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.

Today at Glenville UMC

Joys

+ Praise God for the blessing of visitors in worship today: Jared, Micah, Ezra, and Jed P.

+ Praise God for Dawn K.’s 98-year-old aunt, Esther Nelson’s birthday.

+ Praise God that Dawn K. has successfully completed P.T. after her recent surgery.

+ Praise God for the amazing accomplishment of Kellen and Devon K. winning the silver medal at the state golf championship.

+ Praying that God will bless all students, school administration, staff ... students and all involved in homeschooling efforts ... all beginning a new school year.

+ Praise God for Bob and Gloria S.’ participation in a wonderful birthday celebration for Gene S.’ 89^th birthday party, complete with his favorite homemade angel food cake with strawberries.

+ Thanks be to God for Gloria S. good visit with Karnella S.

+ Thanks be to God for the much-needed rain last week.

+ Thanks be to God for Nancy B.’s sharing this wisdom: “Winners are losers who never gave up.”

+ The church family is thankful that Sandy D. helped with the caring of Dale’s cats until they were rescued.

+ Praise God that Belinda A. is feeling better now and has returned to worship.

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Kraig S. who served as usher today.

Concerns

+ Praying for traveling mercies for those apart from us.

+ Praying for Dale S.’ adjustment to his new living arrangement.

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges, specifically, Karnella S., Craig R., and Shelley G.’s brother-in-law Craig and friend Scott 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 August 30

Bitterroot River, Montana

“For in the one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”   – 1 Corinthians 12:13

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship – (from Free Indeed by Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson)

The Spirit of God bids us, “Come.” Let everyone who hears within their hearts, “Come.” Hear the whole earth rejoice and the coastlands sing of our God’s steadfast love. We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God. We give thanks for God sets us free! Let everyone who is thirsty for the Spirit, “Come.”  Let anyone who wishes “Come,” and receive the water of life as a gift. We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God. We give thanks for God’s steadfast love that brings joy to our hearts in the night, lights our lives like the dawn, and sets us free. Amen.

*Hymn: “Be Still, My Soul,” #534

*Prayer: (posted on the MAD-e-Lena blog)

O God, we gather at Your waters, as a hot and bothered crowd gathers on the beach on a sweltering, summer day. O God, we drink at Your fountain, as a parched dog laps at the fresh, running water of a creek. O God, we await Your refreshment, as a tired worker watches for the change of shift. Quench our thirst, satisfy our longings. May we be refreshed and restored in You; and teach us where to find the bucket and how to carry it so that we might draw that water for those who most need it. Amen.

*Gloria Patri #70   

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer                                               

*Doxology #95  

*Offering Prayer

Gospel Lesson: John 4:1-13

Hymn: “Shall We Gather at the River,” #723 (chosen by Sandy Dahlum)

Second Lesson: Revelation 22:1-5

Sermon: “The sound of water”

*Hymn: "Where He Leads Me," #338

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

A look back in time

Hernnhut, Saxony - circa 1757

It was August 1738 - 288 years ago - when John Wesley decided to travel to Germany, specifically to study at the Moravian headquarters at Herrnhut in Saxony.

You may recall the Wesley brothers had traveled to Georgia in October 1735 where they met a group of Moravians. History indicates that John, especially, was greatly impacted by the Moravians' faith. Once back in England, John's transformative Aldersgate experience occurred on May 24, 1738, at a Moravian meeting on Aldersgate Street in London. It was on the heels of his conversion that he headed to Herrnhut. Upon his return from Germany, John drew up rules for "bands" and published a collection of hymns for the bands to use. The rest, as they say, is UMC history!

Wednesday with the Wesleys

If, therefore, God were thus to exert his power, there would certainly be no more vice; but it is equally certain, neither could there be any virtue in the world. Were human liberty taken away, men would be as incapable of virtue as stones. Therefore, (with reverence be it spoken,) the Almighty himself cannot do this thing. He cannot thus contradict himself, or undo what he has done. He cannot destroy out of the soul of man that image of himself wherein he make him: And without doing this, he cannot abolish sin and pain out of the world. But were it to be done, it would imply no wisdom at all; but barely a stroke of omnipotence. Whereas all the manifold wisdom of God (as well as all his power and goodness) is displayed in governing man as man; not as a stock or stone, but as an intelligent and free spirit, capable of choosing either good or evil. Herein appears the depth of the wisdom of God, in his adorable providence; in governing men, so as not to destroy either their understanding, will, or liberty.

John Wesley (On Divine Providence)

Today in Methodist History

On this day (24 August) in 1707, Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon was born. She was an early supporter and follower of Wesley, and she later followed George Whitefield’s more Calvinist teachings (vs John Wesley’s Arminian beliefs). As well as establishing many chapels in England, she helped fund the building of chapels and missionary work in America.

Scripture lessons for August 30

Middle Boulder Creek, Colorado

We will continue the summer worship series next Sunday with "Shall We Gather at the River," #723, chosen by Sandy Dahlum.

