A prayer for All Hallows Eve

“God, we thank You for life. We thank You for those who have lived with us and now because of Your goodness live in a new way in a new place. This is a season of grief and remembrance and sadness. But because of the victory of Jesus over death, it is not a season for fear or despair. We have hope, because of Jesus’ resurrection that we too will live forever. That fact of faith allows us to rest here and now and enjoy our moments with You here while we have them here. After all, we have forever to enjoy the rest! Remove fear of death in our lives and lead us to trust You for every moment. Thank You, God, for a Holy All Hallows Eve. Amen."

- Beliefnet.org

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

 

Monday:  

9:00 AM, Office hours

Tuesday: All Hallows Eve

9:00 AM, Office hours

7:15 PM, "Sin" Book discussion group

Wednesday: All Saints Day

9:00 AM, Office hours

10:00 AM, Zoom Fellowship

7:30 PM, Choir practice 

Thursday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

11:45 AM, Ladies Lunch Bunch

Saturday: Time Change Tonight

6:00 AM, BBKC prayer gathering 

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost /All Saints Sunday

8:00 AM, Bell practice

 8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship

11:15 AM, Fellowship

12:30 PM, BBKC   

Scripture lessons for All Saints Sunday

This coming Sunday we will celebrate the saints who have walked among us with scripture lessons from 1 John 3:1-3 and Revelation 7:9-17.

October 29 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

 

Joys:

+   We give thanks for the people out and about this morning, clearing roads, driveways, and sidewalks.

+   Belinda Alkula gives thanks for the wonderful Dinner Circle gathering at the Vander Vorstes last Thursday!

+   Lorie Courier is glad to be home from their trip to England.

+   Don Fritschel is thankful for Brian, a guest in worship this morning.

+   Sandy Bainbridge is thankful for the successful garage sale for Maui last weekend which raised $2,200 for relief efforts.

+ We give thanks for missionary Cristian Schlick's visit last Sunday. We give thanks for the wonderful meal prepared by Rebecca Glancy after Cristian's talk.

+  We celebrate this week's birthdays: Belinda Alkula and Molly Nunnery.

+  We are blessed by those who served this week: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (videographer), Steve Bainbridge (greeter), Lorie Courier (piano), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), and Ron Revier (choir), and Claudia Mills (fellowship time host).

Concerns

+  Joan Cooper asks for prayers for Debbie, the daughter of Roger and Joyce   Kestler, former members of St. Paul's. Debbie is in the ICU awaiting surgery. Prayers that the surgery will take place soon, and for courage and strength for Debbie and her family as they wait. 

+   Angela Baker lifts up her son, Charles, who is at home recovering from surgery.

+  We join with the people of Lewiston, Maine in mourning the victims of last Wednesday's shooting.

+  Pastor Charles asks for prayers for Pamela D. who is undergoing surgery this week.

+  Lorie Courier lifts up Chip, a friend and hiking guide who is dealing with a recurrence of cancer.

+  Belinda Alkula asks for prayers for Gary S. who is not feeling well.

+  We continue to offer our prayers for the people of Gaza and Israel during this time of conflict.  

+  We lift up the people of Acapulco, Mexico following the destruction brought by Hurricane Ottis last Wednesday.

October 29 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+  Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet Thursday, November 2, at 11:45 a.m. at Casa Alegre (1006 Pine Street, Louisville). Please R.S.V.P. to Robin Berlin by November 1 (rjberlin7@gmail.com / 303-956-8616).

+  Remember to change your clocks next Saturday night ahead of the end of Daylight Savings Time next Sunday, November 5.

+  All Saints Sunday is November 5. Join us in person or online next Sunday as we remember the saints who have touched our lives.

+  Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Violence online training on November 9 from 6-7:30 PM. In partnership with Methodists Helping Methodists, the Mountain Sky Conference will offer training for laity and clergy on learning the signs of domestic abuse. This training provides a full overview of domestic violence. Please register at this link.  

+  Breakfast Fellowship will meet on Saturday, November 11, at 8:00 a.m. at Le Peep (by McGuckin’s Hardware in Boulder). No reservations necessary!

+  Advent Devotional entries are due to the church office by November 12. Email submissions are strongly preferred.

+  St. Paul’s has a new covenant relationship with UMCOR missionary Cristian Schlick. Christian gave a presentation about his ministry last Sunday evening. See this link for the recording of his talk and make a donation to UMCOR to support Christian’s work. Donations will go through St. Paul’s to UMCOR.

October 29 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

First snow since March 28th

Celebrating the day!

Fellowship time!!!

