Sunday, Sept 17, 2023 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Communion Sunday
PRELUDE: Little Prelude by Randall Thompson, Prelude, JS Bach
Carrie Gamm, worship accompanist
WELCOME Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pastor Jill
POURING THE BAPTISMAL WATER: Pastor Jill
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Betty Cichy-Anderson, reader
Please stand in body or spirit and remain standing in body or spirit until the passing of the peace.
One Into your presence we come, God of freedom,
Many remembering those who fled captivity and found freedom in your sanctuary.
One Into your presence we come, God of forgiveness,
Many remembering your Son’s gift to us, and your gracious reconciliation.
One Into your presence we come, God of grace,
Many and we know your generosity to us is beyond our understanding.
One Into your presence, we come,
Many May we lift up our praise to you!
*OPENING HYMN The Cry of My Heart, The Faith We Sing #2165
*Opening Prayer: (Responsive) Betty
One:. What if God paid us back in full for the wrong we have done?
(pause)
O Lord we seek your mercy…
Many yet we ourselves look for payback when we are wronged.
We think it “only fair” and “what is right” when we retaliate and use harsh words
and withdraw from relationship. The forgiveness you offer on our account is larger than we can comprehend, still we withhold forgiveness and carry grudges over petty items.
We are eager to do your judging. And the worst: we conspire our inner thoughts
to secure your forgiveness while avoiding honest repentance.
Forgive us Lord for the sin we know in our hearts.
Save us Lord from the sin we hide.
(pause for reflection and self-examination)
One: The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and has not dealt with us according to our sins.
Instead, God has chosen the sacrifice of God’s own son on our account.
It is because Jesus Christ pays the last full measure that our sins are forgiven.
This gift of forgiveness makes us able, with the power of Holy Spirit, to choose to forgive, renew
and live again in right relationship with each other and with our God.
In the name of Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Many. Amen.
—written by Bill Wessner and posted on Confession RCL blog.
*GLORIA TFWS 2023
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 God, we praise your name.
O God, we magnify your name:
Prince of Peace, mighty God,
O Lord God Almighty. (x2)
*PASSING OF THE PEACE: (responsive) Betty
One: May the Peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of Christ’s peace with one and another!
Please be seated.
Reading from the Hebrew Bible: Genesis 50:15-21 Betty
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
Reading from the Gospel Matthew 18:21-35 Pastor Jill
HYMN FOR PREPARATION “There is a Balm in Gilead” Blk 553
SERMON “Freedom and Forgiveness” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSICAL REFLECTION Forgiveness by Matthew West Carrie Gamm
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, Moment of Silence, Pastoral Prayer, Prayer of our Savior
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR (ecumenical version)
Our Father who art 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.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are Yours, now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
*DOXOLOGY TheOld Hundredth
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: “I then shall live” Worship and Rejoice 372 vs 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
*POSTLUDE: Allegro by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach Carrie Gamm
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY September 17, 2023
The weekly Calendar
Sunday Sept 17th FROG Sunday
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 FROG meets
11:00 Pictures taken for Picture directory
11:00 Lunch in Fellowship Hall sponsored by FROG
11:30 Enneagram class, Journey Toward Wholeness
Monday Sept 18
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity
Tuesday Sept 19
9:30 Set up for Kathryn LeBrasseur Celebration of Life (if needed)
11:30 Lunch Bunch @ Grand Arbor
3:30 OnA Planning meeting
5:45 Board of Administration meeting
7:00 Council Meeting
Thursday September 21
9:00 No group walk
9-1 p Office hour change for today only
9:30 Morning Circle
3-7 Diversity Fest
4:30 Holy Happy Hour @ Pike & Pint
Saturday Sept 23
9:00 Visitation for Kathryn LeBrasseur
10:00 Celebration of Life of Kathryn LeBrasseur
Sunday Sept 24th
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Pictures taken for Picture directory
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Enneagram class, Journey Toward Wholeness
4:00 Open and Affirming Community Worship Service and Open House Celebration
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.
Office Hour change Thursday
On Thursday the office will be open from 9-1 pm rather 10-2 pm.
Thank you
The choir will be leading singing during the service today.
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.
FROG power Sunday
Frog power is today. We meet monthly on the 3rd Sundays from 11-2 pm. During this time, we will leap into Bible stories, go on adventures, have lunch, find ways to serve others, and form bonds with each other while we discover the power of our God. The whole congregation is invited to join us after the worship service for fellowship lunch.
Volunteers needed
Come help set up tables and chairs for Kathyrn LeBrasseur’s celebration of life after church today.
Lunch bunch
Please join us for lunch on Tuesday Sept 19 at 11:30 at the Pioneer Grill. All are welcome. We meet at 11:30, we order our lunches at 12. This is a fun, social event.
Tuesday Meetings
Please submit any agenda items to the chairs of the Board of Administration and the Church Council.
Morning Circle
begins this month on Sept 21 at 9:30. All women are welcome to attend. We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Walking Group
There will be no group walk this week. You are encouraged to walk with purpose individually if you can.
Newsletter Items due
Visitor Newsletter deadline is Sept 22 at end of business. If you have an article please submit it as soon as possible.
Celebration of Life
Kathryn LeBrasseur’s celebration of life will be on Sept 23 at 10 am. Visitation begins at 9 am. Lunch will follow the service. No words are sufficient for her many contributions to our congregation and community at large.
Open and Affirming Celebration event
We are having a public celebration of our Open and Affirming Covenant on September 24 at 4 pm. Please join for us for communion, worship, praise and fellowship following the service.
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.
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
The bountiful basket is back in its place near the elevator. We welcome early bird donations for Alexandria Technical College. These donations can include non-perishable groceries and hygiene supplies.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for September. 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 763-9461. Daisy and Neva Nickel will be angels for September.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Clayton Mielke 09/24
Craig Mische 09/25
Mike Gralow 09/26
Cathy Johnson 09/28
Mike Hemann 09/29
Adrian Thompson 09/29
Directory Update
Please stop to have your photo taken on Sunday if you haven’t done so already. Connections will help schedule any additional photos after September 24, including committee pictures. If your contact information has recently changed, please let the office know. We expect the new picture directory will come out in October.
The Journey Toward Wholeness
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.
Community Events
Diversity Fest
Sept 21. Enjoy a wide variety of cultural foods plus free entertainment. Food and beverage samples are $1 each, tickets purchased at event (cash only). Fun for all ages! 3-7 pm at the ATCC Law Enforcement Training Center (south Parking lot). If you wish to volunteer contact Joy 612-227-4220 or Cindy Haarstad at cindy.haarstad@alextech.edu
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.
