11th assembly of the World Council of Churches

The 11th assembly of the World Council of Churches opens today in Karlsruhe, Germany continuing for a week of sessions (August 31 – September 8, 2022).

The World Council of Churches brings together more than 3,000 participants and 760 delegates of member churches and ecumenical partners from all over the world. It is a unique opportunity for church leaders to deepen their commitment to visible unity and common witness. This year 80 United Methodists are participating in the Assembly.

To learn more, visit this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

"O blessed grace! Mysterious love! How shall we then adore and praise what we cannot here apprehend aright? How will love and joy work in the soul? But I cannot express it – I cannot conceive it."

~ Susanna Annesley Wesley

UMARC Webinar

 

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, Zoom Fellowship

Thursday:

9:00 AM, Office Hours

11:45 AM, Ladies Lunch Bunch @ Parma Trattoria (Louisville)

Saturday:

5:00 PM, Bishop Oliveto on FB Live

Sunday:

8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship

12:30 PM, BBKC

Scripture lesson for September 4

 

September's flower, the Aster

We turn another page on the calendar this week and turn to Luke 14:25-33 and Jeremiah 18:1-11 for our scripture lessons.

August 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

 Joys:

+ We give thanks that Ben Glancy safely arrived to college last week and is getting settled into a new "life chapter."

+ Dan Daniels introduced friend visiting worship today: Jovanka Jones.

+ Lorie Courier shared joy of working with Dr. Bob Muckle to record a song a man wrote for his wife 50 years ago. They were able to play it for her, and it was a joy-filled time together, celebrating their love for one another. The song is titled "Patricia Fills My Dreams."

+Sandra Jordan expressed joy of a wonderful family reunion yesterday. And she appreciates her church family granting permission to use church tables and chairs for the special event.

+Belinda Alkula shares joy of being invited to lead a women's retreat at Boulder First United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 17, in the beautifully decorated downstairs area where their labyrinth is located. Retreat theme is "Practicing Sabbath -- Even in/Especially in Challenging Times."

+We give thanks for those with birthdays this week: Mark Leifste.

+We are blessed by those participating this week: Belinda Alkula (video), Tim Cook (adult study), Lorie Courier (piano), Rebecca Glancy (liturgist), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Bob Muckle (soloist), and Jim Vander Vorste    (usher)

Concerns: 

+Our church family lifts up Austin and Joan as Austin continues to recover from his health issues. 

+Joey Vander Vorste's brother-in-law, Roger, is dealing with serious health challenges after a car accident.

+Brenda Smith's mother, Ruth, is dealing with serious health challenges due to COVID-19.

+Austin Cooper's cousin, Barb is facing serious health concerns. 

+Dr. Bob Muckle asked for prayers for his receptionist, Michelle, who is dealing with health challenges. 

+We mourn with others around the country for the 209 killed and 521 injured in gun violence last week.

August 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+Masks are recommended, but not required during worship out of an abundance of caution and the amount of travel taking place among the congregation.

+Mental Health Virtual Fair presented by Mountain Sky Conference Abundant Health. Three sessions, Sept. 13, 20, 27) @ 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Contact Jana Jones, MSC Abundant Health Coordinator for more information: jl.jones@outlook.com.

+Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet Thursday, September 1, at 11:45 a.m., at Parma Trattoria & Mozzarella Bar (not Gondolier, as previously announced). If you intend to go, please R.S.V.P. by August 30 to Myrle Myers (mmmyers59@msn.com / 303-810-8044 ).

+Breakfast Fellowship (formerly Men’s Breakfast) will next meet on Saturday, September 10, at 8:00 a.m. at Doug’s Diner (2574 Baseline Road, Basemar Shopping Center). No reservations necessary!

+Mountain Sky Conference's NextGen & Inclusiveness Ministries invites you to participate in a book study on Queering Wesley, Queering the Church by Keegan Osinski. The book study will take place over the course of five weeks beginning September 13th-October 11th @ 6:30pm-8:00pm on Zoom. Register at this link.

+Sew What Returns! The September meeting will be at the home of Donna Wasson on Friday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please RSVP to Joan Cooper by September 12. Folks are encouraged to bring their own lunches. Some drinks will be provided.

