Worship Preview 5.24.26 Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Weekend

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY: 10:30am. “Pentecost Hymn Sing”  Scriptures: Acts 2:1-33, .

This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day on the secular calendar in the United States. A day of remembrance set aside specifically for those who died in service to our nation. More generally, many of us take the time to remember all those who have gone before us, decorating family graves and gathering to share stories. In many ways, it has become somewhatsimilar to All Saints in November, when we celebrate our great cloud of witnesses. Personally, I find Memorial weekend a good time to refocus on our deepest ideals – dreams “of liberty and justice for all” and to remember those who have sacrificed the most for those ideas. On the Christian liturgical calendar this Sunday is also Pentecost – a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit, often thought of as the “birthday of the Church.” The Disciples are sent forth – going from the locked “upper room” and fearful hiding - to joyful, public proclamation of the Risen Christ. This weekend will celebrate these special days and engage in an old and much beloved practice – a Methodist Hymn Sing! Our musicians will help lead us and the congregation will be encourage to suggest favorite hymns from the United Methodist Hymnal or Faith We Sing.

Singing in congregation has been a hallmark of Methodism from the time of John and Charles Wesley. In fact, in 1761, they published a hymnal called “Select Hymns” – a first hymnal to help guide the growing Methodist movement in England. In that, John published a list of directions for singing that Methodist around the world have referred to since. You can still find them printed in the opening pages of the United Methodist Hymnal. They are an encouragement. Among them are a call to “sing all – frequently” and “not let a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.” Point IV says to “Sing lustily and with good courage, beware of singing if you were half dead or half asleep” and yet Point V reminds us to “Sing modestly, do not bawl… that you may not destroy the harmony but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one melodic cloud..” and finally – “Above all, Sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing – aim at pleasing him more than yourself.”

We gather as one congregation, one choir, to sing praises to our Lord and Savior. We will sing songs of hope and peace. We will sing songs of lament and repentance. We will sing songs of grace and joy. We will celebrate God’s love and power, faithfulness and presence, mercy and forgiveness. Whether you grew up in the pews singing the beloved hymns or maybe you used to attend church but… eh... life has happened and it’s been awhile. Maybe you’re been reflecting and questioning and realized it’s time for a change and a new worship community. Or maybe you’ve never attended church before at all – I invite you to come and sing and celebrate with us this Sunday! To hear the theology of Wesleyan hymns, to join in a community. Wear red to celebrate Pentecost and, guided by the Holy Spirit, to find your path, and share your journey!

UPCOMING EVENT: FEEDING FAMILIES IN HIS NAME: Wednesday, May 27 - A free, no obligation meal is served “to-go” style from underneath our portico from 5:15pm to 6:15pm each Wednesday, prepared each week by our members as well as several area churches and community groups. We aim to provide 400 meals per week.