9th Sunday after Pentecost, July 26, 2026
We are an inclusive community that welcomes extravagantly, seeks God and follows Jesus into the world.
*invites all to rise as you are able, in body or spirit
Prelude Music Brad Lambrecht
Welcome & Announcements Pastor Marc
Remembering Our Baptism
*Call to Worship Bonnie Bina
ONE: God is calling us.
ALL: God is always there calling us.
ONE: We are called to wholeness and acceptance,
ALL: to be justice-seekers and peacemakers.
ONE: We are called to be a welcoming community,
ALL: covenanting with each other in faith.
ONE: We are called both to worship and to witness,
ALL: to sing joyfully, to pray earnestly, and to speak prophetically.
ONE: We are called to celebrate and share in God’s love.
ALL: God is calling us.
*Opening Hymn Called as Partners in Christ’s Service Black #495
*Invocation Pastor Marc
*Call to Confession
*Litany of Confession Bonnie
ONE: O Supreme Being, who sustains our lives every day with hope, today and many days we feel hopeless.
ALL: Forgive us and have mercy.
ONE: We know that we consume more than we need and leave many without enough.
ALL: Forgive us and have mercy.
ONE: We live our hurried lives, often not seeing the hurting humanity around us and not hearing your voice calling us to help.
ALL: Forgive us and have mercy.
ONE: Our silence, conformity, indifference and inaction are comfortable, and we do not want to disrupt our status quo.
ALL: Forgive us and have mercy.
ONE: We know that our desire to follow Jesus means having to stand in solidarity and support those on the edges, but often we sit quietly on the sidelines.
ALL: Forgive us and have mercy, O God.
We confess we need to do better, and we ask for your guidance.
Forgive us in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
*Words of Assurance
*Act of Praise Black #760
The congregation sing once in the original language, then twice in English.
*Passing the Peace Bonnie
ONE: The peace of Christ be with you!
ALL: And also with you.
Moment with the Younger Church Pastor Marc
Hebrew Scriptures Genesis 32:22-31 Bonnie
Meditation Hymn Pass It On (insert)
Gospel Reading Mark 4:10-13 & 33-41 Bonnie
Message “Once Upon a Time” Rev. Marc Blakesley
Musical Reflection By My Side Bonnie Bina and
Carrie Gramm
Reception of New Church Members
Invitation to the Perspective Members
Questions of the Candidates
Welcome and Reception
ONE: Let us express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ as members of this congregation.
ALL: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share in the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we continue to grow together in the knowledge of God and in love and be witnesses of our risen Savior. Amen.
Greeting in Christian Love
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Prayer of our Savior
Our God in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory Music Brad Lambrecht
Offering Response TUNE: Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One! Amen.
*Dedication Prayer Pastor Marc
*Parting Hymn You Are Salt for the Earth, O People Black #181
*Benediction Pastor Marc
*Postlude Music Brad Lambrecht
Litany of Confession written by Marc W Blakesley. Copyright © 2026, New Thing Ministry Consulting. Used with permission.
We welcome all who are joining us for worship virtually, on YouTube, https://tinyurl.com/firstcongalex or Cable Channel #181 (each weekday). Our service is broadcast on KXRA 1490 AM at 11 am the second Sunday of the month.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY July 26, 2026
Sunday July 26
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Potluck
Monday July 27
10:00 Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros (with Pastor Jill)
4-8 Voice lessons
6:30 p Church Campfire with Alexandria Methodist/Glenwood UP
Tuesday July 28
12–4 Elder network
2:30 Voice lessons
Wednesday July 29
4-6 Labyrinth
Thursday July 30
4-7 Arts Space
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
Saturday, August 1
9:00 All Church Retreat, Luther Crest
Next Sunday August 2
10:00 Worship in person and online, communion, 1st Sunday Music
Potluck & New Member reception
Please join us for a potluck after church today. Please bring your side dish, appetizer, or dessert down to the Fellowship Hall. Let’s celebrate this time together with Pastor Marc and our new members: Brad Lambrecht and his daughters Kennison and Anniley. We will have pulled pork sandwiches and a sheet cake provided.
