Giving Plates are available

Have you ever heard of the Giving Plate? It’s a plate that someone has made that is meant to have no owner. It is filled with a delicious treat and passed along to someone else. They then eat the treats, fill the plate, and pass it to the next person.

Please pick one up at the church and share the love of the season with someone you know or someone you don't!

St. Paul's UMC is ready!

It was a joyous feeling this morning as the Hanging of the greens took place at St. Paul's UMC. Amy Abshire provided the delicious repaste to fortify the workers and then the volunteers set about to transform the church from Ordinary Time to the seasons of Advent/Christmas.

Thanks to the following for coming out on a rather blustery morning: Amy Abshire, Catherine Adams, Belinda & Pastor Charles Alkula, Jackie Bishop, Sabrina & Lila Bishop, Louise Cook, Tim & Sandi Cook, Austin & Joan Cooper, Bobby Dahlstrom, Jim & Saundra Jordan, Suzanne Polacek (with her friend Wanda Hollander & nephew Max Wood), Lydia Robinson, Dennis & Brenda Smith, and Judy Waller  

Chrismons coming on Sunday

Come and begin the Advent season at St. Paul's with the hanging of the Chrismons on the tree in the sanctuary. We'll hear about this tradition and the meaning behind some of the symbols.

Ornaments made from Christian symbols (or Chrismons, a contraction for 'Christ monograms') were first developed by Frances Spencer and the women of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, VA. Many churches display a Chrismon tree during the Advent and Christmas season decorated with handmade ornaments.

Third Annual Mountain Sky Inclusiveness Conference

The Third Annual Mountain Sky Inclusiveness Conference will be held on Dec. 6, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Andrew UMC in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Featured speakers include The Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, the Rev. Dr. Joretta Marshall and Bishop Karen Oliveto. There will be several "focused conversations" offered both in the morning and afternoon led by lay and clergy members of the Mountain Sky Annual Conference.

Some sessions include: 

• Exploring Various Plans Coming Before the 2020 General Conference
• The West and the Rest:  A Report from the Jurisdictional Summit
• Congregations Dealing with the Stress and Storm of Schism
• Helping with the 'Clobber passages' in the Bible

Registration is now available at www.UMARC.org with a complete listing of all the focus conversations.  The cost is $25 per person. 

A unique Advent journey

There is a lot going on during December! Here's an idea that will help you relax, recharge, and renew your sense of what the time of waiting is all about.

Starting on December 1, read one chapter each day from the gospel according to Luke and on Christmas Eve you will have read the entire book and rediscovered the true meaning of the coming of the Messiah into the world.

Thanksgving Hymn

What Shall I Render to My God 
(click on the link to hear the hymn)

By Charles Wesley

What shall I render to my God
For all His mercy’s store?
I’ll take the gifts He hath bestowed,
And humbly ask for more.

The sacred cup of saving grace
I will with thanks receive,
And all His promises embrace,
And to His glory live.

My vows I will to His great name
Before His people pay,
And all I have, and all I am,
Upon His altar lay.

Thy lawful servant, Lord, I owe
To Thee whate’er is mine,
Born in Thy family below,
And by redemption thine.

Thy hands created me, Thy hands
From sin have set me free,
The mercy that hath loosed my bands
Hath bound me fast to Thee.

The God of all redeeming grace
My God I will proclaim,
Offer the sacrifice of praise,
And call upon His name.

Praise Him, ye saints, the God of love,
Who hath my sins forgiven,
Till, gathered to the church above,
We sing the songs of Heaven.

An invitation to an Advent/Christmas journey

There are many memories associated with the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Music plays such a significant part in creating and sustaining those memories that it is difficult to think of the Nativity without a carol or hymn providing the background.

