23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Stewardship Sunday Nov 16, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
PRELUDE Carrie Gamm
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP Bonnie Bina
One: God of abundance, you provide every good thing!
Many: In gratitude we thank you.
One: Loving Christ, you bear our forgiveness to us with wounded hands and a generous heart.
Many: In gratitude we praise you.
One: Holy Spirit, you fill us with your love and courage, your deep desire for justice and mercy.
Many: In gratitude we serve you.
In gratitude, with our whole lives, we worship you. Alleluia!
*OPENING HYMN Creator God, Creating Still, Blk. # 278, Vs 1-4
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION Bonnie
Gentle God, trusting in your tender mercy, we confess our sin to you with one another. We confess that we forget you. We are so concerned for our own comfort that we forget our neighbors. We are so attached to our own will that we forget yours. We are so aware of our need, we forget our calling. We are so pleased with our possessions that we forget that they are yours. Bring us back to mindfulness, God. Forgive us, and be generous with your grace. Heal our hearts, restore your Spirit in us, and re-create us in your image. Awaken us to your gifts in us, that we might live by them with trust and courage. God, have mercy on us, and grant us your peace.
*WORDS OF FORGIVENESS Pastor Jill
*THE ACT OF PRAISE (GLORIA) (Black #55. Verse 5)
Praise God who rules all worlds, the risen Christ adore,
Praise God the Spirit, Holy Fire, one God forevermore!
Rejoice, Rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE Bonnie
GOD SPEAKS TO US
READING FROM THE PROPHETS 1 Kings 17:8-16 Bonnie
The Widow of Zarephath 8 Then the word of God came to Elijah, saying,
9 “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there, for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”
10 So Elijah set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; Elijah called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.”
11 As she was going to bring it, Elijah called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
13 Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said, but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.
14 For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.”
15 She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days.
16 The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL John 6:1-14 Pastor Jill
Feeding the Five Thousand 6 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him because they saw the signs that Jesus was doing for the sick.
3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 Jesus said this to test Phillip, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of the disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Jesus,
9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”
10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place, so they sat down, about five thousand in all.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks Jesus distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 When they were satisfied, Jesus told the disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.”
13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.
14 When the people saw the sign that Jesus had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
HYMN OF PREPARATION God, whose giving knows no ending, W&R# 572 Vs. 1-3
SERMON What’s in Your Lunch Box? Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Carrie Gamm
WE RESPOND TO GOD WITH GRATITUDE
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE,
THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Our God in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day 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 yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE & OFFERING OUR GIFTS PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth, Mary Luti
O hear your people as we trace
Your mercy and your boundless grace;
Receive our praise that’s never done,
O God, O Christ, O Spirit, One.
*PRAYER OF CONSECRATION (unison) Pastor Jill
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace, and use them to make your dream for our world—and for the ministry of this congregation—a reality. Send us into the world to share all that we have, knowing that it is yours, with joyful and trusting generosity, in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN God we give you all our gifts tune: Blk 43 Words on screen
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
*POSTLUDE Carrie Gamm
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY Nov 16 2025
Sunday Nov 16 Stewardship Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Nov 17
10-11 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 p Voice lessons (on hiatus until Nov 24)
6:30 Confirmation @UCC
7 p Villard@UCC
Tuesday Nov 18
9:30 Friendly Service
11:30 Lunch bunch
2-7 Voice lessons (on hiatus until Nov 24)
5:00 Board of Administration
6:00 Council
Wednesday Nov 19
5:15 Choir
5:30 Children’s Program small group
7:15 Youth Program Small group
Thursday Nov 20
Newsletter deadline
9:00 Walking group@Church
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30 Happy Holy Hour @ Pike and Pint
Next Sunday Nov 23
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Stewardship Sunday
Today is Stewardship Sunday. If you haven’t brought in or mailed in your pledge cards, please send them. There will be a few pledge cards available to fill out. You can place them in the offering plate.
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 Team
Our game this week is here against Villard on Monday at 7 pm Fellowship Hall.
