Devotional for March 31

Coptic cross (brass)

 

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, because His mercy endures forever. 

Let Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”

 Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” 

Let those who fear the Lord say, “His mercy endures forever.”

—Psalm 118:1-4 (Modern English Version) 

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 “Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.”

 Mother Teresa

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Luke in 40 Days: Luke 17:1-37

Future of Methodism webinar

 

Devotional for March 30

Life of Jesus cross on wood

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. ... Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? ... But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”

—Luke 18:1, 6, 8 (The Message)

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“When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so that I can see that person as God does, and then enter into the stream of love that God already directs toward that person.”

Philip Yancey

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Luke in 40 Days: Luke 16:1-31

234th Annniversary of the death of Charles Wesley

During his adult life, Charles traveled, preached, wrote poetry and hymns, saw to the work of the Methodist societies, bands, and classes, and remained loyal to the Anglican Church until his death. He argued against John’s path of increasing separation from the Church of England that included ordaining ministers, sanctioning their offering the sacraments, and scheduling of worship services at the same hour as local Anglican churches.

He wrote more than 6,500 texts, including the poems and hymns. His range of poetic meters demanded the composition of new tunes and rhythms. His use of Scripture in his texts is unprecedented, with only the books of Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, and Third John not used. The brothers published sixty-four collections of hymns between 1738 and 1785, many of which consisted of only Charles’ texts.

Wesley died on March 29, 1788 in Marylebone, London, England; his final hymn was dictated to his wife on his deathbed:

In age and feebleness extreme,

Who shall a helpless worm redeem?

Jesus, my only hope Thou art,

Strength of my failing flesh and heart,

O, could I catch a smile from Thee

And drop into eternity!

He was buried in the Marylebone Parish Church, London, an Anglican church. He did not wish to be buried in unconsecrated, Methodist ground; his gravestone reads:

HERE LIE

THE REMAINS OF

THE REV.

CHARLES WESLEY, M.A.

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE

THE 29TH MARCH 1788

AGED 80 YEARS.

WITH POVERTY OF SPIRIT BLESSED

REST HAPPY SAINT IN JESUS REST.

A SINNER SAVED THROUGH GRACE FORGIVEN

REDEEMED FROM EARTH TO REIGN IN HEAVEN.

AND LABOURS OF UNWEARIED LOVE

BY THEE FORGOT ARE CROWN’D ABOVE

CROWN’D THROUGH THE MERCY OF THY LORD

WITH A FREE FULL IMMENSE REWARD.

Devotional for March 29

Decorated cross

Then Jesus told them, “Truly, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this Mount of Olives, ‘Move over into the ocean,’ and it will. You can get anything—anything you ask for in prayer—if you believe.”

—Matthew 21:21-22 (Living Bible)

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“Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, and understanding.”

Alice Walker 

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Luke in 40 Days: Luke 15:1-32

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Monday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

Tuesday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

Wednesday:

10:00, Wednesday Zoom Fellowship

7:30 PM, Choir practice

Thursday:

Wired Word email

9:00 AM, Office hours

7:00 PM, God: Stories book discussion group

Saturday:

5:00 PM, Bishop Oliveto on Facebook

7:00 PM, Benefit for Ukraine concert @ Arvada UMC

Sunday: Fifth Sunday in Lent

10:15 AM, Worship

11:15 AM, Fellowship time

12:30 PM, BBKC

5:30 PM, Just Love Lenten webinar

Scripture lessons for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Soichi Wantanabe, Mary Washes Jesus’ Feet

We begin the fourth month of 2022 with lessons from Philippians 3:4b-14 and John 12:1-8.

Devotional for March 28

Jerusalem Cross

Because of this also we, from the day we heard about it, did not cease praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual insight, so that you may live in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good deed and increasing in the knowledge of God, enabled with all power, according to his  glorious might, for all steadfastness and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light. 

— Colossians 1:9-12 (Lexham English Bible)

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“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.”

 

Corrie ten Boom

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Luke in 40 Days: Luke 14:1-35

March 27 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+Louise Cook gives thanks for the first responders and all who are working to keep us safe.

