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September 20 Highlights at First Congregational TODAY: Zoom Fellowship with Rev. Steve Savides ........... zoom link on p. 4 September 23: Drive-Thru Pet Blessing ............................................................... p. 8 September 30: Tone-Chimes Outdoors for Children, Youth and Adults ........... p. 10 September 30: Membership Exploration Class (via Zoom) ................................ p. 8

Donating to First Congregational UCC You are invited to donate via virtual offering. Please visit our webpage and click “Give” to make your weekly offering, or text FCUCC GIVE to 73256. Checks can also still be mailed to the church.

References to God References to God in traditional prayers, readings, and hymns in our worship may sometimes be gender specific. As we pray and sing together, you are invited to substitute terms that reflect your understanding of the full inclusiveness of the spirit of God.

Land Acknowledgement Our church is located on the ancestral homelands of the Menominee Nation. We acknowledge this indigenous community who stewarded this land throughout the generations and pay respect to their elders past and present.

Online Streaming and Podcasting Audio and video recordings of our sermons and a written transcript are accessible at www.firstcongoappleton.org/sermons.

You can watch a live stream of First Congo services on Facebook.com/1stCongo or at www.firstcongoappleton.org/worship-with-us/livestream.

Online Documents and Information Official documents of First Congregational and links to announcements, news and other information reside on our website: www.firstcongoappleton.org.

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THE ORDER OF WORSHIP SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 20, 2020 9:30 AM Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Savides, Senior Pastor

Rev. Nicholas J. Hatch, Pastor for Youth and Family Ministries Rev. Laurie Lyter Bright, Interim Pastor for Congregational Care and Missions

PRELUDE

Concerto in C minor B. Marcello

III. Allegro

Sam Nulton, whistler Shelley Nulton, assistant organist/pianist

RINGING OF CHURCH BELL

YOUTH PRAYER

WELCOME

OPENING PRAYER (in unison)

If we met you on the way, Jesus Christ, we might not think that you were on a mission. Your talk would be of common and curious things: salt, dough, lost lambs, lost coins, paying taxes, hosting a meal, persistent widows and foolish house-builders. We would not know you were on a mission. We would think you were making sense of life, lighting up the ordinary, identifying the truth. When next you look with compassion on the world and need mission done in your way, Lord, send us. Amen.

OPENING HYMN #26 (see bulletin p. 5)

Praise to the Lord LOBE DEN HERREN

Please meditate on the text of verse 3. (The verse is not sung, but is played by the organ, only.)

CHILDREN’S SERMON Renee Taylor

SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 77

MEDITATION

“The Turn of Faith” Rev. Steve Savides

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MUSICAL REFLECTION Further the Sky Gabe Dixon

Sam Nulton, vocalist and pianist

(During this time, you are invited to a virtual offering. Please visit our webpage and click “Give” to make your weekly offering, or text FCUCC GIVE to 73256).

GATHERING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS (You are welcome to submit your prayer requests throughout the week to the church office, email to a pastor for confidentiality or share your prayer requests in real time in the Comments section under the live stream video.)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (In unison)

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.

CLOSING HYMN (see bulletin p. 6)

Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me ST. CATHERINE

CLOSING RESPONSE AND BLESSING

Leader: Look at your hands. See the touch and the tenderness. People: God’s own for the world. Leader: Look at your feet. See the path and the direction. People: God’s own for the world. Leader: Look at your heart. See the fire and the love. People: God’s own for the world. Leader: Look at the cross. See God’s son and our Savior. People: God’s own for the world. Leader: This is God’s world, People: And we will serve God in it.

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Leader: May God bless you. May God keep you ever with great care and lead your lives with love.

People: May Christ’s warm welcome shine in our lives and may peace in heart and home prevail through every day, till greater life shall call. Amen.

BENEDICTION RESPONSE A Quiet Place R. Carmichael arr. Rubino

Sam Nulton, vocalist and pianist

POSTLUDE Holy, Holy, Holy arr. Piet Post

TODAY’S MUSICIANS Shelley Nulton, assistant organist Sam Nulton, professional whistler and vocalist, pianist Abby Schmidt, soprano John Albrecht, Director for Music Ministries

Thank you to Eilene Hoft-March for serving as our lay reader this morning!

