Reign of Christ First Sunday in Advent Sunday, November 26, 2023 10:00 AM
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
ONE: Please rise in body and/or spirit and join me in the Call to Worship and remain standing through the Opening Hymn
One: In God’s house, we can be joyful.
Many: We can be grateful. We can be hopeful.
One: In God’s house, we can be weary.
Many: We can be anxious. We can be grieving.
One: In God’s house, we can be honest—
Many: inspired or tired, delighted or doubtful, connected or curious, and everything in between.
One: This is God’s house. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Many: Let us worship our loving God.
*OPENING HYMN “For the Fruit of All Creation” Blk 425 vs 1-3
One: Please be seated
Candlelighting Liturgy Judd and Wendy Hoff, Riley
A: How does a weary world hope?
B: By telling stories of hope, by lighting candles in the night, and planting seeds in the winter that will bloom in the spring. By praying for children as they grow, and picking up trash on the sidewalk. By insisting that small acts can make a difference.
A: There are a million ways to practice hope. So today we light the candle of hope as a reminder and a charge.
B: With God’s help, may we bring hope into a weary world. Amen.
*Call to Confession (unison) Betty
One: Please stand in body or spirit.
Friends, in today’s scripture passage, a man named Zechariah is given good news from God and his response is to ask, “How can this be?” Have any of you ever felt that way when receiving good news? It can be hard to receive good news when we don’t expect it. It can be hard to accept God’s grace and God’s love when we think we don’t deserve it. But friends, scripture tells us over and over again of a loving, generous, and gracious God. So may we come to the prayer of confession today, not with fear, but with an awe so deep that we ask ourselves, “How can this be?” Let us pray:
*Prayer of Confession
One: Gracious God, we are weary. For weary bodies that ache and cry out, we pray:
Many: Forgive us for pushing ourselves too hard. Reminds us that we deserve Sabbath rest.
One: For weary minds that feel overwhelmed and saturated with news, we pray:
Many: Forgive us for creating so many distractions. Remind us that in the quiet, we can hear you.
One: For weary hearts that long to feel the joy of this season, we pray:
Many: Forgive us for being impatient with ourselves. Remind us that healing takes time, and that joy and grief can coexist.
One: For the weary edges of our faith that struggle to hold onto hope,
Many: Forgive us. Remind us of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Remind us that your good news knows no bounds. Amen.
Words of Forgiveness
One: Family of faith, no matter how many times we wear ourselves thin, no matter how many times we lose ourselves to distractions, no matter how many times we ask ourselves, “How can this be?” God’s love keeps showing up for us. So say this with me:
Many: We are loved. We are claimed. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*GLORIA Angels We have heard on High, Gloria
Glo——–ria, in excelsis Deo!
Glo——–ria, in excelsis Deo!
*PASSING THE PEACE
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
THE READING FROM THE Hebrew Scriptures: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL: Luke 1:1-23 Pastor Jill
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Weary World Rejoice” on screen, Silent Night tune
SERMON How Does A Weary World Rejoice?
We Acknowledge Our Weariness Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC for REFLECTION Carrie Gamm
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in a God who hears our prayers, who knows the shape and form of our weariness. We believe in a God who wants joy and delight for us, not just survival and existence. We believe in a God who looks ahead, who is not done dreaming for the world— a God who sends hope in the form of people and change, movements and Spirit.
And so we return to this space. We bring our joy and our weariness like two sides of the same coin, and we trust that God is already at work.
Yes, we believe in a God who hears our prayers. Thanks be to God for a love like that. Amen.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, SILENT 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 DIVINUM MYSTERIUM
Christ to thee with God the Father,
And O Holy Ghost, to thee.
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion and eternal victory.
Evermore and evermore.
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN “Renew Your Church” Black 311 vs 1,3,4
*BENEDICTION Pastor Jill
Family of faith, as you leave this place, you go into a weary world— so speak tenderly. Do the good that is yours to do. Choose connection. Hold onto hope. And remember that Christ took on flesh for you. You are God’s beloved. So go rejoicing. The world needs it. Amen.
*POSTLUDE MUSIC Carrie Gamm
Liturgy for today is written by Rev. Sarah Speed for a Sanctified Art. Music Reflection slide is “Annunciation to Zechariah” by Lauren Wright Pittman
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 26, 2023
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday Nov 26, 1st Sunday in Advent
10:00 Worship in person & online
11:30 Freeing Jesus
Monday Nov 27
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
7:00 Dartball UCC@Zion1
Tuesday Nov 28
12:00 Elder Network
Wednesday Nov 29
4:30 Choir rehearsal
Thursday Nov 30
9:00 Walk -@Church
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike & Pint
Friday Dec 1
Boy Scout Lock-in
Sunday December 3, 2nd Sunday in Advent, KXRA
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person & online
11:30 Freeing Jesus
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 new software provider, Churchtrac.
Freeing Jesus — Book Discussion Group
Meets at 11:30 today. Feel free to join.
Women’s Fellowship
The December Women’s Fellowship meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 2:00. A light lunch will be served and the Carolers from the Alexandria Area High School will present a program at 2:45. Feel free to invite guests, notify the office if you are bringing more than 3. Merry Christmas!
Men’s Dartball
Contact Clayton for more information.
Newsletter Items due
Newsletter deadline is Nov 27 beginning of the day. All are welcome to submit an item.
Christmas Dinner
The Christmas Day Dinner has been an annual event for many years at our church. Reserve the day to come and eat or help serve the dinner. The sign-up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary. You can help now by spreading the word and hanging up posters.
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
Our Good Samaritan Fund is this year’s Tree of Lights mission. We use the Good Samaritan Fund to help people who have immediate needs for groceries or gas cards and occasionally a hotel room. We typically work with one or more agencies to meet these needs. Or have provided additional relief after another benefit had been exhausted.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for December. If you are able to greet, usher, or read, help serve coffee or clean up after Fellowship, please sign up there.
Child Care Needed:
Beginning in January, Kayla and Ray Noble will be leading music on the first Sunday each month–as well as fifth Sundays as they arise. They have two little ones who will need shepherding during worship when their parents are leading. They can sit with you in the sanctuary or spend time playing in the nursery with your companionship. Ideally, if the nursery is used, we would like to have two adults providing care. If you are willing to volunteer for one of these first Sundays, please contact the church office or Pastor Jill. The first date needed is January 7.
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
James LeBrasseur 12/04
Leigh Nelson 12/04
Cindee Kakac 12/05
DiAnne Loch 12/05
Cheri Schimmelpfennig 12/08
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
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.
