First Congregational United Church of Christ Alexandria

First Congregational United Church of Christ Alexandria An Open and Affirming Congregation! Follow us LIVE Sunday morning on YouTube- First Congregation

Every human being struggles with the issue of forgiveness.   We know what it is to carry the weight of unforgiveness. It...
09/12/2026

Every human being struggles with the issue of forgiveness. We know what it is to carry the weight of unforgiveness. It feels like we are lugging a backpack filled with rocks while running this marathon called life. Jesus often taught about forgiveness—and modeled it in his daily life. Is forgiveness expected of us? Does forgiveness mean we let those who harm us off the hook? Is forgiveness incompatible with accountability? Do we forgive for the sake of the one who has wounded us—or for our own well-being? How do we forgive someone when we would prefer to seek revenge? What does God’s mercy have to do with it? Join us Sunday at 10 am when we will ask along with Peter: ‘How many times must I forgive one who has harmed me?’ and then reflect on Jesus’ answer in the form of a parable. We will also sing God’s praise and pray for our world and for each other. All are invited and will be welcomed—and at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria, MN, all really does mean ALL!

A friend in college once asked me: "So what happens after Jesus dies and rises again and we affirm our belief in his dea...
08/29/2026

A friend in college once asked me: "So what happens after Jesus dies and rises again and we affirm our belief in his death and resurrection? Do we just sit around and twiddle our thumbs until we die and go to heaven?" It is true that many Christians think that God's story ends when Jesus ascends into heaven. But the Bible offers something far more challenging and interesting. We, the faithful, write God's continuing story through our various passions and ministries that have been shaped by our life experiences. Join us Sunday at 10 am for worship where we will sing God's praise through folk music led by our Worship Band, pray for our world and for each other, and see that when the Divine sends Moses, the earliest disciples and even us into the world to write God's story as we make a difference for God and for good in the world. No thumb-twiddling here! All are invited and will be welcomed and, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria, MN, all really does mean ALL!

Do you find the Bible hard to understand?  If so, you are not alone.  Early on, some of us learned that the Bible has tw...
08/22/2026

Do you find the Bible hard to understand? If so, you are not alone. Early on, some of us learned that the Bible has two testaments and a total of 66 books. Some of us even memorized the books in order! Then we learned stories in Sunday School and heard sermons based on a biblical text or two, but we may have never grasped the BIG PICTURE. The Bible is actually one story from beginning to end--the story of God's love for all of creation and God's purpose for humanity. Yes, GOD HAS A STORY. Join us on Sunday at 10 am. We will sing God's praise, be blessed by the Ukulele Choir, bless our backpacks and workbags, pray for our world and for each other, and be reminded of God's story as it unfolds from Genesis through Revelation and is still unfolding today. (No worries! We will NOT be reading the Bible from cover to cover!) All are invited and will be welcomed--and at First Congregational United Church of Christ, all means ALL!

Sometimes we think of God as an historical figure who created the world long ago and performed some pretty amazing mirac...
08/15/2026

Sometimes we think of God as an historical figure who created the world long ago and performed some pretty amazing miracles but is barely active in the present. We don't always expect God to show up in the ordinariness of our lives. The problem here isn't with God--but with our failure to pay attention. The great poet Mary Oliver gave us 'Instructions for Living a Life'-- Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it! Join us on Sunday at 10 am to learn from Moses and Mary Oliver about why paying attention is essential for our spiritual lives! We will sing God's praise and pray for our world and for each other as well. All are invited and will be welcomed, and at First Congregational United Church of Christ, all means ALL!

Our lives consist of stories, and the stories we tell impact our identity and understanding.  In particular, the stories...
08/08/2026

Our lives consist of stories, and the stories we tell impact our identity and understanding. In particular, the stories we tell about God and our relationship with God as beings made in God's image shape the contours and character of our faith. The good news is that stories can always be edited! Join us Sunday at 10 a.m. when we will sing God's praise, pray for our world and for each other and compare the stories we tell about God and about ourselves with the biblical stories and Jesus' teaching and practice. All are invited and will be welcomed, and at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria, all really does mean all.

Have you ever found yourself reading a psalm and encountering a strange word?  One that doesn't seem to fit?  The word i...
08/01/2026

Have you ever found yourself reading a psalm and encountering a strange word? One that doesn't seem to fit? The word is "Selah," and it appears quite often in the Hebrew text. It's precise meaning isn't known but it functions like a musical rest. A call to pause. An invitation to take a moment for reflection. Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living." But when running from this task to that responsibility trying to check off every item on our to-do lists, who has time for examining one's life. Practicing the pause is good self-care but it is also essential for our spiritual lives. Join us Sunday at 10 am when we will sing God's praise, celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and reflect on the need to occasionally withdraw from our routines and responsibilities so that we can gain clarity, hear God speak, sit with grief, and experience gratitude. All are invited and will be welcomed---and at First Congregational United Church of Christ, all means ALL!

On Sunday, July 19th join us for week three of Faith on Broadway. We will be exploring our faith with themes from a newe...
07/13/2026

On Sunday, July 19th join us for week three of Faith on Broadway. We will be exploring our faith with themes from a newer Broadway musical: "Dear Evan Hanson."
Worship begins at 10 AM and there will be an inspirational performance of "You Will Be Found" as part of the service.
Hope to see see you!

Please come to our Summer Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale on Thursday July 16.  10:30-1 for Bake Sale, 11-1 pm Luncheon.  C...
07/08/2026

Please come to our Summer Salad Luncheon and Bake Sale on Thursday July 16. 10:30-1 for Bake Sale, 11-1 pm Luncheon. Cost for the Salad Luncheon $12. Take out available.

Join us next Sunday, July 12th, in worship at 10:00 AM. It is the second Sunday of "Faith on Broadway" and we will be ex...
07/07/2026

Join us next Sunday, July 12th, in worship at 10:00 AM. It is the second Sunday of "Faith on Broadway" and we will be exploring The Gospel according to RENT.
There will be performance of "Seasons of Love" by the choir.
It will be fabulous!

Come be apart of this coalition for racial equality.
07/06/2026

Come be apart of this coalition for racial equality.

Address

221 7th Avenue W
Alexandria, MN
56308

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Sunday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+13207633341

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