Wednesday with the Wesleys

Beware you are not a fiery, persecuting enthusiast. Do not imagine that God has called you (just contrary to the spirit of Him you style your Master) to destroy [women's and] men's lives, and not to save them. Never dream of forcing [them] into the ways of God. Think yourself and let think. Use no constraint in matters of religion. Even those who are farthest out of the way never compel to come in by any other means than reason, truth, and love.

- John Wesley (The Nature of Enthusiasm)

Scripture lessons for July 26

We will continue the summer worship series next Sunday with “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” #474, chosen by Kraig Schumacher.

Our scripture lessons will come from Romans 8:26-34 and Matthew 14:22-32.

Today at Glenville UMC

Signs of faith and love.

Bob S. is today's reader.

Joys

+Roy & Nancy B. are looking forward to their moving sale this coming Friday and Saturday.

+Cheryl & Mike R. are excited to share that their 12th grandchild, Hazel Mae, was born last week. They also have six great-grandchildren.

+Shelly G. is happy that her daughter and grandson is at a soccer tournament in Colorado.

+We are blessed to have Karen G. with us this morning.

Concerns

Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges: Dale S., Gloria S., Karnella S., Barb (Rita's friend), Rick B. (fiancé of Rachel, Sandy D.’s daughter), granddaughter of Renea H.

+Pastor Charles asks the congregation to pray for Judy C. who has decided to enter hospice care.

+Bob S. lifts up the adjutant from DAV Post #16 whose wife suddenly passed recently.

+Rita W. lifts up in prayer the family of Mary V. who has died.

+We lift up all those impacted by the fires. Bob shared that a friend from Glenville escaped the fires in northern Minnesota by jumping into a lake!

Bulletin for July 19

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship (posted on Life in Liturgy)

We gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God. Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth. God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere. That we may share God’s love and life; may we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ. The living Christ is with us. Praise the Lord! 

*Hymn: “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come," #694

Prayer: (John Birch and posted on Faith and Worship)

In You alone we put our hope, God the Father, Creator and Sustainer, who gives all good things seen and unseen. In You alone we put our hope, God the Son, Savior and Redeemer, who died for our sins and rose again. In You alone we put our hope, God the Spirit, Teacher and Comforter, who moves us to sing “Our God reigns!” In You alone we put our hope. Amen.

*Gloria Patri:  #70   

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer                                                   

Invitation to the Offering

*Doxology: #95 

*Offertory Prayer

First Lesson: Psalm 99

Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy,” #64 (Chosen by Judy Carroll and Rita Williamson)

Second Lesson: Isaiah 6:1-8

Sermon: “Keep it holy”

*Hymn: “Nearer, My God, to Thee," #528

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

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

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

Do Some Congregations Have a Chrysler Dealership Mindset from Yesteryear?

From UM Insight:

Interesting entry by Dr. Lovett Weems in a recent edition of United Methodist Insight. came across a magazine article recently that featured a picture of a luxury car along with the article title. Despite the car, I initially misread the title. Here is the actual title: THE MAINSTREAM CAR BRANDS SELLING THE FEWEST VEHICLES IN AMERICA

You can see where my mind tends to focus because as soon as I saw “Mainstream,” I assumed it was about mainstream denominations that reach the fewest people in America! My immediate fear was that the winner of this distinction might be the United Methodist Church. I was relieved when I realized that the article was actually about cars. However, it led me to thinking about what lessons their story might have for congregations.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,

let us thine influence prove;

source of the old prophetic fire,

fountain of life and love.

Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by thee

the prophets wrote and spoke),

unlock the truth, thyself the key,

unseal the sacred book.

Expand thy wings, celestial Dove,

brood o'er our nature's night;

on our disordered spirits move,

and let there now be light.

God, through the Spirit we shall know

if thou within us shine,

and sound, with all thy saints below,

the depths of love divine.

Charles Wesley

Leadership Gathering moves ahead amid challenges

Troubles half a world away are complicating United Methodist plans for the Leadership Gathering in Canada.

An Ebola outbreak in Congo has threatened access to visas, and the war-caused closure of the Strait of Hormuz has spiked fuel costs — making the gathering substantially more expensive.

Nevertheless, the Council of Bishops and other organizers are pressing forward with preparations for the unprecedented United Methodist event — set for Oct. 20-24 at Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada. They also are releasing a new survey intended to get more input for the event from youth and young adults — church members under age 35.

“This gathering is about the future of The United Methodist Church,” Stephanie Henry and Council of Bishops President Rubén Saenz Jr., said in a joint email response to UM News.

Read more at this link.