13 June 2021

First Congregational Church

Third Sunday after Pentecost

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Enter with a spirit of preparation as we gather ourselves for worship

Prelude: “Partita on Nettleton” John Eggert

Welcome and Announcements

*Responsive Reading: (based upon Psalm 92:1-4) ONE: Come and give thanks to our God. Sing praises to the holy

name. ALL: With the melody of the lute and the harp and the song in

our hearts, we declare God’s steadfast love in the morning and faithfulness at night.

ONE: God’s works make us glad. ALL: Your works are great, O God. We sing our praises of joy to

you.

*Hymn: “Seed Scattered and Sown” No. 395, P. 6/7

2610 East Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, Alaska 99508

907.272.8363—www.fccak.org

Introit: “God is Here”

Call to Worship

*Those who are comfortably able may stand

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Children’s Moment

Prayers of the People

Silent Prayer

Pastoral 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

First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Prayer Response

22 The Lord God proclaims: I myself will take one of the top branches from the tall cedar. I will pluck a tender shoot from its crown, and I myself will plant it on a very high and lofty mountain. 23 On Israel’s mountainous highlands I will plant it, and it will send out branches and bear fruit. It will grow into a mighty cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it and find shelter in the shade of its boughs. 24 Then all the trees in the countryside will know that I, the Lord, bring down the tall tree and raise up the lowly tree, and make the green tree wither and the dry tree bloom. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it.

Musical Offering: “Amazing Grace” arr. Mark Hayes

Barb Ross on piano

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Invitation to Giving

*Dedication of Gifts: (unison) You have been exceedingly generous to us, O God. We return a portion of what we have to you in grateful thanksgiving. Bless our offerings that they will nurture the seeds of hope and healing in this community and beyond. Amen.

Second Reading: Mark 4:26-34 26 Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, 27 then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. 28 The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. 29 Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.” 30 He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? 31 Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth; 32 but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as

*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

Offertory: ”Come Holy Spirit Heavenly Dove” Wilbur Held

*Those who are comfortably able may stand

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Sermon: "Patterns of Life Wild" Rev. Jacob L. Poindexter

*Hymn: “You Are the Seed” No. 478, P. 8

*Benediction

Postlude: “Nicaea” David Cherwien

Please note the following In-Person considerations: • Masks are required when inside the church building, regardless of a person’s

vaccine status. If you need a mask, there are disposable masks available in both entryways.

• We will continue to follow the CDC’s guideline to not sing in group settings . Please hum, speak the words, sing with your heart (and not your voice) or any other method that will limit projection to protect those around you.

• Anyone attending in-person events should perform the self-screening assessment below before entering the building.

COVID-19 Self Screen Assessment

Fever: Have you had any history of fever in the last 14 days? Respiration: Have you had any history of respiratory illness such as cough or

difficult breathing in the last 14 days? Travel: Have you or any member of your household traveled to an international

area or to areas of suspected community spread in the last 14 days? COVID Contact: Have you or any member of your household been in contact with a

known COVID-19 patient in the last 14 days?

Attending Worship In-Person

Benediction Response

much as they were able to hear. 34 He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.

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Words: Cesareo Gabarain, 1979; tr. Raquel Gutierrez-Achon and Skinner Chavez-Melo.

Music: Cesareo Gabarain, 1979; harm. Skinner Chavez-Melo, 1987

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News from the Pews

Hybrid Sunday Worship— • To join online, there are two options:

) Sign up for Altar Live to interact with other online worshippers. The links and directions are on the Sunday Worship page of the website - www.fccak.org ) Watch the livestream on the website on the Sunday Worship page.

• To join in-person, everyone needs to do self-evaluation each Sunday before attending. Masks are required inside the church building.

A service that explores other ways to engage our faith

and spirituality together. The next

series, Living Soil, will be outside and in-

person only.

“Soup” Group— A time to discuss crafting ideas, to

fellowship, and any other ideas the group chooses. Everyone is welcome! Currently

meeting on Zoom

Summer Saturday Fellowship— Every Saturday from 1-3pm until summer ends. You may sit and eat a personal picnic lunch, chat with friends, plant or tend the raised beds, or work on one of the edible landscape tasks posted on the outside lower foyer doors. If you feel comfortable you’re invited to bask in the fresh air and fellowship without a mask.

Lectio Divina— Translated as “divine reading, it is a practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer that focuses on the upcoming Sunday scripture readings. Currently meeting on Zoom.

Lectio Divina—Tuesday at 10am (Zoom) Roots of Joy— Tuesdays at 7pm (in-person) Soup Group—Thursdays at 10am (Zoom) Worship Meeting—Thursday June 17 at 7pm (Zoom) Saturday Summer Fellowship—Saturdays at 1pm (in-person)

Save the Date! Fourth of July Potluck Picnic— On Sunday, July 4th after worship Fellowship Ministry is hosting a potluck picnic in the downstairs parking lot. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided and cooked on the grill.

