Sometimes a story that’s too good is still true. The story of Barbara Heck, “The Mother of American Methodism,” is one of those stories. Most United Methodists who’ve heard the name know Barbara Heck as the woman who saw her husband and other men playing cards one night, and in a moment reminiscent of Jesus in the Temple, angrily threw their cards into the fireplace and demanded they form a new Methodist society in New York City.
Read more at this link.
 |
| Susanna Wesley bobblehead |
+ Belinda Alkula gives thanks for Judy Waller and the organization of the trip to see Fiddler on the Roof last Sunday.
+ Angela Baker gives thanks for the visit from family over the Thanksgiving holidays.
+ Rebecca Glancy is thankful for Ben's visit home from college and the safe return to school for the next quarter.
+ Belinda Alkula is thankful for Rev. Hill's time with us this morning.
+ We are blessed by those who served this week: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (videographer), Steve Bainbridge (greeter), Joan & Austin Cooper (flowers), Lorie Courier (piano), Rev. Janeen Hill (preacher), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Suzanne Polacek (bells), and Ron Revier (choir).
Concerns
+ Sandy Bainbridge asks for prayers for Wesley currently in the ICU.+ Bob Muckle lifts up Haley who is the hospital.
+ We join with people around the world in praying for peace in the Holy Land.
.jpg)
+ EFAA Holiday Gift Room help spread holiday cheer for families struggling to make ends meet. Last year the EFAA gift room made the holidays brighter for more than 800 children and teens. St. Paul’s will continue our Christmas tradition by donating new, unwrapped gifts to support these families. You can find a detailed list on the registration table at the back of the sanctuary. Gifts will be delivered to EFAA on December 11.
+ Join your St. Paul’s church family on Saturday, December 2, at 9:00 a.m. for the Hanging of the Greens as we celebrate the start of the season of Advent and deck our halls! Coffee, juice and a light breakfast will be provided beginning at 9:00 a.m., and we hope to be done by noon.
+ The 2023 Church Conference will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 10:00 AM. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting as we vote on the Membership Report, Lay Leadership Report, and Pastoral Compensation report. Since that is the second Saturday of the month when we would normally meet for breakfast fellowship, we will share a breakfast/brunch potluck in the fellowship hall at 9:00 a.m.
 |
| Pastor Charles' Chi Rho painting |
 |
| Fellowship is a great time for one and all |
 |
| The Fun Finance Committee does its work |
Christ the King Sunday
How easy to praise You, Beloved One,
For abundance, for cups brim filled;
How can we not delight in Your majesty,
Your endless blessings to us.
How simple our thanks, Beloved One,
For laden tables, for gathered families,
Shoulders touching in the intimacy of the meal
You have spread before us.
Teach us to thank and bless Your name,
When cups are empty and thirst is great;
Put our hands together to replenish,
Finding blessing in tiny sips.
Beloved One, to thank and bless You,
We find hope in uncertainty
And triumph in shaky steps.
We recreate abundance for Your sake.
~ written by Debbie Perlman, in “Flames to Heaven: New Psalms for Healing and Praise.”
Posted on the Patheos website.
 |
| Communion at The New Room, Bristol |
“Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it. One who always prays is ever giving praise, whether in ease or pain, both for prosperity and for the greatest adversity. He blesses God for all things, looks on them as coming from Him, and receives them for His sake- not choosing nor refusing, liking or disliking, anything, but only as it is agreeable or disagreeable to His perfect will.”
- John Wesley
God of peace, give comfort to those who mourn. Give courage to our trans communities in the face of cruelty and harassment. Bring to justice those who perpetrate this violence.
Challenge us, O Holy One, to speak out for those who are silenced, to stand with those who are bullied, and to go with those who face danger. Amen.
~ First UMC - Missoula, Montana ~ (Rev. John Daniels, son of Rev. Dan & Bets Daniels, is the pastor here)
 |
| Welcome! |
 |
| Rev. Murphy offers the blessing |
 |
| Good food and fellowship! |
 |
| Decorating takes many hands! |
After the meal, the Wesley building was decorated for the holidays with trees, wreaths, and more making for a festive look!
+ Angela Baker gives thanks for the visit this week with her daughter and family.
