Scripture lessons for March 15

Church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

We continue to make our way through the days of Holy Week next Sunday with a focus on the events of Holy Wednesday. 

Our lessons will come from Matthew 26:20-25 and John 12:1-8.

A nice morning in Glenville

Welcome to Glenville UMC!

Renea offers beautiful music each week

40 years ago, they were married at this church!

Joys:

+Mike and Cheryl R. praise God for a wonderful family celebration last night to observe their 40^th wedding anniversary.

+Sandy D. is thankful for a church family who has been visiting her mother at the care center where she is getting physical therapy.

+Praise God for the beautiful warmer weather today.

+Belinda A. thanks God for a successful tooth extraction last Friday and for her husband’s care of her during recovery.

+Pastor Charles thanks God for the opportunity to officiate at a graveside funeral service last Wednesday in Geneva for a Navy veteran who had been living at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community.

+Celebrating the church family’s generous donations in the noisy bucket last month (collected $72.30 for mission work).

+Shelley G. thanks God for the gift of lessons learned last Friday night when the wind caused her recycling bin to blow over, and the next morning, it was frozen to the ground because of sleeting that had occurred. Lesson Learned: If it is going to be windy, put a rock on the bin or remove it from being stored outside.

+Grateful for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H. and for Kraig S. who served as today's Scripture reader and usher.

Concerns:

+Praying that God will grant Craig R. with the comfort and strength he needs during this time of health challenges and that God grants Pat R. the strength she needs to provide the support that Craig needs.

+Praying for Sid T.’s travelling mercies

+Praying for Judy C., Donna D., and Karnella S. who are dealing with medical challenges.

+Praying for family and friends of Irene Nesset who died last Wednesday. Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. this Thursday, March 12, at First Lutheran Church in Glenville, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

+Prayers continue for Korla S.’ cousin’s daughter Jessica who recently had a new heart and lung transplanted. She A prayer shawl the church family blessed is on its way to her. Korla delighted to learn she was out of ICU and enjoying her birthday party.

+Nancy B. invites the church family to pray for the world in chaos.

+Prayers for all who are impacted directly and indirectly due to conflict around the world.

When Silence Becomes Sin: Solidarity in the Age of Epstein

1 in 5 women in the US experience attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. We cannot remain silent, especially now. We continue to stand with survivors, victims, and all who are re-traumatized in the continued unfolding of the Epstein files.

"May the truth that emerges do its work in the world without demanding your re-wounding. And when the noise grows loud, may you hear instead the quieter voice of God speaking your name, not as a case, not as a victim, but as beloved."

Read the full statement at this link.

Remember to Spring Forward!

Remember to move your clocks forward one hour 

before going to bed Saturday night.

 

United Women in Faith - looking ahead

At the turn of the 20th century, every woman who "stept out of her place" to join a mission society became part of a movement that brought women to the forefront of Christian ministry.

Between 1869 and 1893, nine women's home and foreign missionary societies were organized, laying the foundation for what would later become United Women in Faith.

Through church mergers and reorganizations, names and structures changed. But one thing never did: their unwavering commitment to women and children.

Their legacy: Women who boldly stepped forward paved the way for our unstoppable movement.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

But what good works are those, the practice of which you affirm to be necessary to sanctification? First, all works of piety: such as public prayer, family prayer, and praying in our closet; receiving the supper of the Lord; searching the Scriptures, by hearing, reading, meditating; and using such a measure of fasting or abstinence as our bodily health allows.

Secondly, all works of mercy; whether they relate to the bodies or souls of men; such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, entertaining the stranger, visiting those that are in prison, or sick, or variously afflicted; such as the endeavouring to instruct the ignorant, to awaken the stupid sinner, to quicken the lukewarm, to confirm the wavering, to comfort the feeble-minded, to succour the tempted, or contribute in any manner to the saving of souls from death. This is the repentance, and these the "fruits meet for repentance," which are necessary to full sanctification.

- John Wesley (Sermon 43, The Scripture Way of Salvation, 9-10)

Episcopalians and United Methodists mark Wesley Feast Day with prayer for deeper unity

(L) John Wesley --- (R) Charles Wesley

The Episcopal Church observes the Feast Day of John and Charles Wesley on March 3 by honoring the brothers as influential priests in the Church of England and as founders of the Methodist Movement within the Anglican tradition. This year all United Methodists and Episcopalians are invited to join each other in marking this special day with prayer for each other and for our shared relationship. While many in both communions work toward a day when we can share in a full communion relationship, we offer this prayer:

Loving God, you inspired your servants Charles and John Wesley to sing and speak boldly the promises of our shared faith. You warmed their hearts and filled them with a passion to care for others and to introduce them to you. You endowed them with eloquence, determination, and courage. 
 
Grant those same characteristics to us as well. On this day, we ask you to move us closer to you and closer to each other, even as we speak and sing your truth to a hurting society. May the marking of this day be a means of grace. Kindle within us such fervor that we might be faithful witnesses to your world-changing grace.  Open our minds and hearts to recognize you in each other and in the widow, orphan, and foreigner. Fill our hearts with the courage we need to bring both love and justice into our communities. 

Finally, as we pray for the coming of your kingdom, we seek your guidance for the relationship between The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church. We pray for a more visible expression of the bond we share. Make us to be your light and your witness to those who have not known Christ. Make us one, for the sake of the Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
 
Amen.