July 23, 2023 8th Sunday after Pentecost
“Truth and Wisdom Lead to Joy and Peace … for All”
*please stand in body and/or spirit
PRELUDE: Greg Kapphahn
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Joy Wrolson
POURING THE BAPTISMAL WATER: Joy
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Betty Cichy-Anderson, reader
One: Open our minds, O God, to new understandings;
Many: Open our minds, Wise One, to learn from You.
One: Open our hearts, O God, to Your love in the world;
Many: Open our hearts, Loving Christ, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
One: Open us from within, O God, to the people in need around us.
Many: Open us up, Holy Spirit, when we want to focus on our own survival.
One: God of Opening Doors, Your Spirit is moving in us,
Many: Open our minds, open our hearts, open ourselves to Your people,
And may we worship You in the fullness of who we are.
*OPENING HYMN “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” Blk#12 vs 1-3
*Prayer of Confession (UNISON): Betty
God Who Knows, we come before You confessing that we often hide the truth from ourselves. We hide the truth that we know so little of You and the universe You have made. We judge others by standards we do not meet ourselves. Forgive us, O God, for passing judgement on those around us. Call us into accountability, Loving One, when we do not acknowledge the truth and deceive ourselves. We seek Your forgiveness. Cleanse us and purify our hearts that they might be full of love, for it is only love that will transform the world. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE Betty
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” -John 14:27
Know Christ’s peace in your life and know Christ’s forgiveness. Do not give as the world gives, but love one another, forgive one another, and live into Christ’s ways in this world, practicing love, justice, and peace. Amen.
*GLORIA Black 236
*PASSING OF THE PEACE: (responsive) Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH John Riggle
HYMN FOR PREPARATION “Creator God, Creating Still” Blk 278, vs 1-4
LECTIO DIVINA Psalm 51:6-14 Marcie Watson
SERMON: “Truth and Wisdom Lead to Joy and Peace … for All” Rev. John Riggle
MUSICAL REFLECTION Greg Kapphahn
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, MOMENT OF SILENCE & PASTORAL PRAYER
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS: John
*DOXOLOGY Lasst uns Erfreuen
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN: “Lead Us From Death to Life,” BLK #581 vs 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
*POSTLUDE: Greg Kapphahn
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NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY, July 23, 2023
The weekly Calendar
Sunday July 23
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday July 24
No Caffeinated Christianity.
Tuesday July 25
12-4 Elder Network
Thursday July 27
9:00 Walk @ Big Ole
4:30 Happy Holy Hour
Friday July 28
Return from DC
Saturday July 29
Janice Shogren memorial service, details below
Sunday July 30
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
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.
DC Trip
Pastor Jill, Barb Anderson, Hannah Wille, and Sydney Gauthier will be in DC this week. This is an exciting opportunity for all of them. We will hear from them on July 30 after they return this Friday. Please keep them in your prayers.
Pastoral Care/Emergencies
Marc Blakesley will be available for any pastoral care/emergencies while Jill is gone. He can be reached at (612) 325-1467 or through the office.
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 new software provider, Churchtrac.
Tech Team Volunteers needed
Are you looking for a way to participate in our Worship but don’t want to be out front, you can help at the tech table. Training available. It is fun.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for July and August. If you are able to greet, usher, or read, help serve coffee or clean up after Fellowship, please sign up there.
Angel Express and Angel Care Team
Joy Wrolson, 612-227-4220 and Lee Becker will be the angels for July. Volunteers are needed to cover additional months. Please contact the church office or Daisy 763-9461.
Meals available
Our church has received a donation of frozen meals to distribute to people in need of a nutrition supplement. If the economy and times have made you a person a supplement would benefit or are aware of a person in need please contact Pastor Jill. All information will remain confidential.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Sue Pommerenke 08/05
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Janice Shogren memorial/graveside service
In remembrance of Janice LaMae Lorenz Shogren, her family invites you to a memorial graveside service and reception on July 29th, 2023. The service will be at 1 pm at Hudson Cemetery on Meades Addition Drive SE, southeast of Alexandria, MN. A reception will follow at 2 pm at the Forada City Hall, 10991 Toby’s Ave SE, Forada, MN. Please join us as we celebrate Janice’s extraordinary and well – lived life! Any questions: 402 533 9806.
Updating the Directory
If your contact information has recently changed, please let the office know. We will have a draft of the directory in the back of the sanctuary at the beginning of August. New copies will be coming out late August/early September.
About First Congregational United Church of Christ
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.
Conference Events
Women’s Retreat
Camp Onamia
September 8 – September 10
Cost: $200/person (shared room) | $250/person (private room) only available to the first 5 requests, REGISTER by September 1
For this weekend of rest and renewal on the banks of Lake Shakopee, Rev. Claire Klein shares music, dance, and storytelling, as we weave our stories with the women in Scripture. While Miriam led the people to dance in the wilderness and Tabitha created beautiful robes for the poor, the Spirit was weaving each of our stories together with love and compassion. Rev. Claire will guide us in activities that weave our stories together in new ways through song and movement.
There will be plenty of time to rest, relax, and enjoy each other’s company, along with an opportunity to take a forest meditation walk at Kathio State Park.
Retreat begins Friday with a 5:00pm check-in. Dinner is served at 6:00pm. The event ends on Sunday at 11:00am. Packing and other information will be emailed to you a week before the event.
