July 31 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+We give thanks for everyone who contributed to the 812 lbs. that were donated for the EFAA drive.

+We give thanks for those with birthdays this week: Amy Abshire, Sabrina Bishop, Tim Cook, Jennifer McNabb

+We give thanks for those taking part in worship this week: Belinda Alkula (video), Joan & Austin Cooper (flowers), Lorie Courier (piano), Ben Glancy (liturgist), Rebecca Glancy (soloist), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), and Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host).

Concerns:

+The Glancys ask for prayers for the family of Dan Zonner, who died recently. He was a favorite teacher of Ben at Boulder High School.

+Prayers for those continuing to be impacted by climate change.

+We join with many around our country in mourning the 202 dead and 570 injured in gun violence this last week.

July 31 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+We are recommending but not requiring masks during worship out of an abundance of caution given the state of the pandemic and the amount of travel taking place among our congregation’s members.

+In November, the Western Jurisdiction will be electing three new bishops. How do we, as justice-seeing people of faith ensure that we select leaders who will share the priorities we value? As the Western Jurisdiction works to find new ways of discerning the right leadership for the future, Western Methodist Justice Movement webinar will host a two-hour zoom gathering to offer one way of evaluating the role of leadership for the Western Jurisdiction. July 31 @ 5:30 PM. Sign up at this link.

+Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet Thursday, August 4, at 11:45 a.m., at the Roadhouse Boulder Depot, downtown Boulder (next to the Hyatt Hotel. If you intend to go, please R.S.V.P. by August 2 to Michele Matthews,    (mlmatt@comcast.net or 303-817-2541).

+Wesley Foundation @ CU Boulder Workday - You are invited to help at a workday at the Wesley Center (1290 Folsom St.) next Saturday at 8:30 AM. Volunteers are needed to give the Center a good cleaning, paint the bathrooms, and to stain the fence at the next door parsonage (if possible, please bring your own work gloves and/or rubber gloves). Questions? Contact Belinda Alkula.

+It is time to reshuffle Dinner Circles. That means that it’s a good time to get involved! Dinner Circles are a way of getting to know more of the people in our church family and foster stronger relationships. The only thing structured about Dinner Circles is that some kind of a meal is shared by the group: singles or couples, age doesn’t matter. The host decides the details and members contribute to the event. All are welcome. Please let Marcia Hult know your plans with a phone call/message, text, or email. If you are already a part of a group, we’ll assume that you want to continue in a new group unless we hear otherwise. Come join us. We guarantee you’ll have a great time. Marcia can be reached at 720-562-8200 (home), 307-761-0574 (cell), or morandfar39@gmail.com.

July 31 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship service YouTube link

Today’s Meditation Verse: “When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” —Colossians 3:4

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Lorie Courier / “Be Thou My Vision”

*Call to Worship (Psalm 107:1, 43 CEB)... Ben Glancy

Give thanks to the Lord because God is good, Because God’s faithful love lasts forever! Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things, Carefully considering the Lord’s faithful love.

*Hymn... “God, Whose Love Is Reigning O’er Us” (UMH #100)

Litany Of Mercy... Ben Glancy

When we cloud the air with senseless words, God have mercy.

When we bend Your ear for our own greed, ignoring the needs of others, God have mercy.

When we silence the cries for justice of those around us, God have mercy.

When we ignore the voice of the Christ in our midst, God have mercy.

When we fail to praise You with our words and actions. God have mercy. Amen.

Assurance: God clears the air, untangles the listening, lifts the tongue, pays attention, ignites our hearts – by free and festive forgiveness. Take the gift of the Spirit living in me and ignite Your love to lead me to Your service.

—Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Before the Amen, Maria I. Tirabassi and Maren C. Tirabassi, eds. © 2007 The Pilgrim Press.

