Memorial Day Prayer

Arlington National Cemetery   

Gracious God, on this Memorial Day weekend, we remember and give thanks for those who have given their lives in the service of our country. When the need was greatest, they stepped forward and did their duty to defend the freedoms that we enjoy, and to win the same for others.

O God, you yourself have taught us that no love is greater than that which gives itself for another. These honored dead gave the most precious gift they had, life itself, for loved ones and neighbors, for comrades and country - and for us.

Help us to honor their memory by caring for the family members they have left behind, by ensuring that their wounded comrades are properly cared for, by being watchful caretakers of the freedoms for which they gave their lives, and by demanding that no other young men and women follow them to a soldier's grave unless the reason is worthy and the cause is just.

Holy One, help us to remember that freedom is not free. There are times when its cost is, indeed, dear. Never let us forget those who paid so terrible a price to ensure that freedom would be our legacy.

Though their names may fade with the passing of generations, may we never forget what they have done. Help us to be worthy of their sacrifice,

O God, help us to be worthy.

- J. Veltri, S.J.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

 

Monday: Memorial Day

Wednesday:

9:00 AM, Board of Ordained Ministry (pastor)

9:00 AM, Wednesday Weeding 

10:00 AM, Virtual Coffee/Tea Gathering

Thursday:

10:00 AM, Boulder/Baseline Circuit (pastor)

Friday:

9:00 AM, Mountain Sky Conference Clergy Session (pastor)

Saturday: 

5:00 PM, Facebook Live with Bishop Oliveto

Second Sunday after Pentecost

10:00 AM, Virtual Worship

Scripture lessons for June 6

We begin June with two lessons from the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and Mark 3:20-35.

May 30 @ St. Paul's UMC: Trinity Sunday - Prayers

 Joys

+Dennis & Marcia H. are thankful to celebrate their 62nd anniversary this week.

+Belinda A. is thankful to connect with a high school friend last week.

+Dennis & Marcia H. are thankful for the visit from family.

+We are blessed with birthdays this week: Jessica B., Wally C., & Diana M.

+We were blessed this morning through the musical ministries of Alpha & Omega (hymns), Lorie C. (piano), Hannah G. (piano), and Chris W. (piano). We were also blessed by Belinda A. (video), Tim C. (liturgist), and Scott G. (slides).

Concerns

+Angela B. asks for prayers for her son, Charles, as he recovers from surgery.

+We lift up Johanna L. whose beloved cat, Sophie, died this past week.

+Michelle M. asks for prayers for Claudia M. as she drives her granddaughters home in inclement weather.

+We join with the people around the United States in mourning the 358 people killed in gun violence in the past seven days.

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

Trinity Sunday @ St. Paul;s UMC: Announcements

+Please consider giving to the vital work of The UMC in the arena of justice today on Peace with Justice Sunday at this link.  

+The General Commission on Religion and Race is launching a podcast! Join them on June 1 for the first episode of Expanding the Table, a new resource that will help equip you to dismantle racism in your life and in our world. Visit this link to find out more.

+Please join us each Wednesday @ 10:00 AM for an informal get-together via Zoom.

+The Ladies Lunch Bunch meets on Thursday, 11:45 AM, at Murphy's in Louisville. Let Joan C. know by Wednesday if you can make it.

+Bishop Oliveto shares a brief devotional live at 5:00 PM on the Mountain Sky Conference Facebook page.

Trinity Sunday @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Pater et filius et spiritus sanctus

(the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit)

Trinity Sunday

Today’s Meditation Verse: “All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters.” – Romans 8:14

Welcome—Pastor Charles

Prelude: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” — Alpha & Omega

 

Call to Worship (Wellspring Liturgy)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Tim C. (People)

Leader: Lord God, Creator of all; You created us to be Your People; a people free to love and to serve You with all our minds, with all our hearts and with all our strength.

People: So, we come to worship our God, leaving behind all that binds us: our doubts and our fears; our darkness and our hopelessness.

Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of all: You came as a child, gathered into the loving embrace of a family. As an adult, You shared love, laughter, and tears with those whom You knew as friends and the love of the Father with all who would receive it.

People: So, we come to love and to honor You, celebrating the companionship of those You have called to be Your disciples.

Leader: Gracious Spirit, Inspirer of all; brooding over us gathered here; eternally breathing Life into all of creation; endlessly giving, endlessly comforting.

People: So, we come to be still in Your presence; to hear in the silence the whisper of God breathing life into our souls; deepening our unity in the very life of God.

 

Hymn: “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” Verses 1 & 2 — Alpha & Omega and Chris W.

Nicene Creed—Tim C.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles

First Lesson: Isaiah 6:1-8—Tim C.

Musical Offering: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus/Lead Me to Calvary/Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata” — Lorie C.

