November 10, 2024 Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
*Please rise in body and/or spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Jill
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
CHORAL INTROIT Christ Has Broken Down the Wall
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: In the midst of darkness & chaos…
Many: God imagined.
One: In the fury & darkness…
God imagined a world filled with trees,
and blue skies
and fluffy white clouds.
In the meadow, God stood and…
Many: imagined foxes, bluebirds, and slithering snakes.
One: In a world of rainstorms and wildlife
and cattle and grasses blowing in the breeze…
Many: God imagined humanity.
God imagined the continuum from man to woman.
One: In a world teeming with billions of people…
Many: God imagined me.
One: God imagined you and God imagined me.
We are created in the image of God.
Many: God imagined us all. God loves each of us.
One: Let us worship with the same imagination
as our Creator!
Many: Amen.
OPENING HYMN Let Me Enter God’s Own Dwelling
Black # 67 vs 1,2,4
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION (based on Genesis 17:1-7 and Isaiah 35:1-10) Betty
One: Gracious God, you reached into Abraham and Sarah’s lives and asked them to dream the impossible dream—that you would transform what appears to have been a barren and lifeless situation into one overflowing with promise and hope—and, through faith in you, they believed your promises.
Many: Forgive us, O God, if we never get beyond thinking of your call on our lives as an impossible dream or even as an unwelcome interruption.
One: Faithful God, you used Isaiah’s imagination to give hope to your people that exile would not be the end for them. While languishing in the desert, they could not have imagined the abundant life that Isaiah described—water in a parched land the desert blossoming like a crocus.
Many: Forgive us, O God, when we find it hard to hear and trust your promises above what we can see and experience in this moment and dismiss your vision for us as unrealistic or unlikely.
Silent reflection on these words
One: Gracious and loving God, forgive our lack of trust in you;
Many: Have mercy on us and forgive us.
One: Help us when we hesitate,
Many: and strengthen us when we are weak
One: Breathe your Spirit afresh into our hearts and minds—our lives—so that we have the courage to follow Jesus wherever he takes us.
Many: Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (Ephesians 3:4-20) Betty
*THE GLORIA Blk 8, vs 4
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US
CHOIR ANTHEM Crowded Table
Words and Music by Hemby, McKenna & Carlile, Arranged by A Ramsey
READING FROM THE Hebrew Bible Genesis 17:1-8. 15-17
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE Prophets Isaiah 35:1-10
HYMN OF PREPARATION All Things are Yours W&R 687 1-3
(on screen and in bulletin)
SERMON “Imagine Together” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, AND THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR Pastor Jill
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
*DOXOLOGY Black 780
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THE CONSECRATION OF OUR 2025 COMMITMENTS (Unison)
Creator of all, the earth is yours, the world and all who live in it. You have entrusted us with gifts— time, talent, energy, money— and asked us to use them to build your reign. With thanks and praise we respond to your call. We bring these gifts you have given, returning your generosity, paying it forward. We offer ourselves, our lives, our hopes and fears, our dollars and our hours. We commit ourselves to work for your world, to love and serve wherever you call. We ask your blessing on this, your church, as we seek to follow you with heart, mind, and soul. Bless also these gifts, our investment in your future, that they may multiply in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN How Beautiful, Our Spacious Skies
Black 594 vs 1,2,4
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
CHORAL BENEDICTION Sevenfold Amen, Stainer
POSTLUDE Diane Alveshere
| We welcome all who are joining us for worship virtually, on YouTube, https://tinyurl.com/firstcongalex 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 Nov 10, 2024
Sunday Nov 10, KXRA Sunday
9:15 Choir practice
10:00 Worship in person and online, Stewardship Sunday
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Nov 11
10-11: “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
7 pm Dart Ball St. John’s @ UCC
Tuesday Nov 12
9:00 No Friendly Service
12-4 Elder network
5:00 Bingo at ATCC
Wednesday Nov 13
5:15 Choir rehearsal
6:15 Spirit on screen
Thursday Nov 14
9:00 Walking group@Church
4:30 Spaghetti Dinner
Sunday Nov 17,
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
KXRA Radio Sunday
The second Sunday of every month our service is broadcast on KXRA at 11 am. Today’s service is sponsored by Shelly Karnis in memory of Linda Akenson.
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.
Dart ball
Mon at 7 pm We are playing St John’s here. If you are interested in playing with our Men’s Dartball League, please contact Clayton Mielke.
Friendly Service
Friendly service has been cancelled for this Tuesday due to how many of the regular quilters are sick with COVID.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsal at 5:15 on Wednesday November 13.
Spirit on Screen
Pieces of April. November 13 at 6:15. Pieces of April is about a family get together on Thanksgiving that is hosted by the family’s black sheep. Bring a snack or light dinner. We will be serving popcorn and a beverage. Join us in conversation afterward.
Spaghetti Dinner
The Spaghetti dinner is Nov 14 4:30-7 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, children from 2-10 years old are $10, all others are free. Tickets and posters are at the back of the sanctuary
1. We need help setting up tables and chairs in the Fellowship Hall after worship today.
2. Have you gotten YOUR tickets for the Spaghetti Dinner yet?
3. Have you signed up to work that day? in the dining room, takeouts, clean up?
4. Plan what you will bring for the Bake Sale.
With everyone’s help, this will be a FUN and profitable event. Thank You.
Bake Sale
We need Bake Sale items for the spaghetti dinner. Please deliver the day before or the morning of Nov 14. Please mark your own items in whole dollar amounts.
Multiple Volunteer Opportunities
Worship Service volunteers. 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.
We need volunteers to help coordinate the Spaghetti dinner. Sign up at the back of the sanctuary.
Christmas dinner volunteers needed. Look for more information soon.
As always, your time and talents are always appreciated and as we approach Advent we have many opportunities available for you.
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.
Our Stewardship campaign, Imagine Together
We have begun our stewardship campaign. Look in the back of the sanctuary to get your stewardship letter.
Global Hope UCC Disaster Fund
Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit the southeastern United States hard and several UCC churches throughout the affected region have suffered extensive damage to their church buildings and surrounding communities. As the full impact of both storms continues to become realized, the Global HOPE team is helping to connect victims of the storm’s devastation with immediate resources as well as preparing to support long-term recovery efforts. As we continue to pray for and support those who have experienced unimaginable loss this past week, we invite you to support the UCC’s recovery efforts in the following ways:
Hurricane 2024 Recovery Appeal: The National Ministries of the United Church of Christ has a long history of supporting communities as they recover from disaster and their plight fades from the headlines. Your support of this appeal will ensure that communities are supported and accompanied for years as they rebuild. You can give directly via the website https://support.ucc.org/global-HOPE or by texting UCCDISASTER to 41444 or by writing a check with Global Hope or UCC Disaster or Hurricane Helene in the memo line.
Harvest Table
We are continuing the Harvest Table until people have nothing to bring in. We appreciate all who have contributed extra produce and are willing to make donations to Missions in this way.
Bountiful Basket
We will be filling the basket for the Small Mall during the month of November, there is a list of wanted items on the basket, they include, money, gently used or new toys, gifts for men, women, and teens, wrapping paper and gift bags and boxes. Gifts for men are particularly needed.
Bingo Gift Cards
Donations of cash, checks and gift cards can still be accepted for the Alexandria Technical College Bingo night (which is Nov. 12).
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Rev. Scott Keehn 11/17
Sandy Grove 11/18
Jon Haaven 11/19
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
