KXRA Radio Sunday, Seventh Sunday of Easter May 12,2024
PRELUDE MUSIC Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Marc Blakesley
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
*INTROIT Come, Let us gather led by the choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP Daisy Stahlberg
ONE: God is calling us.
MANY: God is always there calling us.
ONE: We are called to wholeness and acceptance;
MANY: to be justice-seekers and peace-makers.
ONE: We are called to be a welcoming community,
MANY: covenanting with each other in faith.
ONE: We are called both to worship and to witness;
MANY: to sing joyfully, to pray earnestly, and to speak prophetically.
ONE: We are called to celebrate and share in God’s love.
MANY: God is calling us.
ONE: God is always there calling us.
*OPENING HYMN Called as Partners in Christ’s Service Blk #495
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Acts 1:6-8 Daisy
SILENT PERSONAL CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Daisy
God of comfort, we are anxious people.
We ask like those first disciples, “Is this the time when you will restore things?”
We confess a desire for you to fix things right now, denying that we may have some part in the brokenness, or even our ability to mend what is broken.
Forgive our apathy. Forgive our hesitancy. Forgive our lack of faith, both in you and ourselves.
We have witnessed your promise of new life and redemption, but we fail to believe it fully.
Forgive us, we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE Rev. Marc
*GLORIA Glory, Glory Hallelujah Blk #2 (v. 1-3)
*PASSING THE PEACE Daisy
CHORAL ANTHEM In You We Are One Jay Althouse
GOSPEL READING Luke 24:44-53 Daisy
PREPARATION HYMN Blk #539 (vrs. 1-3)
Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant
SERMON “I Will Always Love You” Rev. Marc Blakesley
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
SHARING OF JOYS & CONCERNS
MOTHER’S DAY LITANY
SILENT PRAYER
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
COLLECTION OF TITHES & OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY Blk #785
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*PARTING HYMN “Guide My Feet” Blk #497
*CHORAL BLESSING
*BENEDICTION Rev. Marc Blakesley
*POSTLUDE MUSIC Diane Alveshere
| 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 May 12, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday May 12 KXRA Sunday/Mothers’ Day
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday May 13
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
Tuesday May 14
9 am Friendly Service
11 am Worship Committee
12:00 Elder network
5:45 Board of Administration
7:00 Council
Wednesday May 15
4:30 Pastoral relations
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday May 16
9:00 Walking group@Church
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday May 19 Pentecost Sunday/Graduate Recognition
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Programmatic Meeting
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Today is KXRA Radio Sunday
The second Sunday of every month KXRA broadcasts our service on 1490 AM at 11 am. Today’s service is sponsored by Brad, Niki and Audrey Froemming in loving memory of EJ and members of the Weatherwax family.
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.
Bountiful Basket
We are collecting for Someplace Safe through May and June. A list is on the basket to find suggested items.
Elm St West Entrance ADA and Native Plant project
The Elm St/West Entrance ADA and Native Plant project is Andrew Fleming’s Eagle Scout Project. This project will make our west entrance accessible and it will also convert part of our grounds into a pollinator friendly, native species area. See the back of the sanctuary for plans, more information. You can support this project by an offering to the church. Volunteers needed on May 20th (for both indoor and outdoor activities, planting, landscaping activities.) Contact Andrew directly to volunteer: flemingajf4@gmail.com or (320) 808-5195. We have made a lot of progress and you can walk on the ramp and stairs. The work that is left outside is the “fun’ part.
Sound system project
As you may know our aging sound board has a channel that is no longer working. We hope to upgrade our entire sound system to improve sound quality in our sanctuary and online. The cost for the new equipment (sound board, new mics, etc) is $7000. If you would like to contribute, please indicate on the memo line that your gift is for the “sound system”.
Friendly Service
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 14th at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. As this is our last meeting for the season, we will have our annual potluck luncheon. Please bring your favorite dish to share with everyone
Tuesday meetings
The Board of Administration and the Church council are meeting a week early to accommodate the Programmatic meeting schedule. If you have an agenda item said it to the office.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir will return to its usual time on Wednesdays, beginning March27 at 5:15pm each week. All are welcome to join. If you cannot attend every rehearsal, you can still be part of the choir.
Pentecost Sunday
Wear red next Sunday to mark the celebration of the Spirit descending and the start of the early church. This color reminds the congregation of fire—the symbol of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit overpowered the barriers of culture and race.
Do you have any Graduates (high school, college, tech, etc.) in your immediate family this spring? We will be celebrating their achievements in worship on Sunday, May 19, with a reception following. Please call the Church office with names and a brief description of their accomplishments to be shared that Sunday. Photos are welcome, too, and can be emailed to office@firstcongregationaluccalex.com Thank you!
Annual Programmatic Meeting
The Annual Programmatic meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 19. Please plan to stay a little longer after worship that morning! One of the main features of the Programmatic Meeting is to elect a slate of Committee and Board members and Chairs. Look for Programmatic Booklets on May 12.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for May and June. 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
Audrey Froemming 05/19
Mary Mische 05/25
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Free Items in Church Office Hallway
These items are not needed in church spaces as we redesign our spaces for new uses. Anyone is welcome to take an item that you know of a use for it. Deadline for removing objects is May 15th unless special arrangements are made with the church office.
Pancake Breakfast
Memorial Day May 27. We will be having a Pancake Breakfast on Memorial Day. Watch for more details and a sign-up in the sanctuary.
Conference and Community Events
Minnesota Conference Annual Meeting June 7-8
The Minnesota Conference is holding its annual meeting June 7-8 at the College of St Benedict. The theme is “Sacred Reimagining”. Our church is allowed two delegates, plus Pastor Jill and a youth delegate (13-29 yrs old). If you are interested in being a delegate contact Jill or the office.
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.