Permission to stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, # A-714899. All rights reserved.

Join us for a Zoom Fellowship and Sermon Talk Back with Rev. Steve Savides

immediately after worship today at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84850672863

Upcoming Worship Schedule September 27, 2020 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Rev. Steve Savides “Samaritan” Livestreaming at 9:30 AM Scripture Reading: Luke 10:23-37 Music: David Cook, assistant organist LU Music Scholars Quartet Lay Reader: Susan McFadden

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Meditate

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JOYS AND CONCERNS OF OUR FAITH COMMUNITY Members of our church family benefit from our prayers, support, and words of encouragement as they celebrate special times or struggle with difficulties in their lives. Please keep these people in your prayers and greet them with a loving word when you see them.

If you are in the hospital, please let the church know, as we are not always notified. In cases of a pastoral emergency, please call (920) 810-2600.

Bob and Cindy Agner Jill Anthony’s sister Jill Anthony’s nephew, Darryl Paul Bauman Becky, Karen Leigh Post’s mother Katie Behl Barbara Ann Behl, Katie’s sister Glen Benzschawel Arlene Beyer Clair Brown Judy Burdick, Megan Burdick-Grade’s mother Olive Bopp Alyssa Villarreal Brooks Don Brittnacher Dick Casperson John Cawthon Steve Chapin Lynn Cook Dana and Tony who are battling cancer Michael, Dick and Kathy Devries’ son-in-law Jim Edwards Rachel DeMoss Edwards Margitta Furnner Esther Gehrt Ken Geiger Ivo Geurts Linda Glancey, Lane Pittner’s mother Lynn Hanna Rev. Nick Hatch Maggie Hendrick Ken Hocking Carolyn and Jim Huddleston Jean Jepson

Our Kenyan partners and students Sylvia King Rick Kramer, Richard Miller’s son-in law Rev. Kathryn Kuhn Lindsey, friend of Kristen Scheuerman Carrie Brooks McClory and her triplets Mike Mathews Shari Mitchell Ellie Olson Mory, Anthony Padilla’s son Diane Ragus Steve Reinkober, brother of Chris Brittnacher Ken Rheingans Sharrie Robinson Don Roehrborn Mary Rowland Judy Schneider Frank Severin Jake Smasal Amanda Spindler Cole Stoffel Sue, friend of Mark Yonan Rev. Sylvia All those in need of suicide prevention and

compassionate caregivers Jack Thiel James Totzke and his mother, Leah Totzke Beverly Trombla Don Utschig Jean Van Wagenin Mya Wardle, Brian and Lecia Wardle’s daughter Jean Wegner Jennifer Wild

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Congregational Life Embracing God, welcoming others,

knowing ourselves.

Drive-Thru Pet Blessing Service Wednesday • September 23

Calling all dogs, cats, bunnies, iguanas, sundry other creatures, and you!

Please join us on Wednesday, September 23 from 6:00-6:30 PM for a drive-thru pet blessing service. There will be crafts-to-go for kids, treats for animals, music for howling, and fellowship and fun for everyone, all with safety in mind.

No need to get out of your cars for the blessing! But if you choose to do so afterwards, we’ll be asking humans to mask and pets to be leashed.

Please contact Dianne Droster at didroster@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Membership Exploration Class (via Zoom)

Wednesday • September 30 6:30 – 7:30 PM

The Membership Exploration Class is designed for people who are considering membership with First Congregational United Church of Christ.

The class explores the history and polity of the United Church of Christ, the history and programs of First Congregational UCC, the faith and theology of the church, discernment of spiritual gifts for serving God, and more. Please contact the church office at (920) 733-7393 to let us know if you plan to attend so that we can get you the corresponding materials.

Zoom link for the class: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6758906571

St. John’s United Church of Christ Fall Feast

Sunday • October 4

St. John’s United Church of Christ invites you to a Fall Feast on Sunday, October 4. Because of Covid-19, all meals will be served take-out/to-go. Every dinner includes: chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, coleslaw, cranberry sauce and dessert! The cost is $9.00 per dinner. Meals will be available from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. St. John’s is located on the corner of Burdick and Clark Streets in Black Creek, WI.