+ Rev. Dan & Bets Daniels are thankful for the visit of their son, Rev. John Daniels, and for his help in their upcoming move.
+ Belinda is thankful for the amazing shoebox ministry that six of our fellowship took part in last Tuesday at Mountain View UMC.
+ Pastor Charles is thankful for the nice Thanksgiving stole he is wearing (given to him in Stevensville, Montana).
+ We lift up Belinda and Pastor Charles as they celebrate their 26th anniversary next Friday.
+ We are blessed by those who served this week: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (videographer), Sandy Bainbridge (fellowship), Steve Bainbridge (fellowship/greeter), Tim Cook (study group), Ben Glancy (liturgist), Sandra Jordan (flowers), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Hyegi Park (piano), and Suzanne Polacek (bells).
Concerns
+ Sally Owen asks for prayers for her nephew's wife's family as they settle into their new community. Prayers are also asked for his fmaily still in Ukraine.
+ Pastor Charles asks for prayerful support of the PATH Fund which is running low again.
.jpg)
+ It is time to reshuffle Dinner Circles. Dinner Circles are a way to get to know more of the people in our church family and foster stronger relationships. Please let Marcia Hult know at 307-761-0574, 720-562-8200 if you would like to be added to a group.
+ We will be decorating the church for the Advent/Christmas season on Saturday, December 2 at 9:00 AM.
+ Join your St. Paul’s church family on Saturday, December 2, at 9:00 a.m. for the Hanging of the Greens as we celebrate the start of the season of Advent and deck our halls! Coffee, juice and a light breakfast will be provided beginning at 9:00, and we hope to be done by noon.
+ The 2023 Church Conference will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 10:00 AM. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting as we vote on the Membership Report, Lay Leadership Report, and Pastoral Compensation report. We will gather for brunch at 9AM and follow that with the Church Conference. Since that is the second Saturday of the month when we would normally meet for breakfast fellowship, we will share a breakfast/brunch potluck in the fellowship hall at 9:00 a.m.
 |
| Flowers from Sandra Jordan |
 |
| The bells warm-up before worship |
 |
| Hyeji Park offers the postlude |
 |
| Rev. Dan & Bets Daniels, Rev. John Daniels, and Pastor Charles |
 |
| Fellowship time conversation |
Welcome...Pastor Charles
Prelude...Hyeji Park / “We Gather Together,” arranged by Bonnie Heidenreich
*Call to Worship...Ben Glancy
The world is filled with the glory of God, and we say, Thank you! The hills and valleys are filled with colour, and we say, Thank you! The vines and trees are filled with fruit, and we say, Thank you! Our tables are overflowing with food, and we say, Thank you! Our life is filled with love of family and friends, and we say, Thank you! We fill this house of God with our voices, saying, Thank you! May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O God, as enter into this service of thanksgiving and praise.
—Carol Penner, posted on Leading in Worship
*Hymn...“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” (UMH #694)
Prayer of Intercession (based on Matthew 14:13-21 and Psalm 145:15-16)...Ben Glancy (to be read responsively)
Loving God, You are our Creator and Sustainer. When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. And so we look to You whenever we are in need, trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.
As You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish, we ask that You again fill those who are empty this day. Pour out Your Spirit on all who hunger and thirst.
We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty. We think especially of the people in the world who are facing critical food shortages; who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation; and watching helplessly as loved ones die. Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.
We pray for those who are empty emotionally—who are lonely and long for companionship and love, who are caught in the grip of depression or overwhelmed with grief. Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.
We pray for those who are spiritually empty—who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn; who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look; who need You, but do not yet know You. Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.
God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives. Pour out Your Spirit on us as well. Fill us with Your compassion and love, so that we would willingly share some of our abundance with those who have need. Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that we may be filled.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who came so that all of humanity might come to know the abundant life that comes from You. Amen.
—Christine Longhurst, re:Worship
Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations
Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles
Gospel Lesson: Luke 17:11-19...Ben Glancy
Bell Anthem...“Grace and Thanksgiving,” arranged by Anna Laura Page
Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15...Pastor Charles
This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Sermon...Pastor Charles / “A gift that can’t be described”
*Hymn...“Now Thank We All Our God” (UMH #102)
*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles
Postlude...Hyeji Park / “He Is Exalted,” arranged by Twila Paris