+Belinda gives thanks for the wonderful gathering yesterday at Wesley Foundation at CU with J.J. Warren.

+We give thanks today for this week's birthdays: Alex Muckle.

+We give thanks for Belinda Alkula (Powerpoint), Ben Glancy (Liturgist), Scott Glancy (Slides)

Concerns:

+We lift up those impacted by the NCAR Fire this weekend.

+Brenda Smith asks for prayers for her sister, Lydia, who is having surgery this week.

+We lift up Amy A. who is having surgery this week.

+Sandi Cook asks for prayers for her cousin, Kathy G., who is having health concerns.

+Sandi Cook asks for continued prayers for her mom's continued recovery.

+We continue to offer prayers for the people of Ukraine.

+We offer prayers for those facing the ever-present pandemic and the worrying numbers for our county.

March 27 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

Sunday fellowship resumes on April 3! Volunteers are needed. Talk with Pat Cleaveland to sign up or see the sign-up sheet on the usher's table.

Updated 2022 directories are available at the back of the sanctuary.

A memorial service for Skippy Rollins will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's. All are welcome. We will also livestream the service via Zoom.

A memorial service for Harry Owen will be April 11 at 10am at Fort Logan National Cemetery. There will be a celebration afterwards at the Arvada American Legion.

Mountain Sky Conference United Methodist Women (UMW) Spiritual Life Retreat titled "Where Will You Flourish in this Foolish World?" will be offered on Friday, April 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and continue on Saturday, April 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Study leaders Dr. Tim and Shirley Roehl invite you on a virtual journey of discovery to find a path you can follow in our foolish world...a path to nourish your heart. To register, visit this link. For more information, contact Belinda Alkula.

Wednesday morning fellowship via Zoom continues every week at 10:00 a.m. Join us here.

United for Ukraine: Benefit Concert, Saturday, April 2 @7:00 PM - Arvada UMC (6750 Carr St., Arvada). Donation Link

March 27 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Sacré Cœur Basilica - Paray-le-Monial, France

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Today’s Meditation Verse: “You who are righteous, rejoice in the Lord and be glad!” —Psalm 32:11a (CEB)

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude: "Abide with Me," arranged by Jonathan Lee. Pianist, Suzanne Polacek.

Call to Worship (Psalm 32:3-4, CEB)...Ben Glancy

Leader: Send Your light and truth—those will guide me! Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place.

People: Let me come to God’s altar—let me come to God, my joy, my delight—then I will give You thanks with the lyre, God, my God!

Hymn...“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” (UMH #121)

Confession and Pardon (UMC Book of Worship #478)...Ben Glancy

Holy and awesome God, we stand in Your presence filled with regret for our many sins and failings. Though there is greatness in us, and a deep longing for goodness, we have often denied our better selves and refused to hear Your voice calling us to rise to the full height of our humanity. For there is weakness in us, as well as strength. At times we choose to walk in darkness, our vision obscured. We do not care to look within, and we are unwilling to look beyond at those who need our help. O God, we are too weak to walk unaided. Be with as a strong and wise friend and teach us to walk by the light of your truth.

The Lord God is merciful and gracious, endlessly patient, loving, and true, showing mercy to thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and granting pardon. Amen.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles

Gospel Lesson: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-20a...Ben Glancy

Anthem: “My Shepherd Will Supply My Needs” -- The Chancel Choir, September 29, 2019

Gospel Lesson: Luke 15:20b-32...Pastor Charles

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Hymn: "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" - Pianist, Lori Courier and Song Leader, Dr. Bob Muckle

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “Lurking in the shadows”

Recognition of District Quiet Disciple...Pastor Charles

Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

Postlude... Alpha & Omega's musical offering "May the Lord Watch Over You“ – January 31, 2021

(Photo: Return of the Prodigal Son - Sacré Cœur Basilica, Paray-le-Monial, France)

Devotional for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Nativity cross from Cokesbury

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

— Numbers 6:24-26  (King James Version)

 ~ ~ ~

“We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results.” 