Nelson Serenity Garden on an autumn day

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

(view today's service at this link)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” —Psalm 32:6-7

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Lorie Courier / “This is My Father’s World,” arranged by Mark Hayes

*Call to Worship...Amy Abshire

We have come to affirm our historic faith. To worship the God of our mothers and fathers. We have come to remember God’s benefits to us the living. To respond in thanksgiving to the mighty works of God in our lives. We have come to affirm our trust in the God of all futures. To whose name be blessing and honor, glory, and power forever and ever. Amen 

—Ruth Duck, Bread for the Journey, Pilgrim Press, 1981

*Hymn...“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (UMH #117)

For the Church (Book of Worship #501)...Amy Abshire

O gracious God, we pray for Your holy Church universal. That You would be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss,    reform it; where it is right, establish it; where is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Him who died and rose again, and ever lives to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

Epistle Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8...Amy Abshire

Choral Anthem...“Laudamus Te,” words and music by Laura Farnell

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:34-46...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “Back to basics”

*Hymn...“Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” (UMH #581)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Lorie Courier / “Praise Him! Praise Him!” arranged by Mark Hayes

Response to Hurricane Otis

Hurricane Otis has made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico as a Category 5 hurricane. There are predictions for potential flooding and landslides. UMCOR is coordinating with Methodist Church of Mexico partners. Please hold the people of Mexico in your prayers and all those who are in the path of this storm.

To support the continued response to this and other disasters around the world, consider donating to the UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery Advance here.

Sunday's coming!

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

Preview Sunday's bulletin here. Sunday is Reformation Sunday.

Today in Methodist History

“My desire is to live more to God today than yesterday, and to be more holy this hour than the last.”

Francis Asbury, appointed to America by John Wesley, arrives at Philadelphia on this date in 1771. Asbury initiates the circuit-riding ministry amongst Methodist preachers in colonial America and establishes the itineracy system in American Methodism (Pastors are obligated to serve where they are appointed).

Statue of Francis Asbury (between 16th St., NW and Mt. Pleasant St., NW), one of two non-miltary equestian statues in Washington, DC; the other being of John Wesley on the campus of Wesley Theologcial Seminary.

Regionalization Series, Part 2: Regionalization is Customization

At its heart, regionalization in The United Methodist Church means connectionalism customized to enhance local effectiveness.

While the underlying theological, missiological and basic polity commitments of The United Methodist Church can be and are deployed across the worldwide connection, it is unrealistic to try to deploy them  in the exactly same ways in Kampala, Uganda, as in Frankfurt, Germany, or Manila in the Philippines and expect them to be equally effective or applicable in each place.

Read more at this link.

The Untold Cost of Faith

“Jesus, take the wheel,” a phrase that was popularized by Carrie Underwood’s song “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” It’s actually a super-risky invitation. What if Jesus drives us to somewhere we don’t want to go?

I think that’s a conundrum every Christian has found themselves in — at least once— on their faith journey.

It’s one thing to say “Jesus, take the wheel!” And another to let Jesus drive without being the annoying passenger-side driver. It’s one thing to pray, “Jesus, lead me” and a whole other thing to actually follow where Jesus leads us.

Read more at this link.

Shoebox ministry at Mountain View UMC

Mountain View United Women in Faith’s Invitation to Join Them 

What: Packing of Christmas Shoe Boxes for Native American Elders

When: November 14 at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Mountain View United Methodist Church, in Barker Hall, 355 Ponca Place in Boulder. Parking is available in the parking lot on Pawnee Street.

R.S.V.P. - By November 13 to Joanie Calhoun at Jimnjo30@comcast.net, 303-955-1185.

What to Bring? Shoeboxes, wrapping paper, tape, scissors, “fillings” for shoeboxes. (Examples:” Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hats, gloves, socks, reading glasses, healthy snacks, sugar-free candy, tea bags, hot chocolate mix, pens, notepads, cards, etc.)

Wednesday with the Wesleys

On this day, October 25th, in 1732 Susanna Wesley writes to her sons who were away at university [in Oxford]:

"I must tell ye, Mr John Wesley, Fellow of Lincoln, and Mr Charles Wesley, Student of Christ Church, that ye are two scrubby travellers and sink your characters strangely by eating nothing on the road...I wonder ye are not ashamed of yourselves. Surely if ye will but give yourselves leave to think a little, ye will return to a better mind."

Regionalization Series Part 1: Regionalization is already (partly) here

If you have been in or around United Methodist leadership circles, you may have heard the word “regionalization” more frequently in recent months. Some speak of it as a solution to a General Conference that is too U.S.-centric. Others appreciate it for its value of creating more regional control and autonomy worldwide. There are also some who oppose it because they believe it is primarily a way for United Methodists in the United States to change the rules about human sexuality in ways they cannot abide.   

In this series, Ask The UMC will explore the ways that regionalization already exists for central conferences and the opportunities it gives them, as well as the implications of enabling regionalization on an equal basis worldwide, including for United Methodists in the United States.

Series Map:
Part 1: Regionalization is already (partly) here
Part 2: Regionalization is customization
Part 3: Regionalization requires communication
Part 4: Regionalization legislation enables needed regional differences while maintaining unity
Part 5: The path to greater regionalization in the future

Read more at this link.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

 

Monday:  

9:00 AM, Office hours

9:00 AM, Art workshop (Scout Room)

Tuesday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

9:00 AM, Art workshop (Scout Room)

7:00 AM, Virtual Trustees meeting

7:15 PM, "Sin" Book discussion group

Wednesday: 

9:00 AM, Office hours

9:00 AM, Art workshop (Scout Room)

10:00 AM, Zoom Fellowship

7:30 PM, Choir practice 

Thursday:

9:00 AM, Office hours

 9:00 AM, Art workshop (Scout Room)

Friday: 

9:00 AM, Art workshop (Scout Room)

Saturday: 

6:00 AM, BBKC prayer gathering 

9:00 AM, Art workshop (Scout Room)

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost 

8:00 AM, Bell practice

 8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship

11:15 AM, Fellowship

12:30 PM, BBKC   

Scripture lessons for Reformation Sunday

We'll be going back to the basics next week as we celebrate Reformation Sunday with scripture lessons from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 and Matthew 22:34-46.

