Wednesday with the Wesleys

Being taken into Christ, as a drop of water into the ocean, I lose myself in him, and find in him my all, for time and for eternity. Now a measure of this state I do feel; and I feel strong drawings to expect a clearer fellowship, – a throwing open the everlasting doors of my soul, and a more powerful entrance of the King of glory.

- Mary Bosanquet Fletcher

Scripture lessons for All Saints Sunday

We come to that most special of days, All Saints Sunday, next week. Our scripture lessons will be taken from 1 John 3:1-3 and Revelation 7:9-17.

Today at Glenville UMC

Bob was today's reader

Joys

Thanks be to God for …
+ Dawn K.’s grandson Hank worshipping with us today.
+ Jared P.’s prayer being answered when he asked God to help him locate a needed tool at his worksite – thankful that God loves us so much that He listens to our prayers and helps us in all aspects of life.
+ Roy B.’s excitement as he looks forward to 60-70 young treat-or-treaters visiting his senior living community in Albert Lea this Friday afternoon.
+ The joy of warmer weather in autumn in southern Minnesota. The joy of gazing on the beautiful colors of the leaves in autumn.
+ Gloria S. feeling healthy again and able to be in church for worship today.
+ Collective gratitude of farmers who provide the food we eat.
+ Belinda A. is thankful for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony (held by the Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassadors) last week when a business owner shared her testimony of how God is working in her life to help her business grow and thrive.
+ Pastor Charles’ time outside in the senior living courtyard where seniors can enjoy Bible studies and gatherings, enjoying autumnal weather together.
+ Pastor Charles and Belinda’s joy that a cat they have been feeding since last winter finally trusted them to come into their three-season room, be taken to the vet for needed check and immunizations, and his adoption into a loving home in the cities. The other cat they have also been feeding last winter is finally in the three-season room with her three kittens. A friend is willing to adopt two of them. Praying for a home for the other two cats.
+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Roy and Nancy B. who served as ushers today.

Concerns
+ Praying for traveling mercies for those apart from us.
+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges, specifically, Karnella S., Shelley G.’s brother-in-law Craig, Bob S.’ friend Meryl B., Nancy B.’s sister Rose, Tony H., Sandy D.’s nephew Jay, a teenager who is very ill, Korla S.’ sister Kay and brother Kevin, Dawn K.’s great nephew Breken in Texas.
+ Praying that God gives the strength and courage caregivers need while caring for their loved ones.
+ Praying for all who are struggling with food and housing insecurity.
+ 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.

Bulletin for October 25

 “Listen, my people, to my teaching; tilt your ears toward the words of my mouth.” -Psalm 78:1 (CEB)

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship – (from the Rev-o-lution website)

We are called to love the Lord our God. We are called to love with all our heart and soul. We are called to love the Lord our God. We are called to love with all our mind and strength. We are called to love the Lord our God. And we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. Come, let us love our God, and share God’s love in this time of worship! 

*Hymn: “Spirit of the Living Christ,” #393 (sung twice)

 *Litany (Katherine Hawker, 2002, and posted on Liturgies Outside.)

Once upon a time, a wise man offered a challenge; "What is the greatest commandment?" The calendars on our desks share upcoming events, bills to pay, phone calls to return, appointments to keep. Love the Lord your God. The cameras of our memories share what command us: children to bathe, partners to help, parents calling, and grandchildren hopeful. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Still the Spirit lures us to new priorities: Open spaces   to experience wonder, strangers becoming friends, devotion to that which transcends. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.

*Gloria Patri, #70     

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer                                                  

*Doxology: #95     

*Offering Prayer

First Lesson: Acts 10:44-48

The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.

Hymn: “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian," #402  

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:34-41

The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon: “The Big One”

*Hymn: “More Love to Thee, O Christ,” #453    

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

 Postlude Music

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

 *Please rise in body or in spirit.

It's Charge Conference Season!

Join the annual celebration that is Charge Conference! We will once again be part of a gathering involving other United Methodist congregations from our area. 

This year, we are meeting at Open Doors UMC in Wells on November 7 at 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

The alteration of your temper has occasioned me much speculation. I, who am apt to be sanguine, hope it may proceed from the operations of God‘s Holy Spirit, that by taking away your relish of sensual enjoyment, he may prepare and dispose your mind for a more serious and close application to things of a more sublime and spiritual nature.

If it be so, happy are you if you cherish those dispositions and now, in good earnest, resolve to make religion the business of your life; for, after all, that is the one thing that strictly speaking is necessary, and all things else are comparatively little to the purposes of life. I heartily wish you would now enter upon a serious examination of yourself, that you may know whether you have a reasonable expectation of salvation; that is, whether you are in a state of faith and repentance or not, which you know are the conditions of the gospel covenant on our part. If you are, the satisfaction of knowing it would abundantly reward your pains; if not, you will find a more reasonable occasion for tears that can be met with in a tragedy.

- Susanna Annesley Wesley (letter to John, February 23, 1725)

Scripture lessons for October 25

We are closing in on the end of another month and with it, 

we turn to lessons from Acts 10:44-48 and Matthew 22:34-46.