Sunday, February 16, 2025 10 AM Worship
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany* February 16, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: Please stand in body or spirit until the Passing of the Peace
One: We are just ordinary people, like fishers mending their nets.
Many: But Jesus has come and climbed into our lives and proclaimed good news among us.
One: Jesus has invited us out into the deep.
Many: We worship amid mystery. Unseen shoals of blessing shimmer beneath us.
One: By God’s grace we have received a miraculous catch of grace.
Many: Our blessings are not because we’re worthy, but because we’re forgiven.
One: Jesus calls us to follow.
Many: Help us, Spirit, to let go of everything we cling to; to worship in humility, gratitude and trust; and to follow and serve humbly with love. Amen.
–written by Steve Garnaas Holmes, unfoldinglight.net
*GATHERING HYMN
We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding Blk 182 v. 1-3
*UNISON PRAYER Lee
Jesus, you climb into the boat of our lives and teach us your word. You invite us out into the depths. Out of the ordinariness, even the despair of our lives, you bring beautiful abundance. Our unworthiness haunts us.
But you call us. You promise fruitfulness. You throw the net of your love into the dark depths of our hearts and bring forth a shimmering harvest of grace and possibility. To our doubt, Beloved, speak. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE (GLORIA) Blk 8, v 4
Praise to the living God.
around, within, above,
beyond the grasp of human kind,
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.
PASSING OF THE PEACE Lee
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
One: Please be seated
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Reading from the Hebrew Bible Isaiah 6:1-8 Lee
6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw God sitting on a throne, high and lofty, and the hem of God’s robe filled the temple.
2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
3 And one called to another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of God’s glory.” 4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke.
5 And I said, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said, “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.”
8 Then I heard the voice of God saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 5:1-11 Pastor Jill
5 Once while Jesus was standing beside the Lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God,
2 Jesus saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.
3 Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
4 When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to burst.
7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
9 For Simon Peter and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken,
10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”
11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.
HYMN OF PREPARATION
You Have Walked Along Our Shoreline Blk 504 v. 1-3
SERMON “Go Deeper” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Brad Lambrecht
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
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: Pastor Jill
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth, Vicki Kemper
Praise God whose light upon us shines,
Praise Word made flesh by Love’s design,
Praise Spirit who reveals the way,
To wise ones seeking to this day.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN
God Be With You Till We Meet Again Red 61 v. 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
Postlude Brad Lambrecht
We welcome Heather Hjelle to worship this morning! Heather is teaching voice lessons in our sanctuary on Monday afternoons/evenings and will be offering special music on the third Sunday each month. This morning, she will lead our singing. Please greet Heather warmly!
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany* February 16, 2025
*Indicates please stand in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
POURING OF THE BAPTISMAL WATER Pastor Jill
CALL TO WORSHIP Lee Becker
One: Please stand in body or spirit until the Passing of the Peace
One: We are just ordinary people, like fishers mending their nets.
Many: But Jesus has come and climbed into our lives and proclaimed good news among us.
One: Jesus has invited us out into the deep.
Many: We worship amid mystery. Unseen shoals of blessing shimmer beneath us.
One: By God’s grace we have received a miraculous catch of grace.
Many: Our blessings are not because we’re worthy, but because we’re forgiven.
One: Jesus calls us to follow.
Many: Help us, Spirit, to let go of everything we cling to; to worship in humility, gratitude and trust; and to follow and serve humbly with love. Amen.
–written by Steve Garnaas Holmes, unfoldinglight.net
*GATHERING HYMN
We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding Blk 182 v. 1-3
*UNISON PRAYER Lee
Jesus, you climb into the boat of our lives and teach us your word. You invite us out into the depths. Out of the ordinariness, even the despair of our lives, you bring beautiful abundance. Our unworthiness haunts us.
But you call us. You promise fruitfulness. You throw the net of your love into the dark depths of our hearts and bring forth a shimmering harvest of grace and possibility. To our doubt, Beloved, speak. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE (GLORIA) Blk 8, v 4
Praise to the living God.
around, within, above,
beyond the grasp of human kind,
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.
PASSING OF THE PEACE Lee
ONE: May the peace of Christ be with you.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: Let us share a sign of peace with one another.
One: Please be seated
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Reading from the Hebrew Bible Isaiah 6:1-8 Lee
6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw God sitting on a throne, high and lofty, and the hem of God’s robe filled the temple.
2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
3 And one called to another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of God’s glory.” 4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke.
5 And I said, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said, “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.”
8 Then I heard the voice of God saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Jill
READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 5:1-11 Pastor Jill
5 Once while Jesus was standing beside the Lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God,
2 Jesus saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.
3 Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
4 When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to burst.
7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
9 For Simon Peter and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken,
10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”
11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.