Our scripture lesson will come to us from John 4:1-13 and Revelation 22:1-5.

Today at Glenville UMC

Joys:

+Sanda D. celebrated that all four of Dale S.'s indoor cats have been rescued and taken to a shelter in Blue Earth!

+Korla S. is joyful to welcome the Sparks family to worship.

+ Shelley G. is blessed to have time with her son, Paul, today.

+Kraig S. is thankful for the beautiful weather we're having.

+Bob S. gives thanks for getting projects done around the house, getting needed health care treatment, and attending the 75th birthday of a friend.

+Roy B. felt joyful in sharing a family story.

Concerns:

+Korla S. asked for prayers for a friend, J.C., who had a heart attack but is thankfully able to be at home.

+Rita W. asks prayer for her brother, Richard, who is having health concerns in San Francisco.

+Roy & Nancy B. are having procedures in Mason City this week.

+Pastor Charles asks for continued prayer for Belinda and himself as they deal with health issues.

Bulletin for August 23

“Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil and hold on to what is good.” Romans 12:9 (CEB)

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship – Posted on Spill the Beans

In the name of the Lord Jesus, the bread breaker, the light gatherer, and cross carrier, welcome. May the peace of the Lord Jesus, the peace maker, and the temple disturber, friend of the sinner, and companion on the road, be with us all. Let us draw close to the Lord Jesus, the Savior, the healer, the teacher; and worship Him, and ask ourselves who do we say He is?

*Hymn: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” #127

*Prayer (based on Romans 6:12-23)

Almighty God, by Your Holy Spirit, You have made us one with Your saints in heaven and on earth: Help us to see Your presence burning in the hearts of others; grant that we may be united in a fellowship of love and prayer; give us the courage to pick up our cross and respond to the needs of the world; give us the stamina to follow You, to be Your hands and heart in the world; enable us to witness to Your grace and mercy. We pray all this through the love of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

*Gloria Patri #70  

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer                                               

*Doxology #95  

*Offering Prayer

Gospel Lesson: John 14:1-14

Hymn: “It Is Well with My Soul,” #377 (Chosen by Sid Troutner)

Gospel Lesson: John 14:15-27  

Sermon: “How is it with your soul?”

*Hymn: “God Will Take Care of You,” #133

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

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

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

The United Women in Faith and you

You don't have to figure everything out.

You just have to take the next step.

Whether you are:

learning

leading

serving

There is a place for you in this formation.

Start where you are.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

But in this may we rejoice, that we are in the hand of a God who never did, nor ever can exert his power in an act of oppression, injustice, or cruelty! ... We may rejoice that Almighty Goodness "will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape [that we may be able to bear it.]"

- Susanna Wesley (letter to "Jacky," dated June 8, 1725)

Church called to ‘rise up’ amid loneliness, AI

The United Methodist Church could be an antidote to the loneliness that blankets a world ironically more connected than ever through technology.

Charting the denomination’s future begins with the new vision statement introduced by the Council of Bishops and Connectional Table in May, said speakers at the SCD 2026 — RISE UP: Love, Serve, Lead conference, held Aug. 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus.

The Rev. Theon Johnson III, senior pastor at Campbell United Methodist Church in Campbell, California, spoke on courageous leadership.

“We are living in remarkable times, are we not?” Johnson said. “Times marked by rapid technological innovation. Times marked by deep political polarization. Times of profound loneliness.

Read more at this link.

Scripture lessons for August 23

We will continue the summer worship series next Sunday with “It Is Well with My Soul,” #377, chosen by Sid Troutner.

Our scripture lessons will come to us from John 14:1-14 and John 14:15-27.

Today at Glenville UMC

 
Joys

+ Thanks be to God for the gift of laughter. (And thanks, Sid, for the joke you told!)

+ Praise God for our visitors, Jared and Jed P.

+ Thankful for the church family’s participation in yesterday’s Glenville Days’ parade.

+ The church family is thankful that Sandy D. is helping with Dale’s cats while he is away.

+ Praise God for people who helped orchestrated the “Veterans Stand Down” yesterday at the Armory in Albert Lea.

+ Praise God for the gift of Nancy B. whose birthday was last week.

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Kraig S. who served as usher today.

Concerns

+ Praying for traveling mercies for those apart from us.

+ Praying for Dale S. who just moved to Owatonna. (He loves the prayer shawl that Shelley made for him.)

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges.

+ Praying that God gives the strength and courage caregivers need while caring for their loved ones.

+ Praying for all impacted by extreme weather conditions.

+ Praying for all who are impacted directly and indirectly by conflict in the world.

+ Praying for peace.

Bulletin for August 16

Grand Teton National Park

“All the nations that You’ve made will come and bow down before You, Lord; they will glorify Your name!”   – Psalm 68:35 (CEB)

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship (by Joanna Harader on Spacious Faith)

Holy One, as we gather this morning to worship you, may we speak truth, so that our words may give grace to those who hear. May we pray in faith, so that our words may give grace to those who hear. May we sing with joy, so that our words may give grace to those who hear. May we listen with open minds and receptive hearts, so that Your words may give grace to us who hear. Amen.

