First Congregational Church January 21, 2018 Communion Sunday 2610 East Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage, Alaska (907) 272-8363 Email: fcc@gci.net www.fccak.org
Prelude: Variations on Cwm Rhonda Haan, Hobb Welcome and Announcements Choral Introit *Call to Worship *Processional Hymn: For the Healing of the Nations No. 668 *Ritual of Friendship ONE: On our journeys of life we meet here in this sacred space. ALL: We affirm that we are people of the Way, we give thanks that today our paths cross. ONE: Let us greet each other as we journey together towards fullness of life. Let us greet the one on our left and the one on our right with peace and love. *Greeting of One Another The Gathering Bell Please return and remain standing for the Responsive Reading. *Responsive Reading ONE: We gather to respond to the call of God s love ALL: Thankful that someone cared enough to share this good news with us. ONE: May we be compassionate enough to share this divine presence with others. ALL: Love, when shared, is not divided but multiplied. ONE: Love, given away, is not diminished but expanded. ALL: May our gathering beckon and welcome those near and far to know the love of this divine presence.
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 29I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. Musical Offering: With Joy Helman Northern Lights Ringers Children s Moment Prayers of the People Silent Prayer The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen Choral Amen Invitation to Giving Offertory: Variation on Finlandia Cherwien *Doxology: (tune) No. 47 Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Dedication of Gifts *Hymn: Be Still, My Soul No. 566 Second Reading: Mark 1: 12-20 12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news. 16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, Follow me and I will make you fish for people. 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. Sermon: "2000 Years of Urgency and Counting" Rev. Jacob Poindexter Service of Holy Communion This community meal celebrating Communion at FCC is an open table. All are welcome to share in this meal, no matter what your faith tradition may be. No matter what has led to this moment, young and old alike come to share. May this moment be a time of rest and belonging. INVITATION One: The time is now. The Spirit is rustling in the breeze, calling from the heights that today is the day. This meal, this gathering of the congregation, signifies that we look toward a day just like today that is made new. It is not in frantic haste that we go, but in assurance that as
we gather at this table to join in this shared meal, we are called by name to join in the call of Jesus to bring good news with us wherever we go. This table is where we begin. COMMUNION PRAYER One: May God be with you All: And also with you! One: Lift your hearts All: We lift them up to God! One: Let us give thanks to God most high. All: It is right to give God thanks and praise! One: Creating God, we give thanks that you brought this world and all of humanity into being, breathing life into us. You show yourself in each face we encounter, each and all created in your image. We thank you for your promise to care for us. You teach us how to serve, and how to honor each other. To bring us into relationship with you, you sent us prophets and teachers. We offer thanks that when we ignored your embrace, you persisted in reaching out to us. We thank you for the life and ministry of Jesus. The death and resurrection of Christ taught us among many things, that nothing, not even death, can separate us from you. Through your Holy Spirit, you breathe through us, gathering us as your church. WORDS OF INSTITUTION Communion Servers Come Forward One: We remember One: So now, Leading God, bless those gathered here, together with this bread and cup, through the outpouring of your Holy Spirit. Through this meal, make us one household, the church, your servant people, that we may be the bread and cup shared for the salvation of the world. All: Amen! COME HOLY SPIRIT!