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Meals will be served from the WEST entrance (look for the signs). Pre-order meals from September 27 to October 3 by calling (920) 984-3845. Leave a message and your phone number so they can call you back.

Youth and Families Faith, fun and service.

Readers for Youth Prayer Needed

We are seeking children and youth grades 5 and up to read and video our Youth Prayer for Sunday mornings. You will be sent the prayer early in the week, then simply video yourself reading it and send it back by Thursday.

Your video will be shared during the beginning of Service on Sunday mornings. Please contact Renee Taylor at rtaylor@firstcongoappleton.org

Church School 2020-21

Church School will look a little different as we begin the 2020-2021 program year but there will be some exciting new opportunities for our children! Our theme for the start of the year is: “All Together in God’s Love.” Sunday School will run from 10:30 AM until approximately 11:00 AM on most Sunday mornings. Lessons will be designed for children in Kindergarten- Grade 6. Each lesson will include an opening activity, Bible story, follow up activity and prayer. This year we will also be including music and sing along opportunities for the

children led by the Director for Music Ministries, John Albrecht. Please join us each week via Facebook Live at 10:30 AM as we celebrate and learn about God’s love for us all.

2020 Fall Youth Program Info Confirmation: We will not be having a new confirmation class starting this year. Pastor Nick will be out of office until late-October and we would like to be able to give our full attention and programming focus to the confirmands to give as personal an experience as possible. The plan right now is to have a “Super” class next year with Freshmen and Sophomores.

Mission Trip: We are still waiting on airline refunds from our Costa Rica trip but our hope is to refund as much as possible to all participants and you’ll still receive your t-shirt and water bottle! There will likely not be an out of area Mission Trip next summer, but we do hope to offer something more local…more details to come. Building Closure: Our building will remain closed to groups for right now and this will be revisited throughout the year as circumstances change. For the rest of 2020 we are planning on virtual programming with monthly in person opportunities in the community for those that feel comfortable with this. Registration: It will be more important than ever to make sure you are registered for programming and events so that we can plan accordingly and have enough resources prepared. With just about

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everything going virtual, we want to make sure that those that want materials will get them. Please visit us online or reach out to Jennifer DeWitt at jdewitt@firstcongoappleton.org for registration materials.

Worship and Music A diverse community practicing faith,

finding spiritual connection and experiencing the Holy through artful sound.

Fall Music Ministry Begins! Psalm 96 encourages us to “Sing to the Lord a new song,” and the pandemic challenges us to make music in new ways and in new spaces. Please consider serving in music ministry! We will continue to protect the health and safety of our congregation by live-streaming worship (at least through November 15) and moving many fall rehearsals/activities outdoors. As we continue our organist search, we are especially thankful for the ongoing organ and piano leadership of David Cook, Shelley Nulton, Anthony Padilla, Elizabeth Melchert, and Chris Danz.

Music for our Children will include fun outdoor options to explore ringing tone-chimes together (grades 2–6, September 30 and October 7, from 4:00–4:45 PM, masked in West Parking lot) and sing together (grades 1-6, October 14 and 21, 4:00–5:45 PM, masked in West Parking lot, parents welcome to join in!) In addition, several of our fall on-line church school classes will include singing, with “echo songs” for the whole family!

Please indicate your child’s interests on the Music Registration Form with your Church School registration, and as posted on the church website. Music for our Youth (grades 7-12) will include ringing tone-chimes together (September 30 and October 7 from 5:00–5:45 PM, masked in the West Parking lot), participating in Sanctuary Choir, the Drive-Through Pet Blessing on September 23 at 6:00 PM in the West Parking lot, solo vocal and instrumental leadership and hymn accompaniment, and resuming Youth Handbells after the building has reopened. Please be sure to indicate all your family’s interests on the Music Registration Form with your Youth Ministry registration, and as posted on the church website. Music for our Adults (college and beyond) will continue to draw on the solo and small ensemble skills of volunteer vocalists and instrumentalists in live streamed worship. You are invited to share your gifts! We welcome six of our eight LU Music Scholars back to campus this fall. Sanctuary Choir resumed on Wednesday, September 9 with a Zoom social, which will be followed by varied experiences each week. Join us! Our 2020-21 music programming may include: Zoom singing/rehearsing; parking lot tone-chime rings (September 30 and October 7 from 6:00–6:45 PM , masked in the West Parking lot); an optional (virtual) basic musicianship class; outdoors Scholars’ Sunday 5:00 PM rehearsals (begins September 13); Zoom class voice training by choir section; Zoom

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socials; an optional Virtual Choir project (pending updated technology); part study on a major work. Please indicate your interest to John Albrecht at jalbrecht@firstcongoappleton.org or call (920) 851-8097.

