Welcoming the other

Imagine for a moment that you are not a member of a small church where everyone knows your name or in a community where you have grown up. Perhaps you have moved to this area for employment or retirement. Perhaps you are even attending church for the first time. When you come to worship it feels awkward — you are not really sure how to enter the building, let alone where various rooms are located (such as the sanctuary, social hall, nursery or restroom). Not knowing what to do and when can be embarrassing. What would bring you back to this place again? What would keep you away?

Read more at this link.

Happy birthday, Charles Wesley!

Charles Wesley (1707-1788), wrote this hymn for his birthday:

God of my life, to thee

My cheerful soul I raise;

Thy goodness bade me be,

And still prolongs my days;

I see my natal hour return,

And bless the day that I was born.

My soul and all its powers

Thine, wholly thine, shall be;

All, all my happy hours

I consecrate to thee;

Whate'er I have, whate'er I am,

Shall magnify my Maker's name.

Long as I love beneath,

To thee, oh, let me live!

To thee my every breath,

In thanks and praises give!

Creating and preserving grace

Let all that is within me praise.

Then, when the work is done,

The work of faith and power,

Receive thy rescued son

In death's triumphant hour;

Like Moses, to thyself convey

My soul, to live in endless day.

Source: The Voice of Praise: a Collection of Hymns 

for the Use of the Methodist Church, #727    

Today in Methodist History

Today is the birthday of the Rev. Samuel Wesley, Sr. (1662-1735), father of John and Charles Wesley. 

(“[To John] The inward witness, son, the inward witness; this is the proof, the strongest proof of Christianity….[to Charles] The weaker I am in body, the stronger and more sensible support I feel from God….[to John] God does chasten me with pain; yea, all my bones with strong pain. But I thank Him for all; I bless Him for all; yea, I love Him for all. [to Charles] “Be steady. The Christian faith will surely revive in this kingdom; you shall see it, though I shall not….[to one of his daughters] Do not be concerned at my death: God will then begin to manifest Himself to my family….Think of heaven, talk of heaven; all the time is lost when we are not thinking of heaven.”

Wednesday with the Wesleys

They shall call his name Emmanuel - To be called, only means, according to the Hebrew manner of speaking, that the person spoken of shall really and effectually be what he is called, and actually fulfil that title. Thus, unto us a child is born - and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace - That is, he shall be all these, though not so much nominally, as really, and in effect. And thus, was he called Emmanuel; which was no common name of Christ but points out his nature and office; as he is God incarnate, and dwells by his Spirit in the hearts of his people. It is observable, the words in Isaiah are, Thou (namely, his mother) shalt call; but here, They - that is, all his people, shall call - shall acknowledge him to be Emmanuel, God with us. Which being interpreted - This is a clear proof that St. Matthew wrote his Gospel in Greek, and not in Hebrew. Isaiah 7:14.

~ John Wesley’s Notes on the New Testament, Matthew 1:23

Scripture for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Next Sunday, the worship service will center around the telling of Christmas story using a unique offering called "A Christmas Pageant in-a-bag!" The scripture lesson will be Luke 2:8-14.

"Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel."

- Isaiah 7:14 (CEB)

Today at GUMC

The Candle of Joy (the pink one) is lit

Nancy & Roy B. light the Advent candles

Shelley G. is today's reader

Renea H. offers beautiful music during worship

It was a frigid start to our morning, but the warmth of our fellowship made all the difference as we came together for worship on the Third Sunday of Advent.

JOYS

+The church family thanks God for the gift of Dale S.’ birthday this coming week.

+Gloria S. thanks God for the joy of 15 family members arriving today to celebrate Christmas together.

+Mike and Cheryl R.’s grandson Carson is in worship with us today: Yay!

+Belinda A. thanks the church family for their continued donations to the “noisy bucket” campaign of the United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women). Last month’s collection was $60.28. Praise be to God for a church family who donates money for mission work locally and all around the world.

