I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to say at my dad’s memorial service in a couple of weeks. I have found putting my thoughts down on paper harder than I anticipated. As I have worked on his funeral sermon, I have been reminiscing about his life and his character. It has been an experience mixed with sadness and great joy. I have said before if I could only have one book of the Bible, I would choose the Psalms. But the book of Proverbs is high up on the list also.
Like the Psalms, Proverbs is one book of the Bible that has something for just about every occasion. In looking up the word “joy,” I found, “A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast” (15:13-15).
It’s hard to have a glad heart these days, it seems. It’s a little easier if one ignores the news media, but somehow it’s the way we keep in touch with the world and what is going on everywhere else, other than our back yard or even our street. Lots of pictures of cute kittens (and puppies and other baby animals) help, and, for many, it’s the only reason to get on social media at all. Somehow baby animals (or even baby humans) lighten the mood and bring smiles even when the heart is heavy. They are innocent, do cute things, and aren’t trying to convince us of anything. They are just themselves, and we are happier for having seen them. Pictures of beautiful places help take us away from our mundane lives, and occasionally we vow to visit those places “when all this is over.” Then we wonder, will it ever be totally over?
There are a lot more verses about joy in the Bible, and it can be a joyful experience just to look for them. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” We sometimes forget that, even though it is a reasonably familiar verse. Still, it deserves attention, especially in dark times like these. It makes me think that I can help bring joy to someone else with a simple gesture like smiling (they can see the skin around my eyes crinkle over the edge of my mask), using pleasantries like “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” in daily conversations (even with rude people), or crafting a gift or a card for a friend who lives down the street or even across the country.
Take the gift of joy wherever you can find it, and then pass it on to someone else. Joy shared is joy doubled, and that’s not a bad thing these days.
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Following the CDC, DOH, State, and insurance recommendations, the nursery will remain closed and children 8 and under are asked to remain home and safe, and children/youth 9-17 are asked to remain with their parent or guardian at all times during the worship service and anywhere in the church facility.
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Children and Youth Ministries
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- Children, youth and families are invited to join Pastor Kelly every weekday morning at 10:00am for a devotional and activity. We will post the daily video on our website and FaceBook page, with a link to a YouTube Channel.
- Youth are invited to join Pastor Kelly for a youth zoom meet-up every Thursday at 9:00am. Please contact Pastor Kelly to be included in the zoom youth meet up at kellyb@centraltolife.org.
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Pastor Greg is hosting a zoom Bible study devotional and check in every Wednesday at 6 PM. Please contact Pastor Greg to be included on the zoom invite at
gkennedy@centraltolife.org
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Pastor Kelly is providing a weekly 3rd space devotional every Monday morning. Please contact Pastor Kelly to receive this third space devotional at
kellyb@centraltolife.org
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September 2020 Educational Opportunities Journeys of Paul Cruise has been altered
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Unfortunately, due to CoronaVirus and travel restrictions, the September 2020 Educational Opportunities Journeys of Paul Cruise has been altered. A fall 2021 Footsteps of Paul Cruise featuring guest speaker Rev. Susan Robb from Highland Park UMC in Dallas TX is currently being finalized. More information to be available soon. Please contact Pastor Kelly with questions.
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This ministry helps keep members in contact with each other by writing notes to
someone in the congregation. If you would like to receive a note from a member of the Circuit Writers or be part of this ministry, please contact Cindy at
pwcin1963@gmail.com.
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For more information about the ministries of Central United Methodist Church,
email info@centraltolife.org, call the church office at 243-7834
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June 28, 2020 Order of Service
CENTERING WORDS
Have you thirsted for a cup of kindness? Have you hungered for a table that welcomes you? Come to God, for God offers us a banquet of love and acceptance!
Prelude Dr. Dan Cummings, organ
CALL TO WORSHIP
OPENING HYMN Where Charity and Love Prevail (vs 1-2, 6) 549 UMH
OPENING PRAYER
PRAYER RESPONSE They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love (vs 1,2), 2223 TFWS
Central to Life
SCRIPTURE HYMN The Gift of Love (vs 1,3) 408 UMH
Scripture Lesson: Genesis 22:1-14
Sermon “An Unthinkable Trial”
ANTHEM I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table Spiritual Dr. Karen Marrolli, vocal and piano
Catalytic Generosity
Offering Prayer
DOXOLOGY Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow 94 UMH
Hymn to Engage the World O Church of God, United (vs 1,4) 547 UMH
Blessing
Dismissal
MUSICAL BENEDICTION Where Charity and Love Prevail Paul Benoit Dr. Karen Marrolli, vocal and piano
POSTLUDE Dr. Dan Cummings, organ
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- Mobil – Text #505.384.7589
- Online – centraltolife.org
- Mail a Check – 201 University Blvd, NE Albuquerque NM 87106
- Bank Draft – Contact your bank directly
- Recurring E-Giving Through Employee or United Way
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For more information about the ministries of Central United Methodist Church,
email info@centraltolife.org, call the church office at 243-7834
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201 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 • (505) 243-7834 • www.centraltolife.org
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