until March 31, 2022, 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.
VITA Tax Preparation
West Central Minnesota Community Action’s Volunteer Income Tax Preparation will meet here starting on Tuesday. They will be here Tuesdays and Wednesdays, each week, until Tax Day. To make an appointment or to find out more about the program call 320-304-3458.
Bountiful Basket
through March 31 we will be collecting for the Douglas County Food shelf. All non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, diapers and monetary donations accepted. There is a list on the basket with suggested items.
Elm St West Entrance ADA and Native Plant project
See the back of the sanctuary for plans, more information. You can donate to the project by an offering to the church.
Lunch Bunch
Will meet on Tues 3/19 at Grand Arbor’s Pioneer Grill at 11:30. All are welcome.
Newsletter deadline
Our newsletter is called the Church Visitor and our monthly deadline is March 22. If you have an article send them to the office.
Lenten Dinner Series
Once again we will be having a Lenten Dinner discussion series. Our first meeting is Feb 21 at 5:15 pm. We will have a light meal that we share. The program begins at 6 pm. The video series is written and produced by Amy-Jill Levine and is called “Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week.” Discussions will be led by Pastor Jill, Joy Wrolson and Marc Blakesley. For those who want to delve deeper there is a book by the same name that you can purchase. You are welcome to come at any time and stay for as long as you can.
Morning Circle
Meets at 9:30 on March 21 in the Cambridge Room. Treats, coffee, and a devotional program are followed by a brief meeting.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir will have rehearsal on Thursdays, beginning Feb 22 at 5:15pm each week. This is a temporary change during Lent. All are welcome to join. If you cannot attend every rehearsal, you can still be part of the choir.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for March and April. If you are able to greet, usher, or read, help serve coffee or clean up after Fellowship, please sign up there.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Jerald 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.
Community Events
The Bible book of the month will take place on March 19, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. on zoom. The logins are 597 949 7340 and 9UQu5r.
After reading The Gospel of Mark for February the participants decided to examine the themes of the earliest writings of the Christian movement. We will read the two letters to Thessalonians for March.
Free Easter Food Basket
If you live in Douglas County and need help with purchasing an Easter meal for you and your family, The Salvation Army of Douglas County (in partnership with Eldens, the Outreach Foodshelf, and Pratt Packaging) can help! Register at the website: https://www.databae.com/outreach-food-shelf/ if you don’t have online access call 651-746-3507 to register. Distribution will be on Thursday March 28 from 4-6 pm. The Easter food box distribution site will be at the Outreach Food shelf. You must be pre-registered to receive a food box. Limited quantities. One box per household. Registration opens Friday March 1.
Habitat Restore community-wide pick up
The Greater Alexandria Area Association of REALTORS will be picking up donations for the ReStore on March 15. Donations accepted: appliances, building materials, cabinets, countertops, furniture, lighting and more. Call 320-335-0794 to schedule a pick-up. Sign ups will be taken until March 12.
Beginning Experience of Central Minnesota
A weekend away for a lifetime of change: April 5-7 2024
The loss of a loved one through separation, divorce or death is one of life’s most traumatic experiences. Beginning Experience Retreat is an international program that helps facilitate the grief resolution process for those who have suffered such a loss and frees them to again love themselves, others and God. This is accomplished by offering time-tested and copyrighted grief resolution programs presented by trained peers. Founded by a Catholic nun and rooted in the Christian tradition, the ministry’s open, ecumenical spirit serves those of all faiths. Beginning Experience of Central Minnesota is just one of over sixty teams serving communities across the United States. To register or get more information, call: 320-319-8863.
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.
