Wednesday with the Wesleys

One of early Methodism’s most well-regarded early preachers, Mary Bosanquet, kept a journal in which she recounted her spiritual journey. Here she speaks of an experience of grace during the sacrament of Holy Communion:

Towards the end of the following winter, there was a confirmation at Saint Paul’s; and my father desired I should be confirmed. This was a very rousing ordinance to me; for some time before, I had felt how unworthy I was of it: how unfit thus solemnly to devote myself to God, my renewing that covenant I had so often broken I read the order of confirmation, with the ministration of baptism, over and over, and besought my God to give me power to keep the charge of the Lord faithfully. For some months after, every time I approached the Lord’s table, I had a very peculiar sense of his presence, and sometimes I felt as if the Lord Jesus did from his own hand give me the sacred emblems of his body and blood.

~ Mary Bosanquet Fletcher (The Life of Mrs. Mary Fletcher, 24)

Happy 65th anniversary!

Cards and flowers for the happy couple

Some of the Glenville UMC friends on hand

Roy & Judy Luksik celebrate their 65th anniversary this week and today gathered with friends and family to celebrate their special day. 

Scripture lessons for March 1

"Jesus Clearing the Temple" by El Greco

Our focus next Sunday is on Monday in Holy Week and the events surrounding Jesus in the temple. The lessons will be Romans 4:13-17 and Mark 11:12-19.

Palm Sunday at Glenville UMC

Lent is happening in Glenville!!

Let's join the parade!

Today's focus is Palm Sunday

Pastor Charles' Palm Sunday painting

Shelley G. is today's scripture reader

We began the Lenten season with a focus on Palm Sunday. Pastor Charles is leading us this season through Holy Week with a focus each Sunday on the events of each day of that week.

JOYS:

+The congregation thanks God for Renae H.’s beautiful prelude she played on the piano this morning.

+Praise God for a beautiful Celebration of Life service for Arletta Woods yesterday morning at Glenville’s First Lutheran Church. Folks were genuinely pleased to take bells from Arletta’s bell collection as a sweet remembrance of her influence in their lives.

+Gloria S. visited Roger and Judy L. last week. They invite everyone to join them this coming Tuesday, February 24^th, at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate their 65^th wedding anniversary.

+Bob S. thanks God for the successful fundraiser he attended last night to celebrate Glenville American Legion Post 264 and the American Legion Riders’ honor of being selected to launch the Patriot Tour in Albert Lea. On May 16^th, the Patriot Tour will begin in Albert Lea, escorting one American flag as it begins its journey across all 50 states before returning home. 1 Flag. 50 States. 14,000 Miles. All to support disabled veterans and their families.

+Korla S. thanks God for safe travels while dealing with traffic around The Twin Cities yesterday.

+Shelley G. thanks God for her grandson’s successful hockey team participation.

+Shelley G.’s jokes today.

+Laughter in church – carbonated holiness – is celebrated.

+Sid T. celebrates an exciting, well-played hockey game between the USA and Canada.

+Bob S. thanks God for a pastor who is willing to visit sick parishioners.

+The congregation is thankful for Shelley G.’ service as Scripture reader and Bob S.’ service as usher this morning.

+The congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved pianist/ organist, Renae H.!

Concerns:

+Praying for Pat R.’s husband Craig who is dealing with medical challenges. Also, praying for Pat to have the strength to provide Craig the support he needs.

+Praying for Donna D. as she deals with medical challenges and for Sandy D. and other family members who are rallying to support Donna.

+Praying for Cheryl R. who is dealing with a head cold.

+Praying continues for Judy C. and Karnella S. as they deal with medical challenges.

+Korla S. invites the congregation to join her in continuing to pray for Jessica as she recovers from a heart and lung transplant. Jessica is back in ICU.

+Bob S. asks for prayers for the family and friends of the veterans in Freeborn County who died last year.

+Praying for the family and friends of Connie Nelson who died last Monday. Her service is tomorrow at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m.

+Praying for staff of Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home who have been extremely busy, of late.

No Holiness But Social Holiness

The General Rule of Discipleship (To witness to Jesus Christ in the world, and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.) shapes the life and work of Covenant Discipleship groups, class leaders, and the congregation. 

It helps them live as witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world as they follow his teachings, summarized by him in Matthew 22:37-40:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 

Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). The Christian life is shaped by obedience to Jesus’ teachings.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Unite the pair so long disjoined,

Knowledge and vital piety:

Learning and holiness combined,

And truth and love, let [us all] see

In those whom up to thee we give,

Thine, wholly thine, to die and live.

~ Charles Wesley

Rend Your Heart: A Blessing for Ash Wednesday

"Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing."  

- Joel 2.12-13a

To receive this blessing,

all you have to do

is let your heart break.

Let it crack open.

Let it fall apart

so that you can see

its secret chambers,

the hidden spaces

where you have hesitated

to go.

Your entire life

is here, inscribed whole

upon your heart’s walls:

every path taken

or left behind,

every face you turned toward

or turned away,

every word spoken in love

or in rage,

every line of your life

you would prefer to leave

in shadow,

every story that shimmers

with treasures known

and those you have yet

to find.

It could take you days

to wander these rooms.

Forty, at least.

And so let this be

a season for wandering

for trusting the breaking

for tracing the tear

that will return you

to the One who waits

who watches

who works within

the rending

to make your heart

whole.

- written by Jan L. Richardson and posted on The Painted Prayerbook blog