24th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, November 12, 2023 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
Choral Introit
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: God of Love, you provide everything for us.
Many: Life is a banquet of beauty. We come to the feast.
One: God, you are faithful, and your love is steadfast.
Many: You have married the world. We come to celebrate.
One: And what of those who do not have enough light?
Many: We will share our light so that all may come. Fill our lamps with the oil of your love, O God. Fill them to overflowing, so that we may share your light with others. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN “Shout to the Lord” TFWS 2074
*OPENING PRAYER (unison) Betty
Call to Worship and Opening Prayer written by Steven Garnaas-Holmes and posted at unfoldinglight.net
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen. Amen.
*PASSING THE PEACE Betty
Choir Anthem
THE READING FROM THE Hebrew Bible: 1 Kings 17:7-16 Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
The reading from the Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 Pastor Jill
HYMN OF PREPARATION “This is the day of new beginnings” Blk 417 vs 1,3,4
Sermon “Be Prepared” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC for REFLECTION Go Light Your World Andrew Fleming
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, SILENT PRAYER, PASTORAL PRAYER
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR (ecumenical version)
Our Father 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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY tune: Lasst uns erfruen
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship God in humbleness
O Praise God, Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three-in-One.
O praise God, O praise God
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN “In the Midst of New Dimensions” Black 391 vs 1-3
*BENEDICTION Pastor Jill
*Choral Benediction
*POSTLUDE MUSIC Margaret Kalina
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 first Sunday of the month.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY November 12, 2023
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday Nov 12
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person & online
11:15 Freeing Jesus
Monday Nov 13
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
12-5 Office open
7:00 Dartball UCC@Bye
Tuesday Nov 14
9:00 Friendly Service
12-4 Elder Network
Wednesday Nov 15
4:30 Choir rehearsal
Thursday Nov 16
9:00 Walk @ Church
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30-6 Holy Happy Hr @ Pike & Pint
Sunday Nov 19, Stewardship Sunday/FROG Power
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person & online
11:00 Hanging of the Greens
11:00 FROG Power
11:30 Freeing Jesus
Pastor Jill’s Office Hours
Pastor Jill will be attending a Minnesota United Church of Christ Clergy Retreat in Buffalo, MN., Tuesday through Thursday of this week. If pastoral needs arise, please contact the church office, on Tuesday call Joy at 612-227-4220.
Typically 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.
Office Hours change this week only
The office will be open Monday 12-5 pm and Joy will be working remotely on Tuesday. Wed and Thur the office will be open 10-2
Thank you
To all who volunteered and to all who came and ate or contributed in anyway. Because of you we were able to re-imagine a new full calorie Spaghetti supper.
Stewardship campaign begins
Our annual stewardship campaign has begun next week. Our campaign is “Because of you, our church changes lives.” Contact Jill if you have an example of this.
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.
Freeing Jesus — Book Discussion Group
Meets at 11:30 today. Feel free to join.
Hanging of the Greens.
Please plan to stay following worship next Sunday to decorate the church for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Once the decorating is done, there will be pizza! Please let the office know if you are able to help!
Men’s Dartball
Contact Clayton for more information.
Friendly Service
Tuesday Nov 16 at 9 am. We work on finishing quilts. You are welcome to come for coffee and treats at 10 a.m. Hope to see you.
Morning Circle
Join us Thursday morning at 9:30 for Devotions, treats, and conversation. We are watching Rob Bell’s Nooma videos.
Christmas Dinner
Posters and business cards are at the back sanctuary, please take a few to put up around town. We need a cookie captain, a lefse coordinator and donations. See Cindy or Randy to volunteer.
Bountiful Basket
We will fill the Bountiful Basket for the Small Mall, “think like a child” as you select your donations. We need gifts for men too.
Tree of Lights
The Mission Board is looking for ideas for the Tree of Lights. We welcome input from the congregation. Please contact Judy Kuhlmann763-6033 or Cathy Johnson 763-3947.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for November and December. 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
Volunteers are needed to cover additional months. Please contact the church office or Daisy 320-763-9461. The Angels for the month of November are Glenda Richardson (320-763-4946) and MaryJo Hochsprung (218-338-2551)
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Jon Haaven 11/19
Jon Hall 11/25
Tara LeBrasseur Pham 11/25
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Veteran’s Day Program
The Alexandria area Veterans Day program will be conducted this year on Saturday November 11, 2023 at 11 AM at the Reach Church in Alexandria. Prior to the program coffee and donuts will be served at 10 AM. Following the program, lunch will be served at Alexandria VFW Post 936. In recognition of our area veterans and to commemorate their service to our country, all are invited to this event. Thank you in advance, Dave Anderson Commandant – Marine Corps League – Runestone Detachment 1409 – Alexandria
Thanksgiving meal at St. Mary’s
Nov 23 11:30- 1pm Free meal for any who wish to share a meal with others or would be alone.
Volunteers should contact Grace at 834-3722 or email gracehlambert@yahoo.com Help is also needed Nov 19-22.
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.