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First Congregational Church of Anchorage 13 June 2021

New Prayer Concerns

Friends & family of Bob Kniefel Karen Fisher, cousin of Chris Walker

Friends and family of Paul Chapin; cousin of Chris

Walker

Friends and family of Paul Davis; past member of the

church

Ongoing Prayer Concerns

Marilyn Hanson Robert Douglas Grunder; friend of Verona Gentry

Elizabeth Amber; family of Jenna & Nathan Amber Steve McKean

Irene Stewart Donna Werth; sister of Vivian Pike

George White Carol Reed; friend of Claudia Kniefel

Christina Pike, daughter of Vivian Pike Stan Parker; brother of Lori Wasko

John Allen Miguel De Marzo

Richard Nelson; cousin of Sandy Skaggs Piero De Marzo; brother of Miguel De Marzo

Joyce Johnson; mother of Linda Sereyko Roger Meyer; brother of Cindi Crawford

Alice Butler; mother of Jane vonBirgelen Elisabeth Kachline

Ron Broome Barbara May; great grandma of Reagan & Avery Binek

Mary Anne’s mother; friend of Elisabeth & Harry Kachline

Margaret Webber; friend of Barbara Bowerman & Pam Wright

Joe’s daughter; friend of Elisabeth & Harry Kachline Cathy White & her family

Bob Reupke; husband of Toni Reupke Nicole Johnson; niece of Eric Johnson & Marilyn Lee

Jacob Kreuzenstein; grandson of Peggy Kreuzenstein Family of Ian White; Director, Crow Creek Pipe & Drum

Wayne Pratt; brother of Sharon Higgins Lillian Soth; grandchild of Jeanette & Fermen Dillon

Deaths

Charlene Demshki; mother of Ginger Smith Tara Rolstad, friend of Chris Walker

For all the teachers, aides, staff, and volunteers who educate our children; for the first responders, those serving in the military, and those that serve our community in a variety of ways; for the

peacekeepers and public servants; for those in our community who are in need and those struggling in different ways; for the people with whom we are in conflict, we pray.

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People of First Congregational Church

Online Giving In addition to cash or checks, First Congregational Church accepts donations and pledge payments securely online with a credit card. Scan the QR code or go to www.fccak.org/give

Thank you for your financial participation in the work of First Congregational Church!

www.facebook.com/fccak.org

Member— National Association Of Congregational Christian Churches

Connect—Get Involved—Share a Prayer Request Fill out one of the connect cards located in the back of the pew in front of you and drop it in the offering plate.

Senior Minister Rev. Jacob L. Poindexter 907.272.8363—jacobp@fccak.org

Music Ministry Caroline Valentine Organist and Director, Northern Lights Ringers

Lori Parker Wasko Director, Chancel Choir

Sunday Volunteers Deacon Serving: Louise Smith Greeting: Barb Widtfeldt Liturgist: Fellowship Hour: Usher Team: Kate O’Dell & Susan Faith

Contacts Krystal Poindexter Administrative Assistant 907.272.8363—office@fccak.org

Scott McClure Church Sexton

Julie McClure Wedding Coordinator

This week’s Communion Table flowers are given by Abbie Willetto, in celebration of

Carlton Sherlock’s birthday.

Flowers provided by Evalyn’s Floral

Hearing-Assist System Connect directly to a smart device with Bluetooth hearing aids or traditional headphones. 1. Download the AudioFetch app: 2. Connect to Wi-Fi signal: FCCAK HEARING ASSIST 3. Make sure hearing aid is Bluetooth connected. 4. Open AudioFetch app and enjoy the sound!

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First Congregational Church of Anchorage

Color Key—Black: Worship, Blue: FCC Activities, Purple: FCC Partnership Activities

June 2021 .

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

10:30am Worship 10am Lectio Divina 10am "Soup" Group Juneteenth

11:30am Fellowship 7pm Roots of Joy 7pm Worship Mtg 9am Organist

1pm Summer

Saturday Fellowship

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Communion 10am Lectio Divina 10am "Soup" Group 9am Organist

Father's Day 7pm Roots of Joy1pm Summer

Saturday Fellowship

10:30am Worship

11:30am Council

Mtg

11:30am Fellowship

27 28 29 30 Jul 1 2 3

10:30am Worship 10am Lectio Divina 10am "Soup" Group 9am Organist

11:30am Fellowship 7pm Roots of Joy6:30pm Investment

Club

1pm Summer

Saturday Fellowship

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Independence Day 10am Lectio Divina 10am "Soup" Group 9am Organist

10:30am Worship 7pm Roots of Joy 4pm Fellowship Mtg1pm Summer

Saturday Fellowship

11:30am Fellowship

& Potluck Picnic

11:30am Outreach

Mtg