22nd Sunday after Pentecost, KXRA Radio Sunday Nov 9, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
CHORAL INTROIT A Welcome Place J. Raney
*CALL TO WORSHIP Marcie Watson
One: Holy One, we come into your house with joy.
Many: Beloved, we live in your presence with awe!
One: In the shelter of your temple, we find rest.
Many: In the beauty of your presence, we find grace.
One: We seek your blessing, your Word, your fire.
Many: We bless you. We love you. We worship you.
*OPENING HYMN Enter, Rejoice, and Come in blk 73, vs 1-5
*UNISON PRAYER Marcie
God of peace and beauty, in the midst of the world’s chaos, we turn to you. With anxiety all around us, we open our hearts to your grace. Beneath the noise of this world, speak your quiet, steady Word to us. Even in the tumult, we are listening. Amen.
*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 Marcie
GOD SPEAKS TO US
CHOIR ANTHEM Perfect Love Hill/Nordmeyer
READING FROM THE PROPHETS Isaiah 65: 17-25 Marcie
The Glorious New Creation 17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating, for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy and its people as a delight.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it or the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days or an old person who does not live out a lifetime, for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat, for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord— and their descendants as well.
24 Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 21:5-19 Pastor Jill
The Destruction of the Temple Foretold 5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said,
6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
Signs and Persecutions 7 They asked Jesus, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”
8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom;
11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance,
15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
HYMN OF PREPARATION Sing to The Lord of Harvest W & R 724, vs 1-3
SERMON The End? Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Diane Alveshere
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, PASTORAL PRAYER
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 DEDICATION Pastor Jill
*CLOSING HYMN Part in Peace, Blk 78, Vs 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
CHORAL RESPONSE Go Now in Peace Besig/Price
*POSTLUDE Diane Alveshere
The Call to Worship and Unison Prayer were written by the Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY Nov 9 2025
Sunday Nov 9 KXRA Radio Sunday
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Nov 10
10-11 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2-7 p Voice lessons (on hiatus until Nov 24)
7 p St Johns @ UCC
Tuesday Nov 11
12-4 Elder network
2-7 Voice lessons (on hiatus until Nov 24)
Wednesday Nov 12
10:30 Connections
5:15 Choir
5:30 Children’s Program small group
6:30 Spirit on Screen Jesus Camp (in sanctuary)
7:15 Youth Program Small group
Thursday Nov 13
9:00 Walking group@Church
4:30 Spaghetti Supper
Next Sunday Nov 16 Stewardship Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
KXRA 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.
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 St Johns.
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.
Spirit on Screen
This month’s Spirit on Screen is Jesus Camp, Wed Nov 12 at 6:30pm. We will be screening the film in the sanctuary. We will be serving popcorn and beverage. Please be careful with the popcorn.
Spaghetti & Meatball Supper
Our Annual Spaghetti and Meatball Supper is Nov 13 beginning at 4:30 -7 pm. Volunteers needed. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. Tickets are available for pre-sale.
Bake Sale items should be brought on Wed Nov 12 in the afternoon.
Stewardship Sunday
We are celebrating Stewardship Sunday on Nov 16. 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.
Lanterns needed
We will be decorating our sanctuary with lanterns for the Advent and Christmas seasons. If you have an old lantern that you would be willing to lend, please bring it to the church by November 23. Thank you!!!
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
Rev. Scott Keehn 11/17
Sandy Grove 11/18
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
We will be decorating the sanctuary and other areas of the church on November 23.
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.