+Join United Methodist Women in Faith for a Women’s Saturday Retreat hosted by Boulder First United Methodist Church on September 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided; afterwards, participants will be invited to walk the labyrinth. The location is 1421 Spruce Street in Boulder; the theme is “Practicing Sabbath – Even in/Especially in Challenging Times of Life” presented by Belinda Alkula. R.S.V.P. by September 10 to Belinda.

August 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost     

YouTube link

Today’s Meditation Verse: “O let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise through Him, which is the fruit from our lips that confess His name."                          —Hebrews 12:15

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Lorie Courier / “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”

*Call to Worship... Rebecca Glancy

Behold, God is doing a new thing. Here. Now. In the midst of our routines. The Holy one who created heaven and earth forms us afresh today. Let our spirits rise to greet our Maker. Amen!

—Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Flames of the Spirit, Ruth C. Duck, ed. © 1985 The Pilgrim Press.

*Hymn... “Heralds of Christ” (UMH #567)

Affirmation from 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1:15; 3:16 (UMH #889)... Rebecca Glancy

There is one God and there is one mediator, Christ Jesus, Who came as a ransom for all, to Whom we testify: This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: That Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations,    believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. Great indeed is the mystery of the gospel. Amen.

*Offering/Doxology (UMH #95)

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

Gospel Lesson: Luke 14:1, 7-14... Rebecca Glancy

Special Music... Lorie Courier and Bob Muckle / “Old Time Religion Medley”

Epistle Lesson: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16... Pastor Charles

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

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “Is loving others enough?”

*Hymn... “Pass It On” (UMH #572)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

Postlude... Lorie Courier / “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”

Worship tomorrow @ St. Paul's UMC!

Join us Sunday at 10:15 a.m. for worship in person (masks recommended) or online here. Preview Sunday's bulletin here. Special music by Lorie Courier and Bob Muckle!

A Non-traditional Blessing

May God bless you with discontent with easy answers, half-truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live from deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, abuse, and exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, equality, and  peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort  them and to change their pain to joy.

May God bless you with the foolishness to think you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

If you have the courage to accept these blessings, then God will also bless you with:

happiness—because you will know that you have made life better for others

inner peace—because you will have worked to secure an outer peace for others

laughter—because your heart will be light

faithful friends—because they will recognize your worth as a person.

These blessings are yours—not for the asking, but for the giving—from One who wants to be your companion, our God, who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

Sister Ruth Fox, OSB

Bishop urges end to falsehoods, pivot to future

Bishop Thomas Bickerton

Amid a summer of denominational discontent, Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton called on fellow bishops and church members to begin pivoting The United Methodist Church toward a hope-filled future. 

Bickerton also decried what he called “a constant barrage of negative rhetoric that is filled with falsehood and inaccuracies” coming from backers of a breakaway theologically conservative denomination that launched in May.

He specifically disputed claims that United Methodist leaders are abandoning the denomination’s doctrinal standards in the Articles of Religion, that they do not embrace the primacy of the Bible and that they do not believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. 

While The United Methodist Church will maintain basic Christian teachings and its historic roots in Wesleyan theology, Bickerton said he does expect United Methodists to make changes. Those changes include recapturing a spirit of evangelism, practicing the church’s theology of mission and confronting the sin of racism. 

Read more at this link.

A word from Bishop Oliveto

In light of the current state of the church, Bishop Karen offers a vision for the future:

One of my favorite choral pieces is Felix Mendelssohn’s “How Lovely Are the Messengers.” We sang it often in my high school choir. If you haven’t heard this beautiful anthem, listen to it here.

I realize this piece, which references Romans 10: 15, 18, helped form my understanding of evangelism:

“How lovely are the messengers that preach us the gospel of peace. To all the nations is gone forth the sound of their words, throughout all the lands their glad tidings.”

As I reflect on my own journey of faith, those who shared the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me, who taught me about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, who helped me experience God’s generous grace, were (and are) truly lovely. Their faith gave them a contagious joy. They did not hide their light under a bushel but rather held it high to light the way for others. Through them, I heard Jesus’ warm invitation to follow him. Because of their witness, I have spent my life trying to live more fully into his Way.

These lovely messengers never spoke poorly of another. They never denigrated another’s faith. They never built themselves up by tearing someone else down.

Instead, they kept loving people. They may have had enemies but I only heard them call people “friends”. They saw the best (meaning, they saw the God-potential) in everyone they met. And they encouraged us all to grow into it.

