Scripture lessons for July 5

We begin the month of July next week and the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, and will be continuing with the summer sermon series. Pastor Charles is preaching this summer on the favorite hymns of the congregation!

This week's hymn, chosen by Korla Shumacher, is “Jesus Is All the World to Me,” #469.

Our scripture lessons will come from Romans 7:15-25a and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.

 

Today at Glenville UMC

June's attendance

Our Lay Leader tends to the candles

 Joys

+ Praise God for Craig R. and Nancy H. (in Texas) doing better health wise.

+ Praise God for grandson Carson’s fourth birthday.

+ Praise God for milestone moments of family and friends’ graduation ceremonies.

+ Praying for traveling mercies.

+ Praise God for family members and friends who want to spend time with us.

+ Praise God for Larry W. taking Shelley’s mother’s lift chair and putting it to good use.

+ Praise God for remembering to put the windows up in the car when it is raining.

+ Praise God for today (June 28) being John Wesley's official birth date in 1703.

+ Praise God for Pastor Charles serving this church for one year.

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H. and for Kraig S. who served as usher today.

Concerns

+ Praying for it not to rain on the Albert Lea 3^rd of July Parade.

+ Praying for Dawn K.’s comfort and healing after surgery.

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges: Craig R., Judy C., Karnella S., Meryl B., Robin, Mark, and John.

+ Praying that God gives the strength and courage caregivers need while caring for their loved ones.

+ Praying for those impacted by the earthquakes in Venezuela.

+ Praying for all impacted by extreme weather conditions.

+ Praying for all who are impacted directly and indirectly by conflict in the world.

+ Praying for peace.

Happy birthday, John Wesley

John Wesley was born on this day in 1703:

In 1771, John Wesley wrote in his journal, "This day I entered the sixty-ninth year of my age. I am still a wonder to myself. My voice and strength are the same as at nine and twenty. This also hath God wrought."

Bulletin for June 28

“For in the one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”  – 1 Corinthians 12:13

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship – from the Mennonite Church of Canada website

We are the church that lives into God’s future today. A church united across space and time. A church of many races, languages and ethnicities. A church that lives by the work of God in Christ that was, is now, and is still to come. The one who is seated on the throne says to us: “See, I am making all things new!” A new heaven and a new earth, where the home of God is among God’s people. God’s future is epic, and it’s good news. Remember God’s future, for this is our story!

*Hymn: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God,” #420

*Prayer – written by the Rev. Anita Monro

God of our hearts…here we are! We’ve come with thirsty hearts, praying that Your Word will satisfy us. We come with aching hearts, praying for good news to comfort us. We come with overflowing hearts, praying for a chance to share Your love. You, who know our hearts and hear our prayers, be with us now in this time of worship. Amen.

*Gloria Patri:  #70   

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer                                                

*Doxology:  #95

*Offering Prayer

Gospel Lesson: John 14:1-7

The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Hymn: “Hymn of Promise,” #707 (Chosen by Nancy Beighley and Linda Bighley)

Second Lesson: Revelation22:1-7    

The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon: “Leaning into God’s promise”

*Hymn: “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” #399

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

“The worship is ended; let the service begin.”

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

A Letter on America's Semiquincentennial

June 26, 2026

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.

As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are invited to reflect on liberty, belonging, and our shared responsibilities.

I believe anniversaries invite more than celebration—though celebration is warranted. Anniversaries also invite gratitude, truth-telling, and discernment. They ask us to remember where we have come from, honestly assess where we are, and consider what kind of future we hope to build together.

Writing to God's people in exile, the prophet Jeremiah offered this instruction:

"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you ... for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7)

The Hebrew word translated as "welfare" is shalom: peace, wholeness, flourishing, justice, and well-being.

These words were spoken not to citizens, but to exiles. Their commitment to the common good flowed not from status or power, but from their identity as God's people.

That vision speaks powerfully into our own moment.

Some of us trace our family stories to the First Nations peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Some descend from those who crossed oceans seeking opportunity and refuge. Some are descendants of those brought here against their will. Some arrived recently. Some are citizens. Some are permanent residents. Some are still seeking a place to call home.

Yet all of us are neighbors, and all of us are bound together in one another's flourishing.

As we tell the story of our nation, we must also tell it truthfully. We remember Indigenous communities who experienced the loss of land, language, and culture; African men, women, and children who were enslaved while others proclaimed freedom; and generations of immigrants and laborers who endured hardship in pursuit of belonging.

These stories do not diminish our nation. They deepen our understanding of it.

The Christian faith teaches that healing begins with truth. Confession is not the opposite of hope; it is often the doorway to hope.

The Apostle Paul reminds us: "Our citizenship is in heaven." (Philippians 3:20)

Christians live with a kind of dual citizenship. We belong to the communities and nations in which we live, yet our deepest identity is found in the Kingdom of God. That citizenship shapes every other loyalty and reminds us that no earthly power can claim the devotion that belongs to God alone.

In every generation, Christians face the temptation to confuse love of country with devotion to God. The Church serves the nation best not when it becomes the chaplain of power, but when it remains faithful to Jesus Christ.

In the Wesleyan tradition, freedom is not merely freedom from something. It is freedom for something: loving God, loving neighbor, pursuing mercy and justice, and participating in God's healing work in the world.

Jesus expressed this calling simply:

"You are the salt of the earth."

"You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-14)

Which brings us to another enduring symbol: the torch of the Statue of Liberty.

A torch provides light. It helps people find their way.

The Statue of Liberty lifts her light toward the horizon. The Church carries another light: the light of Christ.

As we approach this anniversary, may we resist both cynicism and nostalgia. May we seek the shalom of the places where God has planted us. May we welcome the stranger, pursue justice, build peace, and love our neighbors.

Every generation receives the torch of liberty.

The question is how we will carry it.

May we carry it with humility, courage, compassion, and hope.

Whether citizen or newcomer, native-born or newly arrived, may we seek together the flourishing of our communities and all God's children.

Bishop Lanette Plambeck 
Resident Bishop
Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area 

United Methodist "Approved" Schools of Theology

Our 13 United Methodist schools of theology in the United States have educated outstanding preachers and teachers, evangelists and missionaries, chaplains and lay leaders who have led the church.

Our schools are vital parts of the United Methodist connection and provide a clear focus on the practice of ministry, as well as thoughtful theological reflection. If you plan to serve in The United Methodist Church, there is no better place to prepare for your ministry.

All United Methodist schools of theology are approved to provide a fully online Master of Divinity or other theological degree to meet the educational requirements for United Methodist ordination.

https://www.gbhem.org/education/schools-of-theology/

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Sarah Mallit was authorized by Wesley to preach in 1787 at Conference:

"We give the right hand of fellowship to Sarah Mallet, and have no objection to her being a preacher in our connexion, so long as she preaches the Methodist doctrines, and attends to our discipline."

She preached until her death in 1843 at age 82 (Her name is spelled various ways).