Today’s Meditation Verse: “Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold onto what is good.” --Romans 12:9
Welcome—Pastor Charles
Call to Worship (Psalm 105:4-6a)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Amy A. (People) - (Congregation is encouraged to read people’s response aloud on mute setting)
Leader: Give praise to God’s holy name!
People: Let the hearts rejoice of all those seeking the Lord! Leader: Seek the Lord’s face always! People: Remember the wondrous works God has done, all the Lord’s marvelous works, and the justice God declared.
Set Forth Before Our Eyes (Charles Wesley) – Amy A. (Congregation is encouraged to read aloud on mute setting)
Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles
(Congregation is encouraged to pray The Lord’s Prayer aloud on mute setting)
Epistle Lesson: Romans 12:9-21—Amy A.
Musical Offering: “There is a Fountain” by The Pic and Bow
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 16:21-28—Pastor Charles
Sermon: “How heavy is your cross?”– Pastor Charles
Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles
Postlude - Alpha & Omega video
Reminder: Gifts and tithes can be sent directly to Martha B., contributions to the PATH Fund can be marked “PATH Fund” in the memo line.
What would John Wesley think about how United Methodists should be dealing with critical issues of our time?
It may be a stretch for any of us to pretend to know what a person who died 229 years ago on March 2, 1791, would have to say on contemporary issues of consequence or even believe that Wesley’s posthumous wisdom would be heeded. But I think we can deduce Wesley’s thoughts based on his writings, which include 400 volumes of sermons, notes, commentary, and correspondence. Many of the books written by John Wesley are still available in print. There are also many informative books about Wesley by authors interested in his life.
Under John Wesley’s leadership, Methodism grew from a small group of devoted believers into a global movement for Christ. The clear imprint of John Wesley’s spiritual ideas and personal devotion to the gospel of Jesus is still discernable in the organization, people, and spirit of the Church.
Just as Jews, Muslims, and Christians still honor the wisdom of biblical ancestors and Americans still seek guidance from our national founders, it can be fruitful to approach today’s challenges with advice from Methodism’s visionary founder.
Read more at this link.
Share Bishop Oliveto's Pilgrimage invitation from YouTube
Humankind throughout the ages have taken pilgrimages to sacred sites, often unknown and foreign, to go in search of new or expanded meaning about themselves, others, or a higher good. It can lead to transformation which the pilgrim integrates into their daily life when they return.
Christians, when they were unable to make a pilgrimage to the holy land, even used labyrinths as a pilgrimage tool.
I am inviting all the laity and clergy of the Mountain Sky Conference to join me and others across our area on a pilgrimage. You don’t need to leave home for it. All you need to do is set aside some time each day so that together, we can take a Pilgrimage to the Land of Love.
We stand at an important moment as we are brought to a deeper awareness of the high price of racism. We are seeing the toll it takes on persons of color and how racism defiles the beautiful image of God each person possesses.
As disciples of Jesus, it is time for us to address this, first by beginning with ourselves.
It is written in Psalm 139:
Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong —
then guide me on the road to eternal life.
For me, the imperative to doing an inward inventory of not only the ways I sustain racist systems and structures, but the ways I benefit from them and especially how I, too, am a racist, even unwittingly, is a demand of discipleship: I follow a Jesus who was a boundary crosser, exposing racist, sexist, classist ideologies and commanding us to overturn them by calling us to increase our love of God and neighbor. Not some of our neighbors. But everyone in every place on this earth.
Starting on Sept. 6, when we will all gather as pilgrims, we will journey together each day as we receive text or email messages — one a day — to help us engage more deeply with anti-racism resources in order to see our world in fuller ways.
Undergirded by the power of scripture, we will hear songs of struggle, read prophetic words, and view powerful videos. These will help us broader our worldview as we hear the voices and experiences of others. Together, we will share insights and new learnings and integrate these into our daily walk with Jesus. And then, we will allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit to a Land of Love.
I hope you will join me on this pilgrimage. You can find information for it on the Mountain Sky Conference website. Please sign up by Sept. 4. Invite others to join us by posting on social media. My hope is that every United Methodist in the Mountain Sky Conference will join this pilgrimage/
I look forward to journeying with you!
Bishop Karen
Please join Superintendent Jeff Rainwater next week for Vital Conversations as he welcomes Rev. Dr. Paul Bretz for a discussion about QPR Training (Question, Persuade, Refer), which is focused primarily on suicide prevention, but is relevant to anyone who is concerned about mental health or addiction related issues.
Stay informed on developments from local news sources and read FEMA’s advice on how to prepare now: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
This month as we mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote—a milestone Methodist women helped to achieve—women are again mobilizing to make their voices heard through the franchise. Please join us for a live recording of United Methodist Women’s #FaithTalks podcast on voting and voter suppression on Thursday, August 27 at noon.
