Free and Fair Elections for All

The Wesleyan tradition has a long tradition of fighting for voting rights. In the U.S, United Methodists are prioritizing efforts to restore voting rights for those formerly incarcerated.

Read more at this link on The General Board of Church and Society's dedication to voting rights.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Tuesday:

7:00 pm, Virtual Trustees meeting

Wednesday:

10:00 am, Virtual Coffee/Tea gathering

11:30 am, Church Vitality zoominar: Mission Insite (Learn more @ this link)

Noon, UMC Town Hall on Racism (Learn more @ this link) 

Thursday:

4:45 pm, Community Table (1603 Walnut St.)

7:00 pm, Virtual Worship Team meeting

Sunday:

10:00 am, Virtual Worship 

11:00 am, Virtual Youth Group

Scripture lessons for August 23

The scripture lessons for this coming Sunday come from Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 16:13-20.

Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leone dies in road accident

Bishop John K. Yambasu, the Resident Bishop of the Sierra Leone Area of The United Methodist Church, died in a road accident this morning just outside Freetown in Sierra Leone.   

Read more at this link.

August 16 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

 

+In keeping with current City/County of Boulder, State of Colorado, and Mountain Sky Conference guidance, all in-person programs and events of St. Paul's UMC are cancelled until further notice. 

+If you would like to make a donation to thank The Pic and Bow for their musical contribution, please send a check to Martha B., made out to St. Paul's, and write The Pic and Bow in the memo line.

+You are invited to join us each Wednesday morning @ 10:00 am, for a virtual coffee/tea informal gathering via Zoom. Join our gathering at this link.

+Two new interactive town hall discussions are planned as part of the “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” initiative’s town hall series on anti-racism to explore both old and new approaches to organizing for racial justice in church and community. In the first of the two discussions, participants will hear from a panel of seasoned leaders on August 19 at 11:00 AM at 12:00 noon CT, followed by a discussion featuring a panel of emerging leaders on August 26 at 11:00 AM. The webinar will be at available at this link, as well as a live airing on The United Methodist Church Facebook page.

+Church Vitality webinar: Mission Insite Inspiration, on Wednesday (Aug. 19) at 11:00 am. Visit this link to register. ​MissionInsite gives you the tools to revitalize your church, increase ministry impact, develop mission generosity, and expand ministry options. Professional and lay leadership in thousands of organizations around the country choose MissionInsite to bring their unique picture into focus.

+Virtual Conversation with Debby Irving, author of Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race. Register by Wednesday (Aug. 19), event will be on Friday, Aug. 21 starting at 5:00 pm.  Visit this link to learn more.

+Disciples Living Generously (free course) - A three-session series designed to help church leaders see stewardship and generosity as more than “how do we pay the bills” but rather “how do we grow generous disciples? Moving the focus beyond the church’s need for money to clearly highlight a disciple’s need to experience the joy of a generous life. Visit this link to learn more.

+The Institute for Discipleship and Youth Ministry Institute are partnering to offer an all-online Certification in Youth Ministry that is designed to equip lay people who work with youth in local churches – both paid staff and volunteer. Learn more at this link.

+UMCOR has awarded a solidarity grant to The Middle East Council of Churches in support of their response to extensive needs following the recent explosions in Beirut. These funds will help to procure and deliver essential food and hygiene supplies to vulnerable residents, providing immediate relief in the wake of this disaster. Give today at this link. 

+Be sure to view our calendar to see the latest activities being offered through various virtual platforms. More information is available on our blog.

+Please remember to send your gifts and offerings to support the ongoing ministries of St. Paul's UMC (Boulder) to Martha B.

August 16 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

                             

Joys:

+We give thanks for this week's birthdays: Tyler A., Ella B., Matt C., Abby L., Claudia M., Tammy V., and Vince W.

+Scott & Rebecca G. celebrate their 23rd anniversary!

+Don L. welcomes newest great-granddaughter, Evelyn Rose.

+Louise C. reports that her sister, Marjorie, is recovering nicely.

+Katherine & Frank R. are thankful that the major storm missed them in Iowa.

Concerns:

+Those who are dealing with the impact of the pandemic including those facing health concerns, economic anxiety, or other disruptions of life. 

+Lifting up in prayers those affected by the pervasive nature of racism in our society.

+Prayers for all teachers, students, staff, and families who are beginning new school years. CU - Boulder students move into the dorms this coming week.

+Emily (Jack C.'s fiancee') is waiting word on what she will be teaching this year.

+Prayers for everyone impacted by ten active wildfires in Colorado. 

+Prayers for Suzanne P.'s friend, Wanda, who is going for surgery.

+Prayers for Rebecca G.'s grandmother who has passed.

+Steve M.'s doctor is discerning new direction for his practice.

+Please pray for the family of the Rev. Marvin Essing, who passed away on Aug. 3 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. He was a retired elder in the Conference.

+Please pray for the Rev. Lonnie Johnston and family, as he has entered hospice care at home in Cheyenne, WY. He is a retired elder in the Mountain Sky Conference.

+Please remember Bishop John K. Yambasu, the Resident Bishop of the Sierra Leone Area of The United Methodist Church, died in a road accident this morning just outside Freetown, Sierra Leone. 

August 16 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

 August 16 —11th Sunday after Pentecost 

Today’s Meditation Verse: “A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted,

‘Show me mercy, Son of David.’” – Matthew 15:22a

Welcome—Pastor Charles

Call to Worship (Psalm 133) — Pastor Charles (Leader) and Amy A. (People)

Congregation is encouraged to read people’s response aloud on mute setting

Leader: How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!

People: It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard,

Leader: Flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.

People: It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion.

Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.

Stupendous Mystery (Charles Wesley) – Amy A.

Congregation is encouraged to read aloud on mute setting)

Stupendous mystery! God in our flesh is seen (While angels ask, how can it be?) And dwells with sinful men! Our nature He assumes, That we may His retrieve;

He comes, to our dead world He comes, That all thro’ Him may live.

The true, eternal Word To us a Child is given, The sovereign God, th’Almighty Lord,

Who fills both earth and Heaven; Our God on earth appears To take our sins away,

And guide us thro’ the vale of tears To realms of endless day.

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations—Pastor Charles

Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer—Pastor Charles

Congregation is encouraged to pray The Lord’s Prayer aloud on Mute setting

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 10:10-20—Amy A.

Musical Offering: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by The Pic and Bow                           

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 10:21-28—Pastor Charles

Sermon: “Listen and understand” – Pastor Charles

Words for the Journey—Pastor Charles

Reminder: Gifts and tithes can be sent directly to Martha B.

Contributions to the PATH Fund can be marked “PATH Fund” in the memo line.