Our devotional has been prepared especially for your use during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Each day during Advent, a reflection, written by a member of St. Paul’s UMC, will speak of the Nativity of Jesus through the words of a well-loved seasonal carol, song, or hymn. Starting on Christmas Day and continuing through the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 5) and on the Day of Epiphany (January 6), Pastor Charles has chosen music from Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914). These are presented to remind us that God’s presence amongst us doesn’t end with the unwrapping of the last present on Christmas Day.

These devotional entries will be available daily online on our Facebook page and on the St. Paul’s UMC blog:  bolderstpauls.blogspot.com. Paper copies are still available in the church office.

In the days and weeks to come, take a moment from your day and consider, “Where do I hear the music of the Nativity today?”

—Pastor Charles

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Here's a quote from John Wesley. If you would like to find out more about the work at the New Room or learn about how you can become a Friend of the New Room, please visit their website: https://bit.ly/2Vl2vNS

Symbols of faith #4

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, made from woven wheat, was bought at the Potter Sundry (home of the Tin Roof Sundae) in Potter, Nebraska in 2008. The skill and patience needed to create this delicate-looking cross is something to be admired!

Hanging of the Greens on Saturday

The annual Hanging of the Greens at St. Paul's UMC will happen on Saturday, November 30, at 9:00 am. A light breakfast will be provided and then the fun begins!

John Wesley's Manifesto

John Wesley's Manifesto – in his own words 1. Be ye ready to distribute to everyone, according to their necessity. 2. Wickedly, devilishly false is that common objection, ‘They are poor only because they are idle…. Find them work…. They will then earn and eat their own bread.’ 3. How many are there in this Christian country that toil, and labor, and sweat… but struggle with weariness and hunger together? Is it not worse for one, after a hard days labour, to come back to a poor, cold, dirty, uncomfortable lodging, and to find there not even the food which is needful to repair his wasted strength? 4. Beware of that common, but accursed, way of making children parrots …. Regard not how much, but how well, to what good purpose, they read…. The end of education ….[is to] help us discover every false judgement of our minds, and to subdue every wrong passion in our hearts… [and] to understand as much as we are able .’ 5. I continue to dream… [of the time when the potential of] each person can be unleashed. 6. Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? 7. May not women as well as men bear an honourable part….yield not to the vile bondage any longer. You, as well as men, are rational creatures. You, like them, were made in the image of God.’ 8. In seeking happiness from riches, you are only striving to drink out of empty cups. And let them be painted and gilded ever so finely, they are empty still’ 9. Let none serve you but by his own act and deed, by his own voluntary action. Away with all whips, all chains, all compulsion! … Do with everyone else as you would he should do to you. 10. War: What farther proof of do we need of the utter degeneracy of all nations from the plainest principles of reason and virtue? Of the absolute want, both of common sense and common humanity, which runs through the whole race of mankind? 11. The world is my parish. 12. Lead us beyond an exclusive concern for the well-being of other human beings to the broader concern for the well-being of the birds in our backyards, the fish in our rivers, and every living creature on the face of the earth.

This week @ St. Paul's

Monday:  
9:00 am, Yoga with Rebecca

Tuesday:
7:00 pm, Insight Meditation

Thursday: Thanksgiving Day

Office closed

Friday:
Office closed

Saturday:
9:00 am, Hanging of the Greens

Sunday: First Sunday of Advent

8:30 am, Hand bell practice

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

Scripture lessons for the First Sunday of Advent

We begin a new church year on the First Sunday of Advent! This year, the majority of the gospel lessons will come from Matthew, with Matthew 24:36-44 being the first reading of the new year.

Christ the King Sunday @ St. Paul's

 

The church year came to a close today with the celebration of Christ the King Sunday. A lot has happened in the life of St. Paul's UMC since this time last year, however, through it all we have known that Christ has been with us! 

This morning's anthem was offered by the Jubilante Ringers, a rendering of "Grace Alone." Today's sermon was taken from Jeremiah 23:5-6 and Psalm 84. 