+Pastor Charles thanks God for a church family who demonstrates beautiful expressions of love and concern during the “Passing of the Peace” during worship each Sunday. Also, he is thankful that this congregation sings the “Gloria Patri” each Sunday, a testament to the sacredness of the Christian faith.

+Belinda A. thanks God for the wonderful United Women in Faith Christmas party and readers’ theater melodrama at the Albert Lea Pizza Ranch restaurant last Wednesday. A good time was had by all.

+Belinda A. thanks God for Sid T. who delivered her phone and eyeglasses to her worksite, after she left them at the Pizza Ranch.

+The congregation praises God for Shelley G.’s continued prayer shawl ministry. She brought seven completed shawls to worship today for a blessing.

+Shelley G. invites the church family to take prayer shawls to people they know who would benefit from having them – “anyone in need of a hug.” She asked that a picture of each shawl be taken and shared with her, along with the name of the person who received it.

+Belinda A. thanks God for the joy-filled activity of assembling goodies plates for dear members and friends of the church, after last Sunday’s administrative board meeting.

+Bob S. it was a joy to deliver the goodies plates.

+The congregation is thankful for Shelley G.’s service as Scripture reader this morning.

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

CONCERNS
+Bob S. invites the congregation to join him in praying for his friend Calvin R. who is battling health challenges.

+Sandy D. asks the church family to join her in praying for her friend Sarah S. who is dealing with serious medical challenges.

+Shelley G. asks for prayers for her dear friend Diane in Wells; her son Levi died last week.

+Cheryl R. asks for prayers for the family and friends of Steve P. who died recently.

+Cheryl R. invites the congregation to pray for nephew’s wife Nikki who is dealing with a medical challenge.

+The congregation is invited to pray for Patty R.’s husband Craig who is undergoing more medical testing.

+Korla S. asks for prayers for Bill P., a dear friend dealing with serious medical challenges, and Bill’s wife, too.

+Nancy B. invites the congregation to join her in praying for those impacted by the shootings at Stewartville High School, Brown University, and at a synagogue in Australia.

+Sandy D. invites the church family to join her in continuing to pray for her nephew Jay who has returned home after a hospital stay. He will be recovering the next four to five weeks.

+Kraig S. invites the congregation to pray for Karnella S. who fell again and is recovering at St. John’s Lutheran Community.

Seeing the need for our future

Leaders of the General Commission on United Methodist Men and the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women have each issued statement jointly affirming the UMC's need to reach young men with the Gospel message that does not silence women.

Statements from the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women and from the United Methodist Men.

Christmas in the Hymns of Charles Wesley Infographic

Using the Advent and Christmas hymns of Charles Wesley, this infographic  beautifully tells the story of Jesus' birth. It is suitable to post in your home or church. 

Learn more about these hymns in "Wesley hymn devotions for Advent and Christmas."

 

United Women in Faith Christmas Party

Notes from Belinda Alkula: Yesterday, the United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) at the Glenville United Methodist Church hosted a FUN Christmas party at one of the private rooms at the Pizza Ranch in Albert Lea, Minnesota! After lunch, we enjoyed a "readers' theater" production of Marietta Slater's "Rollin' in Dough in Mistletoe," a Christmas melodrama. It was complete with booing the villain and cheering for the heroine! Yee-haw! Praise be to God!

It's a Melodrama!

Outside, it was a chilly day, but inside at the Pizza Ranch in Albert Lea, the United Women in Faith (and friends) gathered to share the warm fellowship and to enjoy a melodrama!

Taking part in the fun were:

Belinda A. as the Narrator

Joyce S. as Holly Berry

Korla S. as Carol Hall

Kraig S. as Mayor Hall

Sid T. as Sheriff Evergreen

Ed S. as Randolph, the Bowlegged Cowboy

Bob S. as Rolland N. Dough

Gloria S. as Sandy Claws

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Come, let us with our Lord arise,

our Lord, who made both earth and skies;

who died to save the world he made,

and rose triumphant from the dead;

he rose, the Prince of life and peace,

and stamped the day forever his.

