Prelude Music Carrie Gamm
Welcome & Announcements Rev. Marc Blakesley
Pouring of the Baptismal Water
Choral Introit
* Call to Worship Daisy Stahlberg
ONE We gather in the name of God, the Most High.
ALL: God of power and might, shelter and protect us.
ONE: We call upon the One who offers us healing and wholeness.
ALL: Touch us with your gentle nurturing love.
ONE: We call upon the Holy Energy that created all that sustains us.
ALL: Infuse us with Your life-giving force, as we bear witness to Your love in the world.
ONE: We call on the God of yesterday, today and forever in our worship.
ALL: O God, remain present with us now and always.
ONE: O God of many names and ways, hear us now as we sing Your praise.
* Opening Hymn “Bring Many Names” #11 Black
*Prayer of Invocation (unison) Daisy
O God of Welcome, Gentle Savior, Empowering Spirit
come to us now,
accept our invitation to dwell.
You have created us with various senses.
Open our eyes to your work in the world.
Open our ears to your word of grace.
Come, Spirit of the Living God,
clasp hands with us, whirl with us,
blending our faith with your grace.
Praying in the name of Jesus, our Christ,
we ask this of you. Amen.
*Act of Praise “How Majestic is Your Name” #2023 TFWS
O Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, we praise your name. O Lord, we magnify your name:
Prince of Peace, mighty God; O Lord God Almighty.
*Passing the Peace Daisy
Moment with the Younger Church Rev. Marc
Prophetic Reading Isaiah 25:1-9 Daisy
Our first reading for today comes from the prophet Isaiah,
chapter 25, verses 1-9.
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name;
for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
2For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt.
3Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
4For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
5 the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.
6On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all people
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
7And God will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
8God will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of God’s people the Lord will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
9It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for God, so that we might be saved.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation.
Choral Anthem
Gospel Reading Matthew 22:1-14 Daisy
Our Gospel reading comes from Matthew this morning,
chapter 22, the first 14 verses.
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 14For many are called, but few are chosen.’
May God add a blessing to the reading and the hearing
of these sacred text. Amen.
Preparation Hymn #476 Black
“My Life Flows on in Endless Song”
Sermon “Knowing Who’s Who” Rev. Marc Blakesley
Reflection Music Carrie Gamm
Sharing of Joys & Concerns Rev. Marc
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
Offering Invitation Rev. Marc
Offertory Music
Receiving of Gifts
*Offertory Response tune: Old 100th (short)
O God, may we who bear your name
By gentle love your grace proclaim.
Christ’s gift of peace on earth declare,
And your anointing Spirit share.
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Marc
*Parting Hymn “Guide My Feet” #497 Black
*Benediction Rev. Marc Blakesley
*Choral Blessing
*Postlude Music Carrie Gamm
Acknowledgements
Call to Worship and Prayer of Invocation written by Marc W Blakesley, Special Folk Ministry Consulting. Copyright © 2017, Used with Permission.
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.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY October 15, 2023
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday Oct 15
9:15 Choir Rehearsal
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Directory photos taken
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Enneagram class, Journey Toward Wholeness
Monday Oct 16
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
Tuesday Oct 17
11:30 Lunch bunch Grand Arbor
5:45 Board of Administration meeting
7:00 Church Council
Thursday Oct 19
9:00 walking group @ Big Ole
9:30 Morning Circle (Cambridge Rm)
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike & Pint
Sunday Oct 22
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Freeing Jesus book discussion group
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.
Lost or missing items
Morning Circle is missing a folder with Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos in it. It was last seen in the last cupboard in the Cambridge Room. If you moved it or have seen it, please let Judy Kuhlmann or Marcie Watson know where to look.
There are also two books of poetry missing. These are personal items, not library items. If you see them, return to the office.
Cookies/Baked Goods Wanted
Do you have extra cookies or baked goods? Love to bake but don’t want a lot of extras at home. We would love to have a supply of frozen cookies to serve on Sundays. This would relieve the burden on those who choose to serve on Sunday. Please put them in the freezer in the Plymouth Room.
Neighbors in Need Offering
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is one of our regular United Church of Christ offerings and we will be collecting for the NIN fund throughout the month of October.
This offering supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.
Harvest Table
Stop and check out the Harvest table across from the elevator near the east entrance. Please bring garden produce to buy, sell and share. Money from the table will go to purchase gas cards for the students at Alexandria Technical and Community College.
Bountiful Basket
Today, Oct 15, is the last day we will be collecting for the bountiful basket for ATCC students. We will box up and load after worship.
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.
United Way Coat drive
The United Way is having its annual winter coat drive. Contact Judy for more information.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for October. 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. Joy Wrolson 612-227-4220 and Jane Harstad 320-760-7044 are the Angels for October.
Tuesday Lunch Bunch
Please join us at 11:30 at the Pioneer Grill at Grand Arbor. We meet up ahead of time and order our food at noon. All are welcome.
Tuesday meetings
The Board of Administration and the Council are meeting on Tuesday. If you have an agenda item contact Clayton Mielke, Jane Harstad or the office.
Domestic Violence Awareness Luncheon
This Wed, Oct. 18 from 11:45-1:00 at Arrowwood. (as of this writing) we have 7 reserved seats at a table for 8. One ticket is available from Ann Branch. I can get more if there are other folk that want to attend. Tickets are $25. Check written to “U Can”. (Tickets are available at Glenwood State Bank)
Morning Circle
The Morning Circle meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30. Coffee and Treats are served, we have devotions and talk.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Celesta Podolske 10/22
Barb Gralow 10/27
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner
Thursday Nov 9. We are looking for volunteers for various positions and bake sale items and those willing to donate a basket or parts of a basket for the silent auction. If you have an idea and want to bounce it off the organizers, let us know.
The Journey Toward Wholeness (the 3rd enneagram book group)
if you studied one or both of suzanne stabile’s books on the enneagram or if you have studied the enneagram on your own, please join Marcie Watson for six consecutive Sundays following worship and coffee time from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.
Freeing Jesus — Book Discussion Group
On Sundays, Oct. 22 – Dec. 3, 11:30-12:30, Julie McCarty will be leading a book discussion group exploring Diane Butler Bass’ book Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence, exploring the various ways, we relate to Jesus at various times in our lives. Sign-up after worship or contact Julie at juliemccarty@usfamily.net or 320-766-6176.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Local events include: Tuesday Oct 17, 4:30 Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence at Zion Lutheran Church. Short walk/speaker/food while supplies last.
Wednesday Oct 18 11:45-1 pm 23rd Annual Domestic Abuse Awareness Luncheon at Arrowwood Conference Center. Program and lunch: $25 ticket to be purchased at Glenwood State Bank.
For more information about either of these events contact susan.k@someplacesafe.info or (320-762-1995.
Day of Purple. Oct 19. Wear purple. Have conversations about what work can be done to prevent/help local victims and survivors. Take photos and share your #dayofpurple participation on social media.
November 4 Bazaars
Shalom Lutheran Church is having its fall bazaar, 9- 2 pm There will be a quilt drawing at 2 pm. They also have craft items and a bake sale.
Bethesda Lutheran Church is having its 51st Fall Bazaar from 8-1 pm. They have a 5-prize raffle. Breakfast or lunch will be served. Bake sale and craft sale too.
About First Congregational United Church of Christ
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.
