22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Oct 25, 2026
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Jill
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
Introit O Worship the Lord, arr. by Donald Moore
*CALL TO WORSHIP Judy Rose
Leader: God of Absolute Compassion, you have loved us with all of your heart and your soul, your strength and your mindfulness.
All: Christ, you have loved us as yourself.
Leader: Fill us with your love, that we may love you by loving our neighbors.
All: Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!
*OPENING HYMN God, Our Author and Creator BLK #530
*UNISON PRAYER Judy
God of love, you who are merciful and gracious: our hearts are divided, torn between love and fear. Speak your Word to us, heal our fear, and fill us with your love, in the gentle presence of Christ. Amen.
*ACT of PRAISE BLK 55, vs 5
PASSING OF THE PEACE Judy
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Anthem Mothering God, You gave me birth arr. by K Lowenberg, C. Jennings
READING FROM THE Hebrew Bible Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 Judy
19 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
2 “Speak to all the congregation of the Israelites and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
15 “You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.
16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand idly by when the blood of your neighbor is at stake: I am the Lord.
17 “You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READINGS FROM THE GOSPEL Matthew 22:34-40
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, an expert in the law, asked Jesus a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
37 Jesus said to the Pharisee, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
HYMN OF PREPARATION They’ll Know we are Christians by Our love W& R 595
SERMON “The Bottom Line” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Brad Lambrecht
Fanfarria brillante Carson Cooman Opus 1331
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
*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 DEDICATION
*SENDING HYMN Go, My Children, with My Blessing BLK #82
*BLESSING & SENDING FORTH
Choral Response Peace, God’s Wonderful Peace, by W. Runyan, arr. D. Moore
POSTLUDE Brad Lambrecht
| *The Call to worship and Opening Prayer were written by the Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes (www.unfoldinglight.com). |
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 October 25, 2026
THE WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday, Oct 25
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday October 26
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Grand Arbor Bistro
5:15 Group Spiritual Direction
7:00 Zion 2@UCC
Tuesday October 27
12-4 Elder network
Wednesday Oct 28
4-6 Labyrinth
4:45 choir
5:30 Youth/parent small group
6:30 Youth Group game night @UMC
Thursday Oct 29
9:00 Walking group @ Big Ole
4-7 Arts Space
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Saturday, Oct 31
4-5:30 Trunk or Treat @GUP
Next Sunday, Nov 1
8:30 Band practice
10:00 Worship in person and online, First Sunday Music, All Saints
11:00 Coffee Fellowship,
Pastor Jill’s Office Hours
Pastor Jill will be at the Conference’s clergy retreat from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon this week. 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 here in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in joining the team, please come.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
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.
Youth Events this week
Our combined youth group between Glenwood United Parish and United Methodist meets twice this week. There is a game night at United Methodist on Wednesday at 6:30 and a Trunk or Treat event on October 31 from 4:00-5:30 at Glenwood United Parish in Glenwood 10 17th Ave NW.
Arts Space
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.
Next Sunday is All Saints Sunday!
We will remember the lives of those connected to our congregation who have died during this past year as well as all of those who have gone before us in faith whom we love and miss. Bring their names and a photo, if you have one, for placement in the front of our sanctuary.
Church Swag
Take the opportunity this Sunday to order shirts, sweatshirts, aprons, and other items at the back of the sanctuary. A member of the Connections committee will be able to assist you in creating an order. Items available to try on.
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.
Bountiful Basket
The Bountiful Basket continues collecting for the Alexandria College. (ATCC) Items needed will be posted on the basket but we encourage gift cards for gas, groceries and local restaurants, items for their food shelf and items appropriate for Bingo prizes.
Neighbors in Need
In October we are participating in the Neighbors in Need UCC offering. The Neighbors in Need offering supports ministries of justice and compassion, with one-third of the offering given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds supporting UCC justice ministries. In 2025, the Neighbors in Need Offering supported 26 grant recipients across the UCC who were engaged in projects of direct service and advocacy. Learn more at www.ucc.org/nin
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
Lois Engle 11/04
Suzanne Norling 11/05
Kylie Schauff 11/05
Christian Fleming 11/07
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 at 5:00 pm. October will return to the 3rd Sunday Oct 18.
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.
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.