*Offering/Doxology

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25:14-23... Ben Glancy

Special Music... Lorie Courier and Rebecca Glancy / “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

Gospel Lesson continued: Matthew 25:24-30...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon... Pastor Charles /

*Hymn... “A Charge to Keep I Have” (UMH #413)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

*Postlude... Lorie Courier / “Let All Things Now Living”

We are ready to worship!

Join us Sunday for worship at 10:15 a.m. in person or online here. Preview Sunday's bulletin here. 

We are recommending, but not requiring masks be worn during worship out of an abundance of caution given the state of the pandemic and the amount of travel taking place among our congregation's members. 

Special music by Lorie Courier and Rebecca Glancy.

Climate Ethics Webinar

We know in order to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, we must quickly and justly transition to clean energy. But how do we ensure that the transition truly is just? What do we need to keep in mind to ensure that past injustices aren't repeated? 

We hope you'll join us for an informative one-hour discussion on August 3 at 1 PM ET about how to transition to clean energy without having a negative impact on communities, especially frontline communities, and how people of faith can support a just transition.

RSVP TODAY

We will be joined in conversation by Huda Alkaff, founder and director of Green Muslims of Wisconsin, and Climate Reality board member Donnel Baird, who is the founder and CEO of BlocPower. Alaura Carter, program manager of the Climate Speakers Network at The Climate Reality Project, will moderate the conversation. 

We’ll discuss questions like: 

• How do we transition to clean energy without harming communities that are already overburdened and have historically been disproportionately impacted by polluting facilities and infrastructure?
• What would a successful just transition look like?
• How can faith communities support and contribute to these efforts?

We hope you'll join us! Register here to receive the Zoom link.

-Your friends at Climate Reality

 

You are invited to take part in a conversation about the questions we ask. In November, the Western Jurisdiction will be electing three new bishops. How do we, as justice-seeing people of faith ensure that we select leaders who will share the priorities we value?

Seeing Episcopal Discernment through a Social Justice Lens As the Western Jurisdiction works to find new ways of discerning the right leadership for the future, Western Methodist Justice Movement (WMJM) will host a two-hour zoom gathering to offer one way of evaluating the role of leadership for the West. The session will be on Sunday afternoon, July 31 @ 5:30 pm

Register now for the webinar

The three new bishops elected this November will comprise a majority of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops. This provides an opportunity to create a focus on transformation and leading the Jurisdiction through these uncertain times. Among the general UMC, the Western Jurisdiction is defined by a focus on Social Justice. To help the Jurisdiction keep its focus on Social Justice, WMJM is organizing this Jurisdiction-wide gathering on Zoom to formulate questions regarding Social Justice that we want Episcopal nominees to address. While an especially good opportunity for jurisdictional delegations that will be voting on bishops, this is also an opportunity for any United Methodist to consider the conversation that should be had about leadership. WMJM will publish the questions developed at the web event to be used in the discernment process by candidates and questioners. This will help delegates evaluate nominees on their Social Justice values and commitment. Western Methodist Justice Movement is inviting nominees, delegates, and people from across the Western Jurisdiction to take part in this process of seeing episcopal discernment through a social justice lens.  Come add your voice on July 31st!!

A Table for All

What is A Table For All? This new initiative is an exciting opportunity to support churches that have experienced discontinuous change and build a legacy of a fully inclusive church in our rural, suburban, and urban communities throughout our conference. We'd like to invite your church to help us create A Table For All.

Come to a Zoom meeting on today at 4 pm MT to learn more about this initiative. This meeting is open to everyone - clergy and laity - so feel to share this invite with others in your church. Can't attend but want to know more? Contact Erin Althaus.

Come listen. Learn.

Here is the link to join https://mtnskyumc-org.zoom.us/j/89367168699...)

Thanks, St. Paul's UMC!

Gary lends a hand

Jim & Joey are a big help

Many hands make light work

A lot of love

Thanks to Brenda & Gary Smith and Jim & Joey Vander Vorste for making quick work of loading the donations for our EFAA food drive this morning!

