EFAA does Easter

Judy W. helps out with the donations.

St. Paul's UMC members stepped up in a big way in response to a call for Easter treats to be given out this coming weekend by the folk at EFAA.

Stations of the Cross on Friday

Sadao Watanabe

Pastor Charles invites you to a Facebook Live event on Good Friday at noon with a reading of the Scriptural Stations of the Cross. Details will be available on our Facebook page, @boulderstpauls.

"The Scriptural Stations of the Cross are based on those celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday 1991. They are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations and as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion."  Read more at this link.

Wednesay with the Wesleys

 

Devotional for Wednesday in Holy Week

Today's cross: A traditional mosaic cross from Ravenna, Italy, 

bought by the Alkulas there in 2006.

 Mark 14:1-11

Charles Wesley

COME holy celestial Dove,
To visit a sorrowful breast,
My burden of guilt to remove,
And bring me assurance and rest.
Thou only hast power to relieve
A sinner o'’rwhelm’d with his load;
The sense of acceptance to give,
And sprinkle his heart with the blood!

With me if of old thou hast strove,
And strangely withheld from my sin,
And tried, by the lure of thy love,
My worthless affections to win;
The work of thy mercy revive,
Thy uttermost mercy exert,
And kindly continue to strive,
And hold, till I yield thee my heart.

Thy call if I ever have known,
And sighed from myself to get free;
And groaned the unspeakable groan,
And longed to be happy in thee;
Fulfil the imperfect desire;
Thy peace to my conscience reveal,
The sense of thy favour inspire,
And give me my pardon to feel.

IF WHEN I had put these to grief,
And madly to folly return’d,
Thy pity hath been my relief,
And lifted me up as I mourn’d;
Most pitiful Spirit of grace,
Relieve me again, and restore:
My spirit in holiness raise,

To fall and to suffer no more.

If now I lament after God,
And gasp for a drop of thy love;
If Jesus hath bought thee with blood,
For me to receive from above;
Come, heavenly Comforter, come
True witness of mercy divine,
And make me thy permanent home,
And seal me eternally thine

Have you scheduled your donation?

 

Devotional for Tuesday in Holy Week

Today's cross: A crochet cross found at 

First UMC - Iraan, Texas.

Mark 11:20-13:37

Charles Wesley, 1762

WOULD Jesus have the sinner die?
Why hangs he then on yonder tree?
What means that strange expiring cry?
(Sinners, he prays for you and me;)
"Forgive them, Father, O forgive,
They know not that by me they live!”

Jesus descended from above,
Our loss of Eden to retrieve;
Great God of universal love,
If all the world through thee may live,
In us a quickening spirit be,
And witness thou hast died for me!

Thou loving, all-atoning Lamb,
Thee by thy painful agony,
Thy bloody sweat, thy grief and shame;
Thy cross and passion on the tree,
Thy precious death and life - I pray,
Take all, take all my sins away!

O let me kiss thy bleeding feet,
And bathe and wash them with my tears;
The story of thy love repeat
In every drooping sinner’s ears:
That all may hear the quickening sound;
Since I, even I, have mercy found.

O let thy love my heart constrain,
Thy love for every sinner free,
That every fallen soul of man
May taste the grace that found out me,
That all mankind with me may prove
Thy sovereign everlasting love.

Request for prayer

From Nancy H., a dear friend of Belinda A. (Nancy has participated in several Zoom events with St. Paul's):

Both of our communities have now been affected by gun violence. Fortunately, mine not to the extent of yours, but nonetheless tragic. Friday, a local sheriff, a native Groesbeckian [Groesbeck, Texas], was critically shot (once in the head and once in the abdomen-through the windshield) when stopping to help a disabled vehicle. The assailant, after running for about 30 hours, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Our sheriff is the father of a 15-yr. son (whose rabbit was auctioned yesterday at our county fair for $7000), 7-year old darling girl twins, and a 2-month girl. Please add Chad Walker to your prayer list and your church’s list as well. 

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

 HOLY WEEK 

Wednesday: 

10:00 am, Virtual Coffee/Tea 

7:15 pm, Virtual Philosophy of Religion discussion group

Holy Thursday

7:00 pm, Virtual Maundy Thursday service

Good Friday

Noon, Scriptural Stations of the Cross 

Saturday:

5:00 pm, Facebook Live with Bishop Oliveto

Easter Sunday 

10:00 am, Virtual Worship 

Devotional for Monday in Holy Week

Today's cross: A Jerusalem cross made from 

olive wood in Bethlehem.

Mark 11:12-19

Charles Wesley, 1742

AH! Whither should I go

Burdened, and sick, and faint?

To whom should I my trouble show,

Or pour out my complaint?

The Savior bids me come;

Ah! Why do I delay?

He calls the weary sinner home;

And yet from him I stay.

