Third Sunday in Lent, KXRA Radio March 8, 2026
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Jill
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
*INTROIT O Jesus, Sweet Jesus Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lee
One: If you need good news,
Many: settle into this space.
We have good news to share.
One: If you need a word of hope,
Many: Then trust us when we say,
there is hope enough to go around.
One: If you need a glimmer of joy,
Many: then you’re in luck!
We have resilient joy abounding.
One: If you need to feel God’s presence in your midst,
Many: then know that this is God’s house.
One: This is the good news of the gospel.
Many: God is here. Love is real. Joy is on the move.
Let us worship our with-us God!
*OPENING HYMN Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ Blk 347 vs 1-3
*CALL TO CONFESSION Lee
Friends, we are like the disciples.
The day that Jesus fed 5,000, his disciples could not imagine a solution to the crowd’s hunger. They told Jesus to send the crowds away. We often do the same. Like the disciples, we try to follow Jesus around, but when we run into issues, we often cannot imagine how we could play a part. That is why we need the Prayer of Confession.
For in this prayer, we remember that we can make a difference. So friends, join me in this moment of truth telling. Join me in prayer:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lee
Holy God, with you the impossible is possible. 5,000 can be fed. The blind can see. The hopeless can find hope. With you the impossible is possible, but we are quick to forget that.
We look at our hurting world and tell ourselves that nothing can be done. We forget that you empowered the disciples to feed the crowd. We forget that you are always with us. Forgive our small-minded ways. Forgive us for doubting that change could ever come. But even more so, forgive us when we refuse to be a part of it. With hope for a better tomorrow we pray, Amen.
*WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Lee
One: Family of faith, no matter how many mistakes the disciples made, Jesus still washed their feet. Jesus still fed them. Jesus still called them beloved. The same is true for you and me, so hear and believe this good news:
Many: today is a new day, and once again, we belong to God.
We are forgiven. We are called. We are not alone. What good, good news. 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
GOD SPEAKS TO US
ANTHEM Feed My Sheep M Shinholser arr. J. Reppert
THE Reading from the Hebrew Bible Exodus 3:1-12 Lee
Moses at the Burning Bush 3 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; Moses led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God.
2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.
3 Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.”
4 When the Lord saw that Moses had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 Then God said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
6 God said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings,
8 and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
12 God said, “I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
THE GOSPEL READING Mark 6:32-44 Pastor Jill
32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.
34 As Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and Jesus began to teach them many things.
35 When it grew late, his disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late;
36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.”
37 But Jesus answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to Jesus, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”
38 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties.
41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and Jesus divided the two fish among them all.
42 And all ate and were filled, 43 and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
HYMN OF PREPARATION Break Now the Bread of Life Blk 321 vs 1-2
SERMON The Good News Is: Together, the Impossible is Possible Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSICAL REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, Pastor Jill
THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Our God in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE & OFFERING OUR GIFTS PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Diane Alveshere
*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 Pastor Jill
*SENDING HYMN May The Sending One Defend You Blk 79 vs 1-2
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
As you leave this place,
when you meet anger, speak with love.
When you meet fear, speak with hope.
When you meet pain, speak with gentleness.
But no matter what, speak this good news.
For the good news of the gospel is
love and justice for all.
It is joy that surprises,
and nonviolence that transforms.
The good news of the gospel is alive in the world,
so go forth speaking.
For if you won’t, then who will?
Thanks be to God
for this good, good news.
Amen.
*CHORAL RESPONSE Shalom Chaverim’ Choir
*POSTLUDE Diane Alveshere
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY March 8, 2026
Sunday March 8, KXRA Radio Sunday
9:15 Choir
9:30 Centering Prayer
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Book discussion group
3-5 pm Singing Resistance
Monday March 9
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons
4-6 Labyrinth open
Tuesday March 10
8-4 VITA tax services
9:00 Friendly Service
12:00 Elder network
Wednesday March 11
8-4 VITA tax services
3:15 Connections
5:15 Lenten dinner/discussion group
5:30 Children’s program small group
Thursday March 12
9:00 Walking group@mall
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike and Pint
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Next Sunday March 15, New Member Sunday
9:30 Centering Prayer
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Book discussion group
KXRA Radio Sunday
Today’s KXRA radio broadcast is sponsored by Sandy Grove and family in loving memory of Bill Grove. The second Sunday our service is broadcast on KXRA1490 AM at 11:00 am
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.
Centering Prayer
You are invited to join Marcie Watson in the Cambridge Room for a time of centering prayer from 9:30-9:50 am during the season of Lent.
Today, Group Book Study
Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang. Join us for a new group book study exploring faith, civic life, and the call to love our neighbors.
Today
You are invited to join us for our first Singing Resistance Event at First Congregational UCC. Everybody (all voices/singing abilities) is encouraged to come rehearse/sing/perform as we go. A dessert potluck and hot beverage will be served afterward.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The labyrinth will be open on Mondays beginning February 23 from 4-6. Anyone at church or the greater community is warmly invited to participate. The labyrinth is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit, and a mirror of the soul. May it serve as one of these, and more, for you.
Friendly Service
Come assemble quilts (9 am March 10) or just join us for coffee and treats around 10 a.m in the Fellowship Hall.
Small Group Parent and Caring Adult Education
The Faith Formation Groups will be meeting in the building for the first time on Oct 29 beginning at 5:30. You are welcome to attend these groups.
Wednesdays Lenten Discussion and Light Meal
Join us Wednesdays beginning February 25 at 5:15. We will serve a light meal and use the study Way of Life to direct our conversations. We have a participant guide available for you to use. If you wish to defray cost, a donation is appreciated. Please bring a bible (we will have additional ones available too).
Choir rehearsal
Beginning February 26 they will rehearse on Thursdays at 5:15 through Holy Week. They will also rehearse Sunday mornings at 9 am on the Sundays on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
New Member Sunday
Next Sunday, we will welcome new members to our family of faith. Please plan to stay for cake and coffee following the service.
Angel Care Team March
Betty Anderson and Joy Wrolson are the Angels for the month of March. If you know of a need, please let the office know.
Bountiful Basket
The Bountiful Basket will be collecting for the Outreach Food shelf in March. Non-perishable food and money are needed. A list of most desired items will be posted on the basket soon.
Worship Volunteers Needed
We have sign ups at the back of the sanctuary for volunteers interested in ushering, greeting and providing coffee fellowship. You are free to sign up for as many as you wish at a time. If you are interested in tech, let someone at the tech desk know and we can train you on the job.
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a Special Mission Offering of the United Church of Christ that supports partners worldwide with ministries that fund health, education, and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries, and both international and domestic disaster response. Thank you for your support of this offering!
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.
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.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Kathy Midtvedt 03/18
Henrickson anniversary 03/18
Pastor Michael Fritz 03/21
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
FAVORITE HYMNS NEEDED
Those who select hymns for our traditional services would like to hear suggestions favorite hymns. The list will then be used when possible as they choose hymns for us to sing that might fit into the theme for a Sunday. Please fill out the forms in your bulletin or email your choices to the church.
Upcoming Events or Community Events
ALZHEIMER & DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Join us at the Public Works Dept. meeting room (526 Willow Dr) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 3-4:30. Please contact the facilitator Stephanie Aasness at 320-766-1856, to learn more.
Knitting Group Fundraiser
Currently a group of knitters meets Mondays 11-1 at Rancho Viejo’s back room. They also meet on Tuesday evenings (5-8) next to RAW & Co at 110 6th Ave E, Suite B. This location has stairs. The group are knitting Red Resistance Hats as part of a mutual aid fundraiser.
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.