R.A. Torrey

 

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Luke in 40 Days: Rest

This morning at Wesley Foundation

The Wesley Foundation at CU was the site this morning of a presentation by J.J. Warren. Sponsored by First UMC, this gathering was delayed since 2020 due to the pandemic. It was a special chance to come together to hear about the future of Methodism - today!

Worship will be online tomorrow

Due to the NCAR Fire and the evacuation of the south Boulder area surrounding the church, tomorrow's worship service will be via Zoom only.

Join us Sunday at 10:15 a.m. for worship --https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88674546062...

Preview Sunday's bulletin here -- https://drive.google.com/.../1lELH4rEsNSPom5PIvUT1gL.../view

UMCOR Sunday is tomorrow

On March 27, help strengthen The United Methodist Church’s global humanitarian response. Support relief and recovery from disasters and extend welcome and care for the displaced.

Learn more at this link.

Make a gift through our local church, either in person or online, by designating it for “UMCOR Sunday.” Give directly to the denomination-wide UMCOR Sunday Special Offering here through the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). 

Devotional for March 26

UMC cross on pine wood

 

Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. … Brethren, pray for us.  

—  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 25 (Jubilee Bible) 

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“Prayer brings to us blessings which we need, and which only God can give, and which prayer can alone convey to us… Prayer is simply asking God to do for us what he has promised us he    will do if we ask him.”

 

Gerhard Tersteegen

 

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Luke in 40 Days: Luke 13:1-35

Reclaiming Church event

Reconciling Ministries at First United Methodist Church - Boulder invites you to mark your calendars for its upcoming 25th anniversary celebration with special guest J.J. Warren!

Saturday, March 26: Conversation/Panel with J.J. at CU - Boulder’s Wesley Foundation (1290 Folsom St., Boulder) at 10:00 AM - Noon.

Sunday, March 27: J.J. Warren is the Guest Preacher in the 10:30 AM service at First UMC.

Devotional for March 25

Cross made at church camp with clothespins

It was in those days that he went up the hill-side to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he summoned his disciples to him and out of them he chose twelve whom he called apostles. They were Simon (whom he called Peter), Andrew, his brother, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon, called the patriot, Judas, the son of James and   Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him. 

—Luke 6:12-16 (J.B. Phillips New Testament) 

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“Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the goal of all peacemaking.”

 

Henri Nouwen

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 Luke in 40 Days: Luke 12:33-59

Mountain Sky Conference United Women in Faith Spiritual Life Retreat

"Where Will You Flourish in this Foolish World?" 

Dates and Times: 

Friday, April 1, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm // Saturday, April 2, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm 

Study Leaders: Dr. Tim and Shirley Roehl Join on a virtual (Zoom) journey of discovery to find a path you can follow in our foolish world. 

A path where you best fit and flourish. 

A path where you make a difference in the lives of others.

A path to clarity when God guides your direction and destiny.

A path blending seven ways of looking at your life. A path to nourish your heart. 

Online Registration Form

Devotional for March 24

Ceramic cross

 
Jesus told his disciples, “Have faith in God!  I tell all of you with certainty, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ if he doesn’t doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.  That is why I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

— Mark 11:22-24 (International Standard Version)

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“Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails.”

 Watchman Nee

 

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Luke in 40 Days: Luke 12:1-32

UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery

Join us in prayer for communities in Texas affected by both devastating wildfires and tornadoes, and for those in Louisiana in the aftermath of sudden tornadoes. UMCOR is supporting the efforts of conference disaster response coordinators and is providing funding for emergency relief.

Make a gift to U.S. disaster response and recovery at this link.

Devotional for March 23

Magnifying glass cross

 
We have a great high priest who has gone into heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us hold on to the faith we have. For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Let us, then, feel free to come before God’s throne. Here there is grace. And we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it.

 — Hebrews 4:14-16  (International Children’s Bible)

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“A simple grateful thought turned heavenwards  is the most perfect prayer.”

 Doris Lessing

 

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Luke in 40 Days: Luke 11:29-54