What is it keeps me back,

From which I cannot part?

Which will not let my Savior take

Possession of my heart?

Some cursed thing unknown

Must surely lurk within;

Some idol which I will not own,

Some secret, bosom sin.

Jesus, the hind’rance show,

Which I have feared to see;

Yet let me now consent to know

What keeps me out of thee!

Searcher of hearts, in mine

Thy trying power display;

Into its darkest corners shine,

And take the veil away!

I now believe in thee

Compassion reigns alone:

According to my faith, to me

           O let it be, Lord, be done!           

In me is all the bar,

Which thou wouldst fain remove; 

Remove it, and I shall declare

That God is only love.

March 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+We give thanks for the safety of Cathy A., Don F., and Sandra J. who were present at the shooting at King Soopers last Monday. We also give thanks for the safety of Ben H. who was present with the SWAT team.

+Belinda A. gives thanks for Michele M. and Mountain View UMC's UMW unit for the prayer shawls that were delivered last week to Cathy A., Don F., Sandra J., and Claudia's friend, Ellen M., whose husband died at King Soopers on Monday.

+Amy A. celebrates the engagement of her eldest son, Cole.

+Rebecca G. is thankful that her sister, Ginny, has taken her last chemo and the progress of her treatment is going well.

+Katherine R. is thankful that Sydney is getting her vaccine this week.

+Belinda A. is blessed to have participated in Bishop Oliveto's Saturday Night Facebook Live with a report of how our community is doing following the events of last Monday.

+We give thanks for the birthday this week: Alexandra M.

+We are blessed this morning through the musical ministries of Don B. (song leader), Louise C. (piano), Alpha & Omega, and the Chancel Choir. We were also blessed by Belinda A. (video), Amy A. (liturgist), and Scott G. (slides).

Concerns:

+We ask prayers for Doris S. following the death of Ed last Sunday.

+We join with the Boulder community in mourning the deaths of Tralona Bartkowiak (49), Suzanne Fountain (59), Teri Leiker (51), Kevin Mahoney (61), Lynn Murray (62), Rikki Olds (25), Denny Strong (20), Neven Stanisic (23), Eric Talley (51), and Jodi Waters (65).   

+Claudia M. lifts up her friend, Ellen M., following the death of her husband, Kevin.

+Dotty L. said she was praying from Denver for her friends at St. Paul's UMC following Monday's event. 

+Sandi C. asks for prayers for Billy who is having health concerns.

+Pastor Charles asks for prayers for those in Alabama and Georgia following the tornadoes last week.

+Jessica B. asks prayers for her Uncle Jeff whose mother died this morning.

+Diane M. asks prayers for the students of CU-Boulder who are struggling in response to Monday's tragedy.

+We remember those facing a Covid-19 related illness, those supporting them, and those who are providing treatment. 

+We ask prayers for those facing economic uncertainty in the face of the ongoing pandemic. 

March 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+The weekly virtual coffee/tea informal gathering is held each Wednesday @ 10:00 AM.

+Bishop Oliveto shares with the Mountain Sky Conference in her weekly devotional offered each Saturday at 5:00 pm on Facebook Live.

+Virtual Maundy Thursday service will be offered this Thursday at 7:00 pm. Come and join the celebration of the Lord's Supper as we remember the Night of Love. Please share this with your friends, relatives, and neighbors. Zoom information will be sent with this week's News You Can Use.

+Pastor Charles will lead a reading of the Scriptural Stations of the Cross on Facebook Live. This will also be recorded and shared on this blog and on our YouTube channel.

+Easter Sunday at St. Paul's UMC - we'll celebrate our second virtual Easter next week with festive music, readings, and more!

+Blood Drive @ St. Paul's UMC, April 14, 2:00 - 6:00 PM. Sign up at www.donors.vitalant.org, use code 10397.

+Please remember to send your gifts and offerings to support the ongoing ministries of St. Paul's UMC to Martha B.

March 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Dominica Palmarum (Palm Sunday)

 Palm/Passion Sunday

Today’s Meditation Verse “Cast your burden on the Lord, and God will sustain you.”          – Psalm 58:22a

Welcome —Pastor Charles                                                                                                   

Prelude — “Palm Sunday Hosanna” — arr. Joel Raney

Call to Worship—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Amy A.(People)                      

In the midst of life, we are in death; from whom can we seek help? (ninth century) Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)      ©1992, The United Methodist Publishing House

Hymn: “I Come to the Garden Alone”         — Louise C. and Tim C.

Prayer of Hope                                              — Amy A.         

