Wednesday with the Wesleys

The alteration of your temper has occasioned me much speculation. I, who am apt to be sanguine, hope it may proceed from the operations of God‘s Holy Spirit, that by taking away your relish of sensual enjoyment, he may prepare and dispose your mind for a more serious and close application to things of a more sublime and spiritual nature.

If it be so, happy are you if you cherish those dispositions and now, in good earnest, resolve to make religion the business of your life; for, after all, that is the one thing that strictly speaking is necessary, and all things else are comparatively little to the purposes of life. I heartily wish you would now enter upon a serious examination of yourself, that you may know whether you have a reasonable expectation of salvation; that is, whether you are in a state of faith and repentance or not, which you know are the conditions of the gospel covenant on our part. If you are, the satisfaction of knowing it would abundantly reward your pains; if not, you will find a more reasonable occasion for tears that can be met with in a tragedy.

- Susanna Annesley Wesley (letter to John, February 23, 1725)

Scripture lessons for October 25

We are closing in on the end of another month and with it, 

we turn to lessons from Acts 10:44-48 and Matthew 22:34-46.

Today at Glenville UMC

Pastor Appreciation Sunday

68 years of bliss!

Belinda's birthday month!

Fellowship time is wonderful at Glenville UMC!

Linda B. shares a poem for the Alkulas

Joys

Thanks be to God for …

+ Roy & Nancy B. celebrate their 68th anniversary today!

+ Belinda A. gives thanks for the $400 donated so far by the congregation toward the Backpack program at Glenville-Emmons Elementary.

+ Shelley G. is joyful that she was able to enjoy her granddaughter's concert from Colorado State University via a recording.

+ Kellan K. is enjoying time with family in Wisconsin.

+ Kraig S. is thankful for a positive visit to the dentist last week.

+ Pastor Charles is thankful for the good experience at the candidate forum last Thursday in Albert Lea.

+ Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H., and for Roy and Nancy B. who served as ushers today.

Concerns

+ Bob S. asks for prayers for Gloria.

+ Praying for traveling mercies for those apart from us.

+ Korla K. lifts up her sister, Kay, who is having health issues. 

+ Nancy B. asks for prayers for her sister, Rosie, who is having health issues.

+ Korla S. asks for prayers for Dex and Jan whose son, Mark, died recently.

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

+ Praying for peace.

Bulletin for October 18

“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 (Posted on The Hidden Keys)

The words God speaks are the life and sustenance of all that exists. The life Jesus gives is the re-creation and renewed birth of all that is broken and worn. The Spirit’s stirring in our souls is the inspiration for creativity, compassion, joy, and community. Life-giving, life-restoring, life-fulfilling God; may our whole lives be worship. In all things, may we seek to connect with and to reflect Your love and Your hope.

*Hymn: “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me," #361

Prayer: (Christine Lockhurst, re:worship)

Faithful God, we come into Your presence with thanksgiving, deeply grateful for the unfailing love and faithfulness You have shown toward us, Your people. When we call out to You, You answer. When we are exhausted, You give us the strength to go on. When we find ourselves in trouble, You are there, standing beside us. And so, we come before You in gratitude and praise, offering You the worship of our hearts and lives. Open our eyes to see and know You here among us; open our ears to recognize Your voice. And then send us out from here, to live and work in the world as Your faithful disciples. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. 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

First Lesson: Psalm 99

Hymn: “Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain,” #315  

Second Lesson: Acts 10:34-43

Sermon: “Testify!" 

*Hymn: “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior," #351

*Benediction 

*Choral Amen

Postlude

Save the Date! 2026 Advent Study with Bishop Lanette

Save the date for this beloved tradition: The 2026 Advent Study with Bishop Lanette Plambeck! This is a unique study written by Bishop Lanette Plambeck. United Methodists across the Dakotas and Minnesota are invited. All are welcome! Hundreds of people participate in this study every year, and it is a wonderful time of connection and conversation as we prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas. Mark your calendar and encourage others to join you.

When: Mondays, 7:00-8:15 p.m., Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, & Dec. 21

Discussions will be held via Zoom. Registration and more details will be available in coming weeks.

Read more at this link.

Today in Methodist History!

Prayer on board the Symonds

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.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

God hardly gives His Spirit even to those whom He has established in grace, if they do not pray for it on all occasions, not only once, but many times.

God does nothing but in answer to prayer; and even they who have been converted to God, without praying for it themselves (which is exceeding rare), were not without the prayers of others. Every new victory which a soul gains is the effect of a new prayer.

On every occasion of uneasiness, we should retire to prayer, that we may give place to the grace and light of God, and then form our resolutions, without being in any pain about what success they may have.

In the greatest temptations, a single look to Christ, and the barely pronouncing His name, suffices to overcome the wicked one, so it be done with confidence and calmness of spirit.

God’s command to “pray without ceasing” [1 Thessalonians 5:17] is founded on the necessity we have of His grace to preserve the life of God in the soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air.

Whether we think of or speak to God, whether we act or suffer for Him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than His love, and the desire of pleasing Him.

All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by His own choice.

Prayer continues in the desire of the heart, though the understanding be employed on outward things. In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is a continual prayer.

As the furious hate which the devil bears us is termed the roaring of a lion

[1 Peter 5:8], so our vehement love may be termed crying after God.

God only requires of His adult children that their hearts be truly purified, and that they offer Him continually the wishes and vows that naturally spring from perfect love. For these desires, being the genuine fruits of love, are the most perfect prayers that can spring from it.

- John Wesley (A Plain Account of Christian Perfection)