812 lbs. of food and other items were delivered to an appreciative staff at EFAA this morning.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

 

Monday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

Tuesday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

7:00 PM, Virtual Trustees meeting

Wednesday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

9:30 AM, Wednesday Weeders

10:00 AM, Weekly Zoom fellowship

7:00 PM, Virtual Mission u

Thursday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

3:00 PM, Women's Summer Book Group

Saturday:

5:00 PM, Bishop Oliveto on Facebook

Sunday:
8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship

12:30 PM, BBKC

Scripture lessons for July 31

We are concluding the summer sermon series this week with “The parable of the talents” and will be looking to Matthew 25:14-30 for our scripture lesson.

July 24 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+Peg Fritschel is thankful for the new flooring in the hallway.

+Sally Owen is thankful for the family reunion this weekend. Sally also gives thanks for her nephew's mother-in-law from the Ukraine that is visiting.

+Suazanne Polacek gives thanks for the visit from the grandkids this weekend.

+Pastor Charles gives thanks for the amazing response to the EFAA food drive.

+Diane McKnight is thankful for her friend's daughter who is recovering from surgery.

+Belinda is grateful for a successful virtual Mission u – with 90 registered from across the USA.

+What a blessing it is to have so much donated to EFAA. We give thanks for those who gave and ask God's blessings on those who will recieve these items.

+We are thankful for Hank Troy and Wende Harston for sharing their musical gifts with us today.

+We give thanks for those with birthdays this week: Jerry Beiber, Joyce Brandon, & Marcia Hult.

+We give thanks for those taking part in worship this week: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (video), Austin Cooper (usher), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), and Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host).

Concerns:

+Rev. Janeen Hill asks for prayers for Baby Oliver (born July 5) who had to be flown from Wyoming to Denver for urgent surgery. His grandparents are part of  Fowler UMC. His parents Jon & Ashleigh S. - this is their 1st child.

+Louise Cook's sister, Laura, asks for prayers that her house in Denver sells.

+Steve Bainbridge gives thanks for the life of his friend who recently passed.

+Amy Abshire asks for prayers for Cole & Rhiannon as they leave on their honeymoon.

+Prayers for those continuing to be impacted by climate change.

+We join with many around our country in mourning the 222 dead and 572 injured in gun violence this last week.

July 24 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

We are continuing to require masks be worn during worship out of an abundance of caution given the state of the pandemic and the amount of travel taking place among our congregation's members.

Prayer shawls are available for distribution - they are stored in the church office’s pantry, along with handouts explaining the prayer shawl ministry. Belinda Alkula maintains a spreadsheet detailing the first name of the recipients and a very brief explanation of the circumstance motivating the gift of one. For example, “Mary—Dealing with health issues” or “Sarah—Celebrating arrival of new baby.” Please send this information to Belinda Alkula when a prayer shawl is presented to family or friends.

Community Table needs volunteers each night to help hand out Grab and Go dinners to the unhoused and working poor in Boulder. It is outdoors, making it a safe activity during the pandemic; it is located at Grace Commons Annex, 1603 Walnut, from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Sign up here.

In November, the Western Jurisdiction will be electing three new bishops. How do we, as justice-seeing people of faith ensure that we select leaders who will share the priorities we value? As the Western Jurisdiction works to find new ways of discerning the right leadership for the future, Western Methodist Justice Movement webinar will host a two-hour zoom gathering to offer one way of evaluating the role of leadership for the Western Jurisdiction. July 31 @ 5:30 PM. Sign up at this link.

July 24 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Donations for EFAA represent our donations

The Zoom setup @ St. Paul's!