Almighty God, in Your keeping there is shelter from the storm, and in Your mercy there is comfort for the sorrows of life. Hear now our prayer for those who mourn and are heavy laden. Give to them strength to bear and do Your will. Lighten their darkness with Your love. Enable them to see beyond the things of this mortal world the promise of the eternal. Help them to know that Your care enfolds all Your people, that You are our refuge and strength, and that underneath are Your everlasting arms. Amen.    ©1992, The United Methodist Publishing House

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations – Pastor Charles    

Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Charles

Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 1:3-9                         — Amy A.

Musical offering: “A Time for all Things”   —Chancel Choir (October 27, 2019)

Gospel Lesson: John 12:24-26                      —Pastor Charles                                          

Sermon: “Hanging in the balance”              —Pastor Charles        

Hymn: “Hymn of Promise”                           —Jubilate Ringers (February 16, 2020)

Words for the Journey                                 —Pastor Charles

Postlude “His Eye is on the Sparrow”         — Louise C. and Tim C.

Devotional for Palm Sunday

Today's cross: A safety pin/bead craft cross from the 

craft bazaar at Sierra Vista UMC - San Angelo, Texas.

Mark 11:1-11

Samuel Sebastian Wesley (son of Charles Wesley)

O LOVE divine, how sweet thou art!

When shall I find my willing heart,

All taken up by thee?

I thirst, I faint, I die to prove

The greatness of redeeming love,

The love of Christ to me!

Stronger His love than death or hell,

Its reaches are unsearchable;

The first-born sons of light

Desire in vain its depths to see;

They cannot reach the mystery,

The length, and breadth, and height.

God only knows the love of God;

O that it now were shed abroad

In this poor stony heart!

For love I sigh, for love I pine;

This only portion, Lord, be mine!

Be mine this better part!

O that I could forever sit

With Mary at the Master’s feet!

Be this my happy choice;

My only care, delight, and bliss,

My joy, my heaven on earth, be this

To hear the Bridegroom’s voice.

O that I could, with favored John,

Recline my weary head upon

The dear Redeemer’s breast:

From care, and sin, and sorrow free,

Give me, O Lord, to find in thee

My everlasting rest!

Devotional for March 27

 Today's cross: A pewter cross resting on Delabole Slate 

from St. Endellion Church, Cornwall.

Anonymous

YET must I, Lord, to thee complain,

The world hath made thy offer vain;

Too busy or too happy they,
All taken up by thee?
They will not, Lord, thy call obey.,

 

“Go, then,” my injur’d Master said,
“Since these on all my mercies tread,
“Invite the rich and great no more,
“But preach my Gospel to the poor.

“Confer not thou with flesh and blood,
“Go quickly forth, invite the crowd:
“Search every lane, and every street,
“And bring in all the souls you meet.”

Sinner, my gracious Lord receives
Harlots, and publicans, and thieves,
Drunkards, and all ye wicked crew,
I have a message now for you.

Ye vagrant souls, on you I call,
O that my voice could reach you all!
Ye all are freely justified,
Ye all may live, for Christ hath died.

Ye who believe his record true,
Shall sup with him, and he with you;
Come to the feast, be sav’d from sin,
For Jesus waits to take you in.

Just Love Lenten Series

Immigration "Shoebox Stories" presented by Motus Theater. Bishop Karen Oliveto and Superintendent Jeff Rainwater will read Cristian Solano-Córdova’s story.

Sunday, March 28, 5:30pm - 6:45pm

Visit this link to register.

Devotional for March 26

Today's cross: Made on the Island of Murano 

and bought by the Alkulas in Venice, Italy in 2006.

Charles Wesley, 1740 

JESUS, lover of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high;

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,

Till the storm of life is past

Safe into the haven guide,

Oh, receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on thee;

Leave, ah! leave me not alone,

Still support and comfort me!

All my trust on thee is stay’d,

All my help from thee I bring;

Cover my defenseless head

With the shadow of thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,

More than all in thee I find,

Raise the fall’n, cheer the faint,

Heal the sick, and lead the blind.

Just and holy is thy name;

I am all unrighteousness;

False, and full of sin I am,

Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with thee is found,

Grace to cover all my sin:

Let the healing streams abound;

Make and keep me pure within;

Thou of life the fountain art;

Freely let me take of thee:

Spring thou up within my heart;

Rise to all eternity!

Book of Resolutions: Our Call to End Gun Violence

Jesus' call to His followers to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) is tied to intimate relationship with God, and echoes God's dreams for peace for all of creation as expressed in Micah 4:1-4:

"In days to come, / the mountain of the LORD's house / shall be established as the highest of the mountains, / and shall be raised up above the hills. / Peoples shall stream to it, / and many nations shall come and say: / 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, / to the house of the God of Jacob; / that he may teach us his ways / and that we may walk in his paths.' / For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, / and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. / He shall judge between many peoples, / and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; / they shall beat their swords into plowshares, / and their spears into pruning hooks; / nation shall not lift up sword against nation, / neither shall they learn war any more; / but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, / and no one shall make them afraid; / for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken." (NRSV)

Micah's prophetic dream points to a time when all peoples will journey to God's presence so God "...may teach us God's ways and that we may walk in God's paths" (4:2). Micah describes God as the final judge and the nations will travel to God's presence out of their desire to live in peace without violence and bloodshed.