This is the kind of invitational, evangelical faith I hope every United Methodist church will embody. May the life-saving, life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ be lived out in the lives of each church member so vividly that it will be irresistible to others. May this gospel of peace shape how we extend our ministries into the world. May we all be worthy of this description:

How lovely are the messengers that preach us the gospel of peace.

Love,

Bishop Karen

#BeUMC 

Wednesdays with the Wesleys

On this day (24 August) in 1707, Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon was born. She was an early supporter and follower of Wesley, and she later followed George Whitefield’s more Calvinist teachings (vs John Wesley’s Arminian beliefs). As well as establishing many chapels in England, she helped fund the building of chapels and missionary work in America.

Mental Health Virtual Fair

Mental Health Virtual Fair presented by MSC Abundant Health

Tuesday, September 13, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday, September 20, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday, September 27, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

More information and registration details will be shared soon. 

Contact Jana Jones, MSC Abundant Health Coordinator for more information: jl.jones@outlook.com.

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, Zoom Fellowship

Thursday:

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Sunday:

8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship

12:30 PM, BBKC

Scripture lessons for August 28

We will bring August to a close next Sunday with lessons from Luke 14:1, 7-14 and  Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16.

August 21 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

 Joys:

+Louise Cook is blessed have her four sisters and two nieces with her today.

+Scott is thankful to have Ben with us today before they head off to college in Indiana later this week.

+Suzanne Polacek is thankful that Alan is recovering.

+Belinda Alkula gives thanks for the dinner circle gathering last night at the Matthews' home.

+Larry Espisito is thankful for the CU semester which starts tomorrow.

+We give thanks for those with birthdays this week: Claudia Mills, Abby Lagemann, Ella Berlin, Matt Cook, Kathy Lloyd, & Vince Wayland.

+We are blessed by those participating this week: Belinda Alkula (video), Tim Cook (adult study leader), Louise Cook and her sisters Mary, Marjorie, and Sharon (pianists), Rebecca Glancy (liturgist), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Suzanne Polacek (piano), and Jim Vander Vorste (usher).

Concerns:

+We lift up in our prayers Joan & Austin.

+We mourn with others around the country for the 225 killed and 556 injured in gun violence last week.

August 21 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

 

+Masks are recommended, but not required during worship out of an abundance of caution and the amount of travel taking place among the congregation.

+There is no “Saturday Night Live with Bishop Oliveto” during August.

+Mountain Sky Conference's NextGen & Inclusiveness Ministries invites you to participate in a book study on Queering Wesley, Queering the Church by Keegan Osinski. The book study will take place over the course of five weeks beginning September 13th-October 11th @ 6:30pm-8:00pm on Zoom. Register at this link.

+Interested in volunteering with Bridge House's Farm to Table Fundraiser on September 14? Contact the church office for details.

+On August 24th at 5:00 PM, you are invited to a special Zoom event to worship, pray, and learn about The Academy for Spiritual Formation. The Academy for Spiritual Formation is an affirming and inclusive, sacred time and space for clergy and laity who hunger for a deep spiritual experience in a diverse, ecumenical, and intentional community. The event is free, but you must register here. To read more about The Academy for Spiritual Formation, go to this link.

August 21 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Flowers from Pat Cleaveland

Louise and her sisters

Suzanne Polacek offers her gift

Louise and her sisters share the anthem

Service starts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeC5vLABbMg&t=33s 

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s continue to express our gratitude.” —Hebrews 12:28

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Suzanne Polacek / “Give Me Jesus,” arr. By Lloyd Larson

*Call to Worship (UMC Book of Worship #402)... Rebecca Glancy

Risen with Christ, let us seek the realities of the Spirit. Our life is hidden with Christ in God. He who descended is also ascended far above the heavens, that He might fill all things. When Christ, our Life, appears, we shall appear with Him in glory! Alleluia!

*Hymn... “When Morning Guilds the Skies” (UMH #185)

Affirmation from 1 Corinthians 15:16 & Colossians 1:15 -20 (UMH #888)... Rebecca Glancy

This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared first to the women, then to Peter and the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God, the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead, in whom all things hold together, in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell by the power of the Spirit. Christ is the head of the body, the church, and by the blood of the cross reconciles all things to

God. Amen.

*Offering/Doxology

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

Epistle Lesson: Philemon 1-7... Rebecca Glancy

Special Music... Louise, Sharon, and Marjorie / “Star of Hope”

Epistle Lesson continued: Philemon 8-21... Pastor Charles

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

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “What’s it all about?”

