Monday, May 4, 2026
Scripture lessons for May 10
St Paul's Rock - Mars Hill - Athens
We gather for worship next Sunday on Mother's Day with scripture lessons from John 14:15-21 and Acts 17:22-31.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
May 3 at GUMC
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| We gather to worship |
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| Lay Leader Kraig S. & GUMC receive 100% Mission Share Certificate |
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| Shelley G. reads the Epistle lesson |
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| Savanah assists in serving Holy Communion |
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| We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing |
Joys
+ We thank God for
the gift of laughter! Since Sid T. was not in church today, Nancy B. told a
joke to get things started. She said if anyone ever wonders what a difference a
person can make – just think about the difference a mosquito in bed can make! 🤍
+ We celebrate Judy
L.’s birthday this coming week.
+ We celebrate the
joy of being a member in this church family.
+ We are thankful
for Jim and Renae H.’s grandchildren Easton and Savannah who are in worship
this morning. They rang the church bell, and Savannah assisted Pastor Charles
in Holy Communion.
+ We celebrate a
generous church family who donated $36.89 in change last month, April 2026. “Change
for change” collected in the “noisy (tin) bucket” goes to mission work locally
and around the world!
+ Gloria S. thanks
God for the gift of time spent with her granddaughter Kalli last week – and the
time she spent with Kalli’s second-grade students. Kalli invited Gloria to read
two books to them. Special memories were created.
+ The church
family celebrates that last week, at the Minnesota DAV Spring Convention, Bob
S. was presented with the DAV Chapter Commander of the year award (out of 32 DAV
chapter commanders). Thanks be to God for the gift of that surprising recognition
for his leadership and the great work the DAV Glaydon Iverson Chapter #16 accomplishes
each and every year.
+ We praise God
for this church’s recognition for paying 100% of its mission shares
(apportionments) in 2025 – supporting mission and ministry locally, nationally,
and all around the world. Lay Leader Kraig S. accepted a certificate on behalf
of the congregation.
+ We praise God
that Nancy B. and her sister are both cancer free now.
+We
praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist and for Bob S. who
served as usher today.
Concerns
+ Praying for Tim
K.’s former boss Roger and his wife who just 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., Craig R., Karnella S., and Dawn K.’s friend Gen.
+Praying for the
family and friends of Sarah Schumacher who died last Thursday, April 30. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 9, at the Crossroads Church
in Albert Lea. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service.
+ 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 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: – By the Rev. Roddy Hamilton (Scotland)
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. *Gloria Patri: #70
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
Sermon: “Follow the Leader”
*Hymn: “Only Trust Him, “#337
*Benediction
Postlude Music
“The worship is ended; let the service begin.”
*Please rise in body or in spirit.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
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, April 29, 2026
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
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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.
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