A letter from Bishop Oliveto to the Mountain Sky Conference

As we edge toward a new year and a new decade, I find myself meditating on Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

For myself and other LGBTQ+ United Methodists, we have learned to trust in God above all else. As the New Year rings in even greater restrictions and punishments against God’s LGBTQ+ people within our denomination, we know God’s love and grace cannot be confined by rules. It is God who, in the midst of our denominational crisis, gives us hope and a future.

Read the rest of the letter at this link.

Hymn for Watchnight

Flatiron Mountains and the night sky

One of the distinctive practices that emerged in early Methodism was observing “watchnights.” These were nights when Methodists gathered to devote themselves to prayer, somber reflection, and mutual encouragement to the holy life. The practice was not a creation of the Wesley brothers. It appears to have been birthed among converted coal miners at Kingswood, likely as an alternative to previous attendance at revelries. Read more about Charles Wesley's Watchnight hymns at this link.

Jesus, God of our salvation, Give us eyes thyself to see, Waiting for thy consolation, Longing to believe on thee: Now vouchsafe the sacred power, Now the faith divine impart; Meet us at this solemn hour, Shine in every drooping heart.

Anna-like within the temple, Simeon-like we meekly stay, Daily with thy saints assemble, Nightly for thy coming pray: While our souls are bowed before thee, While we humbly sue for grace, Come, thy people’s light and glory, Show to all thy heavenly face.

If to us thy sacred Spirit Hath the future grace revealed, Let us by thy righteous merit Now receive our pardon sealed: To eternal life appointed, Let us thy salvation see, Now behold the Lord’s anointed, Now obtain our heaven in thee.

Seventh Day of Christmas

"I Saw a Sweet and Silly Sight"

I saw a sweet (and) silly sight,
A blissful bride, a blossom bright
    That mourning made and mirth among.
A maiden mother, meek and mild,
In cradle kept a knavë child
    That softly slept; she sat and sang.

"Lullay, lullow, lully, lullay, lully, lully, lully, lully, lully,
    Lullow, lully, lullay, baw, baw,
    My bairn, sleep softly now."

Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century.  Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 59.

Scripture lessons for January 5

Three Kings (wood carving) - Oberammergau, Germany

The scripture lessons for the first Sunday of 2020, Epiphany of the Lord Sunday, come from Ephesians 1:3-14 and Jeremiah 31:7-14.                 

Sixth Day of Christmas

This is blog post #300!

"Now Is Well and All Things Aright"

1. Now is well and all things aright,

And Christ is come as a true knight;
For our Brother is King of might,
    The fiend to fleme and all his.
Thus the fiend is put to flight,
    And all his boast abated is.

2. Sithen it is, well (must) we do,
For there is none but one of two,
Heaven to get or heaven forego,
    Other mean none there is;
I counsel you, since it is so,
    That you well do to win you bliss.

3. Now is well and all is well,
    And right well, so have I bliss;
And sithen all things are so well,
    I rede we do no more amiss.

Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 172-3.

This week @ St. Paul's

Monday:
9:00 am, Yoga with Rebecca

Wednesday: New Year's Day

Office closed 

Saturday:
10:00 am, Safe Committee @ Morning Glory Café (Lafayette)

Sunday: Epiphany Sunday

8:45 am, Church school

10:15 am, Worship
12:30 pm, Beautiful Boulder Korean Church

The Sunday after

Claudia shares the day's message

The Sunday after Christmas, the final Sunday of the calendar year, is often called a "low Sunday" since attendance is markedly lower than in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Here at St. Paul's, this Sunday is a celebration of all that is what these days after Christmas are all about. Claudia Mills led the worship service and gave the morning's message.

Thanks this morning to: Jerry Beaber, Austin Cooper, & Sandra Jordan (Ushers), Wally Cleaveland (saxophone), Louise Cook (Fellowship), Tim Cook (Church school/trombone), Scott Glancy (Youth class), Rebecca Glancy (Liturgist), Christopher Wahl (Accompanist).