*Hymn... “Saranam, Saranam, Saranam” (UMH #523)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

Postlude... Louise, Marjorie, Mary, and Sharon / “Valse Lorraine”

This day in Methodist history

Francis Asbury (unknown artist)

Ordination of Francis Asbury

From our friends at the Museum of Methodism—

Francis Asbury was born on this day in 1745. He became one of the first two bishops in the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States.

He was ordained by Thomas Coke in 1784, who himself had been ordained by John Wesley. Charles Wesley was furious that John had ordained Thomas Coke, and further angered when Coke then ordained Asbury.

Charles’ concern was that the Methodists would split from the Church of England, which they eventually did. Whilst Charles and John did repair their relationship, John’s actions in relation to the ordination of bishops certainly caused a rift between them.

Images: Portrait of Francis Asbury, early 1800s, unknown artist. Engraving of ordination of Francis Asbury by Thomas Coke at the 1784 Baltimore Conference. Charles Wesley’s handwritten ditty about the ordination of Francis Asbury.

Worship on Sunday

Join us Sunday for worship at 10:15 a.m. in person (masks recommended) or online via Zoom here. Preview Sunday's bulletin here. Special music will be shared by Louise Cook and her three sisters!

UMCOR and CWS launch new menstrual hygiene kits

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Church World Service (CWS) today launched a new joint menstrual hygiene kit initiative to provide essential health and dignity products to vulnerable communities across the U.S. The kits will be purchased and assembled by volunteers and supporters, and then distributed by UMCOR and CWS programs. The joint initiative comes as the U.S is facing a tampon shortage and record high inflation, making it difficult for many to afford basic necessities, including period products. 

“Across our programs we are seeing the impact of high costs making it more difficult for the families to afford household necessities. From shelters along the border to local resettlement offices across the nation, immigrants and refugees often arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. The same can be said for families who have been affected by hurricanes and other disasters. Partnering with CWS and UMCOR to assemble these period packs is a simple way communities can support the dignity and health of those we serve as they rebuild their lives,” said CWS President and CEO Rick Santos.

“When disaster strikes, the necessities of life become difficult, if not impossible, to acquire. UMCOR has a long history of collecting and supplying relief kits to help provide care for communities experiencing crisis,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries, which includes UMCOR. “We are thrilled to work now with our long time partner Church World Service to add menstrual hygiene kits to our relief supplies. Gifts of these and other relief kits will help those in crisis feel supported when they need it the most.” 

Supplies for the kits will be purchased and assembled by congregations, community groups and individuals and then distributed through CWS and UMCOR programs across the country. Kits are easy to assemble and cost an estimated $14. Each kit includes one bar of soap, hand sanitizer, travel wet wipes, travel pack of flushable wipes, laundry detergent packs, 10 tampons, 10 sanitary napkins and trash bags.

To sign up for kit assembly or receive more information, visit https://umcmission.org/umcor-menstrual-hygiene-kit/.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

This is a small portrait of Mary Vazeille, usually known as ‘Molly’. She was the widow of a Huguenot banker and merchant. She and John Wesley were married in 1751 after a short courtship. In the portrait, she holds a miniature of John Wesley. Sadly, Molly and John were not well suited for each other and the marriage suffered from misunderstandings from the start, resulting in separation.

Looking for a way to restore your soul in these difficult times?

On August 24th at 6:00 PM Central, you are invited to a special Zoom event to worship, pray, and learn about The Academy for Spiritual Formation. The Academy for Spiritual Formation is an affirming and inclusive, sacred time and space for clergy and laity who hunger for a deep spiritual experience in a diverse, ecumenical, and intentional community.

Join Academy #42 team members to hear about The Academy for Spiritual Formation and the plans for the next Two-Year Academy which begins in January. Experience, during this one-hour Zoom, a small taste of what this unique, authentic, and ever-deepening opportunity could mean to your life.

The event is free, but you must register at this link. To read more about The Academy for Spiritual Formation, go to this link.

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, Zoom Fellowship

Thursday:

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Friday:

6:00 PM, Dinner Circle @ Amy A.

Saturday:

5:30 PM, Dinner Circle @ the Matthews

Sunday:

8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship

12:30 PM, BBKC

Scripture lessons for August 21

We are quickly moving through August here at St. Paul's and there is still much to do and learn this month. This week, we turn to Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Luke 13:10-17 for our lessons.