                  

Gospel Lesson: John 3:1-17—Pastor Charles

Sermon: “Is eternal life enough?”—Pastor Charles

Hymn: “Freely, Freely” Verses 1 & 2 — Alpha & Omega and Chris W.

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Postlude: “Jesus, Name Above All Names” — Hannah G.

Hymn for Trinity Sunday

St. Etheldreda's Church - London

Charles Wesley, A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists, 1780

Triumph, happy soul, to whom God the heavenly secret tells, Father, Son, and Spirit come, One in Three Himself reveals! What from man thou could'st not know, Thou art truly taught of God, When He doth the faith bestow, Wash thee in thy Saviour's blood. 

Fully certified thou art By that sacred blood applied, He who dwells within thy heart, God, the great Jehovah died: Now, and not 'till now thou knowst (Myst'ry learnt by faith alone) Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, God in Persons Three is One. 

God in Persons Three, appear God to every troubled breast, Show Thyself the Comforter, Be the weary sinner's rest: Stranger to Thy people's peace, Burthen'd with our sins we groan; Come, that all our griefs may cease, Take possession of Thy own. 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Heal thy creature's misery; Thee, the Pearl which Adam lost, Give us to recover Thee, Give us in pure love renew'd Higher by our fall to rise, Image of the Tri-une God, House of One who fills the skies.

Peace with Justice Sunday is tomorrow

2016 Book of Resolutions, #6139

Background: From Despair to Hope

Today our world is facing crises on an unprecedented scale: war, genocide, poverty, hunger, disease, and global warming. Saddened by the state of the world, overwhelmed by the scope of these problems, and anxious about the future, we believe God calls us and equips us to respond.

Harsh economic conditions have made it impossible for the world’s poor to break the ongoing cycle of despair and exploitation. The disparity between rich and poor has grown. Global financial improvement has not affected many of those living on the margins of society.

Ongoing wars and intractable conflicts and political strife and repressive conditions have led to the disregard for international law and the breakdown of international cooperation. Human rights continue to be violated and disregarded. These and related changes taking place in our global community diminish our hope for potential future reductions in military expenditures. Global military spending, totaling $1.75 trillion in 2013 (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Yearbook), drains resources of money and talent that might be used for meeting urgent social needs, long-term sustainable social and human development, and protecting God’s creation.

Read more at this link.

For more information and a chance to donate, click here.

Remember to sign up for Devoted with PRIDE!

June is celebrated as Pride month for the 2SLGBTQ+community and their allies (Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual & other sexually & gender diverse identities). Celebrate pride this year through daily devotions created by clergy and laity throughout the Mountain Sky Conference and beyond! “Devoted with PRIDE,” these devotions offer a rich diversity of perspectives for how our faith can call us into a better understanding of ourselves and into better allyship and relationship with 2SLGBTQ+ folks in our midst.

You can register at this link to receive these devotions in your e-mail inbox throughout the month of June. These devotions will also be included on the Mountain Sky Ministry Crossroads as a Workshop. After joining the network (which you can do so here at this link. You can join the “Devoted with PRIDE June 2021” workshop to interact with others as you engage with each daily devotion.

There will be a community debrief session hosted by Court VonLindern on June 27th at 7pm MST on Zoom. Details will be emailed closer to the event date. Contact Court VonLindern at nextgen@mtnskyumc.org with any questions.

New Podcast from GCORR

“Expanding the Table,” a new video podcast series from the General Commission on Religion and Race, will debut on Tuesday, June 1. Series guests will focus on how individual Christians and church-based entities can and should engage the work of racial justice-making and anti-racism.

Visit this link to find out more.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

UMCOR response in East Congo

After the eruption of Mt. Nyiragongo, we offer prayers of protection for the people of East Congo. We pray for those whose homes have been threatened and destroyed by lava flows and for those forced to flee to surrounding communities and countries. We pray for the families of those who have lost their life.

UMCOR is working with the disaster management office of the East Congo Episcopal Area and has awarded a solidarity grant to support the immediate needs caused by the volcanic eruption.

Give to international disaster response at this link.

Vital Conversations: Researching Right-Sizing the Church

When: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 @11:30 AM

Join Vital Conversations about right-sizing our churches considering our budgets, staff, and buildings. As we begin to exit the pandemic, we are facing a new reality that will include some amazing gains but also significant losses. How do we make adjustments to address our new normal? We will talk about some best practices for budgeting as well as what we are seeing within our conference. 

Register here for Vital Conversations

Aldersgate Day 2021

Many have experienced a moment when the Spirit of God came upon them in a powerful way. For some, it happened on a retreat as a youth, or a mission trip later in life. Others had an experience during a Sunday morning worship service or a Wednesday night Bible study. Some have felt Christ especially present while praying from the top of a mountain or crying out over the sound of crashing waves while standing on a beach. 

