Bolder St. Paul's

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Today in Methodist history

Are you a witness of the religion of love? Are you a lover of God and all [people]? Does your heart glow with gratitude to the Giver of every good and perfect gift .... Is your soul warm with benevolence to all [hu]mankind? ... Do you "love, not in word" only, "but in deed and in truth?" Do you persevere in the "work of faith, and the labour of Love?" Do you "walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us?" Do you, as you have time, "do good unto all ..." and in as high a degree as you are able? Whosoever thus "doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Whosoever thou art, whose heart is herein as my heart, give me thine hand! Come, and let us magnify the Lord together, and labour to promote his kingdom upon earth! Let us join hearts and hands in this blessed work, in striving to bring glory to God in the highest, by establishing peace and good-will among [people], to the uttermost of our power!

~John Wesley (Sermon 132, 'On the Laying the Foundation of the New Chapel")

Guide to prayer for General Conference

The theme of this General Conference is “ . . . and know that I am God.” To prepare you for the journey, Upper Room offers a devotional guide as a path to enrich your knowledge of God.

The content of this guide is written by persons from all over the world who have found God’s presence in ordinary moments in their lives. Their experiences offer us new perspectives on how God is at work in the world. We hope that this devotional guide will lead you into a calm, open mindset as delegates gather to do the work of the church. Let us remember it is not about our agendas but about what God and the Holy Spirit can do in and through us for the betterment of the whole church at this General Conference.

No matter where we come from, prayer can connect all of us in our shared United Methodist mission of doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God (General Rules of The UMC). Regardless of our language, physical stance, or the manner in which we pray, we raise our voices in hopeful prayers of unity, mission, and ministry through Jesus Christ for our church.

Download the prayer guide at this link.

— Excerpts from the "Welcome" by Kim Simpson, Chair of the Commission on the General Conference

April 21 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+ Bren Smith gives thanks for her friend, Molly, being with her this week.

+ Angela Baker is thankful for the continued healing of George in rehab.

+ Suzanne Polacek gives thanks for Terri H.'s recovery from surgery and for Terri being able to join the bells this morning.

+ Carol, Diane McKnight's sister, is thankful to share in the great-aunt duties as she supports Ariel's surgery recovery.

+ Joey Vander Vorste gives thanks for Jim's sister, Sharon, being with us today.

+ We celebrate this week's birthday: Mawce Glancy, Sandra Jordan, & Christina Pulaski

+ We give thanks for those participating today: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (videographer), Louise Cook (piano), Tim Cook (class), Scott & Rebecca Glancy (fellowship), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Suzanne Polacek (bells), & Jim Vander Vorste (greeter).

Concerns:

+ Pastor Charles asks for prayers for the work of The United Methodist Church General Conference which begins on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina (April 23 - May 3).

+ Sandra Jordan lifts the families of her friends, Roberta and Sarah, who recently died.

+ Myrle Myers asks for prayers for Jerry C. as he continues to recover in the hospital.

+ We pray for peace in a world where violence is too often the first resort.

April 21 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+The United Methodist Church General Conference (April 23 - May 3) begins this week on Tuesday. Please be in prayer for the work of the delegates, volunteers, vendors, and observers at this momentous gathering. The live stream of General Conference will be available at this link.

+Ladies Lunch Bunch -- Thursday, May 2, at 11:45 a.m., at the Old Santa Fe Mexican Grille in Louisville. R.S.V.P. by May 1 to Kathy Lloyd.

+It isn't too early to be thinking about the Women's Summer Book Club. Contact Judy or Belinda if you are interested in participating.

April 21 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Early light on Sunday

Bells warm up before worship

Fourth Sunday of Easter

(link to today's worship)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; He has become the cornerstone!” —Acts 4:11

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Louise Cook / “Just as I Am” by William Bradbury

*Call to Worship (Psalm 23, 1 John 3:16-24)...Amy Abshire

Day by day, God leads us: To the deep, deep pools of peace, to the green, lush lawns of grace. Day by day, Jesus calls us: To pour out ourselves in service, to anoint the stranger with hope. Day by day, the Holy Spirit shows us: The community we could be, the family we are called to become.

—Rev. Thom Shuman, posted on Lectionary Liturgies

*Hymn...“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” (UMH #155)

Psalm 23...Amy Abshire

The Lord Jesus is my Soul Shepherd who meets all my needs and makes me smile. He gets me to stop working and to relax with Him in His Father’s loving arms; He takes me into a quiet place to be still and know that He is God and I am loved; He heals and rejuvenates my whole being with His grace from the inside out. He holds my hand at the crossroads and walks me onto the path of life.

Even though I go through dark and difficult times, I don’t fear anything bad because You are with me. You discipline me in love and converse patiently with me to bring out the best in me; You prepare a celebration to bless and honor me right in front of my enemies.

You anoint me with Your Spirit to minister to others out of the overflow of Your love to me. I can count on Your generous favor and tender mercy coming to me wherever I go. I will live in the presence of Christ as His beloved in all things and at all times!

—Bill & Kristi Gaultiere, posted on Soul Shepherding

Epistle Lesson: 1 John 3:16-24...Amy Abshire

Bell Anthem...“Lord Be Glorified,” arranged by Michael Helman

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

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

Gospel Lesson: John 10:11-18...Pastor Charles

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

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “It’s not that baaaad”

*Hymn...“A Charge to Keep I Have” (UMH #413)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Louise Cook / “On Eagle’s Wings,” arranged by Douglas Wagner