Pictured: The Resurrection (11th century mosaic), Hosios Loukas monastery, Church of the Katholikon (in the narthex), Distomo, Greece.
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| Shelley G. is today's reader |
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| Kraig S. is today's acolyte |
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| Sign of faithful attendance |
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| The cross is ready for Good Friday |
Joys:
+Praise God for Sid’s safe return to be with us.
+Praise God for Harper worshipping with us today.
+Praise God for family invitations to spend Easter
together.
+Prayers of joy for family member Haley who found the
dress for her wedding next April.
+Praise God for a fun bridal shower with joyful, upbeat,
friendly folks in attendance.
+Praise God for a fun, successful networking event last
week for women entrepreneurs.
+Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., for Korla S. who served as usher, and for Bob S. who served as today's Scripture reader.
Concerns:
+Praying for Nancy B.’s great niece Jan who is dealing
with a liver condition … and for all who love and care for her, too.
+Praying for Sandy’s nephew Jay who is back in the
hospital; praying for all who love and care for him.
+Praying for the Sharp’s dear friend Billy H. in Texas;
he is dealing with medical challenges; praying for all who love and care for
him.
+Praying for Craig R., Judy C., Donna D., and Karnella
S. who are dealing with medical challenges.
+Praying for Pastor Charles’ relative, Joe P., a
civilian firefighter in Dubai who is praying for a safe, calm, quiet night’s
sleep.
+Praying for all who are impacted directly and
indirectly by conflict in the world.
+Praying for peace.
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| Byzantine mosaic, circa 1056 AD |
Call to Worship – (based on Galatians 6:14) — from the Lutheran Church of Australia
God forbid that I should boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him is salvation, life, and resurrection from the dead; by Him we are redeemed and set free. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us.
Hymn: “O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done," #287
Prayer: – Christine Jerrett
Now we know all is grace all is gift. You give us all good things: life and love; daily bread and water that quenches our thirst; friends and faith. Most of all, in Your Son, Jesus, You meet us with a love that will never let us go; You utter words of mercy and forgiveness that override the hurts and heal our brokenness; You offer new beginnings where we had expected only dead ends. We give you thanks and praise for the mystery of Your suffering love that gives us life. We give You thanks and praise that You know our weakness and hear our prayers. We give You thanks and praise that all our dying and living is held in Your good keeping. Now we know all is grace, all is gift. We give You thanks and praise. Amen.
Gloria Patri: #70
First Lesson: Isaiah 53:4-9
Hymn: "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross," #301
Gospel Lesson: John 19:17-24
Sermon: “What the night revealed”
Hymn: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” #297
Visit this link to learn more.
Our lessons will come from Isaiah 53:4-9 and John 19:17-24.
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| Bob S. is today's scripture reader |
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| Dale hangs the clock that Roy repaired |
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| Nice to be back in church after last week! |
Joys:
+Praise God that Donna D. is back in church for worship
today, after her successful physical therapy.
+Praise God for the joy of today’s birthday lunch
celebration for Donna D.’s sister.
+Praise God for the beautiful spring weather yesterday …
although it is colder today. Reminds us that warmer weather is on its way to
us.
+Praise God for the gift of music that brightens our
spirits and lightens our loads.
+Praise God for Judy C.’ return home.
+Praise God for a great visit with grandchildren.
+Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., for Korla S. who served as usher, and for Bob S. who served as today's Scripture reader.
Concerns:
+Praying for those impacted by the wildfires in Nebraska.
+Praying for healing mercies for Kraig S.
+Praying for Karnella S. who is dealing with medical
challenges.
+Praying for the wellbeing of those who are absent from
us this morning.
+Praying for all who are impacted directly and indirectly by conflict in the world.
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| The Last Supper by Sadao Watanabe (In Pastor Charles' office at Throne Crest) |
Call to Worship
A table is set before us. A feast is prepared for us.
A meal of bread and wine, of meat and bitter herbs.Hymn: “Here, O My Lord, I See Thee,” #623
Prayer:
Holy God, we are caught in the tension of light and shadow, death and resurrection. You spoke the world into being, You illuminated the universe by Your very speech, then filled the void with life. Indeed, You have filled the void of darkness and death, the empty promises of the abyss, with new life and new creation. We look to You in the space between the world and the Kingdom, longing for the fulfillment of Your word in the work of the Holy Spirit and the reign of Christ, our Creator and King. Amen. – written by Thomas Turner and posted on everyday liturgy
Gloria Patri: #70
Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
Hymn: “Let Us Break Bread Together,” #618
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 26:20-30
Sermon: “Judas Received Communion, Too”
Communion & The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn: “Come, Sinners to the Gospel Feast,” #616
When faced with difficult questions like these, United Methodists have historically relied on listening to one another as a means of hearing God speak and call us to action. Joining with members of a Sunday School class, small group, or getting together over coffee to wrestle together with big questions can open our hearts and lives to the work of the Holy Spirit.
The United Methodist Book of Discipline contains the Social Principles, which are a prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation. Although the "War and Military Service" section states, "The church deplores war and all other forms of violent conflict and urges the peaceful settlement of all disputes," it also acknowledges that United Methodists are not in agreement about the use of force. Thankfully, we have one another to help us hear God speaking to our hearts. Honest and respectful conversations among people of faith are a means of grace that allows the Holy Spirit to touch our hearts through the words of others.To help you facilitate such a conversation, here are some questions to consider:
“We urge our policymakers and leaders to support the War
Powers Resolution and put an end to the United States’ attacks on Iran. We must
pursue alternative routes toward peace, including the active involvement of
women in peace negotiations. Violence cannot be the path forward.
