Stewardship Commitment Sunday, KXRA Radio November 8, 2026
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Carrie Gamm
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Jill
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
INTROIT God is Truly with Us Blk 68
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: Please rise in body or spirit as you are able. And remain standing until the passing of the peace.
Leader: God of love, we come with our hearts lit to meet you.
All: We rejoice at your love and faithfulness.
Leader: Loving Christ, we come to be part of your celebration.
All: We want to be part of your community of joy.
Leader: Holy Spirit, we want to reflect the radiance of your love.
All: May the light of your joy and love shine in us, in all we do. Amen!
*HYMN OF PRAISE God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending BLK #565
*UNISON PRAYER Betty
God of faithful love, all of life is your wedding feast, celebrating your Covenant with us. We want to be part of your joy. Proclaim your love to us again, in word and in silence. Declare your faithfulness. We will be present for you, and listen in trust and enter into your joy. Let our whole lives be your praise. Amen.
*ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE BLK 55, vs 5
PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
One: Please be seated
GOD SPEAKS TO US
ANTHEM Keep Your Lamps, arr. Andre Thomas, Mara Duscher percussion
READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE Joshua 24: 1-3a, 14-25 Betty
24 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.
2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods.
3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac,
14 “Now, therefore, revere the Lord and serve God in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the Lord.
15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods,
17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. God protected us along all the way that we went and among all the peoples through whom we passed,
18 and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for God is our God.”
19 But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.
20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then God will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!”
22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve God.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 Joshua said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
24 The people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and we will obey.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Matthew 25:1-13
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom., 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’
10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Later the other young women came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
13 Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.,
HYMN OF PREPARATION We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky BLK #563
SERMON “An Antidote for Burnout” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION
Sharing of Joys and Concerns & The Prayer of the 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.
WE RESPOND TO GOD
INVITATION TO GIVE
HYMN OF COMMITMENT Take My Gifts BLK #562,
Sung to ‘Holy Manna’
OFFERTORY
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
(The ushers will pass offering plates to receive the morning offering.)
*PRESENTATION OF ESTIMATE OF GIVING CARDS
(Those who wish to make an estimate of giving for 2027, please bring your cards forward and place them in the basket at the front of the sanctuary after the regular offering plate has passed you by)
*DOXOLOGY Worship & Rejoice 688
We give Thee but Thine own
Whatever the gift may be
All that we have is Thine alone
A trust O God from Thee
PRAYER OF COMMITMENT (UNISON):
Gracious God, we give you these gifts and these commitments as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace, and use them according to your will. 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.
*Hymn Take My Life, God, Let It Be BLK #448
*BLESSING & SENDING FORTH
*CHORAL RESPONSE Part in Peace Blk 78 vs 1
POSTLUDE Carrie Gamm
| Reprinted with permission by OneLicense A-715438. All rights reserved. |
| The Call to Worship and Prayers were written by the Rev. SteveGarnaas-Holmes, www.unfoldinglight.net |
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 November 8, 2026
THE WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday, Nov 8, Stewardship Commitment Sunday, KXRA broadcast
9:15 Choir Practice
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
4:00 p Common Table Game Night, Fellowship Hall
Monday Nov 9
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Grand Arbor Bistro
7 pm St. Johns @ UCC
Tuesday Nov 10
12-4 Elder network
Wednesday Nov 11
2:30 Connections Committee
4:45 Choir practice
5:30 Youth/parent small group
Thursday Nov 12
9:00 Walking group @ Church
4:30-7 Spaghetti Supper
Next Sunday, Nov 15,
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
KXRA Radio Sunday
Today’s Radio’s broadcast is sponsored by Deb Verpy and Bob Muzik in memory of their mothers’ Vi Verpy and Arlene Muzik. The second Sunday of each month our worship service is broadcast on KXRA at 11 am.
Common Table
Join us tonight from 4-6 p.m.for an evening of intergenerational fun and fellowship. Board games, card games, and even karaoke are on the agenda. Bring your favorite game, a song to request (or sing!) and a snack to share!
