Prayer for All Hallows Eve

Lord, tonight, we will face all that most concerns us: our fears, the shadowed places of the mind; the coming of winter darkness; the cold thin place between waking and sleep.

We call to mind the powerless, the lonely, those who most fear the knock at the door; all those deceived by the world’s empty promises; all those cowed by menaces or threats. We stand with those weak in body, mind or spirit and those seduced by treats or hurt by tricks.

Lord, Your light shines into every darkness. You told us: 'pray deliver us from evil.' Your Spirit gives us hope, gives us courage, a candle in the window unhurt by the wind. Amen.

Richards, A. (2017, November 29). Reflective Prayer for All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, All Souls Day. Church of England.

Prayer for Reformation Day

Lord God, heavenly Father,

You did not spare Your only Son,

but gave Him up for us all to be our Savior,

and along with Him

You have graciously given us all things.

We thank You for Your precious, saving gospel,

and we pray that You would help us to believe

in the name of our Savior

faithfully and steadfastly,

for He alone

is our righteousness and wisdom,

our comfort and peace,

so that we may stand on the day of His appearing;

through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, our Lord.

Amen.

Source: Collect for Reformation, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch, Hamburg, 1846, p. 694.

UMCOR prayer request

Join us in prayer for people in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic as they face Hurricane Melissa.

Significant flooding and damage from Melissa have already occurred in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with additional impacts expected in both countries and in Cuba. We are mindful of Haiti, as Melissa’s impact will worsen the hunger crisis experienced by more than half of the country.

As the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Melissa become clear over the coming days, UMCOR - United Methodist Committee on Relief is prepared to support the response efforts of our Methodist partners in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

To give to support those impacted by Hurricane Melissa, visit this link and select "IDR - Hurricane Melissa" when asked to choose your preferred gift designation.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Hear ye this, all you that are called Methodists! You, of all men living, are most concerned herein. You constantly speak of salvation by faith: And you are in the right for so doing. You maintain, (one and all,) that a man is justified by faith, without the works of the law. And you cannot do otherwise, without giving up the Bible, and betraying your own souls. You insist upon it, that we are saved by faith: And, undoubtedly, so we are. But consider, meantime, that let us have ever so much faith, and be our faith ever so strong, it will never save us from hell, unless it now save us from all unholy tempers, from pride, passion, impatience; from all arrogance of spirit, all haughtiness and overbearing; from wrath, anger, bitterness; from discontent, murmuring, fretfulness, peevishness. We are of all men most inexcusable, if, having been so frequently guarded against that strong delusion, we still, while we indulge any of these tempers, bless ourselves, and dream we are in the way to heaven!

 ~ John Wesley (On Charity)

Scripture lessons for All Saints Sunday

All Saints Day falls each year on November 1. We will observe this festival next Sunday with lessons from Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Luke 6:20-31.

Today at Glenville UMC!

It's Belinda's birthday week!

 

Bob holds a prayer shawl for his daughter, Sandra

Korla is today's reader

Record of faithful attendance

JOYS
+Belinda A. gives thanks to God for the beautiful prayer shawl that Shelley G. made, which was blessed in today’s worship service and was then presented to Bob S. for his daughter Sandra (as she deals with ongoing medical challenges).
+Mike and Cheryl R. give thanks to God for the birth of their great grandchild Genevieve.
+The church family gives thanks to God for Cheryl R.’s healing process and that she is able to be in worship this morning.
+The church family gives thanks to God for Mike and Cheryl R.’s grandchildren Harper and Carson, who are worshipping with us today.
+The congregation is thankful for Harper and Carson’s help in walking the prayer shawl around the sanctuary, so the church family can touch the prayer shawl for Bob S.’ daughter – and pray for her healing and comfort.
+The church family gives thanks to God for Nancy B.’s return home after surgery – for her continued healing.
+Rita W. is thankful to God for the fun and excitement that comes with the Major League Baseball’s World Series that is now underway.
+Some members of the church family thank God for the start of Lutefisk season in Minnesota.

+ The church family is thankful to God for the gift of an extra hour's sleep, early next Sunday morning, November 2nd, when we navigate from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time.

+ Pastor Charles thanks God for the ability to view the live webcam at the Santa Claus Village in northern Finland, at the Arctic Circle. Yesterday, he was able to watch the opening ceremony for the Christmas season, complete with Santa Claus himself, inviting people around the world to be kind and to engage in good deeds. For more information, click on Santa Television.
+The congregation is thankful for Korla S.’ service as Scripture reader this morning.
+And, as always, the congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved organist, Renae H.!
 
