Alexandria United Methodist Church

09/05/2026

Join us tomorrow 9am, coffee fellowship to follow.
We begin a four-part sermon series with Pr. Amy on the Book of Ruth.

This Sunday, we also welcome Mary Carpenter from "The Balance Project". She will share with us how the Endowment gift helped her non-profit serve children and families in our community!

Art acknowledgement: "Story of Ruth", by artist, John August Swanson, 1991.
Read more here about the art and artist, John August Swanson, https://act.library.vanderbilt.edu/artworks/56561
Much of the art used in our worship and posted here on Facebook can be attributed to 'The Art in the Christian Tradition (ACT) database' which is a living collection of visual images that bear witness to the richness and diversity of Christian faith across time. A resource offered through Vanderbilt Divinity Library, it is designed to serve scholars, students, pastors, and educators. It is a resource that offers thousands of images for non-commercial use with proper attribution. The collection currently includes 7,049 works.

09/03/2026

Beloved, pause.

Breathe in the love of God. Breathe out fears, worries, and anxieties. God knows every pebble, every piece of sand beneath your feet, and you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).

Allow me to share this with you from Anne Lamott,
"Life is so much about the doing, the serving, and the loving, rather than the products of those actions.”

You are enough.
You are infinitely loved by the Creator.
Today is beautiful because you are here.

Thank you for taking a Selah with us.
With love,
Pr. Amy and Alexandria United Methodist Church

09/02/2026

The Fire We Share

As the Alexandria Community Wood Fired Oven closes for the season, let us reflect on "The Fire We Share”.

It started with a spark. Eleven years ago, the idea of a community wood-fired oven was just that—a flicker of possibility, held tenderly by a few dreamers who believed that food could do more than feed the body. It could gather neighbors, build trust, ignite generosity, and flavor our lives with belonging.

Since that first fire was lit, the Oven has become more than bricks and flame. It is a living symbol of what can happen when a community chooses togetherness over convenience, local over fast, abundance over scarcity.

Each summer on Wednesday evenings, the scent of baking crust and roasting garlic draws a circle in the air—wide enough to welcome all. Those who come to buy pizzas might not know the names of the hands who chopped the basil, rolled the dough, stoked the fire, or swept the hearth. But their gratitude feeds something deep: a cycle of mutual care.

Our volunteers are the quiet heroes of this story—picking basil in gardens, slicing tomatoes, stirring sauce, dicing olives, washing pans, laughing beside each other in the golden heat of a Wednesday-night bake. Their gifts, freely given, echo Robin Wall Kimmerer’s words: “All flourishing is mutual.” And oh, how we have flourished.

The church that shelters the Oven, with open arms and open space, reminds us that sacredness isn’t only found in pews but in picnic tables, flour-dusted aprons, and shared meals under the sky.

And what of those who give generously with dollars? Their support is the wood that keeps the fire burning. In return, they receive more than pizza. They become part of a story that nourishes the soul of our town.

This 11-year milestone is not just a celebration of longevity—it is a thanksgiving. For every hand that helped, every coin dropped in the jar, every crust shared between strangers who became friends, old friendships reignited, neighbors getting to know one another, and perhaps even opportunities for healing what once may have been strained relationships.

In a world that often whispers “not enough,” our Oven shouts, joyfully: “There is more than enough—when we give, when we share, when we trust in each other.”

Thank you to all for an incredible summer! Thank you for our incredible partnerships with Bricks to Bread and Ollie Birch.

Let's keep feeding the fire—together! We hope to see you next June - Summer 2027 here we come!

09/01/2026

Back to School!

For many, the first day of school has come and gone and now the rubber meets the road! Some are starting the First Grade, some are off to college (Yay Cora!), and some are starting their Senior Year of High School! We are so excited for you Carson, Lizzy, and Abby!