Read more from the 2016 Book of Resolutions at this link.

Devotional for March 25

 

Today's cross: Pewter Chi Rho cross given to confirmation class 

by Pastor Charles at First UMC - Sidney, Nebraska in 2009.

Charles Wesley

JESUS, if still thou art to-day
As yesterday the same,
Present to heal, in me display
The virtue of thy name.

If still thou go’st about to do
Thy needy creatures good:
On me, that I thy praise may show,
Be all thy wonders show’d.

Now, Lord, to whom for help I call,
Thy miracles repeat;
With pitying eyes behold me fall
A leper at thy feet.

Loathsome, and foul, and self-abhor’d,
I sink beneath my sin;
But if thou wilt, a gracious word
Of thine can make me clean.

Thou seest me deaf to thy commands,
Open, O Lord, my ear;
Bid me stretch out my wither’d hands,
And lift them up in prayer.

Silent (alas! thou know’st how long)
My voice, I cannot raise;
But O! when thou shalt loose my tongue
The dub shall sing thy praise.

Lame at the pool I still am found:
Give, and my strength employ;
Light as a hart I then shall bound,
The lame shall leap for joy.

Blind from my birth to guilt and thee;
And dark I am within;
The love of God I cannot see,
The sinfulness of sin.

But thou, they say, art passing by,
O let me find thee near!
Jesus, in mercy, hear my cry,
Thou Son of David, hear!

Long have I waited in the way,
For thee the heavenly light;
Command me to be brought, and say,
“Sinner, receive thy sight.”

Support following Monday's shooting

Supporting Our Community

Our hearts are with the victims of the recent tragedy in Boulder and with their loved ones. We are sending you all love, strength, and compassion. Below are local events and resources available to our community.

EVENTS

Grief Processing Sessions

To all those impacted by the events of March 22, we are with you. We open our hearts and gather in community support. The following support groups, led by trained facilitators, hosted by Heartlight Center and TRU Community Care, are open to the community:

• Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 9:00 a.m.
  Facilitator: Jenn Flaum, Heartlight Center
  https://zoom.us/j/98183820908?pwd=NW1XUmNKT1N1V09XY2YxWW9aamMrZz09
• Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 1:30 p.m.
  Facilitator: Sandra Hammond, Heartlight Center
  https://zoom.us/j/96374418383?pwd=SnBLZWJTOURZMnlMTDRxcDk0NHVUdz09
• Thursday, March 25, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
  Facilitator: Les McCarroll, Heartlight Center
  https://zoom.us/j/96340664625?pwd=cWFnZjQyc201K0Z3RHRRMmZtU0NFdz09
• Friday, March 26, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
  Facilitator: Jenn Flaum, Heartlight Center
  https://zoom.us/j/97855228435?pwd=K0tuQnU4NlZIS3A3YlFJZ2xrejBUUT09
• Saturday, March 27, 2021, 9:00 a.m.
  Facilitator: Les McCarroll, Heartlight Center
  https://zoom.us/j/96709652615?pwd=SEdhd2t1Wnp1U0N2SkJxL3pMZExBZz09

Devotional for March 24

Today's cross:

Made from Saguaro Cactus in Prescott, Arizona

Charles Wesley

JESU, if still the same thou art,

If all thy promises are sure,

Set up thy kingdom in my heart,

And make me rich, for I am poor;

To me be all thy treasures given,

The kingdom of an inward heaven.

Thou hast pronounced the mourners blest;

And lo! for thee I ever mourn;

I cannot, no, I will not rest,

Till thou my only rest, return;

Till thou, the Prince of peace appear,

And I receive the Comforter.

Where is the blessedness bestow’d

On all that hunger after thee!

I hunger now, I thirst for God;

See the poor fainting sinner, see;

And satisfy with endless peace,

And fill me with thy righteousness.

Ah, Lord! if thou art in that sigh,

Then hear thyself within me pray

Hear in my heart thy Spirit's cry,

Mark what my lab’ring soul would say:

Answer the deep unutter’d groan,

And show that thou and I are one.

Shine on thy word, dispese the gloom;

Light in thy light I then shall see;

Say to my soul, “Thy light has come

Glory divine is risen on thee;

“Thy warfare’s past, thy mourning’s o’er;

 “Look up, for thou shalt weep no more.”

Lord, I believe the promise sure,

And trust thou wilt not long delay;

Hungry, and sorrowful, and poor,

Upon thy word myself I stay;

Into thine hands my all resign,

And wait till all thou art is mine.