Joys & Concerns from May 24

It's Pentecost in Glenville!

Bob & Gloria S. welcome Roy B. to worship

Kraig S. is today's reader

Nancy B. shares flowers from her garden with
Donna D.

Pentecost cupcakes

Today in Methodist History

From John Wesley's journal entry for Wednesday, May 24, 1738:

I think it was about five this morning that I opened my Testament on those words, “There are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, even that ye should be partakers of the divine nature” [II Peter 1:4].

Just as I went out, I opened it again on those words, “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God” [Mark 12:34]. In the afternoon I was asked to go to St. Paul’s. The anthem was, “Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Oh, let Thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with Thee; therefore, shalt Thou be feared. O Israel, trust in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his sins.”

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart.

But it was not long before the enemy suggested, “This cannot be faith; for where is thy joy?” Then was I taught that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation; but that, as to the transports of joy that usually attend the beginning of it, especially in those who have mourned deeply, God sometimes giveth, sometimes withholdeth, them according to the counsels of His own will.

After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations, but I cried out, and they fled away. They returned again and again. I as often lifted up my eyes, and He “sent me help from his holy place.” And herein I found the difference between this and my former state chiefly consisted. I was striving, yea, fighting with all my might under the law, as well as under grace. But then I was sometimes, if not often, conquered; now, I was always conqueror.

Pentecost Sunday bulletin

“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 - written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith.

God of wind and fire, when You send Your Spirit, we are created anew. God of mighty oceans and still waters, when we receive Your baptism, we are born anew. God of bread and wine, when we eat at Your table, we are nourished anew. So, pour out Your Spirit, let sacred waters flow, fill us with holy food. May our hearts and our hands be open wide to receive Your gifts of life. Amen.

*Hymn: "Spirit of the Living God," #393

*Prayer for Aldersgate Day – Fred D. Gealy, USA, 20th Cent., Alt.

Almighty God, in a time of great need You raised up Your servants John and Charles Wesley, and by Your Spirit inspired them to kindle a flame of sacred love which leaped and ran, an inextinguishable blaze. Grant that all those whose hearts have been warmed at these altar fires, being continually refreshed by Your grace, may be so devoted to the increase of scriptural holiness throughout the land that in this our time of great need, Your will may fully and effectively be done on earth as it is in heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Gloria Patri: #70

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer 

The Lord’s Prayer

*Offering

*Doxology: #95

*Offering Prayer

First Lesson: Acts 2:1-13

Hymn: “We Are the Church,” #558

Second Lesson: Acts 2:14-21

Sermon: “Let’s Make Some Noise!”

*Hymn: “I'm Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing," #333

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

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

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

A hymn for Pentecost

Lord, we believe to us and ours

The apostolic promise given;

We wait the pentecostal powers,

The Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

Assembled here with one accord,

Calmly we wait the promised grace,

The purchase of our dying Lord;

Come, Holy Ghost, and fill the place.

If every one that asks may find,

If still thou dost on sinner fall,

Come as a mighty rushing wind;

Great grace be now upon us all.

Ah! leave us not to mourn below,

Or long for thy return to pine;

Now, Lord, the Comforter bestow,

And fix in us the Guest divine.

- Charles Wesley

Today in Methodist History

From Charles Wesley's journal entry for May 21, 1738:

"I now found myself at peace with God and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. My temper for the rest of the day was, mistrust of my own great, but before unknown, weakness. I saw that by faith I stood; by the continual support of faith, which kept me from falling, though of myself I am ever sinking into sin. I went to bed still sensible of my own weakness, (I humbly hope to be more and more so,) yet confident of Christ's protection."

Wednesday with the Wesleys

"Lord, let us not give up your cause, nor abandon your work. Let us not give up the fight. Let us persevere, until we see your kingdom come and enter into your glory. Amen."

- Francis Asbury (1745-1816)

UMC Bishops Express Deep Concern Over Supreme Court Voting Rights Decision

Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church
Press Release
For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is acutely aware of, and deeply concerned about, the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to deny protection to Section Two of the Voting Rights Act.

We stand in prayerful solidarity with the statements and leadership offered by the General Board of Church and Society and by Bishop Jonathan Holston.

This decision carries grave implications for the protection of voting rights and the full political voice of Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities across parts of the United States.

Read more at this link.