Seventh Sunday after Epiphany* March 2, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Praise Band
Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly, O Come to the Altar
Joy of the Lord
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
GATHERING SONG Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
*OPENING PRAYER Pastor Jill
Gracious God, set us free from our desires to be right, to be safe, to be comfortable. With the love of Christ warm in our hearts, we turn to you to receive your Spirit, the spirit of gentleness and mercy, the spirit of courage and generosity. Bless us, that we may be vessels of your love for our neighbors, even for our enemies, in the spirit of Christ. Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE Pastor Jill
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN WORD AND SACRAMENT
Song This Little Light
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
This Little Light
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Genesis 45:1-11, 15 Pastor Jill
45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.
7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors.
8 So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; do not delay.
10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.
11 I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty.’ 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
GOSPEL LITANY based on Luke 6:27-38
Leader: I say to you that listen, Love your enemies.
All: God of grace, give us compassion for those who are hard to love.
Leader: Do good to those who hate you, bless those
who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
All: We pray for those who oppose or mistreat us, for they are deeply wounded.
Leader: If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.
All: Give us grace and courage to be nonviolent.
Leader: And from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
All: Give us your spirit of generosity
Leader: Give to everyone who begs from you;
and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
All: Give us your spirit of forgiveness.
Leader: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
All: Help us see others as extensions of ourselves, and love them.
Leader: Love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.
All: We desire only to be loving, not to be right, to be secure, to be victorious.
Leader: Be merciful, just as God is merciful.
All: Give us your spirit of mercy.
Leader: Do not judge, and you will not be judged;
do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven;
give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together,
running over, will be put into your lap;
for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
All: May we love as you have loved us. We pray in the name and the spirit and the company of Christ. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC Breathe, by Johnny Diaz Ray Noble
SERMON Walking Wet in the World: Loving Our Enemies Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: Beloved, God is with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
All: It is good to give God thanks and praise.
One: Loving God, you create us, and create us always anew;
you set us free, and set all people free;
you walk with us into new life, life with all and for all.
In the beginning was your Word, and your Word was light;
your love is the light of all people, and shines in each of us.
Though we are blind to your light, and try to cover it over,
still you shine in all people, and you gather all people in your light.
When we seek to divide, you invite us back,
back to the table of your light.
So with all Creation we sing your praise:
All: Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and love,
all Creation shimmers with your presence.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed are they who come in your love.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed are all who come in your name, and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
He taught and healed, freeing captives
and binding the wounds of the community.
The light of his love awakened us to our loveliness. Those who feared that light in themselves and others
tried to put out the light: they crucified Jesus.
But you raised him from the dead,
for the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness cannot overcome it.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
As often as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
Remembering these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
one in your love, and one in our love for the world.
May your light shine in us, the light of the risen Christ,
the light of love. Amen.
GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
(If you prefer to be served where you are seated, please indicate your desire to an usher. Gluten Free Crackers are available for those who need them.)
As the people come forward to receive, please join in singing:
O Come to the Altar
Raise a Hallelujah
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (Unison)
Loving God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WE RESPOND TO GOD
Prayer Song Sanctuary
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
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 Holy Spirit
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING SONG. Joy of the Lord
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
SENDING SONG Joy of the Lord
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY March 2, 2025
Sunday March 2, First Sunday and Communion
10:00 Worship in person and online, Communion
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday March 3
10 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons with Heather Hjelle
Tuesday March 4
8-4 VITA Tax prep
Wednesday March 5, Ash Wednesday
8-4 VITA Tax prep
12:00 Ash Wednesday Service in Fellowship Hall
4:30 Choir practice
6:00 Ash Wednesday Service in Fellowship Hall, choir
Thursday March 6
9:00 Walking group@Mall
10:30 Labyrinth Subcommittee
12:00 Women’s Fellowship, 11 Women’s Fell Bd
4:30 Holy Happy Hr
Sunday March 9, KXRA Sunday
9:15 Choir
10:00 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.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 4:30 on Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday Services
Noon and 6 pm
We will meet in the Fellowship Hall where there will be a brief time of reflection, the imposition of ashes, and an invitation to walk the labyrinth as a form of embodied prayer. (If walking is difficult, there will be finger labyrinth available as well.) As we embark on the 40-day journey of Lent, taking time to focus on who we are, whose we are, and where we are on the journey is a great way to begin.
Lenten Devotionals
Devotional books and cards that complement The Everything In Between Lenten sermon series are available to pick up at the back of the sanctuary.
Women’s Fellowship
Women’s Fellowship meets on March 6 at noon. Bring your own bag lunch. Treats provided by Sandy Grove and Mary Mische. Julie Brau for the Douglas County Development Achievement Center will be the speaker.
Lenten Discussion series begins March 12
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.
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
Gary Zavadil 03/10
Randy Hansen 03/11
Kate LeBrasseur 03/14
Phil Midtvedt 03/15
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.
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.
