21st Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, October 22, 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: In the midst of darkness and chaos…
Many: God imagined.
One: In the fury and darkness…
Many: God imagined a world filled with trees, blue skies and fluffy white clouds.
One: In the meadow, God stood and….
Many: imagined foxes, bluebirds and slithering snakes.
One: In a world of rainstorms and wildlife and cattle and grasses blowing in the breeze…
Many: God imagined humanity. God imagined the continuum from man to woman.
One: In a world teeming with billions of people…
Many: God imagined me.
One: God imagined you, and God imagined me. We are created in the image of God.
Many: God imagined us all. God loves each of us.
One: Let us worship—and live—with the same imagination as the Creating One!
Many: Amen!
*OPENING HYMN “We Praise You, O God.” Black #420 v 1-3
*OPENING PRAYER (unison) Betty
God of justice, peace and righteousness, come into our midst this morning. Breathe your breath, your spirit of prophecy, your energy, and your imagination on us. Wake us up. Open our eyes, and unplug our ears that we might hear, that we might see, that we might grieve, that we might dream, that we might imagine new possibilities and follow the ways of your extraordinary realm. Amen.
*GLORIA “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 Betty
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 BIBLE 2 Kings 6:8-23 Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
THE READING FROM THE EPISTLES: Romans 12:17-21 Pastor Jill
HYMN OF PREPARATION “O Grant Us Light” Black #469 vs 1-3
Sermon “A Failure of Imagination” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSICAL REFLECTION Gale Maxwell
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, 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
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY 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.
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN “ We Are Called.” The Faith We Sing #2172
*BENEDICTION Pastor Jill
*POSTLUDE MUSIC Gale Maxwell
Acknowledgements
The Call to Worship for this Sunday was written by Tim Graves and posted on LiturgyBits (https://liturgybits.wordpress.com) The Opening Prayer was adapted by a prayer by Johnny Baker, and posted on Third Space (http:third-space.org).
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 22, 2023
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday Oct 22
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Fellowship
11:00 Memorial Committee
11:30 Freeing Jesus
Monday Oct 23
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
5:00 ATCC Bingo
7:00 Dartball Zion 1@UCC
Newsletter items due
Tuesday Oct 24
12-4 Elder Network
Wednesday Oct 25
10:00 Kitchen clean up party
Thursday Oct 19
9:00 walking group @ Big Ole
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike & Pint
Sunday Oct 29, Stewardship Sunday Kickoff, FROG Sunday Spooktacular
10:00 Worship in person & online
11:00 FROG Power Spooktacular &Potluck
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.
Stewardship campaign begins
Our annual stewardship campaign begins next week. Our campaign is “Because of you, our church changes lives.” Contact Jill if you have an example of this.
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
There are also two books of poetry missing. These are personal items, not library items. If you see them, return to the office.
Freeing Jesus — Book Discussion Group
Meets today at 11:30 in the “Blue room”, 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. Feel free to join us.
Men’s Dartball begins
The first game is on Monday Oct 23 here at church. Contact Clayton for more information.
Kitchen Clean up Party
Join us as we prep the kitchen for the Spaghetti Dinner. Oct 25 10 am. Lunch will be served.
Spooktacular Potluck
We are having a potluck after the service on Oct 29. Bring a spooky dish or your favorite dish to share.
FROG Power
Oct 29 After the pot-luck we will experience being swallowed by a whale, weather permitting go trick or treating for the food shelf, and play some games. Everyone is welcome to join us and wear their costume.
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
Bingo night for the ATCC basket will be on Oct 23 at 5 pm at the Café at ATCC. 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
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 November and December. 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.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Katy Mohabir 10/31
Devika Mohabir 10/31
Lois Engle 11/04
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.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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.
