Fourth Sunday in Lent* March 30, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE UCC Praise Band
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Jazz Solos
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
One: Please stand in body or spirit until the Passing of the Peace
GATHERING SONG When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
*OPENING PRAYER Jill
Shepherding God, You look for us. You search for us. You turn every corner and climb every mountain. You call our name until your voice is hoarse. When we lose our way, you never stop seeking after us. So once again we pray, find us in this moment.
And then surround us with your presence, so that we might feel you near. With hope we pray, with hope we listen.
Amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE Jill
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
This Little Light of Mine
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 12 Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.
13 When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,
14 I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 15:1-7 Pastor Jill
15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?
5 And when the shepherd has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when the shepherd comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
SONG OF PREPARATION Amazing Grace
SERMON Everything In Between: Lost & Found Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
WE RESPOND TO GOD
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a seeking God, a with-us and before-us God, a chasing-after-us God. We believe that no matter where we wander or what mountains we climb, this God—the God who walked the streets of Jerusalem, shook hands with lepers, patted children on the head, and told stories of love—is always close at hand. So on the good days and the hard days, on the mountains and in the valleys, we believe that we are always being found. Thanks be to God for a love like that. Amen.
Prayer Song Sanctuary
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
OFFERTORY Ingrid Welna, Trumpet
*DOXOLOGY Holy Spirit
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING SONG When the Saints Go Marching In
*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.
Sending Song When the Saints Go Marching In
Liturgy is from the Everything In Between series by A Sanctified Art.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY March 30, 2025
Sunday March 30 Fifth Sunday worship
8:30 Fifth Sunday practice
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Visio Divina Bible Study
Monday March 31
10 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons with Heather Hjelle
Tuesday April 1
8-4 VITA Tax prep
Wednesday April 2
8-4 VITA Tax prep
5:15 Lenten meal and program
Thursday April 3
11 Women’s Fellowship Bd
12 Women’s Fellowship,
4:30 Holy Happy Hour at Pike and Pint
5:15 Choir Practice
6:15 Worship band
Sunday April 6
10:00 Worship in person and online, Communion Sunday, New Members received
11:00 New Member reception
11:30 Imagine Together discussion
New Member Sunday
Next Sunday we will be receiving new members. We will have a reception following the service.
Visio Divina Bible Study
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.
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.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 5:15 on Thursdays. Note this is a change during Lent to accommodate the Lenten Wednesday night discussion group.
First Sunday Practice
The worship band will meet at 6:15 on Thursday for rehearsal.
Imagine Together Discussion Group
On April 6 we begin a series of gatherings to IMAGINE TOGETHER. This will be an introduction and kick off for a series of discussions on who we are as a church family and what our dreams are for the future. This is both an imagining together exercise that we hope to build through our stewardship. We will meet after the reception of new members.
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
Today is the last day for March’s Bountiful Basket is for the food shelf. We will need help packing up the basket today.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Mielke-Hjelm anniversary 4/01
Evelyn Henrickson 04/06
Marc Blakesley 04/08
Linda Namur 04/11
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
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
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!
April 5 Hands Off Rally
Alexandria Area Indivisible is having a non-partisan, peaceful rally at Big Ole at noon. Everyone in the Alexandria Area is invited.
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.