PREPARATIONS OF THE ELEMENTS SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP -You are invited to take the bread, and when all have been served, we will eat together. There is gluten free bread available for those who cannot eat wheat just ask. -When the wine and juice is passed, please take and drink as you are ready. The red cups are wine, and the white cups are white grape juice. The clear cups in the center contain water. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING After all are finished and table regathered One: Gracious God, we thank you for this meal and for all of the ways you nourish us. Grow in us that we may nourish others. Sustain us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen. *Hymn: Called As Partners in Christ s Service No. 453 *Benediction *Choral Benediction Postlude: Sent Forth by God s Blessing Ore Cover Attribution: Christ Calling the Apostles Peter and Andrew Duccio di Buoninsegna
News for the Pews FCC Church Council Meets Today Moderator Louise Smith will convene the first meeting of the new year at 12:00 noon in the Board Room. Representatives of all ministries, committees, and the staff comprise the Council membership. That means this is a good meeting to attend if you would like to know more about all aspects of our faith community. As with all FCC meetings, this one is open and everyone is welcome to sit in. WX or Not This is the intriguing title of Dave Barber s topic for the Dine and Mind next Sunday, January 28. We ll gather for Dave s answer to the question after our potluck hosted by the Stewardship Ministry. Save the date! [Hint: Dave s topic involves weather.] The potluck on 1/28 is an open menu. Please bring an entrée, salad, side dish, or dessert to share along with every family member, all of your friends, and most of your neighborhood. If you aren t able to bring a dish, remember that we always have more food than everyone can eat, and your presence around the table is everything. Lifelong Learning Title: Resilient Theology This series will be an opportunity for us to ask serious theological questions, and discuss how the ways in which we think theologically inform the ways we act theologically. It is important to understand why we hold the beliefs and artifacts of faith that we do, and to explore how these beliefs support or hinder our lives. Bring your difficult questions, but be prepared to wrestle meaning from them. Rev. Jacob will be leading to provide resources for discussions and to help support exploration.
People of First Congregational Church Senior Minister Rev. Jacob L. Poindexter (907) 272-8363 jacob@revpoindexter.com Music Ministry Organist & Director, Northern Lights Ringers: Caroline Valentine Chancel Choir Director: Lori Parker Wasko Acolyte Attendant: Laney Hanas Sunday Volunteers Deacons Serving: Claudia Kniefel and Lynn Barber Greeting: Kathy and Tom Wood Liturgist: Lynn Barber Fellowship Hour: Kathy and Tom Wood Usher Team: John Allen and Miguel De Marzo Guarderas Contacts Admin. Assistant & Editor: Kate O Dell 272-8363, fcc@gci.net Church Sexton: Scott McClure 272-8363 First Congregational Christian Church of Anchorage is a member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.
This Week at First Congregational Church Sunday, January 21 8:45 Handbells 9:30 Choir 10:30 Worship Service/Sunday School 11:30 Fellowship 12:00 FCC Church Council Monday, January 22 1:00 pm FCC Staff 6:30 7:30 am Primary Purpose 6:30 8:30 pm Primary Purpose Tuesday, January 23 10:00 lectio divina 6:00 Lifelong Learning Wednesday, January 24 11:00-3:00 Homeschool Unschool Alaska 5:15 Handbells 6:00 Choir Thursday, January 25 10:00 am Creating Liturgia 1:00 pm Primary Purpose 6:00 pm Inner Peace Saturday, January 27 9:30-12:00 Organist 9:00-1:00 Crow Creek Pipes and Drums 1:15-5:15 Three Barons Faire Planning Sunday, January 28 9:30 Choir 10:30 Worship Service/Sunday School 11:30 Fellowship 12:00 Potluck (Hosts: Stewardship Ministry) Pilgrim Fellowship activity 1:00 Dine and Mind with Dave Barber: WX or Not
Prayer List January 21, 2018 -Fred Young -Friends and Family of Brandy Reed (Erin Binek s cousin) -Ann Hutchings -Debbie Rhea (Rev. Jacob s aunt) -Ed Grantier -Pinkie Richardson -Friends and Family of Donna Benz (Julie McClure s aunt) -Rae Hancock -Friends and Family of Bob Rinehart -Robert Spivey -Sheila Henderson -Randy Tomson -Gordon Shortman -Jean Kane -Nancy Rubenstein -Chris Roe -Our Church Family -Pilgrim Congregational Church, Pomona, CA Celebrating Rev. Beth Bingham and her 25 years of service, and that Pilgrim Church will be a place of sacred center for the larger community. -All the teachers, aides, staff, and volunteers who educate our children -First responders, who risk their lives to save ours -Our military serving at home and abroad -All the peacekeepers, all those who serve our community, and all those in need everywhere -Public servants, lawmakers, and politicians that they will make thoughtful decisions -Our enemies and those who struggle in the grip of evil and addiction