Whatever the circumstances, these moments can be life changing. We look back upon them as times of conversion, renewal, and revelation. We may feel called to do something, experience healing and wholeness, or receive peace about a decision.

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, rather famously had a Holy Spirit moment often referred to as his "Aldersgate experience." Wesley records in his journal what happened on May 24, 1738:

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading [Martin] Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

Read more at this link.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Monday: Aldersgate Day

Wednesday:

9:00 AM, Wednesday Weeding 

10:00 AM, Virtual Coffee/Tea Gathering

Saturday: 

5:00 PM, Facebook Live with Bishop Oliveto

Trinity Sunday

10:00 AM, Virtual Worship

Scripture lessons for Trinity Sunday

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
 Washington, DC

Next Sunday, we come to what is perhaps the most unique expression of the Christian faith: The Trinity. Join us in preparing for worship with lessons from Isaiah 6:1-8 and John 3:1-17.

Pentecost @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys

+Pat & Bob M. celebrate their 62nd anniversary today!

Rebecca G. gives thanks for her sister's healing and continued treatment in Costa Rica.

+We celebrate all those graduating from school this month including Dennis/Marcia H.'s grandson, Brandon (Niwot), Myrle M.'s granddaughter, Renee (Broomfield), Bob & Pat M.'s grandson, Joe (Monarch).

Sally O. lifts up granddaughter, Jesse, who is going into middle school next year.

Sabrina B. gives thanks for her cousin's wedding this week.

Louise C. gives thanks for the visit with family in Iowa and Illinois.

+Skippy gives thanks for the visit of her son/daughter-in-law.

+Belinda gives thanks for the wedding Pastor Charles officiated at yesterday.

+We give thanks for the Wednesday Weeders who work hard to make our building look nice for the community.

+We give thanks for the birthday this week: Jerry C., Lorie C., Doris S., and Donna W.

+We are blessed this morning through the musical ministries of Alpha & Omega (hymns), Hannah G. (piano), and Chris W. (piano). We were also blessed by Belinda A. (video), Tim C. (liturgist), and Scott G. (slides).

Concerns

+We lift up in our prayers the family of Linda Bryant who died last week.

+Lorie C. asks continued prayers for the family of Jim Benson.

+Angela B. asks for prayers for her son Charles' upcoming surgery.

+Please keep our brothers and sisters in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in your prayers following the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano. 

+We pray for peace in Middle East.

+We join with the people around the United States in mourning the 406 people killed in gun violence in the past seven days.

+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.

Pentecost @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

Veni Sancte Spiritus by Pastor Charles

+You are invited to join us for our weekly informal get-together via Zoom. Contact the church office for login information.

+Join the fun at St. Paul's UMC each Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM as volunteers gather to pull weeds! No skill necessary, work is available for all abilities!

+New! Make your donations to St. Paul’s UMC safely and securely online at https://stpaulschurch.breezechms.com/give/online or via text at 720-740-3664. You may also send gifts and tithes directly to Martha B.

+Join Vital Conversations about right-sizing our churches considering our budgets, staff, and buildings. As we begin to exit the pandemic, we are facing a new reality that will include some amazing gains but also significant losses. How do we make adjustments to address our new normal? We will talk about some best practices for budgeting as well as what we are seeing within our conference. Register for Vital Conversations.

+Racism towards Asians and Asian Americans has been a part of American history. As with many, the history has been hidden. If you have not reached out to an Asian sibling, reach out, ‘turn towards’ them. ‘Turn towards’ me. ‘Turn towards’ us. Let us all ‘turn towards’ one another. Register at this link.

+Celebrate pride this year through daily devotions created by clergy and laity throughout the Mountain Sky Conference and beyond! “Devoted with PRIDE,” these devotions offer a rich diversity of perspectives for how our faith can call us into a better understanding of ourselves and into better allyship and relationship with 2SLGBTQ+ folks in our midst. You can register here to receive these devotions in your e-mail inbox throughout the month of June. These devotions will also be included on the Mountain Sky Ministry Crossroads as a Workshop. You can join the “Devoted with PRIDE June 2021” workshop by clicking here to interact with others as you engage with each daily devotion. 

Pentecost @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Flowers from Angela B.

Today’s Meditation Verse: “When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place.”     – Acts 2:1

Welcome — Pastor Charles

Prelude: “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” — Hannah G.

 

Call to Worship (Book of Worship #406)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Tim C. (People)

Leader: And in the last days it shall come to pass, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.... People: And your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old shall dream dreams, and your young will see visions. Leader: When the Day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.   People: And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Leader: And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each of them. People: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

Hymn: “Gift of Love” Verses 1 & 2 led by Alpha & Omega and Chris W.