Fifth Day of Christmas

"Make we mery, bothe more and lasse"

Make we mery, bothe more and lasse

For now ys the tyme of Crystymas

1. Let no man come into this hall,
Groom, page nor yet marshall,
But that some sport he bring withall,
    For now is the time of Christëmas.

2. If that he say he cannot sing,
Some other sport then let him bring,
That it may please at this feasting,
    For now is the time of Christëmas.

3. If he say he can naught do,
Then for my love ask him no mo,
But to the stocks then let him go,
    For now is the time of Christëmas.
 

Words: English Traditional, Before 1536. Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 102-3.

Fourth Day of Christmas

Ivy, chief of trees it is

1. The most worthy she is in town,                                   
He that saith other doth amiss;                                      
And worthy to bear the crown;                                      
Veni coronaberis.

2. Ivy is soft and meek of speech,                             
Against all bale she is bliss;                                           
Well is he that may her reach,                                       
Veni coronaberis.

3. Ivy is green with colour bright,                                     
Of all trees best she is;                                                    
And that I prove well now be right,                                   
Veni coronaberis.

4. Ivy beareth berries black;                                            
God grant us all His bliss,                                                 
For there shall we nothing lack:                                    
Veni coronaberis.

Words and Music: Traditional English - Source: William Henry Husk, Songs of the Nativity (London: John Camden Hotten, 1868); from a manuscript in the 15th Century.

Symbols of faith #6

From time to time a different cross from Pastor Charles' collection, and how it came to be on display at St. Paul's, will be shared.

This cross, was made by Burton Lanehart and presented to Pastor Charles in Iraan, Texas in 2011. Mr. Lanehart was a sailor aboard the USS Ranger in WWII. He began to make crosses after he retired, giving them to members of the First UMC - Iraan. This cross can be seen in the pastor's office.

Third Day of Christmas

"To Thee Now"

To Thee Now,
Christ's Dear Darling
Pray for us to the Prince of peace,                          
Amice Christi, Johannes (John, friend of Christ)

1. To thee now, Christ's dear darling,                               

That wert maiden both old and ying,                                     

My heart is set a song to sing,                                       

Amice Christi, Johannes.

2. For thou wert so clean a maid,                                      

The secrets of heaven were to thee said                            

When on Christ's breast thou wert laid,                      

Amice Christi, Johannes.

3. When Christ before Pilate was brought,                   

Thou, clean of heart, forsook Him nought,                         

To die with Him was all thy thought,                           

Amice Christi, Johannes.

4. Christ's mother thou tookest home with thee                

Maiden, a maiden's friend to be,                                    

Thou be our help, we pray to thee,                                  

Amice Christi, Johannes.

Words: English Traditional, Before 1529 . Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 126.  

Second Day of Christmas

On December 26th the Church remembers St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. 

"Eia, Martyr Stephane"

Eia, Martyr Stephane
Pray for us, we pray to thee.
Eia, Martyr Stephane

To this martyr praise be given,
Qui triumphavit hodie,

And did gain the bliss of heaven,
Dono coelestis gratiae.

Stoned he was with stones great,
Fervore gentis impiae.

Then saw he Christ for thine enemies,
O martyr invictissime!

Then pray for us that high Justice
Ut nos purget a crimine. Amen.

Words: English, 15th Century – Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 122.

The Christmas Conference

Engraving of the ordination of Francis Asbury as bishop

In 1784, John Wesley dispatched Dr. Thomas Coke from England to oversee the founding of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Coke met Francis Asbury at Barratt's Chapel [in Delaware] in November. Plans were quickly made to gather all Methodist preachers together for the Christmas Conference at Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore.

Watch this video on this important moment in our movement's story.

First Day of Christmas (aka, Christmas Day)

During the Twelve Days of Christmas, December 25th – January 5th and the Day of Epiphany, January 6th, 

we will hear from ancient English hymns and carols that speak of the birth of the Messiah and of the joy that is the Christmas season. 

"Good Day, Good Day"  

Good day, good day, My Lord Sir Christëmas, good day!