CONCERNS
+Korla S. invites the congregation to pray for Bill P., as he deals with treatments for his cancer diagnosis.
+The congregation continues to pray for Nancy B.’s recovery from surgery.
+The church family continues to pray for Karnella S. as she continues her physical therapy at The Woodlands – St. John’s Lutheran Community, room 307, 1861 Eagle View Circle in Albert Lea. Pastor Charles invites the congregation to visit and/or send notes of encouragement to her.

+The congregation continues to pray for Bob S.' daughter Sandra who is recovering from a broken back -- praying that her procedure scheduled for October 31st will be successful.

Council of Bishop's Pastoral Letter on US Government Shutdown

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a people called United Methodists, who proclaim God’s justice, peace, and care for all people, we lament the ongoing government shutdown in the United States and the harm it is causing to countless families, workers, and communities. Many individuals are without income, vital social services are being disrupted, and many who are already living in vulnerable situations are being placed in greater distress. This moment calls for our collective compassion, advocacy, and prayerful action.
 
This government shutdown is not only affecting families and communities in the United States but also impacting people and partners across the world who depend on the stability and aid of the United States.

“We urge those elected or appointed to public posts or holding other positions in government to act as responsible leaders and stewards of the authority and resources entrusted to them. We call on all government officials to aspire to the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, and integrity. Furthermore, we urge all governments to adopt policies and practices that guarantee accountability and transparency in fostering and maintaining the trust of the public.” (UMC Social Principles ¶163, The Political Community).

We call on members of the United States Congress and all elected leaders to set aside partisanship, seek common ground, work together toward a just resolution and act responsibly for the sake of the welfare of all people who they have been elected to serve.

We call on the people of The United Methodist Church to join together in prayer —for our elected leaders to act with wisdom and courage, for individuals and families whose livelihoods are at risk, and for justice and compassion to prevail.

Finally, we reclaim our call to be attentive to the needs of people within our communities. May we respond with tangible acts of compassion and kindness to those experiencing hardship during this time.

Scripture reminds us: “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). May this be our ongoing collective witness as a people of faith and hope—trusting that God is able to bring unity out of division, justice out of oppression and peace out of chaos.

Yours in the name of Jesus the risen Christ,
 
Bishop Tracy S. Malone
President – Council of Bishops (COB)
The United Methodist Church

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Give me the faith which can remove

And sink the mountain to a plain;

Give me the childlike praying love,

Which longs to build Thy house again;

Thy love, let it my heart o’erpow’r,

And all my simple soul devour.

I would the precious time redeem,

And longer live for this alone:

To spend and to be spent for them

Who have not yet my Savior known;

Fully on these my mission prove,

And only breathe, to breathe Thy love.

My talents, gifts, and graces, Lord,

Into Thy blessed hands receive;

And let me live to preach Thy Word,

And let me to Thy glory live;

My every sacred moment spend

In publishing the sinner’s Friend.

Enlarge, inflame, and fill my heart

With boundless charity divine,

So shall I all my strength exert,

And love them with a zeal like Thine,

And lead them to Thy open side,

The sheep for whom the Shepherd died.

~ Charles Wesley

Scripture lessons for October 26

We bring October to a close next Sunday as we observe Reformation Sunday with lessons us from 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 and Luke 18:9-14.                             

Cool weather, warm church!

An autumn Sunday

Bob was today's reader

JOYS

+Rita W. thanks God for a wonderful visit with her daughter in Winona last week and for the beautiful autumnal colors she witnessed.

+Sid T. thanks God for a great visit with Bob S.’ family.

+Bob S. thanks God for a great family reunion when they celebrated his brother’s birthday.

+Roy B. thanks God for his wife Nancy’s return home after surgery and time spent at a physical rehabilitation center, where staff were in tears as they said farewell to her.

+Belinda A. thanks God for a wonderful time at the Minnesota Conference United Women in Faith’s annual gathering in Alexandria last weekend.

+The congregation is thankful for Bob S.’s service as Scripture reader this morning.

+And, as always, the congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved organist, Renae H.!

CONCERNS

+Last week, Gloria S. visited with Karnella S. at The Woodlands – St. John’s Lutheran Community, room 307, 1861 Eagle View Circle in Albert Lea. Gloria S. invited the congregation to continue praying to God for Karnella’s comfort and healing. Pastor Charles invited the congregation to visit and/or send notes of encouragement to her.

+The congregation continues to pray for Nancy B.’s recovery from surgery.

+The congregation is praying for friend Cindy who is in the hospital, facing a medical challenge.

