2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Communion, 1st Sunday music June 7, 2026
*invites all to rise as you are able, in body or spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
Gathering Music Praise Band
Betty’s Diner | Room at the Table | Honey in the Rock
Greetings & Announcements Pastor Marc
Remembering Our Baptism
*Call to Worship
ONE: The God of love welcomes you to this gathering.
ALL: We come seeking God’s love and grace, made known through faith in Jesus Christ.
ONE: God’s love is here for you and me.
ALL: With God’s help, let us understand more how we are connected.
ONE: God’s love is seen in the life of Jesus.
ALL: Help us abide in Christ, in the love and compassion of Jesus.
ONE: May our spirits be renewed and our connection and at this table of grace.
ALL: Let us offer praise to our God.
*Opening Song Room at the Table
*Welcoming Prayer
*Passing of the Peace
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Moment with the Younger Church Pastor Marc
Please join is singing “Jesus Love Me” while the young ones come forward and when they return to their seats.
Scripture Readings Psalm 23 Bonnie Bina
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Preparation Song Shall We Gather at the Table
tune: Hanson Place 8.7.8.7 with refrain
Shall we gather at the table
Where our hungry souls are fed,
With its mystery and wonder
Found in a holy cup and bread
refrain:
Yes, we’ll gather at the table,
The wonderful, the bountiful, the table
Gathered all together at the table
That shows us the love of God.
All around the sacred table,
Feasting on the Word of God
We will fellowship together,
Filled with a holy sense of awe.
~ refrain ~
Here we find the welcome table
With its invitation, come!
Here we break the bread together
And drink of the cup of love.
~ refrain ~
Message “Why the Table?” Rev. Marc Blakesley
WE RESPOND TO GOD
Invitation to the Table
All are welcome at this table, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey.
We have gluten-free crackers available for those in need and unfermented grape juice is served in the cups.
Words of Remembrance and Consecration
Serving the Bread and the Cup
You are invited to join in singing the music on the screen or to meditate in silence as you come forward to receive the bread and the cup. This morning we will receive communion by coming forward. Please come down the center aisle and return by the side aisle. If you need the elements brought to you, please let an usher know.
Thanksgiving Prayer (unison)
Gracious God, we have gathered at your invitation. We have found our place at this table of grace and new life. Thank you for feeding our hungry souls and quenching our thirst for wholeness. For all this we are grateful and offer our praise. Amen.
Prayer Song Down to the River to Pray
Prayers of the Gathered
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 Come to the Altar Praise Band
(instrumental)
Offering Response Holy Spirit
*Dedication Prayer Pastor Marc
WE TAKE GOD’S WITNESS OUT
*Parting Song Sing Wherever I Go
*Sending Forth Pastor Marc
*Sending Music Sing Wherever I Go Praise Band
Call to Worship and Preparation Song words written by Marc W Blakesley. Copyright © 2014, 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 June 7 2026
Sunday June 7, Communion & First Sunday Music
8:30 Band rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday June 8
10:00 “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
4-8 Voice lessons
Tuesday June 9
12-4 Elder network
2:30 Voice lessons
Wednesday June 10
4-6 Labyrinth
4:45 Choir rehearsal
Thursday June 11
4-7 Arts Space
4:30 Holy Happy Hr
Friday June 12, Annual Meeting
Saturday June 13, Annual Meeting
Next Sunday June 14, KXRA Sunday
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Today is Communion Sunday
All are welcome at God’s table, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey. We have gluten-free crackers available for those in need and unfermented grape juice is served in the cups.
Sabbatical Pastor Contact Information
Rev. Marc Blakesley is called to serve this church ½ time.
Email: marc@firstcongregationaluccalex.com
Cell Phone: 612-325-1467 (voice/text)
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.
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.
Choir rehearsal
The Choir has begun its summer schedule. The choir rehearses on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in June and July at 4:45 pm. They also rehearse the Sundays they sing at 9:15 am. The choir sings in worship on the 2nd Sunday of the month through June-August.
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!”
Angel Care Team June
LuWanna Hintermeister will be the June Angel visitor. If you know of someone who needs a visit, please contact the office.
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.
Strengthen the Church Offering
The Strengthen the Church Offering furthers the work of our conferences and the national UCC as we work together to strengthen and renew existing congregations, fund leadership development, and provide exciting new programs for youth and young adults. The offering is divided with 50% staying regionally within your conference and 50% supporting the National Ministries. We begin officially collecting for this conference wide offering June 1.
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
Lori LeBrasseur 06/20
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.
ALZHEIMER & DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Join us at the Public Works Dept. meeting room (526 Willow Dr) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 3-4:30. Please contact the facilitator Stephanie Aasness at 320-766-1856, to learn more.
WOW Wednesdays and Sabbath Saturdays
During Pastor Jill’s renewal leave, we have planned activities for the congregation that will encourage them to reflect, be creative and build our faith. Once a month we will have an activity on Wednesday and a Saturday. Our next WoW Wednesday is June 17 beginning at 5:15 with a meal. At 6:00 p.m. Jennifer Weber will guide participants through a session of somatic meditation, a calming mindfulness technique focused on the body. This practice emphasizes awareness of physical sensations to support emotional health, healing, and overall well-being. Everyone can do it in their chair. No experience needed. Sign ups for all Wow Wednesdays and Sabbath Saturdays are at the back of the sanctuary. You can also call the office to sign up.
We are an inclusive community that welcomes extravagantly, seeks God and follows Jesus into the world.
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.