Tonight's missionary presentation

Gathering to hear tonight's speaker

Cristian Schlick speaks to the gathering

How to support tonight's speaker

An attentive gathering

Homemade supper from Rebecca Glancy

An appreciative gathering was held tonight in the church library with fifteen in attendance to listen to a presentation by Cristian Schlick, a Regional Migration Specialist/Missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries. Cristian's focus is on migrants/refugees in Central and South America.

Thanks to Kathryn Witte (from GBGM) and Scott Glancy (St. Paul's Missions Chair) for making tonight's presentation possible and to Rebecca Glancy for providing the delicious homemade supper.

October 22 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+  Belinda Alkula gives thanks for the wonderful book study being led by Rebecca Glancy.

+  Angela Baker gives thanks for the wonderful trip she and George took to Mississippi and for her upcoming trip to see family in Nashville.

+  Kathy Lloyd is thankful that her brother and family were uninjured in a near traffic accident on the way to church this morning.

+  We give thanks for the wonderful gathering of Sew What last Friday. 

+ Judy Waller gives thanks for the call from Robin Berlin that Betty may be able to come home for the holidays.

+ Claudia Mills is thankful for the wonderful time she had at her high school reunion.

+ We celebrate this week's birthdays: Martha Batch, Rev. Dan Daniels, Mellisa Sullivan, Polly Stowe, and Greg Wahl.

+ We are blessed by those who served this week: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (videographer), Steve Bainbridge (greeter), Tim Cook (study group), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Myrle Myers (fellowship), Hyeji Park (piano), and Ron Revier (choir).

Concerns

+ We continue to lift up in our prayers the people of Gaza and Israel during this time of conflict.  

+ Belinda Alkula asks for prayers for her friend of 50 years, Nancy H., who is back in the hospital for the eigth time this year.

+ Angela Baker asks for prayer for Birmingham-Southern College which is going through a financial crisis.

+ Dan Daniels asks for prayers for Bet's sister-in-law on a death in the family.

October 22 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+ The Bainbridges’ garage sale in support of the Maui fire victims ends today. Stop by 310 Norton Street this afternoon to shop, or contact Sandy and Steve at 970-584-0311 if you can help clean up.

+ Join us for a homemade dinner and mission presentation TONIGHT at 5:00 p.m. Cristian Schlick is a missionary representing the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries in ministries with migrants from Central America and Mexico. Cristian will visit St. Paul’s to tell us about his work, and we will have dinner  together in the fellowship hall following the presentation. Find the link in News You Can Use to learn more about Christian.

+ Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Violence online training November 9 from 6-7:30 PM. In partnership with Methodists Helping Methodists, the Mountain Sky Conference will offer training for laity and clergy on learning the signs of domestic abuse. This training provides a full overview of domestic violence. Register at this link.  

+ Michele Matthews is in the process of updating the church directory. If you have any changes, please send an email to the church office.

+ If we are going to have an Advent/Christmas devotional this year, we need eight more to sign up by the end of October. This year's theme is, "The Names of Jesus."

October 22 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Signs of the season

Steve Bainbridge is on the job!

The choir warms up before worship

Myrle serves as hostess today duriong fellowship time

Myrle's AMAZING coffee cake!

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

(Today's worship service link)

 Today’s Meditation Verse: “Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to You shall vows be performed.” —Psalm 65:1

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Hyeji Park / “I Love to Tell the Story,” by William G. Fischer

*Call to Worship (Psalm 84:1-4)...Amy Abshire

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in Your house, ever singing Your praise.

*Hymn...“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” (UMH #103)

Opening Prayer (Book of Worship #460)...Amy Abshire

O God, our Guide and Guardian, You have led us apart from the busy world into the quiet of Your house. Grant us grace to worship You in Spirit and in truth, to the comfort of our souls and the upbuilding of every good purpose and holy desire. Enable us to do more perfectly the work to which You have called us, so that we may not fear the coming of night, and the tasks which You have committed to us, so may we worship You not with our lips at this house, but in word and  deed all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:15-22...Amy Abshire

Choral Anthem...“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship,” arranged by Heather Sorenson

Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 33:12-23...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “Whose glory?”

*Hymn...“Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” (UMH #731)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Hyeji Park / “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” by Oliver Holden

Sunday is coming!!!

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

Plan to come back on Sunday evening for a special presentation by missionary Christan Schlick at 5:00 p.m., followed by a homemade dinner in the fellowship hall. We will have gluten-free and vegetarian options.