Wende Harston & Hank troy offer their gift

Pastor Charles shares the sermon

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s Meditation Verse: “So live in Christ Jesus the Lord in the same way as you received Him.” —Colossians 2:6

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Hank Troy & Wende Harston / “Do, Lord”

*Call to Worship (Psalm 14:2 & 7 CEB)...Amy Abshire

The Lord looks down from heaven on humans to see if anyone is wise, to see if anyone seeks God, Let Israel’s salvation come out of Zion! When the Lord changes the people’s circumstances for the better, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will celebrate!

*Hymn... “We Are God’s People” (TFWS #2220)

Litany from the inside... Amy Abshire

Love me from the inside out God. Take the thoughts I hide deep inside and burn them with Your purifying fire. Love me from the inside out, God.

Take the root of my mistrust and deaden their hold on my life.

Love me from the inside out, God.

Take the thoughts that run freely in my mind and trap them in Your grace.

Love me from the inside out, God.

Take the hope You have planted in me and nourish it with the support of the church. Love me from the inside out, God.

Take the gift of the Spirit living in me and ignite Your love to lead me to Your service. Love me from the inside out, God.

Take Your love in me and let it infuse my living. Love me from the inside out, God.

—Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Before the Amen, Maria I. Tirabassi and Maren C. Tirabassi, eds.  © 2007 The Pilgrim Press.

*Offering/Doxology

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

Special Music... Hank Troy & Wende Harston / “This Little Light of Mine & Glory, Glory”

Gospel Lesson: John 8:1-11...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “The new ump”

*Hymn... “Spirit Song” (UMH #347)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

*Postlude... Hank Troy & Wende Harston / “When the Saints go Marching In”

The passing of Susanna Wesley

Susanna Wesley's grave - Bunhill Fields, London

John Wesley wrote these words in his journal about his mother Susanna’s death on Friday, July 23, 1742:

Wednesday, 21 — I left Bristol in the evening of Sunday, July 18, and on Tuesday came to London. I found my mother on the borders of eternity. But she had no doubt or fear nor any desire but (as soon as God should call) “to depart and be with Christ.”

Friday, 23 —About three in the afternoon I went to my mother and found her change was near. I sat down on the bedside. She was in her last conflict, unable to speak but I believe quite sensible. Her look was calm and serene, and her eyes fixed upward while we commended her soul to God. From three to four the silver cord was loosing, and the wheel breaking at the cistern; and then without any struggle, or sign, or groan, the soul was set at liberty. We stood round the bed and fulfilled her last request, uttered a little before she lost her speech: “Children, as soon as I am released, sing a psalm of praise to God.”

Worship is happening tomorrow!

Join us Sunday for worship at 10:15 in person (masks required) or via Zoom   here. We welcome special musicians Hank Troy and Wende Harston! Preview Sunday's bulletin here.

Sunday is the last day to donate to St. Paul's food drive for EFAA! Bring your donations to church or donate directly to EFFA via Amazon here. The greatest need is for canned tuna, canned fruit, canned chili, canned vegetables, cooking oils, dried chiles, and masa. Non-food items in short supply are toilet paper, shampoo, paper towels, toothpaste, dish soap, baby wipes, diapers, and laundry soap.

A new look

The long-awaited new flooring for the hallway outside of the office was completed today! It looks so nice!! Thanks to the Trustees for getting this task completed.

Tell Congress to Close The Medicaid Coverage Gap Now!

 

As United Methodists, we understand healthcare is a basic human right. (2016 Social Principles ¶162.V) Today we are facing a pivotal moment in our pursuit of access to affordable, equitable care for all.

Right now, Congress is negotiating the details of a budget reconciliation package – a package which has the potential to cut the cost of medicine and make healthcare accessible for those living in the Medicaid coverage gap. Without action by Congress over 2 million low-income adults will remain in the Medicaid coverage gap.

Contact your Senators today to let them know that budget reconciliation must expand access to affordable, equitable care by closing the Medicaid coverage gap.

Read more at this link.