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.
Dartball team
The Dartball team has a home game at 7 pm Monday against St Johns. If you are interested in joining the team, please come.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The Labyrinth will not be open this Wednesday so that the Spaghetti Supper can be set up early in the week. The labyrinth is open on Wednesdays from 4-6. Anyone at church or the greater community is warmly invited to participate. The labyrinth is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit, and a mirror of the soul. May it serve as one of these, and more, for you.
Choir Rehearsal
The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 4:45 pm and at 9:15 on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. All are welcome.
Calvary Partnership
We will host the parents of Calvary’s Kid and Student Programming. 5:30 Wednesdays. If you have a child between newborn to 5th grade, you can meet with other parents while your child is attending a Wednesday evening program at Calvary.
Spaghetti & Meatball Supper
Our Annual Spaghetti and Meatball Supper is Nov 12 beginning at 4:30 -7 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 4-10 years old. Volunteers needed. Watch for a sign-up in the sanctuary. We are also in need of items for the bake sale.
Arts Space
Art Space will not meet this week. This fall, artist Jax Rose will resume the arts space for teens on Thursday nights 4-7 in our Fellowship Hall. These classes are free to any student who attends, and every student receives one on one instruction. Students are highly encouraged to bring their sketchbook or any projects they might be working on. Hope to see you there!” This activity is sponsored by a Lake Region Arts Council grant.
Angel Care volunteers needed
There are openings in our Angel Care visitation teams. This is an important and rewarding part of our church’s mission. If you and or a partner are available to volunteer, there is a sign up at the back of the sanctuary
Thrivent Community Action Grant
Are you a Thrivent member? Have you used your Thrivent Action Grant this year? If you are a member of Thrivent consider using your allotted grant money for the Spaghetti dinner or Christmas dinner. See Joy in the office for possible grant ideas for all three coming events.
Worship Volunteers Needed
We have sign ups at the back of the sanctuary for volunteers interested in ushering, greeting and providing coffee fellowship. You are free to sign up for as many as you wish at a time. If you are interested in tech, let someone at the tech desk know and we can train you on the job.
Harvest Table
If you have extra produce from your garden, please consider sharing your bounty. If you have need of veggies, herbs, flowers or other produce, consider making a free will donation to be used by the Missions committee as they determine needs. We will continue until we do not have donations.
Bountiful Basket
For the month of November please bring in toys and other Christmas gifts for the Small Mall. If you are interested in volunteering for the Small Mall, please see the poster near the basket for day of and other volunteer opportunities. For gift ideas see lists on the basket.
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
Ron Rokes 11/15
Rev. Scott Keehn 11/17
Sandy Grove 11/18
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
Upcoming Events or Community Events
Evening Prayer Services
All are welcome to join the First Lutheran Care for Creation Team for a time of music, scripture, and prayer. The purpose is to pray for the world, for peace, for all leaders, for creation, and for God’s presence in our lives. This prayer service is the 3rd Sunday of every month @ 5:00 pm.
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.
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
Everyone is invited to a beautiful evening of ecumenical worship led by St. Mary’s Catholic, Shalom Lutheran, First Lutheran, First Congregational, Emmanuel Episcopal, and United Methodist. Worship in person or watch live on United Methodist’s YouTube channel. Hot Apple Cider and Cookies! Fellowship begins at 5:30 pm with the service to follow at 6pm.
THANKSGIVING DINNER– With the help of various faith communities in Alexandria, St. Mary’s is again hosting a free Thanksgiving Dinner on November 26, from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 pm in the St. Mary’s school gym. For the homebound, we offer free meal delivery (1-2 meals per household). Please call Julie Kirscht 320-766-1321 by November 19 to order delivered meals.
If you wish to volunteer please contact Grace at 618-292-0506 or gracehlambert@yahoo.com. St. Mary’s is also taking donations of
pumpkin or fruit pies (no cream or custard pies), please bring them to St. Mary’s school kitchen on Wednesday, November 25, noon-5:00 pm or Thanksgiving Day before 10 a.m.
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.
