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September 13 Highlights at First Congregational TODAY: Zoom Fellowship with Rev. Steve Savides ........... zoom link on p. 5 TODAY: Rally Sunday with Drive-Thru Communion .................................. p.5 TODAY: One Great Hour of Sharing .......................................................... p. 9 September 15: O.F.F. at Heckrodt Nature Center ............................................... p. 9 September 23: Drive-Thru Pet Blessing ............................................................... p. 9 September 30: Membership Exploration Class (via Zoom) .............................. p. 10

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 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 13, 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 Trio No. III - Allegro James Hook

Barb Armstrong, Jann Kostecke, and Audrey Moore, flutes

RINGING OF CHURCH BELL

WELCOME

OPENING PSALTER Psalm 136 (Presented by Dee Savides and various members and families in our congregation)

OPENING HYMN (see bulletin p. 6) Earth and All Stars EARTH AND ALL STARS

CHILDREN’S SERMON Colleen Berry

SCRIPTURE READING Mark 12:28-34

SUNG RESPONSE (see below)

Love God With Your Heart LOVE GOD

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MEDITATION “The Circle of Faith” Rev. Steve Savides

MUSICAL REFLECTION Adagio Laszlo Zempleni

Flute Trio

(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.

CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION INVITATION PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

All: God of compassion, you bless and break everything we are and everything we bring to you. Our deep scarcity becomes enough to sustain us, and then our “enough” becomes an abundance we could never imagine. We pray that your Spirit of life and love, of tenderness and power, rest upon every bread and every cup, that they may feed the inmost need of each child of God and pour forth a grace that can change the world. Risen Christ, live in us, that we may live in you. Amen.

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WORDS OF REMEMBERING

SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS

Leader: The bread on your table is blessed and broken like the picnic of grace. Unison: Sharing love, we will never be hungry. Leader: The cup on your table is blessed and shared like the overflowing of tears

and joy. Unison: Drinking deeply, we will never thirst.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

All: Spirit of Christ, you have blessed our tables and our lives. May the eating of this Bread give us courage to speak faith and act love, not only in church sanctuaries, but in your precious world, and may the drinking of this Cup renew our hope even in the midst of pandemic. Wrap your hopeful presence around all whose hearts, souls, minds, and bodies need healing, and let us become your compassion and safe refuge. Amen

CLOSING WORDS

CLOSING HYMN (see bulletin p. 7)

God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending BEACH SPRING

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Menuetto Mozart

Flute Trio

TODAY’S MUSICIANS David Cook, assistant organist Barbara Armstrong, Jann Kostecke, Audrey Moore, flute trio Max Muter, LU Music Scholar bass-baritone John Albrecht, Director for Music Ministries

Thank you to Dee Savides for serving as our lay reader this morning!

This morning’s communion service was adapted from Rev. Maren C. Tirabassi. Permission to stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, # A-714899. All rights reserved.

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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

Rally Sunday with Drive-Thru Communion

First Congo will hold a drive-thru Communion TODAY, September 13 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the main parking lot. We will still have our regular livestream worship at 9:30 AM with virtual fellowship immediately following the service.

There will also be an opportunity to donate to One Great Hour of Sharing; donation containers will be set up next to the Communion station.

The CYF (Children, Youth and Families) Team will be handing out information packets containing registration materials, devotions, projects and other fun stuff to kick off the new program year as well!

If possible, please enter from the east and turn right into our main parking lot to avoid potential traffic back-up near the Lawe St. hill /intersection.

Upcoming Worship Schedule September 20, 2020 “The Turn of Faith” Rev. Steve Savides Livestreaming at 9:30 AM Scripture Reading: Psalm 77 Music: Shelley Nulton, assistant organist; Sam Nulton, vocalist and whistler! Lay Reader: Eilene Hoft-March

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

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Text: Herbert F. Brokering, b. 1926 Music: David N. Johnson, 1922-1987 Text and music © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House

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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 Heidi Erstad upon the death of her father,

John Mendonca 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 Family of Ervin Klesmit upon his death 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 Dorothy Mendonca upon the death of her

husband, John 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 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.

Nature is Not Canceled - We Need Outdoor Fun and Fellowship!

While observing social distancing, Nancy Brown-Koeller and Sandy Gillum welcome all who would like to take a “breather” and get outside for a bit of conversation. Directions for an optional easy walk in the park area will be also be shared.

Meet at 10:00 AM at the following location. No rain date. Bring a lawn chair, a beverage and a face mask.