1. Good day, Sir Christëmas our King, For every man, both old and ying, Is glad of your coming. Good day.

2. Godës Son so much of might From heaven to earth down is light And born is of a maid so bright. Good day.

3. Heaven and earth and also hell And all that ever in them dwell, Of your coming they be full snell. Good day.

4. All manner of mirthës we make, And solace to our heartës take, My seemly lordë for your sake. Good day.

Words: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century - Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 219.

Christmas Eve @ St. Paul's

Christmas Eve is a magical time when all that is good and holy is made present in our world. Tonight's worship was centered around the traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols. This service, originated by Bishop Edward Benson at Truro Cathedral (in Cornwall, UK) in 1880, tells the gospel story using lessons from the Old and New Testaments.

The Anthem Aires provided two selections during the service, "Christmas Lullaby" and "Fall on Your Knees." Lessons were read by Steve & Martha Batch, Josie, Rebecca, & Scott Glancy, Claudia Mills, and Bob Muckle. Pastor Charles shared a reflection following the reading the ninth lesson, John 1:1-14.

Thanks this evening to: Anthem Aires (Martha & Steve Batch, Bob Muckle, Ron Revier, Diane Wheaton, accompanied by Wendy Wheaton), Belinda Alkula (Video),Tim Cook & Billy Cook (Ushers), and Christopher Wahl (Soundboard).

Thank you from Pastor Charles

Thank you for the Christmas bonus I received. Your thoughts, prayers, and gifts/cards this Christmas season are deeply appreciated.

Bishop Karen Oliveto's Christmas message 2019

Christmas greetings from Bishop Karen Oliveto from Mountain Sky Conference | UMC on Vimeo.

Devotional for Christmas Eve

"Still, Still, Still" 
By Georg Goetsch (1895-1956)

“Still, Still, Still” is one of my most cherished Christmas carols. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and especially the holiday season, challenges can include loneliness, “busyness,” financial and physical stress, depression, and feelings of isolation. We run from activity to activity, commitment to commitment, and often forget the blessings and peace from remembering Psalm 46:10 which  says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Can we take time from our busy schedules and listen to the hush of falling snow, know the respite of peaceful sleep, rejoice in the promise of the joyous day to come? Can we be still long enough to feel the guardian angels watching us as we sweetly slumber, knowing that the birth of the Savior will change our sorrow into joy, our fear into hope? If we will only be still and listen . . . Be still and hear . . . Be still and know. I also love “Still, Still, Still” because, in 1966, as we were rehearsing for our Christmas concert, we looked out the window and yes, the gentle snow began to fall.  As our choir sang the beautiful strains of “One can hear the falling snow,” our ensemble was transformed from a bunch of gangly teenagers into a choir of heavenly angels. This gangly teenager felt a peace beyond all understanding and truly realized that “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” This Christmas, may we be still and know. May we be grateful for the blessings and joy that surround us . . . if we will only be still and listen.

—Lorie Courier

Why we do what we do

If you ever wonder why we continue to give towards ministries such as St. Paul's Food Pantry, the Mitten Tree, EFAA, Community Table, the Love Wreath, or the Thanks Giving outreach, please read this article from Sunday's Daily Camera.

A Christmas letter from the Council of Bishops

Submitted by Kenneth H. Carter Jr., President, Council of Bishops, The United Methodist Church

A 2019 Christmas Letter to the People of The United Methodist Church

As we journey through Advent on the way to Christmas, we read and sing Israel’s promises and prophecies. We hear the prophet Isaiah’s invitation: “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). And for many of us, all of this culminates as we stand in the darkness of a sanctuary on Christmas Eve, holding a candle,  and sharing the light of Christ. “The light shines in the darkness,” we proclaim, “and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5).

Read the rest of the letter at this link.

Christmas Eve and you're invited!

Join us at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, for a service of Nine Lessons & Carols as we celebrate through scripture and song, the birth of the Messiah.

The service will be available on our YouTube channel later that evening.

This week @ St. Paul's

Monday:
9:00 am, Yoga with Rebecca 

Tuesday: Office closed 
7:00 pm, Christmas Eve


Wednesday: Christmas Day
Office closed 

Thursday: Office closed

Sunday: 

8:45 am, Church school
10:15 am, Worship
12:30 pm, Beautiful Boulder Korean Church