Ascension Sunday May 17, 2026
*Indicates please rise in body or in spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Marc
REMEMBER OUR BAPTISM
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
ONE: Please rise in Body or Spirit and join me in the Call to Worship.
ONE: Let God rise up; and let the righteous be joyful in God’s presence.
ALL: We are God’s resurrection people here to offer praise.
ONE: Sing to God; sing praises to God’s holy name.
ALL: We shall sing of God’s goodness all our days.
ONE: God cares for the orphans and is a protector of the widows.
ALL: We find assurance in God’s care and grace.
ONE: Sing to God, O people of the earth; sing praises to the Lord.
ALL: We have come to worship, to sing and to proclaim God’s resurrection power now and always.
*PRAISE HYMN Joyful, Joyful We Adore You Black #4
*INVOCATION Pastor Marc
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*SILENT PERSONAL REFLECTION
*PROFESSION OF FAITH (unison)
Please join me in the Profession of Faith.
We believe in the God who creates and is still creating today.
We believe that God’s pure essence is love; that God’s love is redeeming and guiding us daily.
We believe that Jesus was and is an embodiment of God’s love.
We believe in the power of community, the church, that we are connected and make up the body of the risen Christ who continues the ministry of Jesus in the world today.
We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers us, both individually and collectively, to be made new and to adapt to the ever-changing ways of the world.
We believe that Jesus came to offer us grace and that we are forgiven.
We believe in the power of questions over certainty.
We believe that love is stronger than fear or hate.
We believe that life also continues, even when confronted with death.
We believe that God is making all things new and that nothing will ever separate us from God.
This we proclaim as Easter people and in the sure hope we find in Jesus who walked out of the tomb and continues to walk with us.
Yes, we believe! Thanks be to God!
*WORDS OF GRACE Betty
*ACT OF PRAISE Halle, Halle, Halle Black #236
(sing through twice)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Marc
SCRIPTURE READINGS Joshua 4:1-7 Betty
When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Select twelve leaders from the people, one from each tribe, 3 and command them, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood, carry them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you camp tonight.’ ” 4 Then Joshua summoned the twelve whom he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe. 5 Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on their shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 so that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the Israelites a memorial forever.”
Acts 1:6-11
So when they had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 WhileJesus was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two angels in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “People of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
SERMON HYMN Let It Breathe on Me Black #288
(sing verse 1 twice, changing Me to Us the second time)
SERMON “Resurrection Happens… Pastor Marc
Even on a Mountain Top”
WE RESPOND TO GOD
RESPONSE HYMN Blessed Assurance Black #473
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
SACRED SILENCE
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE 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 Brad Lambrecht
*DOXOLOGY TUNE: St. Anne, WORDS: Mary Luti
Today, the kingdoms of despair
In wreckage fade away;
Now Hope her victory declares:
God’s love has won the day.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION Pastor Marc
WE TAKE GOD’S WITNESS OUT
*PARTING HYMN Black #77
Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
*BENEDICTION Pastor Marc
*POSTLUDE MUSIC Brad Lambrecht
Call to Worship and Profession of Faith written by Marc W Blakesley. Copyright © 2026, New Thing Ministry Consulting. Used with permission.
We celebrate Pentecost next Sunday, the day the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples like a rushing wind and tongues of fire. As is our tradition, we invite the entire congregation to wear red (yellow or orange too) on Sunday. Wearing red is a wonderful way to visibly unite as one body and remember the fire of the Spirit that guides our mission today. We can’t wait to see a sea of red in the sanctuary!
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 May 17 2026
Today, Sunday May 17, Ascension Sunday, Annual Meeting
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Annual Programmatic Meeting, coffee fellowship
1:30 Piano recital
Monday May 18
10:00 Celebration of Adoption and Baptism of Lee Fritz
No “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
4-8 p Voice lessons
6:30 Confirmation (here)
Tuesday May 19
11:30 Lunch Bunch @ Pioneer Grill
2:30 Voice lessons
6 pm Council
Wednesday May 20
4-6:00 Labyrinth open
4:45 Choir rehearsal
Thursday May 21
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
9:30 Morning Circle
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
9:15 Choir rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 coffee fellowship
Annual Programmatic Meeting
The Annual Programmatic meeting is today. Please plan to stay a little longer after worship that morning! One of the main features of the Programmatic Meeting is to elect a slate of Committee and Board members and Chairs. The Programmatic report is at the back of the sanctuary.
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.
Piano Recital
Laura Harding’s students will have a recital on May 17 in the sanctuary. Doors open at 1:30.
Lee Fritz Celebration of Adoption and Baptism
Please join us Monday May 18 as we celebrate with Lee and his parents Michael & Jade his adoption and baptism at 10 am. There will be a baked potato bar afterwards. We will cancel Caffeinated Christianity to accommodate as many who wish to attend this joyous celebration.
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch meets at the Pioneer Grill May 19 at 11:30. Come ready to socialize. All are welcome.
Council Meeting
The Council will meet on Tuesday at 6 pm. If you have an agenda item, please let Bruce or the office know.
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 rehearses on Wednesdays at 4:45 pm. They also rehearse the Sundays they sing at 9:15 am. The choir sings in worship on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month through May.
Morning Circle
Please join us for Morning Circle May 21 at 9:30 in the Cambridge Room. We will have devotions, a treat with coffee, and a brief meeting.
Angel Care Team May
Nikki Froemming and Cathy Johnson are the Angels for May. Please let the office know if you would like to be visited or know someone who needs a visit. We need June Angel Care volunteers, please contact the office for more information.
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.
Lost Hearing Aid
A Hearing aid was found on the sidewalk. If you are missing one, it is in the office.
Advent Lanterns
There are 3 red lanterns in Pastor Jill’s office loaned by the congregation If you haven’t picked your lantern up yet. It should be there.
Bountiful Basket
The Bountiful Basket is designated for Someplace Safe—suggested items are on the basket. We will collect for Someplace through May.
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 Mische 05/25
Diane Alveshere 05/29
Sydney Gauthier 05/29
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 on May 17 at 5:00pm. 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.
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 first Sabbath Saturday is a Drum Circle workshop beginning at 1 pm. Drums provided, attendance is the only requirement for participation. Snack provided. 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.