HYMN OF PREPARATION
You Have Walked Along Our Shoreline Blk 504 v. 1-3
SERMON “Go Deeper” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Brad Lambrecht
WE RESPOND TO GOD
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
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: Pastor Jill
*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth, Vicki Kemper
Praise God whose light upon us shines,
Praise Word made flesh by Love’s design,
Praise Spirit who reveals the way,
To wise ones seeking to this day.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN
God Be With You Till We Meet Again Red 61 v. 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Pastor Jill
Postlude Brad Lambrecht
We welcome Heather Hjelle to worship this morning! Heather is teaching voice lessons in our sanctuary on Monday afternoons/evenings and will be offering special music on the third Sunday each month. This morning, she will lead our singing. Please greet Heather warmly!
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY February 16, 2025
The Weekly Calendar
Sunday February 16 FROG Sunday
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship, FROG Power lunch and service project
2:00 Dart ball Tournament at Zion Lutheran Church
Monday February 17
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
2:30 Voice Lessons with Heather Hjelle
Tuesday February 18
8-4 VITA Tax prep
11:30 Lunch bunch
5:00 Ad Bd
6:00 Council
Wednesday Feb 19
8-4 VITA Tax prep
5:15 Choir rehearsal
6:15 Spirit on Screen
Thursday Feb 20
9:00 Walking group @ Mall
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Saturday Feb 22
9:30 Doodling Divina Retreat
Sunday February 23
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
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. She typically takes Fridays off.
FROG Power Sunday
Join FROG power on Sunday Feb 16 for lunch and help assemble bags for the LOVE in ACTION for those who get services at the Alomere Cancer Center.
Dart ball
The dart ball tournament is at Zion on the 16th at 2 pm. Come cheer us on.
Lunch Bunch
Join us at Pioneer Grill at 11:30 on February 18 for Lunch Bunch. This is a purely social group and all are welcome.
Tuesday is meeting day
The Board of Administration and the Church Council meet on Tuesday. Let either Clayton or Jane know if you have an agenda item for either the Board of Administration or the Council.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearses at 5:15 on Feb 19.
Spirit on Screen
This month’s film will be Oh, God starring John Denver and George Burns. This 1977 film feels fairly relevant to our time. Bring a snack or light dinner. We will have popcorn and a beverage to share. Join in on the conversation after.
Doodling Divina Retreat
Join Marcie Watson, spiritual director, on Saturday, February 22nd from 9:30 a.m. to noon to learn this practice of drawing repetitive patterns as a form of meditation and prayer. Learn to focus, relax your mind, and boost your creative confidence. Ages 8 to 98 will be able to find their own rhythm using the Doodling Divina process. Sign up is at the back of the sanctuary. Supply kits will be provided for all who sign up.
Worship Service volunteers needed
We need readers, ushers, greeters, tech staff and coffee fellowship servers through the end of the year. Sign up is at the back of the sanctuary.
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.
Bountiful Basket
February’s Bountiful Basket is for Love INC. The list of the recommended items is on the basket. We are also asking for donations of gently used, clean clothing for them. Please bring items to the office or on a Sunday.
Global Hope
To support the long-term recovery of those affected by the California Wildfires you can put a check in the offering plate, please put California Wildfire and Global Hope in the memo line, you can also give online at https://support.ucc.org/global-HOPE
Non-financial means of support is also welcome. Cards can be sent to :
SCNC UCC Conference Office
For the Altadena UCC
333 North Santa Anita
Suite 5
Arcadia, California, 91006
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Lilyanna Johnson Schauff 02/23/14
Annie Clark 02/24/66
Laurie Kroening 02/28/56
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars by March 31st
Eligible Thrivent Financial members with available Choice Dollars have until March 31, 2025, to direct them. Don’t miss this opportunity to recommend that Thrivent Financial provide funding to your church! Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.
Tax Statements
Check your mailboxes for your 2024 Giving Statements. If you need additional copies, would prefer it as an electronic copy or if you need revisions let the office know.
VITA Tax Prep
We will again be hosting West Central Community Action’s VITA tax services on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Jan 29-April 15. If you would like to use their tax preparation services, please call 218-685-7004. Scheduling opens January 13.
Spiritual Direction Opportunity
Spiritual direction, a.k.a. spiritual companionship, is a way of paying attention to how God or the Divine is present and acting in your life. Julie McCarty is a trained and experienced spiritual listener who offers confidential, nonjudgmental, monthly, one-on-one spiritual direction in person or online. More info in newsletter or contact Julie at 320-766-6176 or e-mail juliemccarty@usfamily.net .