Wherever you are starting out, as a student, a parent, a grandparent, a bus driver, teacher, paraprofessional...whoever and wherever you are, remember this when you are feeling overwhelmed:

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott

"This quote reminds us that taking a break can do wonders for our mental and physical well-being. Just like machines need to recharge, we too need moments to rest and reset. We all lead busy lives, and sometimes we forget to prioritize our health and happiness. It’s okay to step back and unplug from the demands around us. When we take that time, we often return with fresh energy and new perspectives, ready to face challenges again. So let’s embrace the idea of taking breaks in our daily lives!" In Christian terms, we call it a Selah (pronounced, say-lah) - a holy pause - a spiritual practice that mends and refreshes the soul!

Image and quote acknowledgements, pexels.com (images); https://lifesuccessjournal.com/anne-lamott-quotes/ .

08/29/2026

Join us at 9am, coffee fellowship to follow.

Tomorrow's message is Part 2 of Pr. Amy's offering on Matthew 15:10-28, aptly titled "Follow the Crumbs". For access to our YouTube Channel and Part 1 of this sermon offering, click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/wV_ZKlcqxX8?si=2IkcydXl9-qFXc56

08/25/2026

PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE!
Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26, for our final event of the summer at the Alexandria Community Wood Fired Oven!

Featured non-profits include:
The Matt Kjelland Foundation
PEO

Live music by “Park Drive”

https://www.facebook.com/UMCWoodFired

To order online, visit:

Order online from 2210 6th Ave E, including Standard Pizza, Family Specials, Dessert Pizza. Get the best prices and service by ordering direct!

08/24/2026

A Prayer for Students and Teachers
As a new school year begins, we offer this prayer for students and teachers to use as they enter into the adventure of learning together.

Loving God, Wise God, remind me that you are with me as I return to school. Give me delight, curiosity, imagination, and patience as I learn, together with other students and teachers.
Bring calm to my fears, worries, and frustrations.
Each day, may I share your love and compassion,
and follow the Way of Jesus in all that I do and say.
Amen.

A Prayer for Parents
As a new school year begins, parents have many emotions and reactions filling them up. We offer this prayer for you to use as your children return to their adventures of learning.

Loving God, I have many feelings as my child goes to school.
I am excited for my child’s learning, and yet I worry about challenges they may encounter. I have dreams and hopes for them, but most of all I pray that they remember how much I love them and how much you love them day by day. Bless all the students in their learning. Be especially with those for whom classroom learning is difficult for many different reasons.
Bless the teachers, administration, and all the staff who care for my child day by day. Thank you for the time, energy, and skills they offer. Each day may I show my child how to share your love and compassion and follow the Way of Jesus in all that we do and say, at home and at school. Amen.

For Grandparents, Neighbors, and Other Friends
As a new school year begins, offer your support to teachers and students by holding them in prayer.

God of Wisdom, God of Words and Knowledge, we remember the variety of feelings we experienced when going to school.
Sometimes we were excited.
Sometimes we were afraid.
Sometimes we were overwhelmed.
Sometimes we were bored.
We remember school friends and beloved teachers, favorite subjects and those that caused us stress.
As the children around us return to school, we know that they too are experiencing a variety of emotions.
Bless them all: those for whom school is a joy they enthusiastically embrace, those who would rather not be there, and those for whom school is a challenge for a variety of reasons. May a path for learning be opened for each one.
Bless the teachers, the administration, and all the staff who offer their time, energy, and skills to the young people.
Sustain, encourage, and inspire each one.
We pray in the name of Jesus, who was both student and teacher. Amen.

Image acknowledgement: Yan Krukau on pexels.com
(c) Susan Lukey, 2023, Gathering Pentecost 2, Year A.
DISCLAIMER: This content is part of GatheringWorship.ca.
Used with permission.

08/22/2026

Join us Sunday, 9am, coffee fellowship to follow.

Christ's Charge to Peter
Artist, Raphael, 1483-1520

This Sunday, Certified Lay Speaker Pam Cook joins us while Pr. Amy closes her time at Family Camp with our families and our sister-church for Family Camp, Immanuel Lutheran of Atwater (Rev. Christa Forsythe). Thank you to all the people that make Family Camp possible!

08/22/2026

Family Camp is a special place to build relationships, learn about Jesus, and take time apart in nature to commune with God and one another!

08/20/2026