Wednesday with the Wesleys

In the evening, while I was reading prayers at Snowsfield, I found such light and strength as I never remember to have had before. I saw every thought as well as action or word, just as it was rising in my heart, and whether it was right before God, or tainted with pride or selfishness. "I waked the next morning, by the grace of God, in the same spirit; and about eight, being with two or three that believed in Jesus, I felt such an awe, and tender sense of the presence of God, as greatly confirmed me therein; so that God was before me all day long. I sought and found Him in every place; and could truly say, when I lay down at night, ‘now I have lived a day.'

~ John Wesley (Journal, December 1744)

Scripture lessons for September 14

We reach the midpoint of the month next Sunday with lessons from 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and Luke15:1-10.

Today at Glenville UMC

JOYS

+Congregation thanks God for the gift of Kraig S. and celebrates his birthday this coming week.

+The congregation celebrates the gift of Kraig S.’ ongoing missionary work. Kraig has been wearing colorful Christian bracelets recently. Whenever someone asks about what he is wearing, he has been giving it to them. Thanks be to God for Kraig’s willingness to spread God’s love – one bracelet at a time.

+Belinda A. thanks God for her new job at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

+Pat R. thanks God that Craig’s health is better now.

+Korla S. thanks God for a wonderful day yesterday – enjoying apple-picking day with her family. And on the drive home, she was able to gaze at a beautiful full moon, grateful to God for the gift of being able to witness its beauty.

+Thanks be to God for a loving church family.

+Thanks be to God for laughter in church. As Anne Lamott says, “it is carbonated holiness.”

+Thanks be to God for the lovely cooler weather.

+The congregation is thankful for Bob 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

+Gloria S. invited congregation to pray for Karnella S. as she deals with medical

challenges.

+Nancy B. invites congregation to pray for her family member, Ole, who moved into a nursing home in Lake Mills, Iowa, last Wednesday.

+Bob S. invites congregation to continue to pray for his daughter Sandra’s healing.

+Belinda asks for prayers for Pastor Charles who is mourning the fact that his beloved truck was totaled in a recent accident.

United Women in Faith: Deployment of National Guard Shouldn’t be Embraced

NEW YORK – The nation’s largest denominational organization for women today lamented the administration’s decision to deploy the National Guard to 19 states and the District of Columbia. It also took issue with efforts to forcibly remove encampments for the unhoused. The organization issued the following statement, which can be attributed to Emily Jones, Executive for Racial Justice at United Women in Faith:

“As women of faith, we spend our time thinking about how to put God’s faith, hope, and love in action. In existence for 154 years, our legacy reflects sober-minded, practical, and dependable leadership. We believe we have a responsibility to raise our voices when we believe the rights of innocent people are being trampled.         

“We have grave concerns about the proliferation of a police state as evidenced by the deployment of the National Guard to American cities during times of peace. The National Guard should not be weaponized against its own people. With increased law enforcement presence, we may see more racial profiling, more arrests, and more complaints of police use of excessive force. People of color, persons who are unhoused, immigrants, and persons with mental health conditions are uniquely vulnerable.                                                                               

“At a time of overall angst over the direction of the country, the administration should work to create calm, not pandemonium. It is not acceptable to walk down the street and see men in military fatigues toting deadly weapons. It is not acceptable for military-grade vehicles to roam American streets. The deployment of the National Guard to American cities is deeply troubling, and we are equally alarmed by this administration’s ongoing assault on racial progress, including the executive order reviewing bail reform measures and threatening actions that could disproportionately harm black and brown communities.     

“We want our sisters in faith and the broader community to know that no one should embrace silence in pursuit of peace. Now is the time to raise our voices in dissent, to work together across lines of difference to fight back against the criminalization of communities of color, and to try our best to protect the people most victimized by the current state of affairs.”

The Small Church

Karen Gray shared this poem with Pastor Charles about the blessings offered by the small church.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Searcher of hearts, in ours appear,

And make, and keep them all sincere,

Or draw us burthen’d to thy Son,

Or make him to his mourners known.

Thy promis’d grace vouchsafe to give

As each is able to receive,

The blessed grief to all impart;

Or joy; or purity of heart.

Our helpless unbelief remove,

And melt us by thy pard’ning love,

Work in us faith, or faith’s increase,

The dawning, or the perfect peace.

Give each to thee as seemeth best,

But meet us all at thy own feast,

Thy blessing in thy means convey,

Nor empty send one soul away.

~ Hymns on the Lord's Supper (John/Charles Wesley, 1745)

Labor Day: Dedicated to Fairness and Justice for Workers

Did you know The United Methodist Church has been a part of the labor movement throughout history and is committed to fairness and justice in the workplace?

In the early 20th century, the church was working to end child labor. And in the '50s, during our country's civil rights movement, we were fighting for fair wages and better working conditions. We were dedicated to fairness and justice in the workplace then, and we still are today.

When John Wesley founded the Methodist movement during the 18th century, there was no "labor movement" the way we'd understand it today. But Wesley preached to and cared for coal miners and other oppressed workers. He also opposed slavery. After Wesley died, his followers continued to work against workplace injustices in rapidly industrializing England, adopting the first Social Creed, in 1908, that dealt exclusively with labor practices.

Read more at this link.