A Blessing for Workers and All Seeking Work

Blessed are You, ever-creating God, in Your image, our lives are made; in Your glory, we offer all the work of our hearts and hands and minds. Blessed are You, O God, now and forever!

Blessed are you whose work is repaid, for by your work, and by the payment you receive your lives and the lives of others around you and around the world are blessed. We thank God for you day by day.

Blessed are you whose work is unpaid, who offer what you can to enrich the lives of others, through time, talents, skill, strength, and love. We praise God for your generous labor!

Blessed are you who seek work but have not found it, or whose work now is not yet what it may be yet still you seek, that your gifts may be shared more fully. We praise God for your diligent seeking and pray you may soon find! Yours is the glory in their labors.

Yours is the glory in all our lives, in Jesus' name. Amen.

UMC Communications, 2015

Scripture lessons for September 13

As the days of summer begin to dwindle, we turn next Sunday to Romans 14:1-12 and Matthew 18:21-35 for our worship service lessons.

Today at Glenville UMC

Kraig S. is having a birthday this week!

 Joys

+ Sid T. thanked God for the privilege of offering military honors at Marion Theodore "Ted" Spain’s funeral yesterday, a 103-year-old Navy man who led an amazing life.

+ Thanks be to God for the gift of Kraig S. whose birthday will be observed this week.

+ Thanks be to God for opportunities to travel the world and then return to the church family with stories of adventure and travel. (Church member is going to Norway this week!)

+ Thanks be to God for a wonderful Daisy Fest in Albert Lea yesterday. It was a beautiful day to celebrate small-town America, where neighbors came together to enjoy being together and supporting one another. While the music played, couples danced; children played; and the pet parade was a lot of fun!

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Mike and Cheryl R. who served as ushers today.

Concerns

+ Praying for all impacted by 9-11 attacks twenty-five years ago. This week will be a somber one for many in the country. 

+ Praying for traveling mercies for those apart from us.

+ Praying for Judy L.’s daughter, Linda, who is having eye surgery this week.

+ Praying for the family and friends of Linda B.’s niece Renee who died last week.

+ Praying for the family and friends of Ruth V. whose daughter Mandi V. died two weeks ago; the funeral is this coming Friday at the Albert Lea First United Methodist Church. Visitation begins at 10 am; funeral begins at 11 am.

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges, specifically, Karnella S., Craig R., Shelley G.’s brother-in-law Craig and friend Scott, and Nancy B.’s neighbor Jerry 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 September 6

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song; sing God’s praises in the assembly of the faithful!”   – Psalm 149:1 (CEB)

*Call to Worship: (posted on the Presbytery of the Cascades)

+God said, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, +but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord.” +Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, +and I will give you rest.” +We come in the name of the Spirit, resting from our labors, +let us worship God this day!

*Hymn: “Come, Christians, Join to Sing," #158

*Prayer: (Rev. Richard J. Fairchild’s Kir-shalom website)

Hear the Good News: Paul writes to Timothy: "Do not be ashamed of testifying to God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of God's own purpose and the grace God gave us in Christ Jesus years ago." By that grace, we are saved. Let us believe the good news of the gospel! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. If you would have the fullness of joy that God has stored up for you, be you likewise gracious and forgiving. Amen.       

*Gloria Patri #70  

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Offering 

*Doxology #95  

*Offering Prayer

First Lesson: Psalm 23

This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Hymn: “God Will Take Care of You” #130 (chosen by Pat Roell)

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:25-34

This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon: “What, me worry?” 

Communion: UMH, p. 13-14 and The Lord’s Prayer      

*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.

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.