This is the day the Lord has made,

that all may see his love displayed,

may feel his resurrection's power,

and rise again, to fall no more,

in perfect righteousness renewed,

and filled with all the life of God.

Then let us render him his own,

with solemn prayer approach his throne,

with meekness hear the gospel word,

with thanks his dying love record,

our joyful hearts and voices raise,

and fill his courts with songs of praise.

Honour and praise to Jesus pay

throughout his consecrated day;

be all in Jesus’ praise employed,

nor leave a single moment void;

with utmost care the time improve,

and only breathe his praise and love.

~ Charles Wesley

Scripture lessons for the Third Sunday of Advent

Advent enters its third week next Sunday with lessons from 

Matthew 11:2-11 and Isaiah 35:1-10.

Sending Love Through Cookies

What a busy, joyful morning we had a Glenville UMC! Following worship and the monthly Ad Board meeting, we took part in the assembly of plates of cookies and other goodies for those unable to attend worship with us.

Second Sunday of Advent!

Kraig K. clears a path to worship

Sandy D. and Shelley G. light the Advent candles

Communion Sunday

Bob S. is today's reader

Tending to church business

JOYS
+Belinda A. thanks God for church family members who are willing to share their gifts with others.
+Kraig S. celebrates that this is the last Sunday we expect to use prepackaged Communion kits; next month, we will use juice and bread (intinction).
+Gloria S. thanks God for the gift of awareness when we celebrate good/better health, after a time of illness.
+Belinda A. thanks God for a husband who works to improve their home; the surprise gift of a new light in the garage will be a great help.
+Church family celebrates the wedding anniversary of Tim and Dawn Kaasa.
+Church family celebrates that Sid T. was the honored veteran at a recent hockey game.
+Sid T. celebrates the recent successful church conference that he attended, representing the Glenville United Methodist Church.
+Bob S. thanks God for his daughter’s improved health, after a year of struggling with serious medical challenges.
+The church family thanks God for Pastor Charles’ mother’s creation of the lovely hand-sewn Christmas trees that everyone received today.
+The congregation is thankful for Bob S.’s service as Scripture reader this morning.
+The congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved organist, Renae H.!

CONCERNS
+Mike R. invites the church family to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice of those who perished and who were injured on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was bombed.
+Kraig S. asks the church family to join him in praying for her daughter-in-law’s friend (Linneah) who is very ill. She had to leave college before the end of the semester because of her medical challenges.
+Sandy D. asks for prayers for her friend Darla who has pneumonia.
+Sid T. asks for prayers for his friend Dave S. who is in the hospital in Austin, dealing with medical challenges.
+Nancy B. invites the congregation to pray for those who struggle with food insecurity and other challenges.
+Sandy D. invites the church family to join her in praying for her nephew Jay who is in the hospital with an infection.

+Shelley G. is praying for the family and friends of her long-time neighbor, Annie S.  Her memorial will be next August, when she would have celebrated her 100^th birthday.

Delightful Surprise Today at Church!

 

L-R: Belinda and Roy

Roy B. surprised the Alkulas with a very special handcrafted wooden plaque with "28' on top -- to celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary! Praise God for folks who use their gift to bless others! 💓

The advantage of a small church

 

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Let love not visit you as a transient guest but be the constant ruling temper of your soul. See that your heart be filled at all times and on all occasions with real, undissembled benevolence; not to those only that love you, but to every soul of man. Let it pant in your heart; let it sparkle in your eyes; let it shine on all your actions. Whenever you open your lips, let it be with love; and let there be in your tongue the law of kindness. Your word will then distill as the rain, and as the dew upon the tender herb. Be not straitened or limited in your affection but
let it embrace every child of man. Everyone that is born of a woman has a claim to your good-will. You owe this, not to some, but to all. And let all men know that you desire both their temporal and eternal happiness, as sincerely as you do your own.

~ John Wesley (On Pleasing All Men)

A new tradition

 

Scripture lessons for the Second Sunday of Advent

We reach the half-way point of Advent next Sunday with lessons from Matthew 3:1-12 and Isaiah 11:1-10.