Third Sunday in Easter, Communion* May 4, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
PRELUDE UCC Worship Band
Oceans, Goodness of God, Build Your Kingdom Here
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Jane Harstad
MOMENT FOR MISSION Someplace Safe
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Jane Harstad
GATHERING SONG Build Your Kingdom Here on screen and in handout
UNISON PRAYER Jane Harstad
With thanksgiving, praise and joy, we worship you, marvelous God. How amazing is all your creation! How glorious is this day of new life! Come among us now, we pray, to raise us up from our fears and doubts and perplexity. We want to believe. We want to trust. We want to dare. We want to live. Touch us today with a spirit of hope, that our discipleship may honor Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE Jane
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN WORD AND SACRAMENT
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Jane
This Little Light of Mine
THE READING FROM THE PSALMS Psalm 30 Rev. Craig Dahl
Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David. 1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3 O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.,
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to God’s holy name.
5 For God’s anger is but for a moment; your favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8 To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:
9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
SONG OF PREPARATION Down to River to Prayer on screen and in handout
SERMON Hope Beyond Your Fears Rev. Craig Dahl
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Holy Spirit, verse 1,2, chorus all sung twice
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Rev. Craig Dahl
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Dear ones, this isn’t my table. It’s not your table. It’s not our table. But it’s Christ’s table. And because it’s Christ’s table all of us are welcome here. At this table, you don’t have to look a certain way, worship a certain way, or love a certain way. You don’t have to believe what I believe, or what, the person sitting next to you believes. You just have to come, exactly as you are, seeking the one who is seeking you. So come, all of you, not because you must, but because you may, and here find healing and wholeness for your journey.
COMMUNION PRAYER – Christ, who was there before the universe was called into creation; Christ who was anticipated by the prophets and prepared for by the people; Christ, who was born in a manger, baptized in the Jordan, and who calmed storms on the sea of Galilee; Christ, who fed us all with word, with healing, with loaves and fishes; Christ who saved us with a cross and an empty tomb; Christ, who never faded, never abandoned, never truly left us; Christ, of love, it is with you, and because of you, and in celebration of you, that we gather around your table this morning. And gathered as we are, we pray: come…Holy Spirit…come. Consecrate this loaf and this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking at this table, that our eyes may be opened, that we may recognize the risen Christ in our midst, and in each other, and be united with all for whom Christ died. Amen.
WORDS OF RESURRECTION – And so, we remember that on the morning of Jesus’ resurrection, the women took spices that had been prepared and went to his tomb. There, they found that the stone had been rolled away and that his tomb was now empty. There, they found two men, with faces shining like lightning, who said to them: “why do you look for the living among the dead?” There, the women remembered Jesus’ words, that: “the Son of man must be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” And so, this morning, we remember the story of Jesus’ resurrection and the story leading up to it. And remembering this story, we gather around this table, and we break bread and pour wine, and we are made whole, and we give thanks that everything Jesus did was for love and for us.
Jesus lifted the bread and said: This is my body given for you. Do this and remember me.
Then he took the cup and said: This cup is my lifeblood given for you. Do this and remember me.
With great joy this morning, I proclaim in Jesus’ name that these are the gifts of God, for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready.
GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
As Communion is served, please join in singing:
Oceans
The Goodness of God on screen and in handout
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (Unison) Jane
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 on screen and in handout
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS Jane
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: Jane
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY Holy Spirit on screen & in handout, chorus
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION Jane
*CLOSING Song Build Your Kingdom Here on screen & in handout
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Rev. Craig Dahl
SENDING SONG Build Your Kingdom Here on screen & in handout
We welcome the Rev. Craig Dahl who will bring this morning’s message and preside at the Communion Table. Our Moderator, Jane Harstad, will serve as worship leader. Pastor Jill is in Iowa celebrating the high school graduation of her nephew, Ty. She will return to the office on Wednesday.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY May 4, 2025
Sunday May 4 Communion Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online, communion, First Sunday Music
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Imagine Together
Monday May 5
Air conditioner repair
10-11 No “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 Voice lessons
5:15 Group Spiritual Direction
Tuesday May 6
Air conditioner repair
Wednesday May 7
Air conditioner repair
5:15 Choir Practice
Thursday May 8
9:00 Walking group@church
4:30 Holy Happy Hr
6-9 Wild Gem Theatre Godspell rehearsal
Sunday May 11 Mother’s Day, KXRA
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online, KXRA
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Communion Sunday
Today is Communion Sunday. We will come forward to receive communion. We believe that all are welcome at God’s Table. To help facilitate that, the elements are grape juice and we also have gluten free crackers to substitute for the bread if needed.
Imagine Together
We are “Imagining Together” about the future of our congregation’s ministry following coffee time this morning! Please join us!
Pastor Jill’s Office Hours
Jill’s office hours are on hold during her vacation. Pastor Marc Blakesley will cover any emergencies that occur during her vacation. 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.
Graduation Sunday is coming up
We will honor high school and college graduates during worship on Sunday, May 18. If you are celebrating a graduation this year, please contact the church office!
Annual Programmatic Meeting
The Annual Programmatic meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 18. 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 11. The deadline for contributions to the Programmatic Booklet is April 30.
Caffeinated Christianity
will NOT meet on Monday morning because of Pastor Jill’s vacation.
Air Conditioner repair
Major work will be on for May 5-7. Expect activity on the outside SE corner of the building and inside involving the History room and furnace room. The south door will be used for access and moving equipment in and out. Expect workers, noise, power tools, large crane. Hopefully this does not interfere with any other activities.
Choir Rehearsal
The choir will meet on May 7 at 5:15.
Angel Care Team volunteers needed.
We are trying to re-imagine how the Angel Care team will evolve to meet the needs of the congregation and our volunteer capacity. If you are available to be a phone buddy or are able to make visits in person this would be much appreciated. We currently have volunteers for in person visits for 4 months. Let the office know if you are available to volunteer.
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
Bountiful Basket is collecting for Someplace Safe in the months of April and May.
Birthday and Anniversary celebrations
Stuart Henrickson 05/04
Curt Schimmelpfennig 05/07
Donna Myers 05/09
Charles Lawrence Perkins 05/10
Megan Norling Wilken 05/11
Deb Bergstrom 05/11
Cindy Norling 05/14
Julie Hjelm 05/15
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
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.
