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June 27 Highlights at First Congregational TODAY: Jazz Trio TODAY: Voting on 2021/2022 Budget............................... copy of budget on p. 14 TODAY: Celebrating our Graduates ..................................................................... p. 4 July 5: OFFICE CLOSED in Honor of Independence Day July 11: “Meet and Sweet” with Pastor Laurie ................................................... p. 9 July 25: “ALL-CALL” Summer Choir .................................................................... p. 10

Flowers The flower arrangement in the Sanctuary this morning was designed by Cindi Ritcey Fox.

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

Video recordings of our live stream services can be found at: www.firstcongoappleton.org/worship-with-us/previous-livestream-services/

Written transcripts of the sermon can be downloaded at: www.firstcongoappleton.org/worship-with-us/sermon-transcripts/

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 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

June 27, 2021 9:30 AM Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Savides, Senior Pastor

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

(We invite you to place your offering in the offering plates in the back of the sanctuary as you enter or during a convenient time in the service. Those with prayer requests are invited to fill out a Prayer Request card found in the pew racks and drop them in the prayer basket in front of the chancel. As always, we encourage our online worshippers to submit prayer requests to the church office via email, REALM, or phone.)

PRELUDE Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen Black Spirituals Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child arr. John Harmon

Jazz Trio John Harmon, piano John Toussaint, trumpet Zach Harmon, drums

RINGING OF CHURCH BELL

WELCOME

RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES Rev. Nick Hatch

PRAYER (in unison)

God of every milestone, we congratulate our graduates and celebrate their accomplishments on this joyous day. We ask for a special blessing upon them as their lives afford new challenges, goals, and opportunities to be faithful servants of Christ. May First Congo continue to be their church home. May they serve out of a passion for justice, hope, and peace. May the wondrous gifts bestowed upon them by the Holy Spirit transform our world. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

OPENING LITANY (in unison) (adapted from Liturgies from Below: Praying with People at the Ends of the World by Claudio Carvalhaes)

O God of Transformation, Use us to embody your love in the world. May broken hearts be embraced by our love. May the grieving find us willing to share their tears. May the lonely find our community attentive. * Please rise, in body or in spirit

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May despairing teens feel encouraged by our support. May displaced migrants be welcomed into safety here. May the unemployed find stability here. O Spirit, empower us to uphold the vulnerable. And convey your love with our lives. Amen.

OPENING HYMN (see bulletin, p. 5-6) Great Is Thy Faithfulness FAITHFULNESS

This well-known hymn is based on today’s scripture lesson in Lamentations.

CHILDREN’S SERMON Rev. Nick Hatch

SCRIPTURE READINGS Lamentations 3:22-33 (OT, p. 937) and Psalm 30 (OT, p. 621)

MEDITATION Rev. Dr. Laurie Lyter Bright

MUSICAL REFLECTION The Desert and the Parched Land from Mass Dave Brubeck

Jazz 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).

*DOXOLOGY OLD HUNDREDTH

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.

GATHERING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS

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.

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For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

CLOSING WORDS

CLOSING HYMN (see bulletin, p. 7) Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil GOODNESS IS STRONGER

Sung several times by ALL.

CONGREGATIONAL BUDGET MEETING

CALL TO ORDER Kris Hietpas, Church Moderator OPENING PRAYER Rev. Nick Hatch BUDGET PRESENTATION Ted LaPine, Church Treasurer CONGREGATIONAL VOTE Kris Hietpas ADJOURNMENT Kris Hietpas

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE I’ve Got a Robe Black Spiritual arr. Harmon

TODAY’S MUSICIANS John Harmon, piano John Toussaint, trumpet Zach Harmon, drums Sue Toussaint, hymn soloist John M. Albrecht, Director for Music Ministries

Thank you to Heidi Erstad 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.

Congratulations Graduates! Join us for cake and fellowship immediately after our worship service today to celebrate our graduates!

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Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-714899

Upcoming Worship Schedule July 4, 2021 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost; Communion Rev. Nick Hatch Livestreaming at 9:30 AM Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Psalm 48 Music: Dr. Nathan Birkholz, organ; Jesse Baumgart, tenor Lay Reader: LouAnn Graf

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Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-714899

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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.