These attacks have already resulted in the deaths of U.S.
citizens as well as many hundreds of innocent people in Iran. Reports confirm
that the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school was struck during the bombing
campaign, killing more than 165 schoolgirls and staff. Reports also point to
indiscriminate destruction of civilian infrastructure, including damage to
desalination facilities that communities rely on for access to clean water.
Such devastation is senseless and horrifying, and we will not remain silent amid
these grave injustices.
“We mourn and pray for these children and their families,
and for all civilians who have been killed or displaced by these attacks. As an
organization dedicated to the well-being of women, children, and youth, we call
on the United States to end the bombing. Innocent people, especially women and
children, bear the heaviest burden in times of war. They are most likely to be
displaced, to suffer gender-based violence, and to be exploited.
“War also carries profound environmental consequences.
Military conflict is a significant source of climate pollution and
environmental degradation. The energy demands and destruction associated with
war reinforce the urgent need to accelerate a just transition to renewable
energy.
“We will not stop advocating for a just and lasting peace.”
United Women in Faith is the largest denominational organization for women in the United States.
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| The communion table at Buckfast Abbey. |
Call to Worship – Psalm 24:3-6 (CEB)
Who can ascend the LORD’s mountain? Who can stand in God’s holy sanctuary? Only the one with clean hands and a pure heart; the one who hasn’t made false promises, the one who hasn’t sworn dishonestly. That kind of person receives blessings from the LORD and righteousness from the God who saves. And that’s how things are with the generation that seeks God—that seeks the face of Jacob’s God.
Hymn: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” #381
Prayer: May God, who comes to us in the things of this world, bless your eyes and be in your seeing. May Christ, who looks upon you with deepest love, bless your eyes and widen your gaze. May the Spirit, who perceives what is and what may yet be, bless your eyes and sharpen your vision. May the Sacred Three bless your eyes and cause you to see. Amen. – © Jan L. Richardson.
Gloria Patri: #70
Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 26:20-25
Hymn: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” #301
Gospel Lesson: John 12:1-8
Sermon: “A Traitor in Our Midst”
Hymn: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” #297
Please visit this blog tomorrow morning to see the bulletin with links to the hymns and scripture readings.
The Council of Bishops on March 13 announced the 25 United Methodists from across the United States who now have the task of organizing the regional conference’s first meeting .
The committee also will include three advisers from the Africa, Europe and the Philippines — selected by their respective regional bodies — who will ensure a global perspective in the planning.
Read more at this link.
John Wesley at The New Room in Bristol
"A poor wretch cries to me for alms: I look and see him covered with dirt and rags. But through these I see one that has an immortal spirit, made to know, and love, and dwell with God to eternity. I honour him for his Creator’s sake. I see through all these rags, that he is purpled over with the blood of Christ. I love him for the sake of his Redeemer. The courtesy, therefore, which I feel and show toward him is a mixture of the honour and love which I bear to the offspring of God; the purchase of his Son’s blood, and the candidate for immortality."
John Wesley (“On Pleasing All Men”, Works, VII: 145).
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| Church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna |
Our lessons will come from Matthew 26:20-25 and John 12:1-8.
Read more at this link.
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| Welcome to Glenville UMC! |
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| Renea offers beautiful music each week |
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| 40 years ago, they were married at this church! |
Joys:
+Mike and Cheryl R. praise God for a wonderful family celebration
last night to observe their 40th wedding anniversary.
+Sandy D. is thankful for a church family who has been
visiting her mother at the care center where she is getting physical therapy.
+Praise God for the beautiful warmer weather today.
+Belinda A. thanks God for a successful tooth extraction
last Friday and for her husband’s care of her during recovery.
+Pastor Charles thanks God for the opportunity to
officiate at a graveside funeral service last Wednesday in Geneva for a Navy
veteran who had been living at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community.
+Celebrating the church family’s generous donations in
the noisy bucket last month (collected $72.30 for mission work).
+Shelley G. thanks God for the gift of lessons learned last Friday night when the wind caused her recycling bin to blow over, and the next morning, it was frozen to the ground because of sleeting that had occurred. Lesson Learned: If it is going to be windy, put a rock on the bin or remove it from being stored outside.
+Grateful for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H. and for Kraig S. who served as today's Scripture reader and usher.
Concerns:
+Praying that God will grant Craig R. with the comfort
and strength he needs during this time of health challenges and that God grants
Pat R. the strength she needs to provide the support that Craig needs.
+Praying for Sid T.’s travelling mercies
+Praying for Judy C., Donna D., and Karnella S. who are
dealing with medical challenges.
+Praying for family and friends of Irene
Nesset who died last Wednesday. Her memorial service will be held at
11:00 a.m. this Thursday, March 12, at First Lutheran Church in Glenville, with
a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.
+Prayers continue for Korla S.’ cousin’s daughter
Jessica who recently had a new heart and lung transplanted. She A prayer shawl the
church family blessed is on its way to her. Korla delighted to learn she was
out of ICU and enjoying her birthday party.
+Nancy B. invites the church family to pray for the
world in chaos.
+Prayers for all who are impacted directly and indirectly due to conflict around the world.
