KXRA Radio Sunday Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 8, 2024
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Diane Alveshere
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
CHORAL INTROIT This is the Day, D. Moore
*Call to Worship Betty Cichy-Anderson
One: Praise God!
Many: We will praise God as long as we live! We will sing praises to God our whole lives long.
One: Our God sets prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind. God lifts up those who are bowed down.
Many: God watches over the strangers; God upholds orphans and widows, but brings the ways of the wicked to ruin.
One: God will reign forever!
Many: Let us worship God!
Opening Hymn “O God of Love, O God of Peace.” Blk 571, Vs 1-3
OPENING PRAYER (Unison) Betty
Dear Jesus, we learn from a very young age that we are not to beg or whine but, instead, to be polite. Today, we encounter a Canaanite woman who wasn’t socialized as we were. Or perhaps it was her desperation from her daughter’s illness that drove her to beg Jesus to heal her child. Teach us to pray with such faith, emboldened by our need. Help us to see that when it comes to prayer feistiness is welcome. Give us faith to match the faith of this outsider who believed Jesus could meet her need and pleaded with him to do what he had the power to do. Amen.
*THE GLORIA Blk 8, vs 4
Praise to the Living God, around, within, above,
Beyond the grasp of humankind but whom we know as Love.
In these tumultuous days, so full of hope and strife,
May we bear witness to the Way, O Source and Goal of life.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US IN WORD
CHOIR ANTHEM Sweet, Sweet Spirit, D. Akers, J. Raney
READING FROM THE EPISTLES: James 2:1-10, 14-17 Betty
2 My siblings, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in,
3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved siblings. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court?
7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.
14 What good is it, my siblings, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If sibling is naked and lacks daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Mark 7: 24-37 Pastor Jill
24 From there Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. Jesus entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice,
25 but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about Jesus, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
27 Jesus said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
29 Then Jesus said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” 30 So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
31 Then Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to Jesus a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged Jesus to lay his hand on him.
33 Jesus took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into the deaf man’s ears, and Jesus spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, Jesus sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
35 And immediately the deaf man’s ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more Jesus ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.
37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “Jesus has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
HYMN OF PREPARATION “Open my Eyes.” W&R 480 Vs. 1-3
SERMON “Be Opened” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
HYMN FOR REFLECTION: She Came to Jesus (hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette)
SLANE 10.10.9.10 (“Be Thou My Vision” Blk 451—melody at end of the bulletin)
She came to Jesus from outside the fold —
Canaanite woman! Persistent and bold!
Looking to Jesus, she wanted to see
One who would help her and set her child free.
Claiming a blessing, a touch of God’s grace,
She knew God’s love was not bounded by place.
Jesus, you listened, debated — then healed —
For in her asking, her faith was revealed.
God, you still bless those who seek you in prayer.
You welcome dreamers who faithfully dare.
In Christ, now risen, your mercy extends:
Those on the outside are welcomed as friends.
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS,
PRAYER HYMN If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers
(hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) words and music in bulletin
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, AND THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
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 Black 780
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above you heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING Hymn “Christian, Rise and act your Creed.” Blk 537 Vs 1-3
CHORAL BENEDICTION As You Go On Your Way, J. Engel
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
POSTLUDE Diane Alveshere
| 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 September 8, 2024
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday September 8, KXRA Sunday
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:30 Voices of Inspiration discussion group
Monday Sept 9,
No Caffeinated Christianity at Dunn Bros this week.
Tuesday Sept 10
9:00 Friendly Service
12-4 Elder network
Wednesday Sept 11
10 am Connections
5:15 Choir rehearsal
6:15 Spirit on screen
Thursday Sept 12
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Sunday September 15 FROG Sunday Rally Day
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 FROG rally day lunch
11:30 Voices of Inspiration
Today is KXRA Radio Sunday
Today’s Radio broadcast of our service is sponsored by Daisy Stahlberg and her family: Robin, Janet, Jennifer, Dawn, Bruce and Lillian. They are sponsoring it in memory of Ron Stahlberg.
Pilgrimage coverage
Pastor Jill and 28 others will embark on a Celtic Spirituality pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland tomorrow. If emergencies arise in her absence (September 9-20), please contact the office or the Rev. Amy Van Valkenburg, pastor at the Alexandria United Methodist Church. Pastor Amy’s number is: (320) 309-5574.
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.
Voices of Inspiration Discussion Group
No discussion group this week, due to the holiday weekend.
Friendly Service
Starts our fall session on Tuesday at 9 am. Come help us tie and assemble quilts that we donate to various organizations. We meet in Fellowship Hall. Bring a refreshment to share.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsal at 5:15 on Wednesday Sept 11.
Spirit on Screen
Wed Sept 11 6:15 Cambridge Room
Join us as we watch Everything Will Be Illuminated a film about a young Jewish man who is trying to find the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis during World War II. Run time: 1 hr 46 mins. We will have popcorn and a beverage. Bring a snack or a light meal if you wish.
FROG Rally Day
Next Sunday after the service, join the FROG group for a meal and some fun activities. 11-2 pm.
Harvest Table
The church mission committee is once again making extra produce available to members and friends. If you have extra produce from your garden, you may bring it in to the church on Sunday for others to enjoy. There will be a basket for donations. All the money collected will go towards covering food costs to provide lunch for 30 plus HFH volunteers on September 19th. Thank you to all.
Bountiful Basket
We will be filling the Bountiful Basket for ATCC students during the months of September and October. A list of items needed will be on the basket. You can also write a check or give cash as long as you designate on the check memo line ATCC or on the envelope. Money can also be brought to the church office.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
LaDonna Anderson 09/16
Judy Kuhlmann 09/17
Jonathan Carlson 09/19
Blakesley anniversary 09/19/1998
Helen Etnier 09/21
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
UCAN Domestic Abuse Awareness Luncheon
If you are joining our tables for the UCAN Lunch, please pay today or asap. Tickets are $25 payable to UCAN in check or cash. We have 2 spots available.
Pies and Lefse available
Women’s Fellowship has a few pies and some lefse available for purchase. The pies are $15 apiece. Contact the office or pick up on Sunday.
