Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
PRELUDE Kirk Landman
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: Please rise in body and/or spirit and join me in for the Opening Hymn and remain standing through the Passing the Peace.
One: As we gather in this place, let us strain our ears to hear the rush of wind, the crackle pop of fire.
Many: We listen for your call, God of spirit and flame. We take our place in your unfolding creation.
One: Rejoice, for God’s Spirit flows among us! Rejoice, for today the church embraces transformation.
Many: In the midst of rebirth, we join our voices in praise! Let us worship God!
*OPENING HYMN “Like the Murmur” Blk #270 vs 1-3
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Lee
God, you invite us to wonder. We confess that we find more comfort in the mundane. We lean into the familiar and treat the amazing as suspicious or even threatening. We long for a routine to keep us safe from pain, and we’re willing to give up joy in exchange. Reshape our hearts for possibility, O God. Awaken our senses to your wondrous work in the world and give us the courage and will to follow you.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE Lee
One: The psalmist writes:
Many: O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom, you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
One: When you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
Many: When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.
One: It is through this same creative, renewing Spirit that we experience God’s grace.
Many: We give thanks as renewed, forgiven people!
*GLORIA Sing A New Creation #12
We bring the sacrifice of praise
Into the house of the Lord. (repeat)
And we offer up to you, the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And we offer up to you, the sacrifices of praise.
*PASSING THE PEACE Lee
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit enabled people from different nations and languages to not only speak to one another, but to understand one another. Friends, in many ways, celebrating Pentecost is celebrating God’s ability to forge connection and peace among diverse people and nations. As renewed, forgiven people, let us share the radical and unifying peace of God with one another now, saying: “The peace of Christ be with you.”
GOD SPEAKS TO US
A READING FROM ACTS Acts 2:1-21 Lee
2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.
7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”
12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.
16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: John 14:15-21 Pastor Jill
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.
17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ” BLK 520 v 1-3
SERMON Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
“I Will Not Leave You Orphaned”
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Kirk Landman
WE RESPOND TO GOD
HONORING OUR GRADUATES
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS AND 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:
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY Sing! A New Creation 216
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son. (Repeat)
And now let the weak say ‘We are strong,’ let the poor say ‘We are rich’
Because of what the Lord has done for us, (Repeat)
Give thanks, give thanks.
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN On Pentecost They Gathered Blk 272 vs 1,3,4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
As we leave this place, may we go out into the world ready to be overwhelmed with amazement. May we clear our throats to shout good news. May we not shy away from the fire and wind of the Spirit, but rather, let the Spirit envelop and hone us for the work of love that God entrusts to us as the body of Christ.
Go in peace! God goes with you! Amen.
POSTLUDE MUSIC Kirk Landman
Graduates:
Hannah Wille
AAHS. Alexandria Technical & Community College
Kylee Dingwall
Great granddaughter of Jon and Bonnie Haaven, granddaughter of Kim (Haaven) and Tom Dingwall, parents are Jon and Kami Dingwall. She is a graduate of Brandon/Evansville High. She will be attending the U of M, Morris and will play basketball. No major as of yet.
Chloe Loch
AAHS. Will be going to school at Minnesota State University Moorhead for an animal science degree. (Granddaughter of DiAnn and Mike Loch.
Riley Mounsdon (grandson of Julie Hjelm) graduated on Sat May 4th with his Master’s Degree in Fisheries Science from South Dakota State University in Brookings SD. On Aug 24 he will start work at South Dakota State University as an Instructor of Natural Resources and Law Enforcement.
Romayne’s Strand’s granddaughters: We know how much she loved her grandchildren and how proud she was of them.
Olivia Strand graduated last October from the Salon Professional Academy and works at Ella’s Salon. Appointments can be scheduled on line 😉 – I don’t have the ok to “advertise”.
Brooke Strand graduated in March with a BSN from Rasmussen University. After passing the nursing board exam, she is a RN working at Alomere Health.
Madison Strand graduates in May with a BS in Business Management from MSUM. In June, she will start working for Central Counties Cooperative in Atwater, MN.
| 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 19, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday May 19 Pentecost Sunday/Graduate Recognition
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Programmatic Meeting
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday May 20
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
10-2 p Office hours-Joy will be in the office
Tuesday May 21
11:30 Lunch bunch at Pioneer Grill
Wednesday May 22
10-2 DiAnne Loch will be in the office
5:15 Choir rehearsal
Thursday May 23
9:00 Walking group@Church
10-2 DiAnne Loch will be in the office
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday May 26
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Annual Programmatic Meeting
The Annual Programmatic meeting is today. 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
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.
Pancake Breakfast
Monday, May 27, Memorial Day, 8:30 to noon. Come before the parade, after the parade, or whenever is good for you. We need YOU to come and eat, tell your friends and relatives and neighbors, help on that day.
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 20 (for both indoor and outdoor activities) for landscaping and planting. Contact Andrew directly to volunteer: flemingajf4@gmail.com or (320) 808-5195
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”.
Lunch bunch
May 21, 11:30 Join us for lunch and conversation at the Pioneer Grill at Grand Arbor.
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.
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
Bruce Bina 05/19
Diane Alveshere 05/29
Sydney Gauthier 05/29
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.
Hello Neighbor
June 11 5-7 this is an annual event for people who work and study in Alexandria make connections within the community. Our congregation will have a table there to let folks know that they are welcome to worship and serve with us!
Country and Gospel Worship
June 30 is the fifth Sunday of the month and the Nobles will be featuring a Country and Gospel service. Invite your friends and family as we worship together and enjoy country and gospel music.
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.
