Bulletin for May 3

“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.”  – Psalm 31:1 (NKJV)

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship –By the Rev. Tim Graves and posted on LiturgyBits.

Out of a world of cut-throat competition, of winners-and-losers, and too many left behind, we come together. The world’s ways are not our ways. The world’s ways are not Christ’s ways. Out of a world of hatred, violence, individualism, and life-taking power, we gather as God’s people. God’s ways are inclusive, expansive, and life-giving for all peoples. Come and worship the One whose love knows no limits! Swim and splash in the cleansing waters of divine community! Resurrect your spirits and souls in worship of the One! Praise be to the Everlasting One!  

*Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation,” #545

*Prayer: May we honor Your name not by paying it lip service, Lord Jesus, but by trusting the vision it speaks of and the way it calls for. May we honor it by following You, speaking into the world with our actions and showing whom we’ve chosen to follow. May we love in Your name, speak in Your name, care in Your name, be willing to touch the outcast, feed the hungry, remember the sick, visit the imprisoned, clothe the naked, and give water to the thirsty in Your name. Amen.                                  – By the Rev. Roddy Hamilton (Scotland)                                                                                                                                                                                                   *Gloria Patri: #70   

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Offering

*Doxology: #95                                                 

*Offering Prayer

Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Hymn: “When We All Get to Heaven,” #701

Gospel Lesson: John 14:1-7

Sermon: “Follow the Leader”

Communion: UMH, p. 9-11

*Hymn: “Only Trust Him, “#337

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

 

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

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

The World Needs Faithful Journalism – Now More Than Ever

In 2025, Reporters Without Borders classified global press freedom as a “difficult situation” for the first time in the index’s 30-year history. More than 4.25 billion people live in countries where press freedom is in a “very serious” state. Last year, 129 journalists were killed on the job, which is a record high since tracking began in 1992.

UM News is one of the last independent, professionally staffed denominational news agencies in the world. While similar operations at other denominations have shut down, UM News has continued to inform and inspire, reporting in five languages, reaching audiences across more than 200 countries, and serving nearly 2 million readers every year. Your support this World Press Freedom Day, May 3, keeps this vital ministry free for all.

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Jesu, my all in all Thou art,

My rest in toil, my ease in pain;

The med'cine of my broken heart,

In war my peace, in loss my gain;

My smile beneath the tyrant's frown,

In shame my glory and my crown.

In want my plentiful supply,

In weakness my almighty power;

In bonds my perfect liberty,

My light in Satan's darkest hour;

In grief my joy unspeakable,

My life in death, my heaven in hell.

~ Charles Wesley

Bishops urged to stop looking backward

Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone challenged fellow United Methodist leaders to let go of fear-driven institutional preservation and listen to where the Holy Spirit is leading.

“Let me say this plainly: It is not helpful for leaders to remain imprisoned by nostalgia,” Malone said April 27 to about 90 of her fellow bishops and other church leaders from four continents as they began their spring meeting.

“There is a difference between honoring our history and being governed by it. We give thanks for what has been. But we cannot build the future by trying to recreate what no longer serves the mission of God. God is not calling us backward.”

Malone was addressing bishops as they prepare for a first-of-its-kind Leadership Gathering intended to bring together United Methodists from around the world to discern a new direction for the denomination rocked by thousands of church disaffiliations. The gathering is scheduled for Oct. 20-24 at Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada.

Read more at this link.

Scripture lessons for May 3

We continue in the Season of Easter with lessons from 1 Peter 2:1-10 

and John 14:1-14.

April comes to a close at Glenville UMC

Flowers from Nancy B.

Belinda A. presents UWFaith Mission
Recognition pin to Shelley G.

Renea H. offers her ministry of music

Mike, Bob, and Sid lead the Ad Board meeting

Faithful attendance in April

Joys

+ We celebrate Pastor Charles’ return to the pulpit today (after a week away from us).

+ We celebrate Pat R.’s birthday today.

+ We celebrate that Shelley G. was awarded with a special mission recognition pin from the United Women in Faith today. In the last year, Shelley began a meaningful prayer shawl ministry. Church family members and people in their circles of influence have benefitted from the dozens of beautiful shawls she has lovingly prayed over while knitting them. It exemplifies Shelley’s “love in action!”

+ We celebrate the joy of being a member in this church family.

+ We are thankful for all who work in healing arts to help us.

+ We celebrate seeing a hummingbird … and for God’s gift of creation.

+ Praise God for the impactful 2026 Veterans Day on the Hill last Thursday, April 23. Bob S., Sid T., and Belinda A. rode on the bus that was chartered by the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Glaydon Iverson Chapter #16. This is an annual advocacy event where veterans, their families, and supporters gather at the Minnesota State Capitol to influence veterans’ legislation.

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist and for Mike R. who served as usher today.

Concerns

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges (and the people who love and care for them): Craig R., Judy C., Karnella S., Pat, Nancy, Paul, Amanda, Gary, Steve, and Billy.

+ Praying for the family and friends of all who have recently died.

+ Praying for our country … and the world.

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

+ Praying for peace.

Bulletin for April 26

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  – Acts 2:42 (NRSV)

Call to Worship (inspired by Psalm 23)

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. I seek the grace of God and my cup runneth over. I seek the will of God and my cup runneth over. I seek the strength of God and my cup runneth over. How generous is God's love so much the world cannot contain it. The Lord is my Shepherd, and I lack nothing. - written by the Rev. Roddy Hamilton (Scotland).

Hymn: “Take Up Thy Cross," #415

Prayer: Gentle, yet powerful. Lowly, yet almighty. Shepherd, yet King. In Your gentleness, guide us. In Your power, strengthen us. In Your lowliness, strip from us our selfish pride which only destroys us. In Your great-ness, lift us up that we might aspire to greater things. As a shepherd, call us to be Your servants. As a King, call us to be Your royal priesthood. O God, who is our shepherd and our King, O Christ, who was crucified and is now risen from the dead; O Spirit, who comforts and empowers; O great One in Three, Holy Trinity, this hour, set us free to worship. Amen.  - posted on My Redeemer Lives website.

Gloria Patri

Joys & concerns / Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (sung)                                              

Offering / Doxology                                              

First Lesson: Psalm 23

Hymn: “He Leadeth Me,” #128

Gospel Lesson: John 10:1-10

Sermon: “The right way”

Hymn: “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us," # 

Benediction / Choral Amen

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