Wednesday with the Wesleys

What religion do I preach? The religion of love; the law of kindness brought to light by the gospel. What is it good for? To make all who receive it enjoy God and themselves: to make them like God; lovers of all; content in their lives; and crying out at their death, in calm assurance ​‘O grave, where is thy victory! Thanks be unto God, who giveth me the victory, through my Lord Jesus Christ.

~ John Wesley (An Earnest Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion, 19.11.54)

We can make a difference

 

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Wednesday:

10:00 AM, Zoom Fellowship

7:30 PM, Choir Practice

    

Saturday:   

6:00 AM, BBKC Prayer Time

Christ the King Sunday 

8:00 AM, Bell practice

8:45 AM, Study class

10:15 AM, Worship 

11:15 AM, Fellowship

12:30 AM, BBKC 

Scripture lessons for Christ the King Sunday

The church's liturgical year comes to a conclusion next week with the observance of Christ the King Sunday. Our lesson will come to us from Luke 12:13-34.

November 17 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys: 

+Sandy is thankful for her grandson's visit and effort in the kitchen!

+Jim celebrated that today, on the occasion of St. Paul's 60th anniversary, we have one of the charter members worshipping with us -- Valerie Hayne Scott. 

+We celebrated with the family and friends of Jerry Cantril last Thursday at BJ's in Boulder. 

+Pastor Charles & Belinda celebrate that they will close on their new home in Albert Lea, Minnesota this coming Wednesday. 

+We shared in the celebration of life gathering yesterday at Kathy Lloyd's sister's home for her son, Wyatt.  

+Bren Smith and Belinda Alkula went to Mountain View UMC last Tuesday to participate in the packaging of shoebox Christmas gifts for Native American elders in South Dakota. 

+We give thanks for those serving today: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (video), Steve Bainbridge (greeter), Lylah Bishop (acolyte), Tim Cook (class), Kyle Dacon (piano), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), and Suzanne Polacek (bells).

Concerns: 

+Robin asks for prayers for Austin and Joan during Austin's medical treatments.

+Valerie lifted up Cathy who is having health issues.

+Rupali requested continued prayer for the students she works with at Fairview High School.

+Diane asks for prayer for her dad, Jim, as he adjusts to his new surroundings.

+Myrle asks for continued prayers for her arm.

+Sandi shares that her cousin's surgery went well but that he has a long road to recovery.

+We continue to pray for those in the midst of conflict in Ukraine & Russia, Gaza & Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, and wherever else God's people might be in distress.

November 17 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+Hanging of the Greens will be Wednesday, November 27, at 5:00 p.m. Pizza and salad will be provided. Please RSVP to Amy Abshire or Martha Batch if you can attend. We need a head count for ordering pizza. We’re looking forward to a wonderful Advent season!

+The Advent/Christmas devotional will be available in print and on the blog starting December 1. The devotional contains a prayer and a quote for the season and continues through to the Day of Epiphany, January 6.

+Join us for a send-off potluck luncheon after worship on Sunday, December 8. December 8 is Pastor Charles and Belinda’s last Sunday with us before they move to Albert Lea, Minnesota for new ministry opportunities. If you would like, bring a favorite hors d’oeuvre to share. 

November 17 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Autumnal table

The bells offer the anthem

Kyle offers the postlude

Fellowship time

Sammy stops by for a cuddle

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

St. Paul’s UMC 60th Anniversary

(link to today's worship service)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the One who made the promise is reliable.” —Hebrews 10:23 (Common English Bible)

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Kyle Dacon

*Call to Worship (inspired by Hebrews 10:19-22)...Amy Abshire

Leader: We gather together to worship, People: Knowing that God is already here among us; knowing that there is nothing that separates us from the presence of our Lord. Leader: Wherever we are, wherever we go, God is nearby. People: So let us enter into this service of worship with confidence and hope, Leader: Knowing that God is already with us, People: And that God stands eager to meet us and bless us with love.

*Hymn...“Sweet Hour of Prayer” (UMH #496)

Litany for the Church’s Anniversary...Amy Abshire

L: Dear Lord, thank You for drawing us into community in this parish that has been a place called home for so many. P: Inspire us with the lives of those before us, those ancient ones who have lived here in faith and opened and given away Your love to all those who needed it.

L: May You change us with a vision to continue here as a constant presence for those who travel through life, a community of welcome that cares for all our parish, believing into what is still yet to be. P: Teach us to discern Your voice as those before us have discerned Your voice, guided by its call and feeding on its promise of life and hope and belonging.

L: May we hear Your word: a comforting word in its familiar sound, yet a disturbing word in what it speaks anew and longs for us to become. P: Hold us within the faith of our forebears, those who chose to meet You here in this parish, who recognized this thin place as a trysting place where Your miracle of grace abides.

L: May we be moved by that grace into all the places that make up our community, sharing what You have given abundantly like an ever-flowing stream. P: Call us from our past, through the voices of our ancestors, in the songs they have sung and the prayers they have spoken that have shaped peace within this parish, and may we join our voices with their voices, in the one great song of love that will be lived and celebrated yet throughout this parish.

—Rev. Roddy Hamilton, posted on Listening to the Stones. Used by permission.

First Lesson: 1 Samuel 1:4-20...Amy Abshire

Bell Anthem...“Alleluia, Give Thanks,” arranged by Sondra K. Tucker

Community prayer concerns and celebrations / Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles

Second Lesson: 1 Samuel 2:1-10...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “Let’s talk about Samuel”

*Hymn...“I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” (UMH #60)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Kyle Dacon