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April 19, 2020 Easter 2/Earth Day

To join worship this morning via zoom app, click this link https://umn.zoom.us/j/207862614 The password is kindred. To dial in by phone, call (312) 626-6799. Then enter 207862614#. When prompted, hit # again. Prelude Welcome

If you’re new to First Church, we’d love to get to know you better. You can sign up to receive our email communications on the home page of our website, www.firstchurchmn.org (scroll down to the heading “stay connected” on the right side of the page). You find us on Facebook by searching for “First Congregational Church of MN, UCC.” You’re also welcome to introduce yourself later in the service.

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Chant: Don’t Be Afraid by John Bell © 1995, Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc.

Gathering Words: “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry Chant: Don’t Be Afraid

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Scripture: John 20:19–31 Sung Response: Halle, Halle, Halle Scripture: Psalm 16

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Hymn: I Come to the Garden Alone, NCH 237 Sermon: “Peace Be with You,” Jane McBride

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Hymn: This Is My Song, NCH 591

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Prayers of the People To share a prayer concern with the community today, please share your prayer in the chat on the zoom call or comment on the livestream. To honor the privacy of those you pray for, please seek their permission, and pray for them using their first name only. Please respond to each prayer with the words: “Hear our prayer.”

Lord’s Prayer

A commonly used form is printed below. Please use the version most meaningful to you. Let us pray with words and in the spirit of Jesus: Our God, 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 for ever. Amen.

Ministry Moment. This coming week is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Members of community offer their collective love for the earth, and commitment to the well-being of our planet. Offering Invitation

We invite your financial gifts to support our ministries within and beyond First Church. April’s Special Offering is for One Great Hour of Sharing. The UCC joins with several denominations to fund poverty relief, water programs, and disaster response around the world. You can give online at our website. Find the link to our online giving portal on the homepage. You can also give by text. Please text 612-255-4109: “$(amount) Special” (for the monthly offering) or “$(amount) General Fund. Thank you!

Offertory Anthem

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Offertory Response: Alleluia, Praise to God (sung in English) Prayer of Dedication All: God of deep peace, we ground our hearts in you. Bless these gifts we offer,

that they might bring peace to the earth. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. Introductions & Announcements

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Hymn: In the Bulb There Is a Flower, NCH 433 Benediction Postlude: The Holy City, (Maybrick/Weatherly)

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Today, after worship concludes . . . please stay for a brief presentation from Barb Patterson, a Water Steward in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. This presentation will focus on the new Adopt-a-Drain program. Listeners will learn why and how to clean a storm drain to help keep local water clean. This is a great activity for Earth Day that can be done under the current physical distancing conditions. After that, join us for coffee hour! We will share our highs and lows and offer support to each other.

Coming up this week

Sunday April 19 1p: Youth Gathering https://zoom.us/j/97268115849 3p: Family Gathering https://zoom.us/j/96129333290 Monday April 20 7p: Spiritual practice with Sandy Johnson https://zoom.us/j/894247561 7p: Befrienders meeting https://zoom.us/j/94517182007

Tuesday, April 21 1p: Staff Meeting 8p: Spiritual practice with Linda Valerian https://zoom.us/j/503203858 Wednesday April 22 8p: Spiritual practice with Jane McBride https://zoom.us/j/135980070 Thursday April 23 10a: Spiritual practice with Jean Chagnon https://zoom.us/j/273447530 7p: Screening and discussion of “The Human Element” film https://zoom.us/j/97850731868 Saturday April 25 8p: Spiritual practice with Jane McBride https://zoom.us/j/914651502 Sunday April 26 10a: Worship: Congregational Conversation meeting ID: 207-862-614; password: kindred https://umn.zoom.us/j/207862614 To dial in by phone, call (312) 626-6799. Then enter 207862614#. When prompted, hit # again.

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Contact Us First Congregational Church of Minnesota, UCC • 500 8th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414• 612-331-3816; office@firstchurchmn.org; www.firstchurchmn.org Ministers The People of First Church Principal Minister Jane McBride: jmcbride@firstchurchmn.org; ext. 304; cell: 612-598-2432 Minister of Music Byron Almén: balmen@firstchurchmn.org; cell: 512-809-9789 Parish Administrator Sarah Tittle: office@firstchurchmn.org; cell: 612-205-9870 Facilities Manager Brad Schumann: bschumann@firstchurchmn.org; cell: 651-357-8082 Moderator Greg Hubinger: hubinger5@comcast.net; cell: 612-384-2631 Music is reprinted and permission to podcast/stream the music in this service under OneLicense.net A-704086.

Announcements Thank you to those who led our worship today! Reader: Jean Anderson Music: Jim Broberg, tenor; David Small, baritone; Jean Anderson, piano Earth Day Multi-Faith Livestream: A Call to Collective Care. This moment of pandemic reminds us how deeply connected we are to each other and to the earth. We know that many of us are suffering, and as people of faith, we are finding new ways to care for one another and for our planet. On Wednesday, April 22—the 50th anniversary of Earth Day—join Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light and faith leaders from across the state for a virtual gathering of prayer, storytelling, art, and wisdom from our diverse spiritual teachings that speak to this current moment of crisis. This will be a time of connection, inspiration, and action for a healthy world for all! The broadcast will happen between 1-3pm; join when you're able, and invite a friend! Register at this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/vpAvf-uoqjwjGSH07ZkLf-qkCvZSBnlmZw The Human Element screening and discussion. On April 23 at 7 pm, we’ll gather via zoom to watch and discuss this important film about climate change. (Run time: 80 minutes.) Here’s the description: “We humans are a force of nature. At the same time human activities alter the basic elements of life-earth, air, water, and fire; those

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elements change human life. In an arresting new documentary from the producers of Racing Extinction, The Cove, and Chasing Ice, environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change. With rare compassion and heart, The Human Element inspires us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world. Here’s the link: https://zoom.us/j/97850731868 May Chimes—We want to hear from you! Let’s continue sharing our reflections during this COVID-19 emergency. What are you doing to stay sane? What’s your favorite zoom background? What are you looking forward to most about spring? And, do you have any sourdough starter to share? Please send your articles, thoughts, jokes, recipes, poems, drawings, or photos to Sarah Tittle: office@firstchurchmn.org. Need a listening ear? Befrienders are trained in the ministry of listening. They are available to walk with you in difficult times like these, when you are facing illness, grief, crisis, and life change. Contact Jane McBride to learn more. Pastor Jane’s typical work week is Sun.–Thurs. Please call or email her to set up appointments as she is in and out of the office. She hopes you will contact her for support and prayer in times of illness, hospitalization, or crisis. If your need is urgent, please call or text her cell phone at any time of the week. Zoom password. The password for all church gatherings on zoom is kindred.