Thanks this morning to: Angela Baker (Flowers/Liturgist), Jerry Beaber & Austin Cooper (Ushers), Jessica Bishop (Nursery), Wally Cleaveland (Alpha&Omega), Tim Cook (Church school) Jim & Joey Vander Vorste (Counters/Fellowship), Scott Glancy (Church school), Suzanne Polacek (Hand bell choir), and Christopher Wahl (Accompanist).

The Love Wreath is back!

The Love Wreath is hanging at the back of the sanctuary. Please take a card (on which is listed an age group and suggested gifts) and return UNWRAPPED gifts to St. Paul's by December 8. Gifts will be donated to EFAA's holiday gift room for kids and families. They will also accept wrapping paper, bows, and holiday bags. EFAA has requested that not give gift cards. 

Thank you for your continued support.

Prayer for Christ the King Sunday

God of Creation, we come this morning, bringing our humble gifts, celebrating the reign of Christ, our King – not just in the kingdom that is to come, but in His reign in our hearts. What could we withhold from Him, who is our life, our light, and our redemption? More than our money in the plate, help us to give our whole selves, all in for Christ’s ongoing work of compassion and healing. Help us to make our loyalty to His reign known in our giving and also in our living. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. 

(Colossians 1:11-20) -umcdiscipleship.org

Church Conference 2019

Copies are available in the office

Our D.S. leading the proceedings

Judy Waller receives communion

60 UMs from across our district gathered this morning at Mountain View UMC for the annual Boulder/Baseline Circuit conference. Representing St. Paul's were Judy W., Michele M., and Past Charles. We were led in the gathering by our district superintendent, Rev. Dr. Tezenlo Thong.

In a time of Holy Conferencing, we were asked to consider three questions in light of three scripture lessons (Acts 9:26, Acts 15:36-41, and Colossians 4:10). The questions were: How do you think Barnabas and Paul felt about separating? How do you feel about separation within the Methodist movement? What is your grief and loss?

In the business portion of the gathering, each church took formal votes to accept their clergy compensation, Lay Leadership, and membership reports. 

Copies of St. Paul's conference packet will be available at the church tomorrow.

The devotional is ready!

Advent begins on Sunday, December 1, and you are invited to share in the season of anticipation and celebration with a devotional that is compiled from submissions from the St. Paul's UMC family. The theme for this year's devotional is "The music of the Nativity."

Print copies will be available on Sunday, November 24. Entries will be posted here on the blog and on our Facebook page starting on December 1 and continuing to January 6, the Day of Epiphany.

Circuit Conference on Saturday

The annual church conference will be held on Saturday, 10 am - noon at Mountain View UMC, 355 Ponca Place in Boulder. We will be meeting along with other churches from the Boulder / Baseline Circuit.

This annual meeting will consider the pastor's salary, lay leadership for 2020, and the membership report.  

Please make every effort to attend this important gathering.

Mountain Sky Conference Focus Session tomorrow

Focus Sessions are scheduled in churches across the conference in November and December. You are invited to come and share your hopes and dreams for the future of the church. You will also have an opportunity to focus on the pathways to make that future a reality. Your responses will be collected, summarized, and shared with the Bishop, Cabinet, MSC Roundtable, Pathways Team, and entire conference.

Peaks/Pikes Peak: Mountain View UMC

Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday with Wesley

U.S. maternal mortality rate & the UMW

The U.S. maternal mortality rate has been on the rise for three decades. Over 700 women die annually in the United States of complications related to pregnancy and two-thirds of those deaths are preventable. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) black mothers in the United States die at 3 to 4 times the rate of white mothers, which is one of the widest racial disparities in women’s health. Black mothers are also 243% more likely to dies from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes.

United Methodist Women invites you to take action by contacting your legislators on the local and national level to push for support of legislation that will benefit all of our women in the push to end maternal mortality. On the local level, your United Methodist Women units and circles can provide spaces for women to share their maternal stories of complications and joys whey they gave birth or of being born and develop shared experiences in your community.

Read more at this link.