+Rita W. invites the congregation to pray for her friend Myrna W. who has been in the hospital in Austin for three weeks with a West Nile Virus diagnosis.

+The congregation is praying for farmers – for all who work the land and provide us with life-sustaining food.

+The congregation is praying for peace and for the peacemakers.

Advent study with Bishop Lanette: 'A Child is Born'

Plan now to participate in the 2025 Advent Study led by Bishop Lanette. In this study, United Methodists across the Dakotas and Minnesota are invited to read "A Child is Born" by Amy-Jill Levine. Dive into the narratives of Isaac, Ishmael, Moses, and Samuel to reveal how they foreshadow and enrich the timeless Christmas story. Levine shows readers how Scripture's earlier birth stories anticipate the story of Jesus’s birth and how His birth resonates and gives new meaning to those earlier stories.

Discussions will be held via Zoom on Monday evenings, Dec. 1-22. More details and the Zoom link will be provided as the first discussion draws near. All are welcome! 

Save the dates and order your books or e-books at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Adventure yourselves with him; cast yourselves upon his Righteousness, as that which shall bring you to God: as a poor captive exile, that is cast upon a strange land, a land of robbers and murderers, where he is ready to perish, and having no hope, either of abiding there, or escaping home with life: and meeting at length with a pilot, who offers to transport him safely home, he embarks with him and ventures himself, and all that he hath in his vessel: do you likewise; you are exiles from the presence of God, and fallen into a land of robbers and murderers: your sins are robbers, your pleasures are robbers, your companions in sin are robbers and thieves; if you stay where you are, you perish, and escape home of yourselves you cannot: Christ offers, if you will venture forth with him, and then he will bring you home, and he will bring you to God...

~ John Wesley (Directions for Renewing our Covenant with God)

Today in Methodist History

On 14 October 1735, John and Charles Wesley set sail for the colony of Georgia on the Symonds along with several other English passengers and a group of Moravian missionaries. It must have been a grueling journey!

As they passed the Isle of Wight John Wesley wrote:

Here the ragged rocks, with the waves dashing and foaming at the foot of them, and the white side of the island rising to such a height, perpendicular from the beach, gave a strong idea of 'Him that spanneth the heavens, and holdeth the waters in the hollow of His hand!'"

Also, on this date in 1735, John Wesley began to record his journal, a habit he continued until just before his death in 1788.

Indigenous Peoples Day

 

The following creed was written by a Native American and is shared with you with their permission. You are invited to say and listen to the words as they have been offered. 

I believe in God, Creator of our unique native languages, who gifted us this identity as a distinct people through our native tongues, so that our native spiritual leaders could relay God's love to our native people who could not understand that foreign tongue called English. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, our relative, who talked of us when He said, "I have other sheep out there, besides those I have here." I believe in Jesus Christ who knew the pain of our native people who were forced from their homeland and had no place to lay their head. I believe in Jesus Christ as our Chief Cornerstone as we begin to build a new generation of native spiritual leaders. I believe in Jesus Christ who does not say "goodbye" in any language but says "I will come again." 

I believe in the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire lighting upon our native people to witness to their people and to the world, through the native song and dance. I believe in the Holy Spirit as our guide and the driving force for our native people to do a new thing as we walk a new journey, toward perfection for all humankind.

Scripture lessons for October 19

Next week we turn to Luke 18:1-8 and 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5 for our scripture lessons.

October 12 @ Glenville UMC

Prayers from this morning:

Joys

+Roy B. reports that Nancy is coming home this coming Thursday!

+Gloria S. is happy to share that grandchildren, Bentley and Braeya, are recovering from their recent injuries.

+Bob S. is blessed that he is walking better.

+We celebrate Craig R.'s birthday on Wednesday.

+We celebrate Roy & Nancy B.'s anniversary on Saturday.

+We give thanks to Renea H. for her musical ministry, to Shelly G. for being today's scripture reader, and to Mike R. for serving as today's usher.

Concerns

+Renea H. asks for prayer for her Sister-in-Law, Terri.

+Kraig S. lifts up the family of the Rev. John A. Bromeland following his death last week.

Mike R. shares that Cheryl is in need of healing prayers.

The women gather in Alexandria!

Women from across the Minnesota Conference gathered this weekend for the Annual Meeting of the United Women in Faith. The gathering is taking place at Alexandria United Methodist Church where Belinda A. is on hand, representing the women of the Glenville UMC!

A shawl on Friday

The United Women in Faith presented a prayer shawl today to Nancy B. The shawl, created by Shelley G., is the third shawl presented by the UWF since July.