Confirmation
Confirmation meets at 6:30 here.
Friendly Service Quilting
Friendly service meets in Fellowship Hall on Tuesday Nov 18at 9:00 am. They will take a break at 10:00 for some treats and coffee
Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, November 18 at 11:30. We will meet at the Grand Arbor’s Pioneer Grill. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Tuesday is Meeting Night
The Board of Administration and the Church Council meet on Tuesday at 5:00 pm and 6 pm respectively. Please contact the office if you have an item to add to either agenda.
Choir
The Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 5:15 pm. They sing on the 2nd and 4th Sundays and rehearse before services. If you are interested in joining come to a rehearsal or check in with Carrie.
Small Group Parent and Caring Adult Education
The Faith Formation Groups will be meeting in the building for the first time on Oct 29 beginning at 5:30. You are welcome to attend these groups.
Morning Circle
Morning Circle meets on Thursday at 9:30 am in the Cambridge Room. There will be devotions, a brief business meeting, coffee and a treat.
The Visitor Deadline
The Visitor deadline for articles is early this month due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Please get your article to the office by Nov 20.
Spaghetti & Meatball Supper Thank you
Thanks to all who planned, prepared, and served to make our Spaghetti Supper possible! Your efforts are much appreciated.
Lanterns needed
If you have a lantern to share for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, please bring them to worship or the church office. Make sure they are marked with your name.
Christmas Dinner
Each year, our congregation hosts a Free Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day. We always have plenty of volunteers for the actual event but need someone(s) to be the point person(s) or primary organizer(s). Are you willing?
Frozen Pies Available
There are a few pies still available. $15 a pie.
Harvest Table
Our Harvest Table is winding down. We appreciate all who have participated. If you still have produce or other items feel free to bring to share at the table.
Bountiful Basket
The Small Mall gives students between kindergarten to 12th grade to purchase gifts for their family members at little cost. Gifts particularly for men are needed. Please no clothes. If you have questions, please ask Katy Mohabir.
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.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Jon Hall 11/25
Tara LeBrasseur Pham 11/25
Lauren Davis 11/27
David Fleming 11/27
Merlin Moser 11/28
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
FAVORITE HYMNS NEEDED Those who select hymns for our traditional services would like to hear suggestions favorite hymns. The list will then be used when possible as they choose hymns for us to sing that might fit into the theme for a Sunday. Please fill out the forms in your bulletin or email your choices to the church.
Save the Date
Hanging of the Greens
Join us Nov 23 following worship for the Hanging of the Greens and preparing our Sanctuary and the rest of our building for the Advent and Christmas seasons. A light lunch will be served once the work is complete!
Community Thanksgiving Service at First Lutheran
We along with many other churches in Alexandria are participating in a community Thanksgiving Service on Wed Nov 26 at 6:30. Jill and other members from our church will be reading during the service.
Thanksgiving Dinner
St. Mary’s is again hosting a free Thanksgiving Dinner on November 27, from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 pm in the St. Mary’s school gym. This meal is for those who would otherwise be alone or for those who would like to share a meal with other members of our community. If you are homebound, please call Bonnie Broman 320-763-9429 by November 20 to order delivered meals.
Volunteers wanting to help with set up, prepping, serving the meal, or cleanup, please contact Grace at 618-292-0506 or gracehlambert@yahoo.com. Help is also needed Nov. 23-26 in case you are unable to help on Thanksgiving Day.
If you would like to donate 1-2 pumpkin or fruit pies (no cream or custard pies), please bring to St. Mary’s school kitchen on Wednesday, November 26, noon-5:00 pm or Thanksgiving Day before 10 a.m
Welcome Winter Sunday Fun Day
Please join the Connections Committee for coffee/hot chocolate after church on November 30. We will have the Spinning Wheel out for you to take a spin and win special treats.
ALZHEIMER & DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Join us at the Public Works Dept. meeting room (526 Willow Dr) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 3-4:30. Please contact the facilitator Stephanie Aasness at 320-766-1856, to learn more.
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.