Tuesday, September 15 location: Heckrodt Nature Center

• Address: 1305 Plank Road, Menasha, 54952

• Bathroom not available

Directions: With GPS – use address above With map – from northeast, take Oneida St. South to Hwy 114/Plank Rd, turn right (west). From northwest, take Memorial Dr/47 South (becomes DePere St.), turn left (east) to Hwy114/Plank Rd.). Entrance/parking lot south side of Plank Road/Hwy 114. Meet in the parking lot. We will then proceed to spot next to the Nature Center building. Several easy walking routes are available.

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.

One Great Hour of Sharing: “Invest in Futures” Sunday • September 13

The 2020 One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering’s theme is “Invest in Futures.” Through the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering, we are planting seeds of new life. Together, we are investing in communities worldwide: providing education to girls and boys, empowering communities through vocational training,

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supporting microcredit lending and seeing people through to self-sufficiency, empowering families with skills to support themselves and their neighbors, and participating in sustainable solutions that offer dignity to all. These are just a few ways the OGHS offering touches God’s children, in addition to disaster relief and refugee initiatives. Through your generosity, the world is a better place. But more is needed. Today, you have an opportunity to plant seeds into the lives of others. Be a co-worker with God. Building, planting, watering…and trusting that God gives growth to all good gifts shared in faith. Gifts will be collected on Sunday, September 13 but donations will be received through September 27. There will be a collection bucket for donations in the main parking lot during Rally Sunday after drive-thru communion. Envelopes will also be available on-site. you may also mail your donation to the church office or contribute via Realm.

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

Youth and Families Faith, fun and service.

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.

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This year we will also be including music and sing along opportunities for the children led by Director of Music Ministry, 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 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

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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 (starting with a “Tailgate” on September 9 at 6:30 PM in West Parking lot) 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 look forward to welcoming 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 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

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Mission and Service Building relationships, serving others,

pursuing justice.

Anti-Racism Task Force The First Congo Anti-Racism Task Force believes that God is calling us to do the hard work necessary to educate ourselves about the systemic racism present in ourselves, our church, and our community. You can sign up online at https://e.onrealm.org/events/2e3f1cf0-1af1-45a1-bf2b-ac210160e9c2/meetings/a07b16a8-e6ed-4945-b7fc-ac210160e9c2. This will take you to a registration form through Realm. You can also contact the church office at (920) 733-7393 no later than September 13, 2020 to report your interest in either Zoom sessions or small group opportunities. We plan to begin the conversation in mid-October. You will have the option of choosing six hour and a half long sessions weekly for six weeks or six sessions every other week for twelve weeks. Time of day will be based on sign-ups. Sessions are open to anyone high school age and beyond.

ESTHER’s 2020 Virtual Banquet 17th Annual Gathering

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

This year’s celebration will feature Rev. Traci Blackmon as keynote speaker. Rev. Blackmon is the Associate General Minister of Justice and Local Church

Ministries for the United Church of Christ and Senior Pastor of Christ The King United Church of Christ, three miles from Ferguson, Missouri. She was a registered nurse for 25 years prior to becoming an ordained minister. 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.

Check us out at: esther-foxvalley.org/auction!

2020 Habitat for Humanity Faith Build

Wednesday • October 7 For the past nine years, First Congo has participated in an interfaith build. This year the local Habitat chapter is partnering with Thrivent Financial and being renamed Faith Build. COVID-19 has created staffing and logistic changes as well. A limited number of working volunteers are permitted on

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site. Daily temperature checks, masking, and social distancing are practiced. First Congo has been assigned to install dry wall on Wednesday, October 7. We will need four volunteers. We will also be providing the noon meal for that day. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Our build site is 1843 West Packard Street in Appleton. If you are able to help at the work site or provide food items for the noon meal, please contact Tim De Hart at tdehart@new.rr.com or through Realm.

Service at Moon Beach Despite the fact that Moon Beach is closed due to the pandemic, Ken Jahnke and Tom Graf have been working hard there for the last two weeks doing repair and maintenance, including replacing the siding and rim boards on the cabins.

Thank you for your continued service and great teamwork!

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!

TODAY: Zoom Fellowship with Rev. Steve Savides zoom link on p. 5TODAY: Rally Sunday with Drive-Thru Communion p.5TODAY: One Great Hour of Sharing p. 9September 15: O.F.F. at Heckrodt Nature Center p. 9September 23: Drive-Thru Pet Blessing p. 9September 30: Membership Exploration Class (via Zoom) p. 10Donating to First Congregational UCCLand AcknowledgementOnline Streaming and PodcastingOnline Documents and InformationThe Order of WorshipJoin us for a Zoom Fellowship and Sermon Talk Back with Rev. Steve Savides immediately after worship today at:Church School 2020-21Church 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 includ...This year we will also be including music and sing along opportunities for the children led by Director of Music Ministry, 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.

ESTHER’s 2020 Virtual Banquet 17th Annual Gathering “Voices for Justice”Sunday • November 1 at 5:00 PM