Pentecost Sunday May 24, 2026
* invites all to rise as you are able, in body or spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Jane Herth
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Marc
REMEMBERING OUR BAPTISM
INTROIT Spirit of the Living God, vs 1 Chancel Choir
*CALL TO WORSHIP Judy Rose
ONE: When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
ALL: We join together for worship in this place, praying for the movement of the Spirit.
ONE: Gracious and Holy God send forth your Spirit.
ALL: Come Holy Spirit, unite us, connect us, and form us as a community of believers.
ONE: We were created in spirit and in truth, wonderfully and fearfully, in the image of your Love.
ALL: God renews the face of the earth and the cosmos, this faith community and the church.
*PRAISE HYMN On Pentecost They Gathered Black #272
*INVOCATION Pastor Marc
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*SILENT PERSONAL REFLECTION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Judy
O God, the movement of the Spirit scared us. It disrupts the status quo.
We hire professionals to preach and to prophecy; how can we trust someone without the education and proper credentials to speak for you?
We confess change is hard for us; the Spirit should just bring people here.
Forgive our resistance when we need to sing in the streets where evil voices may challenge us.
Help us to boldly pray in protest when justice is being denied by our public officials.
We confess and ask forgiveness.
Offer us grace, O God, in Christ’s name. Amen.
*WORDS OF GRACE
My friends, God hears our confessions AND our concerns.
God continues to be with us in our struggles and offers us grace and encouragement.
God does not, however, let us off the hook. God offers us second chances so that we might do better. God offers us grace so that we might actually forgive ourselves and those who have wronged us, moving on to where justice and change call us to hard actions.
You are forgiven. Now go with the power of the Holy Spirit and be the change and grace that world so desperately needs to see in our faithful actions. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE Glory, Glory Hallelujah Black #2 (verses 1-3)
PASSING OF THE PEACE Judy
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Marc
SCRIPTURE READING Numbers 11:16-17 & 26-29 Judy
16So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you. 17 I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself.
26Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, ‘Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.’ 28 And Joshua, the assistant of Moses, one of the chosen men, said, ‘My lord Moses, stop them!’ 29But Moses said to Joshua, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Spirit of Lord would be put on all of them!’
ANTHEM Every Time I Feel the Spirit Chancel Choir
SCRIPTURE READING Judy
Acts 2:1-21
1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ 13 But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘People of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17“In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young shall see visions, and your elderly shall dream dreams.
18Even upon my slaves, all of them, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
May God add a blessing to the reading and the hearing of our
holy scriptures for this morning. Amen.
SERMON “This is NOT a Drill” Rev. Marc Blakesley
RESPONSE HYMN Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness Black #286
WE RESPOND TO GOD
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 Jane Herth
*DOXOLOGY TUNE: Lasst Uns Enfreuen
To God, we lift our voice in praise;
For these, our gifts, and all our days.
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
Thanks for your goodness all around!
Great blessings everywhere abound!
Praise Creator and the Savior! Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit! Al-le-lu-ia!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION Pastor Marc
WE TAKE GOD’S WITNESS OUT
*CLOSING HYMN Let Every Christian Pray Black #261
*BENEDICTION Pastor Marc
*BLESSING The Blessing Chancel Choir
Congregation to join choir
*POSTLUDE MUSIC Jane Herth
Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession and Doxology (words) written by Marc W Blakesley. Copyright © 2026, New Thing Ministry Consulting. Used with permission.
Join us next Sunday for a Fifth Sunday music worship service led by the Praise Band featuring country music songs that are about water. Invite your friends.
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 24 2026
Today, Sunday May 24, Pentecost
9:15 Choir
10:00 Worship in person and online
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday May 25-Memorial Day
No Caffeinated Christianity or other activities
Tuesday May 26
12-4 Elder network
2:30 Voice lessons
Wednesday May 27
Office closed
No Labyrinth
4:45 Choir rehearsal
Thursday May 28
Office closed
9:00 Walking group@Big Ole
4:30 Holy Happy Hour
1 pm Sabbath Saturday, Drum Circle
Next Sunday May 31, Fifth Sunday Music
8:30 Band rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
11:00 Memorial Committee meeting
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.
Office will be closed
The office will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday this week. If you need to reach Pastor Marc, contact him directly. Joy will be able to respond to email while the office is closed. Please allow up to 24 hours.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The Labyrinth will be closed this week. 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.
Sabbath Saturday Drum Circle
The Sabbath Saturday Drum Circle is May 30 at 1 pm. There is one spot available still. Deadline to sign up is through May 26. If you are unable to keep your spot, please reach out to Lee Becker at 320-815-0053.
Angel Care Team May
Niki 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.
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.
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 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
Gary Rachuy 06/01
Connie Burns 06/01
Joel Kamholz 06/02
Maryjane Westra 06/06
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.
