WJ Bishops share pastoral message after historic General Conference

Ten Western Jurisdiction bishops (five active, five retired) share a reflection on the historic results of the postponed 2020 General Conference that recently concluded after meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, from April 23-May 3, 2024.

Grounded in the Biblical story of God’s people returning from the Babylonian diaspora (Ezra 3:10-13), the message honors the long struggle, perseverance, and longing of so many for a United Methodist Church that makes room at the table for all. In celebration for the work accomplish they offer their gratitude to delegates across the church who did their work with a spirit of collaboration and grace, and they call us all to seize this moment to become the Church that loves without limits!

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A written transcript is also available here.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

 

Monday: 

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Tuesday: 

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Wednesday:

9:00 AM, Wednesday Weeders 

10:00 AM, Zoom Fellowship

10:00 AM, Circuit meeting (Pastor)

7:30 PM, Choir practice

Thursday: Ascension Day

9:00 AM, Office Hours 

Saturday:   

6:00 AM, BBKC Prayer Time

8:00 AM, Fellowship Breakfast

9:00 AM, Yoga class  

Sixth Sunday of Easter / Mother's Day

8:30 AM, Bells

8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship 

11:15 AM, Fellowship 

12:30 PM, BBKC 

Scripture lessons for May 12

Next Sunday we will celebrate Ascension Sunday with lessons from Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-11.

May 5 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

 Joys:

+     Bren Smith gives thanks for the expressions of love and support she has recieved.

+    Belinda Alkula celebrates today on what would have been her mother's 96th birthday.          

+    Tim Cook gives thanks for work of The United Methodist Church General Conference which concluded its historic gathering in Charlotte, NC last Friday.   

+   Suzanne Polacek is thankful for those who came out to help for yesterday's Trustees workday. We even had folk from the Beautiful Korean Church on-hand!

+     Claudia Mills gives thanks for her healing and the coming move with David to a new home.

+     Molly Nunnery shares that Braydon has arrived at his overseas duty station.

+   Sally Owen is thankful for her recovery.

+    We give thanks for this week's birthday: Jim McKnight. 

+    We give thanks for those participating today: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (videographer), Tim Cook (class), Terri Himes (greeter), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Heyji Miranda (piano), Suzanne Polacek (bells), Ron Revier (choir), Joey Vander Vorste (flowers & fellowship), Jim Vander Vorste (greeter).

Concerns:

+    Healing prayers are sought for Dan & Bets D. as they are back home after a hospital stay.

+     Scott Glancy lifts up Kami B. who is recovering from health issues.

+    Myrle Myers asks for continued prayers for Jerry C. as he works through his rehab.

+    Angela Baker asks for prayer for George as he recovers at home.

+    Myrle Myers lifts up her sister, Patty, as she goes through medical treatments.

+    We lift up The United Methodist Church and all who call it home as together we enter into this new era of our common life as a community of faith.

+   We pray for peace in a world where violence is too often the first resort. We offer prayer especially for the people of Gaza and Israel, Ukraine and Russia, and those in Sudan experencing strife and famine.

May 5 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+    Breakfast Fellowship will meet on Saturday, May 11, at 8:00 a.m. at Le Peep (next to McGuckin’s Hardware). No reservations necessary. All are welcome!

+Sew What will meet on Friday, May 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Sandy Bainbridge’s home. Please R.S.V.P. by May 14. Sandy plans to provide an egg-dish brunch menu. If folks’ dietary restrictions/preferences necessitate other options, they are welcome to bring their own food/preferred drinks.

+    May 19 will be Music Appreciation Sunday.  

+    Rhythms of Giving fundraiser @ Louisville UMC (741 Jefferson Ave, Louisville), May 19, 3:00-5:30 PM.

May 5 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Greetings from Sammy

Flowers from Joey Vander Vorste

Heyji offers the postlude

Fellowship time conversation

Sharing time together

Sixth Sunday of Easter

(Link to today's video)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word.” —Acts 10:44

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Hyeji Miranda

*Call to Worship (Psalm 30:4, 5b, 11, 12)...Rebecca Glancy 

Sing praises to God, you faithful, give thanks to God’s holy name! Weeping may linger for a night, but joy comes in the morning. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. He had the last laugh on the devil when He rose from the dead. You turn our weeping to dancing, God; You remove the garments of mourning and clothe us in gladness. May we praise You and not be silent! We will give thanks to You, O God, forever.                                             —Touch Holiness, Ruth Duck & Miren Tirabassi, eds

*Hymn...“I Come With Joy” (UMH #617)

Litany of Praise (inspired by Psalm 98)...Rebecca Glancy 

You raise Your hand and gently begin the concerto of creation: birds carry the melody while stars keep the beat; mountains dance in merriment and little children clap their hands with joy. Love’s Composer, our new songs are lifted to You. The old, old song is made new in our hearts: Christ is Risen! Sing Alleluia! You invite us to sing to a world deafened by despair and haunted by the tunes of fear. Lord of the Dance, our new songs are lifted to You. Believing we cannot carry a tune, we hesitate to join in the chorus of praise sung by all creation. So, You softly and gently hum the melody in our hearts until they burst with You, raising a rousing chorus of Amazing Grace. Music-making Spirit, our new songs are lifted to You. Every song, old and new, is offered to You, God in Community, Holy in One.         — Rev. Thom Shuman, posted on Lectionary Liturgies

Epistle Lesson: 1 John 5:1-6...Rebecca Glancy

Choral Anthem...“Celtic Communion,” arranged by Mark Hayes

Community prayer concerns and celebrations

Pastoral Prayer...Pastor Charles

Gospel Lesson: John 15:9-17...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “To live in Love’s embrace”

Communion / The Lord’s Prayer (UMH p.13)

*Hymn...“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (UMH #89)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Hyeji Miranda

Wrap-up Video: General Conference 2020

While many recognize General Conference primarily as a legislative body, it encompasses so much more.

This brief video captures the rich tapestry of our postponed 2020 General Conference, held from April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. From pivotal legislation to vibrant celebrations and worship services, gain a comprehensive view of the events that shape our worldwide gathering.

Catch up on all that happpened at the historic postponed 2020 General Conference at this link.