Lyndee Aleman Jill Anthony Jill Anthony’s sister Jill Anthony’s nephew, Darryl Sherry Bassett Paul Bauman Katie Behl Barbara Ann Behl, Katie’s sister Aidan Bero Arlene Beyer Clair Brown Judy Burdick, Megan Burdick-Grade’s mother Olive Bopp Alyssa Villarreal Brooks Don Brittnacher Dick Casperson Steve Chapin Norman Clay Lynn Cook Michael, Dick and Kathy Devries’ son-in-law Jim Edwards and Rachel DeMoss Edwards Helen Joan Evans Friend of Pat Severin who is facing a serious

health issue David Galow Steve Gehrt Ken Geiger Joan Gruenstern Jayne Heinrich Judy Hanson Maggie Hendrick Ken Hocking Ron Hurm Michelle Jahnke

Jean Jepson Elizabeth Keggi’s stepmother, Jeanne Our Kenyan partners and friends Rick Kramer, Richard Miller’s son-in law Jennifer Lemmert Lindsey, friend of Kristen Scheuerman Mike Mathews Drew Michyeta, Eilene Hoft-March’s uncle Mory, Anthony Padilla’s son Our country’s military around the world Steve Reinkober, brother of Chris Brittnacher Sharrie Robinson Mary Rowland Gwen Salonen Jan Scheibe Frank Severin Mike Seymour’s mom, Debbie Jim Sheetz Jake Smasal Cole Stoffel Sue, friend of Mark Yonan Gloria Tate Jack Thiel Peter Thiel Brenda Timm James Totzke and his mother, Leah Totzke Beverly Trombla Dick and Ginger Uehling 70-year anniversary Don Utschig Jean Van Wagenin Mya Wardle, Brian and Lecia Wardle’s daughter Chuck and Jean Wegner 70-year anniversary

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Congregational Life Embracing God, welcoming others,

knowing ourselves.

Join our Fellowship Team! • Do you frequently find yourself

saying things like "sure, you can call me, I can help out…"?

• Do you want to help without having to attend committee meetings, show up to every single thing, or be in charge?

• Are you eager to help make First Congo as welcoming to newcomers as possible?

Then join the fellowship team! Contact Carolyn Frederick at cfrederick@firstcongoappleton.org to have your name added to the fellowship team list and we'll be in touch when there's an upcoming event!

Worship and Music A diverse community practicing faith,

finding spiritual connection and experiencing the Holy through artful sound.

Save the Dates for “Meet-a-Laurie” Events!

We are excited to announce that the Church Council has affirmed the recommendation for Rev. Dr. Laurie Lyter Bright to be elected permanent Pastor for Congregational Care and Mission! Pastor Laurie’s “trial” sermon and candidating Sunday will be September 19. Please mark these other important dates on your calendar to get to know Laurie and her family better.

• Sunday, July 11: “Meet and Sweet” immediately after worship. Socialize with Pastor Laurie and enjoy some ice cream. As a bonus, you will also get to meet Laurie’s sweet family: husband Jesse, and daughters Tillie and Sonora.

• Sunday, August 15: Q & A session with Pastor Laurie in the chapel immediately after our worship service.

• One-on-ones with Pastor Laurie. Folks can sign up for a zoom or in-person session on the following dates:

o Tuesday, August 17 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

o Thursday, August 19 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM

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o Saturday, August 21 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Sign up for a 20-minute block of time by calling the church office at (920) 733-7393 or emailing Beck at bfritsche@firstcongoappleton.org.

Save the date for “ALL-CALL” Summer Choir!

July 25, 8:30 AM rehearsal

All vaccinated adults and youth are invited to praise God in our Summer Choir on Sunday morning, July 25! We will gather (masked) at 8:30 AM in the Sanctuary to rehearse an anthem and hymns for the 9:30 AM service that morning. Dress is comfortable and casual; all First Congregational friends and members are welcome! To help with music planning, please let me know you as soon as possible that you are participating, by e-mailing jalbrecht@firstcongoappleton.org or by calling my direct line at church; (920) 851-8097. We look forward to singing with YOU!

- John M. Albrecht Director for Music Ministries

Mission and Service Building relationships, serving others,

pursuing justice.

Appalachia Service Trip October 2-9, 2021

Appalachia Service Project is a relational ministry working with families in the Appalachian Mountains to make their homes warmer, safer, and drier.