Sabbatical Pastor Contact Information
Rev. Marc Blakesley is called to serve this church ½ time.
Email: marc@firstcongregationaluccalex.com
Follow Pastor Jill’s Sabbatical
Pastor Jill is on her renewal leave until August 2nd. If you would like to follow along with her journey, you can go read her journal at https://substack.com/@alongjillsjourney. If you “subscribe” (do not pay as it’s free), you will be notified when posts are made.
Thank you to all who have assisted
Thank you to all who helped during Pride in the Park, the Pride service, made lefse, turkey salad, baked goods or brought salads, assisted during WOW Wednesday, or during the bake sale and the Salad luncheon. This was a busy and blessed week as a church.
All-church Campfire and Confirmation “reunion”!
Please join our recent confirmands and Alexandria Methodist at a Campfire and Confirmation reunion hosted at the parsonage When/Where: Alex UMC July 27, 6:30 pm – Parsonage, 601 Rosewood Lane. It is Intergenerational & church collaborative with our neighbors, UCC-Alexandria & Glenwood Parish Come one, come all! Bring your lawn chair! Karaoke and S’mores!
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The labyrinth is open on Wednesdays from 4-6. Anyone at church or the greater community is warmly invited to participate. The labyrinth is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit, and a mirror of the soul. May it serve as one of these, and more, for you.
Arts Space
This summer, artist Jax Rose will be holding an arts space for teens on Thursday nights 4-7 in our Fellowship Hall. These classes are free to any student who attends, and every student receives one on one instruction. Students are highly encouraged to bring their sketchbook or any projects they might be working on. Classes start June 11th and go to September 3rd. Hope to see you there!”
All Church Retreat
We will have an All Church Retreat on August 1 at Luther Crest. We will be celebrating Pastor Jill’s return from her sabbatical and sharing our stories of Congregational Renewal. The psalmist Richard Bruxvoort Colligan will facilitate the retreat. It is not too late to sign up, we have a few spots available
Angel Care Team July/August
Volunteers needed for July. Let us know if you are able to visit. August Angels are Judy Kuhlmann and Mary Mische. Please let the office know if you would like a visit.
Worship Volunteers Needed
We have sign ups at the back of the sanctuary for volunteers interested in ushering, greeting and providing coffee fellowship. You are free to sign up for as many as you wish at a time. If you are interested in tech, let someone at the tech desk know and we can train you on the job.
Good Samaritan
Our Good Samaritan fund is need of replenishing. We gas prices and grocery inflation many people are trying to make ends meet. We also have had a few larger requests. Many needs are outstripping other places’ capacity too, so we have had a few people come to us after being turned away elsewhere. We try not to turn anyone away.
Venezuelan Earthquakes
In response to the two devastating earthquakes near Caracas, the United Church of Christ is launching an urgent appeal to support both immediate life-saving aid and long-term recovery. Working through our trusted partners on the ground like Global Ministries and ACT Alliance, we are delivering emergency relief to displaced families, distributing food and water, and offering pastoral care to those facing profound loss and trauma.
VIRTUAL GIVING OPTIONS: ONLINE AND TEXT
Check out our updated website: firstcongregationaluccalex.com. Click on the word “Give” at the top of the screen. You can also text (844) 987-4483 to give to our general fund. Please contact the office if you need help setting up a giving account online using our provider, Churchtrac.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Mary Platt 08/02
Sue Pommerenke 08/05
Jonathan Carlson, Jr 08/08
Micki Schneider 08/08
Bina anniversary 8/08/1980
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
Upcoming Events or Community Events
Evening Prayer Services
All are welcome to join the First Lutheran Care for Creation Team for a time of music, scripture, and prayer. The purpose is to pray for the world, for peace, for all leaders, for creation, and for God’s presence in our lives. This prayer service is the 3rd Sunday of every month at 5:00 pm.
This congregation is a member of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ and honor the dignity of each person created in God’s image. All are welcome here.