*Hymn: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee," #452

Prayer: O God our Father, we thank You that today You have called us to worship You and learn of You. You alone know our needs. Satisfy them with Your unchanging love. In Your presence may we find comfort in sorrow, guidance in perplexity, strength to meet temptation, grace to overcome the fascination of disobedience, and courage to face up to the hostility of this rebellious world. Above all, may we meet Jesus and go out from our worship indwelt by His spirit. This prayer we ask to Your glory and in His name. 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

Gospel Lesson: John 3:16-21

Hymn: “Amazing Grace,” #378 (Chosen by Donna Delger)

Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 2:1-9

Sermon: “What’s so amazing about grace?”

*Hymn: “Victory in Jesus," #370

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

 

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

*Please rise in body or in spirit.

Glenville Days Parade

 

Korla & Kraig lead the way

All aboard!

Gloria, Pastor Charles, & Korla are ready

Kellen, Dawn, & Tim enjoy the parade

The annual Glenville Days Parade took place this morning and our church was one of the entries in this wonderful event.

Thanks to Bob & Korla S., Kraig & Korla S., Linda B., Pastor Charles, Harper R., Tammy T. (Gloria's sister), and Connie T. (friend of Bob & Gloria) for being part of our efforts.

Happy birthday, Freeborn Garretson!

"'Do you know what a saint is? A saint is one who is wholly given up to God.' The voice is so real as if someone is talking to me face to face. The question stirs my heart."

~ Freeborn Garretson

(Learn more here)

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Rev. Samuel Annesley

Daniel Defoe, the writer best known for Robinson Crusoe, was a parishioner and friend of the well-known and respected Puritan minister Samuel Annesley (Susanna Wesley's father). Upon Annesley’s death, he penned these lovely words—

The sacred bow he so divinely drew,

That every shot both hit and overthrew;

His native candour and familiar style,

Which do so often his hearers' hours beguile,

Charmed us with godliness, and while he spake,

We loved the doctrine for the speaker's sake.

Scripture lessons for August 16

Cornfield west of Glenville

We will continue the summer worship series next Sunday with “Amazing Grace,” #378, chosen by Donna Delger.

Our scripture lessons come to us from John 3:16-21 and Ephesians 2:1-9.

Rainy Sunday in Glenville

The Lord is present in our worship

Mike, Bob, and Sid keep the meeting moving along

We were actually having a lot of fun this morning!

Joys:
+Rita W. was blessed to see Karnella S. with her family at the fair this week.
+Shelley G. shares that her granddaughter is safely in her new dwelling in Colorado.
+Sid T. gives thanks for the fun time he had volunteering at the Haunted House at the fair.
+Kraig S. feels blessed to having woken up seven days in a row!
+Bob & Gloria S. are happy have had time to spend with family this week at Gull Lake.
+Pastor Charles is happy to share that he received two blue and one white ribbon at the fair in the Fine Arts department.
+Pastor Charles gives thanks to the veterans who volunteered at the Veteran's Building at the county fair. A special shout-out to Sid T. and Bob & Gloria S.!

+We give thanks for Renea H. offering beautiful music, for Kraig S. as usher, for Korla S. providing Ad Board refreshments, and Shelley G. being today's scripture reader.

Concerns:
+Continued prayers for Dale S.
+Pastor Charles asked for prayers for Belinda A. who is under the weather.
+Belinda A. asks for prayers for the family of Judy C. during this tender time.

Bulletin for August 9

"Give praise to God’s Holy name! 

Let the hearts rejoice of all those seeking the Lord!”   

 – Psalm 105:3 (CEB)

Prelude Music

Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship

Sisters and brothers, let us rejoice in the vision of John: I saw a new heaven and a new earth! The old heaven and the old earth and the sea had disappeared. Then I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven, beautiful as a bride adorned for her husband. A great voice thundered from heaven: “See, God is making God’s home with mortals! God will live with them. They will be God’s people. God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain. All of this – gone forever.

*Hymn: “How Firm a Foundation," #529

*Prayer (by Dan Schifeling and posted on the WorshipCalls blog)

“Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:16b-17

This is Your garden, Creator God a thing of beauty beyond understanding, a poem that is being written not in words, but in colors, wind’s whisper, soaring bird, snowdrop’s petal, gentle rain, sunlight’s warmth. This is Your garden, Creator God, a thing of beauty beyond understanding. Amen.

*Gloria Patri:  #70    

*Passing the Peace of Christ

Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer                                              

*Doxology: #95                                             

*Offering Prayer

First Lesson: Genesis 2:4b-15  

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

 Hymn: “I Come to the Garden Alone," #314 (chosen by Karnella Schwierjohann)

Second Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-11                                            

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

Sermon: “What grows in your garden?"

*Hymn: “Only Trust Him," #337

*Benediction

*Choral Amen

Postlude Music

 

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

*Please rise in body or in spirit.