With prayers that God will continue to guide and guard First Congo,

- John Albrecht Director for Music Ministries

Mission and Service Building relationships, serving others,

pursuing justice.

Kenya Sunday October 4

Kenya Sunday has always been a special celebration at our church. It is a time when the Kenya Partnership Team highlights their recent trip to Kenya, when

we share stories about our Kenya Students that we sponsor and of course a time of Kenya music and joyful celebration of our partnership! This year we will be having a virtual Kenya Sunday on October 4. Following the service, we will have the Kenya Craft sale set up in the parking lot of the church from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM. We will be spacing out the crafts to help reinforce social distancing and we encourage everyone to wear a cloth face mask. Please stop by the church and do some early Christmas shopping and support our friends in Kenya!

Pop-up Tents Needed for Kenya Sunday

Our Kenya partnership team needs more pop up tents for our outdoor craft sale on October 4. If anyone has one they are willing to lend us for that day we would really appreciate it!

Please contact Deb Burich if you can help, or call the church office at (920) 733-7393. We are looking for 8 more tents. Thanks!

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ESTHER’s 2020 Virtual Banquet 17th Annual Gathering

“Voices for Justice” Sunday • November 1 at 5:00 PM

Featuring Keynote Speaker Rev. Traci Blackmon

As a featured voice on many regional, national, and international platforms, Rev. Blackmon’s life work focuses on communal resistance to systemic injustice. Her response in Ferguson to the killing of Michael Brown resulted in national and international recognition, gaining her audiences at the White House, the Carter Center, and the Vatican. She co-authored the White Privilege curriculum for the UCC and toured the nation with Rev. Dr. William Barber of Repairers of the Breach and Sister Simone Campbell of Nuns on the Bus, proclaiming the need for a Moral Revival in the nations.

Note: ESTHER’s traditional silent auction has been moved to an online format this year, running from October 29 until the start of the banquet on November 1.

For more info and to REGISTER, visit https://esther-foxvalley.org.

Administration These Days Daily Devotionals

Copies of These Days Daily Devotionals for October-December are now available.

You can pick up a copy on Thursday, September 24 or Friday, September 25 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Look for the box outside the main entrance of First Congo. You can also contact the church office to request a copy.

There is also a Daily Devotional from UCC available at: https://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional.

Drive-Thru Communion Our Rally Sunday with Drive-Thru Communion was a big success. It was so nice to see some faces in real life! Stay safe everyone - First Congo misses you!

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The Ministry Reverend Dr. Stephen P. Savides, Senior Pastor

Reverend Nicholas J. Hatch, Pastor for Youth and Family Ministries Reverend Laurie Lyter Bright, Interim Pastor for Congregational Care and Missions

Reverend Art Wille, Pastor of Visitation John M. Albrecht, Director for Music Ministries Colleen Berry, Director for Christian Education

Renee Taylor, Director for Youth Ministries Jennifer DeWitt, CYF Coordinator

Carolyn Frederick, Office Manager and Administrative Assistant Holly Volkman, Administrative Assistant for Communications

Jane Malin, Administrative Assistant Siri Witt, Bookkeeper

Jonathan Steffen, Technology Coordinator Bart Forseth, Custodial Supervisor

Theresa Iacullo, Infant/Toddler Child Care Provider Cassidy Behm, Infant/Toddler Child Care Provider

Tom Ott, Custodial Assistant Mary Lou Cliff, Custodial Assistant

Lauren Micke, Weekend Custodial Assistant

First Congregational United Church of Christ 724 East South River Street Appleton, Wisconsin 54915