May 24 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Aldersgate Flame monument - London

May 24th —Ascension Sunday/Aldersgate Day 

Today’s Meditation Verse: "Galileans, why are standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw Him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11

Welcome—Pastor Charles

Call to Worship (Psalm 68:32-33)—Pastor Charles (Leader) and Claudia Mills (People) (The congregation is encouraged to read People’s response aloud on mute setting.)

Leader: Sing to God, all kingdoms of the earth!
People: Sing praises to my Lord.
Leader: Sing to the one who rides through heaven, the most ancient heaven.

People: Look! God sends forth the word, God’s mighty word.
 

Prayer for Aldersgate Day--Claudia Mills (The congregation is encouraged to read aloud on mute setting.)                    

Almighty God, in a time of great need You raised up Your servants John and Charles Wesley, and by Your Spirit inspired them to kindle a flame of sacred love which leaped and ran, an inextinguishable blaze. Grant that all those whose hearts have been warmed at these altar fires, being continually refreshed by Your grace, may be so devoted to the increase of scriptural holiness throughout the land that in this our time of great need, Your will may fully and effectively be done on earth as it is in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (UM Book of Worship, Fred Gealy)

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles (The congregation is encouraged to pray The Lord’s Prayer aloud on mute setting.)

First Scripture Lesson: Acts 1:6-14—Claudia Mills

Musical Offering: “Hand Bell Medley” —Christopher Wahl (from October 20, 2019)

Selections from Martin Luther’s Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans —Pastor Charles  

Sermon: “Oh, for a heart like that!” —Pastor Charles

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Reminder: Gifts and tithes can be sent directly to Martha Batch. Contributions to the PATH Fund can be marked “PATH Fund” in the memo line.              

This is why...

Two symptomatic people attended gatherings in a small Arkansas church in early March. Of the 92 church members who attended the gatherings, 35 were later confirmed to have COVID-19, which led to three deaths. Through contact tracing, an additional 26 confirmed cases were identified in the community with an additional death. 

This outbreak highlights the potential for widespread transmission of COVID-19 during in-person, faith-based events. Follow CDC guidelines and consult with local public health officials for modifying faith-based practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and for considering when and how to resume in-person group gatherings.

Learn more from CDC’s MMWR: bit.ly/MMWR051920. 

From the islands to you

This is an amazing YouTube video initiated by my niece’s church in Hawai'i, but it involves 25 churches in the island and each of the islands. Some are Methodist, some are not, but this is so beautiful, I wanted to share. 

Angela B.

It's Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Join us each Sunday at 10:00 am for a time of sharing, music, and more!

Join URL: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/357230875

A Time to Mourn: An Ecumenical Memorial Service for Lives Lost to COVID-19

Christian denominational leaders from the National Council of Churches USA will offer words of lament, comfort, encouragement, and hope during an Ecumenical Memorial Service to remember the lives of those lost so far in the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. This virtual memorial service will include a listing of the names of many of those whom we have lost, inspirational music, scripture readings, a sermonic reflection and space for grieving. You are invited to join us for this time of remembering, mourning and celebrating the lives of loved ones.

A Time to Mourn will be held this coming Sunday (May 24) at 4:00 pm

Register for this event at this link.

It's Nominationtide!

What’s up? On Ascension Day, it’s Jesus! And also it’s the start of Nominationtide!

For ten full days, the Supreme Executive Committee will be accepting nominations for Lent Madness 2020. The nominating period will remain open through the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 31, at which point this brief exercise in Lenten democracy will go up in smoke like the hair of the disciples when the tongues of fire descended upon their heads.

Usually we only allow a week for Nominationtide, but this year we are generously allowing you ten days. We know that conferring on nominations might take longer in a time of social distancing. Please note that the Lent Madness website has been thoroughly disinfected, so there is no risk as you read this post or browse the online Lentorium.* Unfortunately, all Lentorium store locations remained closed at this time. 

Join the fun at this link.

The UMC is still in mission May 28

Join us for a new series connecting the church with missionaries serving all over the world. Episode 1 is May 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. when we feature missionaries that are directly working with Church Planting, Evangelism, and Discipleship.  

Participants will have the opportunity to explore the work of Susanna & Young Cho, Katherine Meek, and Fernando Matsimbe. 

The UMC is #stillinmission and hope that you'll join us to learn more! 

Registration is limited. You will get a confirmation email once your registration is accepted. If the limit is reached, you will get priority for future events. You can register here. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Missionary Support Coach, Erica Oliveira at eoliveira@umcmission.org.