Aug 6, 2023 10th Sunday after Pentecost
“Our Home”
*please stand in body and/or spirit
PRELUDE: Margaret Kalina
WELCOME Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pastor Jill
POURING THE BAPTISMAL WATER: Pastor Jill
CHORAL INTROIT There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit by Delores Akers
*CALL TO WORSHIP: Micki Schneider, reader
One: Holy One, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Many: You are our Home!
One: Teach us to count our days so that we may gain a wise heart.
Many: Have mercy on us and lead us to do your will.
One: Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Many: Fill us with your love, that we may love fully, in the Spirit of Christ. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN “God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale.” Blk 32 vs 1-6
*Unison Prayer: Micki
God of love and mercy, we love because you first loved us. Open our hearts to your love as we listen for your Word. May the light of your love fill us, warm us, re-shape us, and empower us to love, in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.
*GLORIA Black 236
*PASSING OF THE PEACE: (responsive) Micki
CHOIR ANTHEM In You, We Are One by Jay Althouse
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH
READING FROM THE PSALMS Psalm 90:1-17 Micki
HYMN FOR PREPARATION “Be Still My Soul” Blk 488, vs 1-2
SERMON: “Our Home” Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders
MUSICAL REFLECTION Greg Kapphahn
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION
PRAYER AND CONSECRATION (ON SCREEN)
GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION:
INVITATION TO GIVE, GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
*DOXOLOGY Lasst uns Erfreuen
*PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN: “What A Covenant,” BLK #471 vs 1-3
*BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
*CHORAL BENEDICTION Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness.by James Manly
*POSTLUDE: Greg Kapphahn
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY AUGUST 6, 2023
The weekly Calendar
Sunday Aug 6 KXRA Radio and Communion Sunday
9:00 Choir Practice
10:00 Worship in-person & online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday Aug 7
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity.
Tuesday Aug 8
12-4 Elder Network
Wednesday August 9
10:00 Women’s Fellowship Board meeting
3:45 Connections
6:00 Spirit on screen
Thursday August 10
9:00 Walk @ Big Ole
4:30 Happy Holy Hour
Sunday August 13 Laity Sunday
10:00 Worship in-person & online, Choir and Communion
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
KXRA Radio Sunday
We extend a warm welcome and greetingto our KXRA listeners this morning. Our service is broadcast each 1st Sunday of the month at 11:00 am. Stuart and Evelyn Henrickson have sponsored our August broadcast in memory of their parents and daughter, Maria.
Today is Communion Sunday
All are welcome at God’s table. We celebrate open communion (everyone invited), and for today’s Communion, we will invite everyone to come forward to receive the sacrament. Those who wish may be served in their pew.
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.
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.
Sunday Aug 13
Laity Sunday—we will have a lay Sunday on August 13. If you have something to contribute to the Sunday service—special music, reading or other witness, contact Joy in the office.
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.
Tech Team Volunteers needed
Are you looking for a way to participate in our Worship but don’t want to be out front, you can help at the tech table. Training available. It is fun.
Help out with Worship
There are sign ups at the back of the church for August. 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
Mary Mische and Judy Kuhlmann are the angels for August. Volunteers are needed to cover additional months. Please contact the church office or Daisy 763-9461.
Women’s Fellowship Board Meeting
Aug 9, 10:00 am. Womens Fellowship Board meeting – agenda –
plans for the coming year
Spirit on Screen
Wednesday at 6 pm. Come join us for our last Pixar film of the summer. Up is the story of a man who is seeking to fulfill a life long dream. Carl, ever a curmudgeon, is dismayed when he discovers a stoyaway. It is rated PG and its runtime is 1 hr 36 minutes. Like all of the Pixar films they are suitable for children but pack a bit of punch and there will be a lot to discuss regarding spirituality, end of life and faithfulness.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
Nancy Hansen 08/17
Margaret Kalina 08/18
If the office has missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact us.
Updating the Directory
If your contact information has recently changed, please let the office know. We will have a draft of the directory in the back of the sanctuary at the beginning of August. New copies will be coming out late August/early September.
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. beginning September 10and ending October 15th. Please sign up as soon as possible so we can order a book for you. For more information contact Marcie at at marciewatson2027@gmail.com or text(call too) her at (319) 310-0565.
Freeing Jesus — Book Discussion Group
Julie McCarty is looking for others who would like to read/discuss 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. Time/dates for meeting will depend on those involved, but anticipate an October start time. Contact Julie at 320-766-6176 or e-mail juliemccarty@usfamily.net .
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.
Conference Events
Women’s Retreat
Camp Onamia
September 8 – September 10
Cost: $200/person (shared room) | $250/person (private room) only available to the first 5 requests, REGISTER by September 1
For this weekend of rest and renewal on the banks of Lake Shakopee, Rev. Claire Klein shares music, dance, and storytelling, as we weave our stories with the women in Scripture. While Miriam led the people to dance in the wilderness and Tabitha created beautiful robes for the poor, the Spirit was weaving each of our stories together with love and compassion. Rev. Claire will guide us in activities that weave our stories together in new ways through song and movement.
There will be plenty of time to rest, relax, and enjoy each other’s company, along with an opportunity to take a forest meditation walk at Kathio State Park.
Retreat begins Friday with a 5:00pm check-in. Dinner is served at 6:00pm. The event ends on Sunday at 11:00am. Packing and other information will be emailed to you a week before the event.
Fall Conference Youth Event
October 6 – October 8
Location: Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center
Ages: Grades 6-12
Cost: $125/Youth, $100/Adult Leader
So often we have people in our lives who ask, “What do you plan to do?”, as if we must have a perfect answer. Through this time together, youth and adults will practice shifting our language that is more about curiosity and wonder rather than having the “right” answers. Through playful discussions, activities, and music, we will reimagine our “wild and precious life” that speaks to who we are, what we value, and how our faith can guide us in the world.
Musician and faith leader Hans Peterson will help shape the weekend and offer space to wonder together.