Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Watch and pray continually against pride. If God has cast it out, see that it enter no more: It is full as dangerous as desire. And you may slide back into it unawares; especially if you think there is no danger of it. `Nay, but I ascribe all I have to God.' So you may, and be proud nevertheless. For it is pride, not only to ascribe anything we have to ourselves, but to think we have what we really have not. Mr. L---, for instance, ascribed all the light he had to God, and so far he was humble; but then he thought he had more light than any man living; and this was palpable pride. So you ascribe all the knowledge you have to God; and in this respect you are humble. But if you think you have more than you really have; or if you think you are so taught of God, as no longer to need man's teaching; pride lieth at the door. Yes; you have need to be taught, not only by Mr. Morgan, by one another, by Mr. Maxfield, or me, but by the weakest Preacher in London; yea, by all men. For God sendeth by whom he will send.

Do not therefore say to any who would advise or reprove you, `You are blind; you cannot teach me.' Do not say, `This is your wisdom, your carnal reason;' but calmly weigh the thing before God.

Always remember, much grace does not imply much light. These do not always go together. As there may be much light where there is but little love, so there may be much love where there is little light. The heart has more heat than the eye; yet it cannot see. And God has wisely tempered the members of the body together, that none may say to another, `I have no need of thee.'

To imagine none can teach you, but those who are themselves saved from sin, is a very great and dangerous mistake. Give not place to it for a moment; it would lead you into a thousand other mistakes, and that irrecoverably. No; dominion is not founded in grace, as the madmen of the last age talked. Obey and regard `them that are over you in the Lord,' and do not think you know better than them. Know their place and your own; always remembering, much love does not imply much light.

- John Wesley (A Plain Account of Christian Perfection)

Church Tour is this Saturday

 
The Albert Lea Art Center is excited to host a Church Tour featuring six beautiful local churches. Explore stunning architecture, unique stained glass, and the rich stories behind each space.

Date: May 16

Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Tickets: $15 (available now at the Art Center and at participating churches the day of the event)

Whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend the day, this tour offers something for everyone. Gather your friends and enjoy a self-guided experience through some of our community’s most treasured spaces.

Churches participating this year are:

Albert Lea - Grace Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran, Salem Lutheran, Christ Episcopal

Glenville - Round Prairie Lutheran, Glenville United Methodist

We hope to see you there!

Read the Albert Lea Tribune interview with Pastor Charles at this link.

Scripture lessons for May 17

We'll be observing Ascension Sunday next week and with it, scripture lessons from Ephesians 1:15-23 and Luke 24:44-53.

Mother's Day @ Glenville UMC

A picture-perfect morning in Glenville

Welcome to Glenville UMC!

Bob S. shows off his new wooden helicopter
made by Roy B.

Belinda explains the candles in the
Mother's Day gift bags

Bob S. is today's scripture reader

Joys

+ We thank God for the gift of all those who have mothered and nurtured us through the years. 🤍

+ Belinda A. joyfully explained what is in each of the gift bags distributed today: candy, a blessing, and a timer tea candle.

+ Kraig S. thanks the church family for the loving ways it has supported his wife Korla after her recent accident.

+ We ask God to continue to give Kraig S. the strength he needs to support Korla as she recovers from her recent accident.

+ We thank God for faithful members of the church family who have helped spruce up the church before the Albert Lea Art Center’s church tour this coming Saturday (including a stop at our church).

+ Bob S. celebrates the invitation to speak at the recent Freeborn County Commissioners’ meeting – sharing news about the great work the DAV Glaydon Iverson Chapter #16 accomplishes every year.

+ Bob S. gives thanks that the church family’s resident woodworking artisan gifted him with a handmade wooden helicopter.

+ Tim K. gives thanks for the wonders of gardening – and the great time he had while helping his wife’s cousin in the field.

+ Members of the church’s United Women in Faith unit are looking forward to gathering at Karnella’s this Wednesday afternoon.

+We praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Bob S. who served as usher and Scripture reader today.

Concerns

+ Praying for Tim K.’s former boss Roger and his wife who recently moved to Thorne Crest Senior Living Community – praying that God will bless their transition to a new life chapter there.

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges (and the people who love and care for them): Korla S., Judy C., Karnella S., Dawn K.’s friend Gen, Rita W.’s friend Pat, Shelley G.’s daughter Melanie, Nancy B.’s sister Sharon and Craig and Pat R.

+Praying for the gift of needed rain.

+ 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 May 10

“Come close and listen, all you who honor God; I will tell you what the Lord has done for me…”  – Psalm 66:8

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Mother's Day Call to Worship (Carol Penner and posted on Leading in Worship) 

And Jesus said, "Come!" To all mothers and all children: He said, "Come!" To the motherless and the childless: He said, "Come!" To all who long to be mothered: He said, "Come! Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls."

*Hymn: “Love Devine, All Loves Excelling," #384

*Mother’s Day Prayer (Christine Sine and posted on Godspace)

God with a mother’s heart, You gather us as Your children. You comfort and hold us in Your warm embrace. When we hurt, Your arms enfold us. When we are afraid, Your wings protect us. When we are hungry, You feed us with the bread of life. God with a mother’s heart, You love surrounds and supports us, In good times and in tough, In the midst of joy and pain, always and everywhere. You will never leave nor abandon us. God eternal and loving one, God with a mother’s heart, we thank You this day for being part of Your family. Amen.

 *Gloria Patri: #70   

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (sung)    

*Doxology: #95

*Offering Prayer

Gospel Lesson: John 14:15-21

Hymn: “Faith our Mothers”

Second Lesson: Acts 17:22-31

Sermon: “Going to Mars (Hill)”

*Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,"  #557

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

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

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

As US 250th nears, bishops discuss democracy

During the American Revolutionary War, a British soldier interrupted a Methodist service in New York and demanded that the worshippers sing “God Save the King.”

When the singing was over, the preacher called on his fellow Methodists to sing a proper concluding hymn by Charles Wesley: “Rejoice, the Lord is King.”

Ashley Boggan, the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, recounted the incident from the early days of John Street United Methodist Church at the Council of Bishops spring meeting.

“That tension between civic loyalty and theological allegiance has never really left us — not as Methodists, not as citizens of this world,” Boggan told the bishops meeting in Jacksonville and those watching online. “And it’s exactly where today's conversation is going to take us.”

Boggan was introducing two back-to-back panels — one consisting of United Methodist scholars and the other of bishops — about Christian faith and democracy.

The bishops and Boggan organized the conversation ahead of this year’s Fourth of July when Americans will mark the 250th anniversary of the adoption of its Declaration of Independence.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

"Was not another cause of it your despising that excellent help, union with a Christian society? Have you not read, "How can one be warm alone" and, "Woe be unto him that is alone when he falleth"? But you have companions enough. Perhaps more than enough; more than are helpful to your soul. But have you enough that are athirst for God, and that labour to make you so? Have you companions enough that watch over your soul, as they that must give account; and that freely and faithfully warn you, if you take any false step, or are in danger of doing so? I fear you have few of these companions, or else you would bring forth better fruit!"

- John Wesley (On God’s Vineyard)