Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Meet and right it is to sing,

In every time and place,

Glory to our heavenly King,

The God of truth and grace.

Join we then with sweet accord,

All in one thanksgiving join!

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

Eternal praise be thine!

Thee, the first-born sons of light,

In choral symphonies,

Praise by day, day without night,

And never, never cease;

Angels and archangels, all

Praise the mystic Three in One;

Sing, and stop, and gaze, and fall,

O'erwhelmed before thy throne!

Father, God, thy love we praise,

Which gave thy Son to die;

Jesus, full of truth and grace,

Alike we glorify;

Spirit, Comforter divine.

Praise by all to thee be given,

Till we in full chorus join,

And earth is turned to heaven.

- Charles Wesley

UMCOR responds to Nepal

In response to the catastrophic flash flooding that occurred along the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, UMCOR is awarding a solidarity grant to support United Mission Nepal as they aid impacted communities in Dhading and Nuwakot districts with emergency food and non-food item (NFI) assistance. Alongside this grant, UMCOR is continuing to explore opportunities for further response through our partner networks and local assessments.

Please remain in prayer for these communities as the toll of this disaster continues to worsen. Authorities now report that at least 579 people have died and 1,924 people remain missing, with these numbers expected to grow as some areas remain inaccessible. Search and rescue teams are still working to reach communities cut off by the disaster, with damaged roads, landslides, and communications disruptions hindering relief operations and making it difficult to fully assess needs.

We lift up this call for prayer, presence, and continued accompaniment from the Rev. Jung Eun Grace Moon, general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, ecumenical partner of The United Methodist Church: “In this time of profound loss and suffering, may God’s comforting presence draw near to all those affected, embrace those who grieve, strengthen those who search and serve, shelter those who have lost their homes and kindle a light of hope amid the darkness.” To support our response to this and other international disasters, give here: bit.ly/umcoridr

Scripture lessons for September 6

We will conclude the summer worship series next Sunday with “God Will Take Care of You,” #130, chosen by Pat Roell.

Our scripture lesson will come to us from Psalm 23 and Matthew 6:25-34.

Today at Glenville UMC

Joys

+ Praise God for the blessing of visitors in worship today: Jared, Micah, Ezra, and Jed P.

+ Praise God for Dawn K.’s 98-year-old aunt, Esther Nelson’s birthday.

+ Praise God that Dawn K. has successfully completed P.T. after her recent surgery.

+ Praise God for the amazing accomplishment of Kellen and Devon K. winning the silver medal at the state golf championship.

+ Praying that God will bless all students, school administration, staff ... students and all involved in homeschooling efforts ... all beginning a new school year.

+ Praise God for Bob and Gloria S.’ participation in a wonderful birthday celebration for Gene S.’ 89^th birthday party, complete with his favorite homemade angel food cake with strawberries.

+ Thanks be to God for Gloria S. good visit with Karnella S.

+ Thanks be to God for the much-needed rain last week.

+ Thanks be to God for Nancy B.’s sharing this wisdom: “Winners are losers who never gave up.”

+ The church family is thankful that Sandy D. helped with the caring of Dale’s cats until they were rescued.

+ Praise God that Belinda A. is feeling better now and has returned to worship.

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Kraig S. who served as usher today.

Concerns

+ Praying for traveling mercies for those apart from us.

+ Praying for Dale S.’ adjustment to his new living arrangement.

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges, specifically, Karnella S., Craig R., and Shelley G.’s brother-in-law Craig and friend Scott who are dealing with health issues.

+ Praying that God gives the strength and courage caregivers need while caring for their loved ones.

+ Praying for all impacted by extreme weather conditions, specifically the people of Nepal who are dealing with the aftermath of massive town-destroying flooding.

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

+ Praying for peace.

Bulletin for August 30

Bitterroot River, Montana

“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 – (from Free Indeed by Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson)

The Spirit of God bids us, “Come.” Let everyone who hears within their hearts, “Come.” Hear the whole earth rejoice and the coastlands sing of our God’s steadfast love. We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God. We give thanks for God sets us free! Let everyone who is thirsty for the Spirit, “Come.”  Let anyone who wishes “Come,” and receive the water of life as a gift. We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God. We give thanks for God’s steadfast love that brings joy to our hearts in the night, lights our lives like the dawn, and sets us free. Amen.

*Hymn: “Be Still, My Soul,” #534

*Prayer: (posted on the MAD-e-Lena blog)

O God, we gather at Your waters, as a hot and bothered crowd gathers on the beach on a sweltering, summer day. O God, we drink at Your fountain, as a parched dog laps at the fresh, running water of a creek. O God, we await Your refreshment, as a tired worker watches for the change of shift. Quench our thirst, satisfy our longings. May we be refreshed and restored in You; and teach us where to find the bucket and how to carry it so that we might draw that water for those who most need it. Amen.

*Gloria Patri #70   

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer                                               

*Doxology #95  

*Offering Prayer

Gospel Lesson: John 4:1-13

Hymn: “Shall We Gather at the River,” #723 (chosen by Sandy Dahlum)

Second Lesson: Revelation 22:1-5

Sermon: “The sound of water”

*Hymn: "Where He Leads Me," #338

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

A look back in time

Hernnhut, Saxony - circa 1757

It was August 1738 - 288 years ago - when John Wesley decided to travel to Germany, specifically to study at the Moravian headquarters at Herrnhut in Saxony.

You may recall the Wesley brothers had traveled to Georgia in October 1735 where they met a group of Moravians. History indicates that John, especially, was greatly impacted by the Moravians' faith. Once back in England, John's transformative Aldersgate experience occurred on May 24, 1738, at a Moravian meeting on Aldersgate Street in London. It was on the heels of his conversion that he headed to Herrnhut. Upon his return from Germany, John drew up rules for "bands" and published a collection of hymns for the bands to use. The rest, as they say, is UMC history!

Wednesday with the Wesleys

If, therefore, God were thus to exert his power, there would certainly be no more vice; but it is equally certain, neither could there be any virtue in the world. Were human liberty taken away, men would be as incapable of virtue as stones. Therefore, (with reverence be it spoken,) the Almighty himself cannot do this thing. He cannot thus contradict himself, or undo what he has done. He cannot destroy out of the soul of man that image of himself wherein he make him: And without doing this, he cannot abolish sin and pain out of the world. But were it to be done, it would imply no wisdom at all; but barely a stroke of omnipotence. Whereas all the manifold wisdom of God (as well as all his power and goodness) is displayed in governing man as man; not as a stock or stone, but as an intelligent and free spirit, capable of choosing either good or evil. Herein appears the depth of the wisdom of God, in his adorable providence; in governing men, so as not to destroy either their understanding, will, or liberty.

John Wesley (On Divine Providence)