United Women in Faith's October Meeting

Frilly scarves for everyone!

 

A happy gathering!

Judy tries on a prayer shawl

The table is set

We are all about love!

The October gathering of the UWF took place at the church in Glenville where seven came out for a program and fellowship.

Present today was Belinda A., Judy C., Donna D., Shelley G., Judy L., Korla S., and Gloria S.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

More early Methodist people, on both sides of the Atlantic, read the life of Hester Ann Rogers than any other spiritual autobiography. She often broke into song in her life of prayer.

“I am so thankful for all you have done for me,

My living and loving God.

Enlarge my faith’s capacity,

Wider and yet wider still

Then with all that is in thee

My soul forever fill.”

Today in Methodist History

On this date in 1790, John Wesley (then 87) preached his last outdoor sermon at Winchelsea, East Sussex. The print, which is mid-1800s, depicts the scene.

Invitation from Alden UMC

 

Scripture lessons for October 12

Autumn on the Bitterroot River - Montana

Our scripture lessons next Sunday will come from Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 and Second Timothy 2:8-15.

UWF's "Noisy Collection"

A lot of change!

Add it up!

The United Women in Faith's (UWF) "Noisy Collection" continues to grow at Glenville UMC! This month, the congregation contributed $82.64 which brings the three-month total to $163.94!!!

October is underway @ GUMC!

The quiet before worship begins

Pastor Appreciation Month begins!

Belinda is today's scripture reader

World Communion Sunday

Prayers from this morning:

JOYS

+Thanks be to God for the two beautiful prayer shawls that Shelley G. made, which were blessed by the congregation during this morning’s worship service.

+Kraig and Korla S. thank God for wonderful visits with family and travelling mercies. They were almost in a collision on the interstate but were able to safely maneuver into a side ditch.

+ Shelley G. thanks God for her mother’s 93rd birthday today. She thanks God for her travelling mercies when she went to the cities last Friday afternoon to watch her grandson’s sporting event. (And he scored!) And she thanks God for the opportunity to travel to Decorah, Minnesota, to see her granddaughter’s concert today. (And tomorrow, this granddaughter’s choir will be singing for the Crown Prince of Norway!)

+Pastor Charles said it was an honor to celebrate Holy Communion with Karnella S. and Nancy B. in their respective medical treatment/rehab facilities last week.

+Bob S. thanks God for a pastor who is willing to visit parishioners in the hospital/rehab facilities/nursing homes.

+Belinda A. thanks God for the lovely cooler weather that will arrive tonight.

+Pat R. thanks God for her grandson’s confirmation last week.

+Bob S. thanks God for people who make beautiful prayer shawls and “Quilts of Valor,” which mean the world to their recipients.

+The congregation thanks God for bringing Pastor Charles and Belinda to this church family.

+Thanks be to God for a loving church family.

+The congregation is thankful for Belinda A.’s service as Scripture reader this morning.

+And, as always, the congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved organist, Renae H.!

CONCERNS

+The congregation is praying for Gloria S.’ healing.

+The congregation continues to pray for Karnella S. as she faces medical challenges.

+The congregation continues to pray for Nancy B.’s recovery from surgery and her ongoing successful physical therapy regimen. Tomorrow, a social worker will evaluate if Nancy is able to safely return home soon.

+Pat R. invites the congregation to pray for her grandson and his family who are grieving the death of their beloved “Bob the Cat,” who was accidentally run over by a family member’s vehicle.

+Bob S. invites the congregation to pray for veterans struggling with suicidal ideations. Bob said 23 Veterans die every day by suicide.

+The congregation is praying for the Latter-Day Saints Church family in Michigan that was impacted by violence last Sunday morning.

+The congregation is praying for all people impacted by violence.

+Bob S. invites congregation to continue to pray for his daughter Sandra’s healing. Sandra was in a traffic accident last October, and she is facing medical challenges as she heals and recovers. Additionally, she is dealing with insurance companies who do not want to cover the cost of medical procedures which would help to alleviate some of her pain and discomfort.

UWF Conference Annual Fall Gathering

 

Wednesday with the Wesleys

For there are many Scriptures the true sense whereof neither you nor I shall know till death is swallowed up in victory. But this I know, better it were to say it had no sense at all than to say it had such a sense as this. It cannot mean, whatever it mean besides, that the God of truth is a liar. Let it mean what it will, it cannot mean that the Judge of all the world is unjust. No Scripture can mean that God is not love, or that his mercy is not over all his works.

~ John Wesley (Free Grace)