Sixth Sunday of Easter May 5,2024
*please rise in body and/or spirit
PRELUDE MUSIC Kayla Noble
Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly; Room at the Table/All God’s People Said “Amen”
WELCOME Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM
CALL TO WORSHIP
*GATHERING SONG “Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly ” on screen
*PASSING THE PEACE Pastor Jill
PROCLAMATION IN WORD
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
Jesus Loves Me Blk #327
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Jeremiah 29:4-7 Pastor Jill
Matthew 25:31-46
SERMON Confronting Christian Nationalism: The Common Good
Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
RESPONSE TO GOD
SONG: Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
PRAYERS FOR OUR WORLD, And For EACH OTHER
(Please use the form of address for God that you choose. Some might choose a name for God that comforts them—and others might choose a name that challenges them or deepens their understanding of God.)
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR (ecumenical version)
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.
COMMUNION
INVITATION
THE MEANING OF THE SACRAMENT
*RECEIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
Room at the Table on screen
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING: (Unison) Eternal 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.
INVITATION TO GIVE
THE OFFERING
OFFERING SONG: All are welcome on screen
THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SENDING
*SONG All God’s People Said “Amen”! on screen
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
POSTLUDE Kayla Noble
All God’s People Said “Amen”!
| Worship Band Musicians: Bonnie Bina – vocals, Bruce Bina – vocals, Patrick Gwinn – cajon, Raymond Noble – guitar, vocals, Kayla Noble -piano, vocals, band leader |
| 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 5, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday May 5 Communion Sunday/First Sunday music
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:20 Listening session in the Cambridge Rm
Monday May 6
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros.
Tuesday May 7
12:00 Alexandria Area Indivisible monthly meeting
Wednesday May 8
3:45 Connections meeting
5:15 Choir rehearsal
6:15 Spirit on screen, Real Women Have Curves
Thursday May 9
9:00 Walking group@Church
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday May 12 KXRA Sunday/Mothers’ Day
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Listening Session
If you would like to talk further about today’s sermon, please grab a cup of coffee or cold drink and join Pastor Jill in the Cambridge Room. We will start at 11:15-11:20.
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 13 (for both indoor and outdoor activities.) 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”.
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.
Spirit on Screen
Our May film is Real Women Have Curves. IT deals with the relationships between mothers and daughters and the expectations we have of each other. This film is 1 hour 30 minutes. We will meet at 6:15 in the Cambridge Room. We will have popcorn and a beverage. Bring a snack or a light supper if you wish. “Spirit on the Screen” meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Being people of faith means living as spiritual beings in the context of everyday life. Each of these movies has both subtle and obvious spiritual dimensions. After each movie, time will be spent talking about our observations. You can come just for the movies or stay for the conversation that follows.
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. The deadline for contributions to the Programmatic Booklet is April 30.
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
Cindy Norling 05/14
Julie Hjelm 05/15
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.
Someplace Safe 15th Annual Douglas Advocacy Spring fundraiser
Support the critical services and safety provided by Someplace Safe.www.betterunite.com/springfund24
Bidding begins at 8am on May 1 and ends at 8pm on May 5. Visit the Someplace Safe Douglas Office page on Facebook for item previews! For more information contact Leigh at 320-762-1995.
Purse and Yeti Bingo Fundraiser May 5 at 1 pm at Captain’s Bar in Glenwood.
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.