We have participated in home rehabilitation projects with ASP since 2013, with building projects such as: floor reconstruction and flooring installation, building foundational supports, wheelchair ramp construction, framing rooms, drywall installation and painting. You need no specific construction skills. We work with families not only to repair their homes, but to build caring relationships. Our next trip is scheduled for October 2-9, 2021. The cost is $350 plus travel expenses. Please join us! For more information, please call Valerie Schultz at 920-915-8008 or email at schultz.valeriea@gmail.com

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Kathryn Kuhn Memorial Fund Asante Sana! Thank you! Almost $15,000 has been received in donations in memory of Kathryn. The Kathryn Kuhn memorial fund is almost halfway to providing scholarships for three female students in Kenya each year (a student in year one, two and three of theological studies). The candidates for these scholarships will carry on Kathryn’s love and acceptance of everyone, her joy and exuberance of life and faith! The dream and call to a journey of being a pastor is something few young women in the Kerio valley have had the opportunity to fulfill due to financial needs. Kathryn’s fund will encourage and support women of faith in ways that will forever change the lives of so many! Your help is needed! Please consider a donation, of any amount, to Kathryn’s fund. Details on how to donate can be found at: https://files.constantcontact.com/17b433b2701/195c3e47-27ce-42d8-ab86-2920c913269a.pdf

Bystander/Upstander Training Saturday, September 11

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM • Do you want the skills to interrupt

racist behaviors and comments? • Have you witnessed acts of

discrimination toward immigrants, women, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or others who may be marginalized because of religious, ethnic, racial, gender or social identities?

• Are you looking for tools to invite people into challenging conversations around difference, rather than shutting them down?

• Do you wonder when it's appropriate to Stand? Speak? Act?

Then this workshop is for you!

Join facilitators Marijke van Roojen and Shavana Talbert for this interactive workshop to learn how to become an agent for change and to co-create a positive narrative about race and other identities in your places of influence. Participants will unpack real-life scenarios to enable them to effectively challenge negative narratives and behaviors in our community. The workshop will be on Saturday, September 11, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at First Congregational Church. Group size is limited; please register on Realm or contact Beck Fritsche at bfritsche@firstcongoappleton.org

To defray the costs, there is a $10 per person registration fee. If this presents a

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hardship for you and you would like to participate, please contact Pastor Laurie.

All are welcome!

Celebrating Pride Month: The History of the Rainbow Flag

The Rainbow Flag first appeared in 1978, when it was flown during the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. Gilbert Baker, a San Francisco artist, designed the rainbow flag in response to a need for a symbol that could be used year after year. Baker borrowed symbolism from the civil rights and hippie movements, and created a flag that has gained worldwide recognition. The original flag featured 8 colors, each with a distinct meaning assigned by Baker: Hot pink (Sex), Red (Life), Orange (Healing), Yellow (Sunlight), Green (Nature), Turquoise (Magic/Art), Indigo (Serenity), Violet (Spirit).

After the assassination of gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk on November 27, 1978, demand for the rainbow flag greatly increased. To meet demand, the Paramount Flag Company began selling a version of the flag using stock rainbow fabric with seven stripes using the colors red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, and violet. As Baker ramped up production of his version of the flag, he too dropped the hot pink stripe because of the unavailability of hot-pink fabric. San Francisco-based

Paramount Flag Co. also began selling a surplus stock of Rainbow Girls flags from its retail store on the southwest corner of Polk and Post, at which Gilbert Baker was an employee.

In 1979, the flag was modified again; the organizers of the 1979 San Francisco parade decided to split the flag into two in order to decorate the two sides of the parade route. To achieve this, they needed an even number of stripes, so the turquoise stripe was dropped, which resulted in a six-stripe version of the flag we know today - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.

In October 2017, a rainbow LGBT flag was raised at the Stonewall National Monument, the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to LGBT rights and history, situated near the Stonewall Inn. It received its National Monument designation on June 24, 2016. This flag is the first officially maintained LGBT flag at a federal monument. Source: www.odu.edu/safespace/symbols

Administration Job Opening – A/V Coordinator

First Congo currently has an opening for an Audio-Visual Coordinator at 15 hours per week. The A/V Coordinator serves as a point person for all audio-visual elements of worship at First Congregational UCC. Visit our website: www.firstcongoappleton.org/careers/ for a complete description.

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Job Opening - Director for Children and Middle School

Ministry

First Congregational UCC of Appleton is looking for a Director for Children and Middle School Ministry. This position offers an incredible opportunity to impact the lives of families and minister to over 200+ active children and youth.

The final candidate must be a person with an educational background, heart and calling for children and middle schoolers, and have experience in education or developing programs. Our ministries have excellent volunteer participation, an exciting and carefully thought-out curriculum and are greatly respected and integrated into the life of our church.

Please help us advertise this position by sharing the job posting link found on our website at www.firstcongoappleton.org/careers/.

This position offers a highly competitive salary and family health benefits.

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