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Excelsior United Methodist Church
is an open, reconciling congregation of families with young children and teenagers, singles and young adults, active adults and seniors. The congregation bands together for Sunday worship, ministry-based and social small groups throughout the week, and social justice-oriented outreach. Balancing tradition with new experiences, Excelsior United Methodist Church is devoted to helping people explore their faith journey together. "Come and see" today.  | We are hiring a Community Outreach Coordinator.
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Sunday Worship: 8:45am Informal Worship | 10:30am Traditional Worship / Sunday School for All Ages
Childcare available all morning Fully accessible facility
Childcare available all morning Fully accessible facility
881 Third Avenue, Excelsior, MN 55331 (directions)
From Highway 7: Turn south at the Christmas Lake Road stoplight. Follow the curve in the road to your right. The campus is on your right. From Mill Street / Powers Boulevard: Turn eastbound onto Third Avenue. The campus is on your left. Below is what to know before your first visit to Sunday worship service. If you still have questions, please email or call the office at 952.474.5471. |
What to Prepare: Not a thing! Just bring a smile and an open mind.
What to Wear: Come as you are for your physical, mental, and spiritual comfort. Where to Park: Visitor's parking right in front of the building and the entire parking lot is open to you. There is overflow parking by the garage-style annex (look for the big green bus) and even the adjacent lawn is available just in case the lots get very full. Pre- and Post-Worship Fellowship: On any given Sunday, you'll find an inter-generational group of members and visitors in the narthex talking, sipping coffee and nibbling on sweet treats, and enjoying each others' company. Please grab a name tag at the information booth and join in. There is a similar fellowship experience following most worship services, too. Informal Worship Experience (8:45am): The UMC common lectionary often guides scripture selections most Sundays, which in turn inspires a message delivered by a pastor or special guest and leads into a brief discussion time. Attendees share music (sung a cappella or accompanied by acoustic guitar,) raise joys and concerns, and have a moment of prayer. The informal worship services are held in various locations in the church building and a sign is always posted letting attendees know where to go.
Traditional Worship Experience (10:30am): The UMC common lectionary often guides scripture readings most Sundays, that in turn inspires a message delivered by a pastor or special guest. Typically, there is special music, hymns accompanied by a beautiful pipe organ, an opportunity for the congregation to share joys and concerns, and moments of prayer throughout each worship service. The traditional worship services are in a stained glass-emblazoned sanctuary. Families with Pre-K Children: There is child care available during the 10:30am and 12:05pm Sunday morning worship services in the Kids' Corner room in the northwest corner of the upper level of the building. Children of all ages are welcome to remain in worship.
Families with K-7th Graders: During the 10:30am worship service, there is a "station rotation" Sunday School called KOOL (Kids Of Our Lord) for children in grades K-5 and a discussion-based group for 6th-7th Graders called the Holy Cows. Children begin in worship with their friends and family until after Children's Time at which point adult leaders bring them downstairs to the lower level classrooms. All children are welcome to remain in worship. Families with 8th-12th Graders: The discussion-based time for teenagers, Youth Forum, takes place in the Youth Room in the lower level of the building during the 10:30am worship service. Participants should go downstairs immediately when worship begins. Teens are welcome to remain in worship. Giving: Many members participate in electronic funds transfer (EFT) while others prefer giving weekly during the "pass the plate." offering time. No visitor or member is obligated to contribute during the offering; it's simply one way people support the church's ministries. Communion: Communion is (usually) incorporated into worship on the first Sunday of each month, sometimes by receiving bread and a small cup of alcohol-free grape juice, and sometimes through intinction (pulling a piece of bread from a loaf and dipping it in the cup). We in the United Methodist Church practice open Communion. That is to say, we place no barrier between you and Christ's table. So if it is a day you feel prepared to receive, you are welcome to do so. If you are unable to come to the front of the sanctuary to receive Communion or you require alternative elements please inform an usher. Home visitation Communion is available. What We Believe: As United Methodists, we believe in the power of God's grace and the gift of freewill. We believe a combination of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience serves each person as they explore their personal faith journey. We believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, our Savior, as a model for how to live our lives and that the presence of the Holy Spirit fills us as we gather in community. We believe the Older and Newer Testament are divinely inspired writings. Our mission statement is one of inclusion and celebrates personal faith exploration. We are a Reconciling Congregation and are proud to welcome all persons of all backgrounds and lifestyles. |      |
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