The discussion will feature women of faith who are working to ensure that every eligible voter can vote. My guests are Sabrina White of the Baltimore Washington Conference United Methodist Women; the Rev. Traci Blackmon of the United Church of Christ; Liz OuYang, a civil rights attorney and voting rights expert; Bee Moorhead, executive director of Texas impact, a statewide interfaith justice advocacy network; and the Rev. Dr. Brianna K. Parker, the founder and curator of the Black Millennial Café.
"More so than anything else, the Eucharist is what anchors many peoples' life, prayer, and ultimately the way they live their lives. In this deeply personal book, Father Ronald Rolheiser delves into the history and meaning of this sacred tradition, drawing upon the insights of various scripture scholars, theologians, and church teachings. With personal warmth and great insight, he reflects on his own particular Roman Catholic upbringing and the centrality that the Eucharist has within that tradition. At the same time, he looks at other denominations’ traditions around the Eucharist. Our One Great Act of Fidelity is an investigation into the ways people secure their faith and belief and discover true intimacy with God and each other."
- From Fr. Rolheiser's website
Concerns: +Those who are dealing with the impact of the pandemic including those facing health concerns, economic anxiety, or other disruptions of life. +Lifting up in prayers those affected by the pervasive nature of racism in our society. +We pray for those impacted by the fires sweeping across the western states, particularly here in Colorado. +Jerry, a neighbor of Pastor Charles' mom, has health concerns.
Today’s Meditation Verse: “I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord…” – Romans 8:38a
Welcome—Pastor Charles
Call to Worship—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Amy A. (People)
Congregation is encouraged to read people’s response aloud on mute setting
Leader: Sing to the Lord a new song!
People: We sing a song of peace and hope!
Leader: Sing to the Lord a song of strength.
People: Our strength is in the Lord of hosts!
Leader: Sing to the Lord a song of joy!
People: Our song is a song of service and faithfulness.
This is Thy Will, I Know (Charles Wesley) – Amy A.
Congregation is encouraged to read aloud on mute setting
This is Thy will, I know, That I should holy be,
Should let my sins this moment go, This moment turn to Thee.
O might I now embrace Thy all sufficient power,
And nevermore to sin give place, And never grieve Thee more!
Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles
Congregation is encouraged to pray The Lord’s Prayer aloud on mute setting
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 16:13-20—Amy A.
Musical Offering: JO3:16
Epistle Lesson: Romans 12:1-8—Pastor Charles
Sermon: “Make your choice”– Pastor Charles
Celebration of Ministry: Ready to Work 5th Anniversary--Amy A.
Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles
Reminder: Gifts and tithes can be sent directly to Martha B. Contributions to the PATH Fund can be marked “PATH Fund” in the memo line.
Join Safiyah Fosua and Amy Oden in an Online Academy Day Apart that combines historical witness, embodied practice, faithful engagement, and healthy conversation to illumine the path for justice-centered faith communities of the future.
Following the Academy rhythm of praying the hours, the Academy Day Apart includes:
• Pre-retreat reading, viewing, and listening material with journal prompts • Pre-retreat “Creating Sacred Space at Home” guide • Day-of LIVE interactive and embodied teaching with Safiyah Fosua + Amy Oden • Day-of LIVE Academy Worship • Day-of invitations into prolonged silence and prayer • Day-of small group discussion • Day-of free time and breaks • Link to yoga + holy movement practice accessible for all abilities to practice day-of or post-retreat • Post-retreat reading + engagement for going deeper
Space is limited. Apply by September 1, 2020 at https://academy.upperroom.org/event/dayapart/
Rates for participation in the retreat are*:
• $60 full registration rate • $120 full rate + sponsor another participant / • $40 student rate
*The Online Academy Day Apart is valued at $120; however, we’re offering the course at half of that—$60/participant.
A three-session series designed to help church leaders see stewardship and generosity as more than “how do we pay the bills” but rather “how do we grow generous disciples? Moving the focus beyond the church’s need for money to clearly highlight a disciple’s need to experience the joy of a generous life.
In this course you’ll explore foundational concepts that have not always been associated with stewardship in many churches:
You’ll also dive into the Five Key Elements to consider when developing a stewardship strategy for your church.
Each of these Five Key Elements is accompanied by a video segment, along with suggestions for “action steps” and questions for reflection and response.
This teaching series will have an online forum as a place to share your challenges, hopes, and celebrations in ministry.
By the end of this course you will have the tools needed to establish a successful stewardship strategy to create a culture of generosity within your church.
Get started today at this link!
