Growing in Faith Together

Friday, October 16, 2026

Save the Date! 2026 Advent Study with Bishop Lanette

Save the date for this beloved tradition: The 2026 Advent Study with Bishop Lanette Plambeck! This is a unique study written by Bishop Lanette Plambeck. United Methodists across the Dakotas and Minnesota are invited. All are welcome! Hundreds of people participate in this study every year, and it is a wonderful time of connection and conversation as we prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas. Mark your calendar and encourage others to join you.

When: Mondays, 7:00-8:15 p.m., Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, & Dec. 21

Discussions will be held via Zoom. Registration and more details will be available in coming weeks.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Today in Methodist History!

Prayer on board the Symonds

On 14 October 1735, John and Charles Wesley set sail for the colony of Georgia on the Symonds along with several other English passengers and a group of Moravian missionaries. It must have been a grueling journey!

As they passed the Isle of Wight John Wesley wrote: "Here the ragged rocks, with the waves dashing and foaming at the foot of them, and the white side of the island rising to such a height, perpendicular from the beach, gave a strong idea of 'Him that spanneth the heavens, and holdeth the waters in the hollow of His hand!'"

Also, on this date in 1735, John Wesley began to record his journal, a habit he continued until just before his death in 1788.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

God hardly gives His Spirit even to those whom He has established in grace, if they do not pray for it on all occasions, not only once, but many times.

God does nothing but in answer to prayer; and even they who have been converted to God, without praying for it themselves (which is exceeding rare), were not without the prayers of others. Every new victory which a soul gains is the effect of a new prayer.

On every occasion of uneasiness, we should retire to prayer, that we may give place to the grace and light of God, and then form our resolutions, without being in any pain about what success they may have.

In the greatest temptations, a single look to Christ, and the barely pronouncing His name, suffices to overcome the wicked one, so it be done with confidence and calmness of spirit.

God’s command to “pray without ceasing” [1 Thessalonians 5:17] is founded on the necessity we have of His grace to preserve the life of God in the soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air.

Whether we think of or speak to God, whether we act or suffer for Him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than His love, and the desire of pleasing Him.

All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by His own choice.

Prayer continues in the desire of the heart, though the understanding be employed on outward things. In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is a continual prayer.

As the furious hate which the devil bears us is termed the roaring of a lion 
[1 Peter 5:8], so our vehement love may be termed crying after God.

God only requires of His adult children that their hearts be truly purified, and that they offer Him continually the wishes and vows that naturally spring from perfect love. For these desires, being the genuine fruits of love, are the most perfect prayers that can spring from it. 

- John Wesley (A Plain Account of Christian Perfection)

Monday, October 12, 2026

UMC Bishops condemn proposed plan for livestreamed execution

A Pastoral Letter on the Proposed Livestreamed Execution at Fort Hood
From the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., President
October 12, 2026

To the people called United Methodists in Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and the United States, and to all who seek the way of Christ:

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

We write about an event in one nation because it holds up a mirror to all of us. Every society, on every continent where our church lives, is tempted to answer violence with spectacle, to bless national power with the name of God, and to make a whole people pay for the crime of one. What is happening in the United States is a local test of a global faithfulness.

On November 5, 2009, 13 people were killed and more than 30 wounded at Fort Hood, a U.S. Army base in Texas. We grieve with the families of the fallen and with the survivors who still carry wounds in body and spirit. Nidal Hasan has admitted to these killings. He must be held fully accountable, and nothing we say excuses what he did.

Scripture lessons for October 18

The month of October continues to roll by as we come to our worship on October 18 with lessons from Acts 10:34-43 and Matthew 22:15-22.

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Today at Glenville UMC

Korla S. is today's scripture reader

Joys

Thanks be to God for …

+ Cheryl R. gives thanks for the safe return of their daughter and her family from Florida where they experienced some of the impact of Hurricane Isaias.

+ Sandy D. is thankful for the family gathering this weekend.

+ Kraig S. is blessed to have a beautiful day to enjoy a drive to enjoy the autumn colors.

+ Korla S. gives thanks for her and Kraig having come safely through the traffic in the cities last week.

+ Bob S. is thankful for the 4,060 lbs. of clothing collected from Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester on Friday for the DAV project. He is also thankful for the 3,000+ lbs. of books collected yesterday from the Friends of the Albert Lea Library book sale.

+ Shelly G. is thankful for Pastor Charles' posts on Facebook.

+ The wonderful services of the Disabled American Veterans Glaydon Iverson Chapter #16. The organization donated $2,000 to the Glenville-Emmons School's Backpack Food Program.

+ Pastor Charles gives thanks for Belinda's time this weekend at the Minnesota Annual Conference's United Women in Faith annual meeting in St. Paul.

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Roy and Nancy B. who served as ushers today.

Concerns

+ Bob S. lifts up in prayer all those engaged in the harvest happening in our area.

+ Praying for traveling mercies for those apart from us.

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges, specifically, Karnella S. and Tony H.

+ Praying for all impacted by Hurricane Isaias.

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

+ Praying for peace.

Bulletin for October 11

“The Lord is my strength and power; God has become my salvation.” – Exodus 15:2

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship (Nancy Townley, Ministry Matters website)

Come, the banquet of hope and praise is ready.
We come on Your invitation, seeking to be fed.
Feed on the love of God in Jesus Christ.
We come on Your invitation, needing healing.
Be healed by God’s gracious mercy.
We come on Your invitation, longing for forgiveness.
In Jesus’ name, you are loved, healed, and forgiven.
Alleluia, praise be to God. Amen.

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

*Prayer

Gracious God, in love, You open wide the doors and welcome us into Your presence— saints and sinners alike. You spread a table before us, filled with the richest fare— a feast of love and mercy for the body and soul. We come with joy to meet You here, to eat and drink at Your table, to taste and see Your goodness, to celebrate Your grace and mercy in our lives. May Your Spirit inspire our praise and thanksgiving, our prayers and petitions, as we worship together in Your presence. In the name of Jesus Christ, our host and Lord, Amen.

*Gloria Patri #70

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

*Doxology: #95

*Offering Prayer

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:1-6

This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Hymn: “When Love Is Found,” #643

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:7-14

This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon: "An invitation"