Pilgrimage: Journey to the renewal of the soul

“Walking with God is wonderful,” says Gillian Kingston pensively as she shares about her many experiences of going by foot along the Santiago de Compostela in Spain, times when she recalls taking in the wonders of creation, praying and feeling close to God. 

Populations from all nations have been searching for this sacred space that Kingston describes through pilgrimage for more than 4000 years. United Methodists, among other people of faith, still seek God through pilgrimages, holy journeys intended for reflection and a deepening of faith.

“Pilgrimage is something universal in the soul of people that makes them want to move,” explains Kingston, who is vice president of the World Methodist Council, and retired university chaplain at University College Dublin. In the later role, she has organized Santiago de Compostela pilgrimages for students throughout the past decade. “As people move physically, they may be moving spiritually and mentally as well.”

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

One in Three, and Three in One,

As by the celestial host,

Let Thy will on earth be done;

Praise by all to Thee be giv’n,

Glorious Lord of earth and heav’n!

Vilest of the sinful race,

Lo, I answer to Thy call:

Meanest vessel of Thy grace,

Grace divinely free for all;

Lo, I come to do Thy will,

All Thy counsel to fulfil.

If so poor a worm as I,

May to Thy great glory live,

All my actions sanctify,

All my words and thoughts receive;

Claim me for Thy service, claim

All I have, and all I am.

Take my soul and body’s powers,

Take my mem’ry, mind, and will;

All my goods and all my hours,

All I know, and all I feel;

All I think, or speak, or do;

Take my heart, but make it new.

Now, O God, Thine own I am,

Now I give Thee back Thine own:

Freedom, friends, and health, and fame,

Consecrate to Thee alone;

Thine I live, thrice happy I;

Happier still when Thine I die. 

Help to share the word

 

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Monday:

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Tuesday:

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Wednesday:

9:00 AM, Office Hours

9:30 AM, Wednesday Weeders

10:00 AM, Wednesday Zoom Fellowship

7:00 PM, Virtual Mission u

Thursday:

9:00 AM, Office Hours

3:00 PM, Women's Summer Book Group

6:00 PM, MSC Church Safety Webinar

Saturday: 

5:00 PM, Bishop Oliveto on Facebook

Sunday:

8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship

12:30 PM, BBKC

Sripture lesson for July 24

Wende Harston (vocal) & Hank Troy (piano)

Our summer sermon series will continue on Sunday with "The New Ump" and a lesson from John 8:1-11. We will also be celebrating the return of Wende Harston and Hank Troy to our worship service.

July 17 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+Belinda Alkula gives thanks for the successful first session of the summertime Virtual Mission u! To date, 88 people have registered. Folks can register at any time during the study. Recordings of the sessions are available for viewing at any time. 

+Belinda and Pastor Charles are thankful for Trustees’ response when the parsonage swamp cooler was not cooling last week!

+Myrle Myers gives thanks for her recent trip to Alaska.

+We give thanks for those with birthdays this week: Steve Batch, Austin Cooper, Scott Glancy, and Alex Wright.

+We give thanks for those taking part in worship this morning: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (video), Lorie Courier (piano), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), & Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host).

Concerns:

+Amy Abshire asks for prayers for her friend, Erika, who is having surgery this week.    

+Joan C. asks for prayers for her healing.

+Joan Russell asks for good healing energies for my husband's sister, Nancy, who has suffered from serious health issues since Thursday. Joan also asks that we keep Chuck's knee replacement on Monday in your prayers, and for her mental health.

+Belinda Alkula asks for prayers for the Rev. Waveland King, who serves two churches in western Montana and who is dealing with serious health issues.

+Prayers are sought for the families and friends of six people who died after a dust storm fueled by wind gusts topping 60 mph caused a pileup on Interstate 90 in Montana. Twenty-one vehicles crashed. 

+People’s health being endangered by hot weather around the world.

+ We join with many around our country in mourning the 231 dead and 498     injured in gun violence this last week.