August 14 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

 

Joys:

+We lift up the BVSD student and teachers as they go back to school this week - prayers for a safe and fun school year.

+Louise Cook lifts up her three sisters who are traveling to visit her this week.

+Belinda Alkula is thankful for the wonderful turnout at yesterday's breakfast!

+We join with Steve & Michele Matthews as they celebrate their 47th anniversary and with Scott & Rebecca Glancy on their 25th anniversary.

+Katherine Richardson is feeling thankful for next week's musical gift from Louise and her sisters.

+Joan Cooper is thankful that Diane's vision is returning following surgery.

+Lorie Courier is thankful that her sister, Kerry, is recovering well from her surgery.

+Sandra Jordan gives thanks for the rain coming our way.

+We give thanks for those with birthdays this week: Rhea Esposito, Terri Himes, Kevin Levitt, and Claudia Mills. 

+We are blessed by those participating this week: Belinda Alkula (video), Tim Cook (adult study/soloist), Louise Cook (piano), Austin Cooper (usher), Rebecca Glancy (liturgist), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), and Suzanne Polacek (piano).

Concerns:

+Sandi Cook asks for prayers for the family of Doug VanderLinden following his death last week.

+Suzane Polacek asks for prayers for Alan recovering from an accident.

+Louise Cook asks for prayers for her sister who is adapting to new medical treatments.

+Continued prayers are asked for Laura whose family is struggling with mental health and addiction issues.

+Prayers for Steve & Sandy Bainbridge as they travel to Finland.

+Continued prayers for Ukraine.

+Please pray for First UMC in Grand Junction, CO. The ceiling in their fellowship hall collapsed, leaving behind a cloud of asbestos. Repairs have not yet begun.

+We mourn with others around the country for the 198 killed and 569 injured in gun violence last week.

August 14 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+Masks are recommended, but not required during worship out of an abundance of caution and the amount of travel taking place among the congregation.

+There is no “Saturday Night Live with Bishop Oliveto” during August.

+Mountain Sky Conference's NextGen & Inclusiveness Ministries invites you to participate in a book study on Queering Wesley, Queering the Church by Keegan Osinski. The book study will take place over the course of five weeks beginning September 13th-October 11th @ 6:30pm-8:00pm on Zoom. Register at this link.

+Interested in volunteering with Bridge House's Farm to Table Fundraiser on September 14? Contact the church office for details.

+On August 24th at 5:00 PM, you are invited to a special Zoom event to worship, pray, and learn about The Academy for Spiritual Formation. The Academy for Spiritual Formation is an affirming and inclusive, sacred time and space for clergy and laity who hunger for a deep spiritual experience in a diverse, ecumenical, and intentional community. The event is free, but you must register here. To read more about The Academy for Spiritual Formation, go to this link.

August 14 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Flowers adorn the table

Coming together for worship

Suzanne offers the postlude

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s Meditation Verse: “So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.”             —Hebrews 12:1

Welcome... Pastor Charles

Prelude... Louise Cook / “The Church’s One Foundation”

*Call to Worship (Romans 8:20, 12:1-12 and Colossians 3:9-10)... Rebecca Glancy

We give thanks and praise to God, Who has delivered us from futility and from darkened understanding. We do not live in alienation from God; We are not callous; For we seek to put off our old nature and be renewed in our minds,   Putting on the new nature, created after the likeness of God, and revealed to us in Christ Jesus.

—Reprinted by permission of the publisher from Flames of the Spirit, Ruth C. Duck, ed. © 1985 The Pilgrim Press.

*Hymn... “How Firm a Foundation” (UMH #529)

Affirmation from Romans 8:35-39 (UMH #887)... Rebecca Glancy

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness or peril or sword? No! In all things we are more than conquerors through the One who loved us. We are sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor    principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks be to God! Amen. God have mercy. Amen.

*Offering/Doxology

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

First Lesson: Isaiah 5:1-7... Rebecca Glancy

Special Music... Lorie Courier and Tim Cook / “If I Can Help Somebody,” arr. by Alma Androzzo

Gospel Lesson: Luke 12:49-56... Pastor Charles

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

Sermon... Pastor Charles / “Is this the end?”

*Hymn... “Since Jesus Came into My Heart” (TFWS #2140)

*Words for the Journey... Pastor Charles

*Postlude... Suzanne Polacek / “All Things Bright and Beautiful”