Hymn for Pentecost (Charles Wesley)—Tim C.

Jesus, we on the Word depend, Spoken by Thee while present here, “The Father in my name shall send The Holy Ghost, the Comforter.” That promise made to Adam’s race, Now, Lord, in us, even us; And give the Spirit of Thy grace, To Teach us all Thy perfect will. That heavenly teacher of mankind, that guide infallible impart, To bring Thy sayings to our mind, And write them on our faithful heart. He only can the words apply through which We endless life possess and Deal to Each his legacy, His Lord’s unutterable peace. That peace of God, that peace of Thine, O might He now to us bring in, And fill our souls with power Divine, And make an end of fear and sin; The length and breadth of love reveal, The height and depth of deity; And all the Sons Of Glory seal, And change, and make us all like Thee!

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles

Epistle Lesson: Romans 8:22-27—Tim C.

Musical Offering: “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” — Hannah G.

                  

Gospel Lesson: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15—Pastor Charles

Sermon: “By any other name”—Pastor Charles

Hymn: “Softly and Tenderly” Verses 1 & 2 led by Alpha & Omega and Chris W.

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Postlude: “Postlude in D” — Hannah G.

New! Make your donation to St. Paul’s safely and securely online. Give via text at 720-740-3664 or go to this link. You can also send gifts and tithes directly to Martha B. at 7025 Pike Ct, Arvada CO 80007. Contributions to the PATH Fund can be marked “PATH Fund” in the memo line.

A Hymn for Pentecost

Basilica of San Marco - Venice, Italy

Come down, O love divine 

(YouTube link)

Charles Wesley, Hymns for Whitsunday, (1746) 

Bianca of Siena, 15th cent.;  trans. Richard F. Littledale 

Come down, O Love divine, seek Thou this soul of mine, and visit it with Thine own ardor glowing; O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing. 

O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn to dust and ashes in its heat consuming; and let Thy glorious lightshine ever on my sight, and clothe me round, the while my path illuming. 

And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, shall far outpass the power of human telling; for none can guess its grace, till Love create a place wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling. 

See you tomorrow!

 St. Paul's UMC meets weekly for worship 

via Zoom at 10:00 AM.

Conversion of Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley had an experience of great spiritual depth and power on this date 3 days before John. Here is his account

I waked in hope and expectation of His coming. At nine my brother and some friends came, and sang an hymn to the Holy Ghost. My comfort and hope were hereby increased. In about half-an-hour they went: I betook myself to prayer; the substance as follows :--

"Oh Jesus, thou hast said, 'I will come unto you ; 'thou hast said, ' I will send the Comforter unto you ; thou hast said, 'My Father and I will come unto you, and make our abode with you.' Thou art God who canst not lie; I wholly rely upon thy most true promise: accomplish it in thy time and manner." Having said this, I was composing myself to sleep, in quietness and peace, when I heard one come in Mrs. Musgrave, I thought, by the voice) and say, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise, and believe, and thou shalt he healed of all thy infirmities." I wondered how it should enter into her head to speak in that manner. The words struck me to the heart. I sighed, and said within myself, "0 that Christ would but speak thus to me from Christ of my recovery, soul and body. She returned home repeating with all joy and triumph, "I believe, I believe:" yet her heart failed her, and she durst not say the words to me that night.

On Sunday morning she took Mr. Bray aside, burst into tears, and informed him of the matter; objecting she was a poor weak sinful creature, and should she go to a Minister She could not do it; nor rest till she did. He asked whether she had ever found herself so before. "No, never." "Why, then," said he, "go. Remember Jonah. You declare promises, not threatenings. Go in the name of the Lord. Fear not your own weakness. Speak you the words: Christ will do the work. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hath he ordained strength."

They prayed together, and she then went up, but durst not come in till she had prayed again by herself. About six minutes after she had left him, he found and felt, while she was speaking the words, that Christ was with us. I never heard words uttered with like solemnity. The sound of her voice was entirely changed into that of Mrs. Musgrave. (If I can be sure of anything sensible.) I rose and looked into the Scripture. The words that first presented were, "And now, Lord, what is my hope truly my hope is even in thee." I then cast down my eye, and met, "He hath put a new song in my mouth, even a thanksgiving unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall put their trust in the Lord." Afterwards I opened upon Isaiah xl. 1: "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God: speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sin."

I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. My temper for the rest of the day was, mistrust of my own great, but before unknown, weakness. I saw that by faith I stood; by the continual support of faith, which kept me from falling, though of myself I am ever sinking into sin. I went to bed still sensible of my own weakness, (I humbly hope to be more and more so,) yet confident of Christ's protection.

~ Charles Wesley (May 21, 1738)