Today in Methodist History

Charles Wesley had an experience of great spiritual depth and power on this date 3 days before John. Here is his account:

Sun., May 21st, 1738. I waked in hope and expectation of His coming. At nine my brother and some friends came, and sang an hymn to the Holy Ghost. My comfort and hope were hereby increased. In about half-an-hour they went: I betook myself to prayer; the substance as follows:

"Oh Jesus, thou hast said, 'I will come unto you; 'thou hast said, ' I will send the Comforter unto you; thou hast said, 'My Father and I will come unto you, and make our abode with you.' Thou art God who canst not lie; I wholly rely upon thy most true promise: accomplish it in thy time and manner." Having said this, I was composing myself to sleep, in quietness and peace, when I heard one come in Mrs. Musgrave, I thought, by the voice) and say, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise, and believe, and thou shalt he healed of all thy infirmities." I wondered how it should enter into her head to speak in that manner. The words struck me to the heart. I sighed, and said within myself, "0 that Christ would but speak thus to me from Christ of my recovery, soul and body. She returned home repeating with all joy and triumph, "I believe, I believe:" yet her heart failed her, and she durst not say the words to me that night.

On Sunday morning she took Mr. Bray aside, burst into tears, and informed him of the matter; objecting she was a poor weak sinful creature, and should she go to a minister. She could not do it; nor rest till she did. He asked whether she had ever found herself so before. "No, never." "Why, then," said he, "Go. Remember Jonah. You declare promises, not threatenings. Go in the name of the Lord. Fear not your own weakness. Speak you the words: Christ will do the work. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hath he ordained strength."

They prayed together, and she then went up, but durst not come in till she had prayed again by herself. About six minutes after she had left him, he found and felt, while she was speaking the words, that Christ was with us. I never heard words uttered with like solemnity. The sound of her voice was entirely changed into that of Mrs. Musgrave. (If I can be sure of anything sensible.) I rose and looked into the Scripture. The words that first presented were, "And now, Lord, what is my hope truly my hope is even in thee." I then cast down my eye, and met, "He hath put a new song in my mouth, even a thanksgiving unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall put their trust in the Lord." Afterwards I opened upon Isaiah xl. 1: "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God: speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sin."

I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. My temper for the rest of the day was, mistrust of my own great, but before unknown, weakness. I saw that by faith I stood; by the continual support of faith, which kept me from falling, though of myself I am ever sinking into sin. I went to bed still sensible of my own weakness, (I humbly hope to be more and more so,) yet confident of Christ's protection.

~ Charles Wesley (May 21, 1738)

Join us for Ascension Sunday

 

Join us Sunday for worship at 10:15 a.m. in person or online here.  The chancel choir will sing one last anthem before taking its summer hiatus.  Preview Sunday's bulletin here.

May's "Sew What" Gathering

Yummy cake!

A lively group!

Treats galore!

The last “Sew What” until September took place today on a drizzly morning in Boulder with Bren Smith serving as hostess. Bren provided a lovely assortment of treats and the fellowship and craft work made for a wonderful time together.

The September edition of Sew What will be on the 15th, location TBA.

Bren Smith's "Dill Dip"

1 T. shredded green onion

1 T. parsley flakes (dried)

1 T. Beau Monde seasoning

1 T. Dill weed

2/3 C. sour cream

2/3 C. real mayonaise

Mix well. Chill for at least an hour. 

Pilgrimage to Sand Creek

To be partners in building and living into beloved community requires us to know our history, to learn about one another, to acknowledge our mistakes, and commit to a new way. Often the conversation around the Sand Creek Massacre can leave us stuck at shame, that can even lead to resentment. Our calling as followers of Jesus Christ is to process our history, feelings of guilt or shame in ways that move us towards learning what a new way of being in community might be like. This requires humility and a commitment to the journey. Most times, we are not even the ones to lead that work or prescribe how it is to happen as we must follow the lead of those directly impacted. 

If you are interested in participating on this visit to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site on June 26th, below is some initial details for your   consideration. Registration is forth coming. 

Departure is 6:30 am with two possible departure locations: First UMC Colorado Springs or in Denver. Arriving back at the departure locations around 5 pm.

Registration Fee is $30.00 which will include gas for the vans we will be taking, snack, and lunch. 

Required Pre-reading: Massacre at Sand Creek: How Methodists Were Involved in an American Tragedy 

With our best efforts, we hope the trip will be physically accessible but please note that we will be riding on some bumpy dirt roads. 

Questions, please contact Rev. Bich Thy (Betty) Nguyen.

Hymn for Ascension Day

Wesley, Charles. Hymns for Ascension Day 

(London: Strahan, 1753).

Hosanna to the Prince of light, 

That clothed Himself in clay; 

Entered the iron gates of death 

And tore the bars away. 

                                                                                                   

Death is no more the king of dread, 

Since our Immanuel rose; 

He took the tyrant’s sting away, 

And spoiled our hellish foes.        

See how the Conqueror mounts aloft, 

And to His Father flies, 

With scars of honour in His flesh, 

And triumphs in His eyes. 

There our exalted Saviour reigns, 

And scatters blessings down; 

Our Jesus fills the middle seat 

Of the celestial throne. 

Raise your devotion, mortal tongues, 

To reach His blessed abode; 

Sweet be the accents of your songs,

To our incarnate God.

Bright angels, strike your loudest strings, 

Your sweetest voices raise; 

Let heaven and all created things 

Sound our Immanuel's praise.

Cyclone Mocha response

Please join us in prayer for those impacted by Cyclone Mocha, which hit Myanmar and Bangladesh on Sunday and has been called one of the strongest storms to ever hit Myanmar. Hundreds are feared dead. Rohingha refugees along the border in Bangladesh have also experienced losses.

UMCOR is communicating with local partners in both countries to assess immediate needs. A solidarity grant to the Bangladesh Methodist Church has been issued to offer emergency relief for Saint Martin Island.

To offer support for this and other disasters, donate to UMCOR's International Disaster Response and Recovery Advance here.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

"By acquainting ourselves with subjects in natural philosophy, we enter into a kind

of association with nature’s works and unite in the general concert of her extensive choir. By thus acquainting and familiarizing ourselves with the works of nature, we become as it were a member of her family, a participant in her felicities; but while we remain ignorant, we are like strangers and sojourners in a foreign land, unknowing and unknown."

~ John Wesley (A Survey of the Wisdom of God in the Creation, 1:vii)