Sunday Worship Services
Check back here every Sunday for a new worship service. If you would like to receive the weekly worship video by email or be added to our weekly church email, fill out the "Contact Us" form here.
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Sunday, July 25
Quest--Travel as a Spiritual Act, Week 1: “Leaving Home”
Leaving Egypt was not a pleasure excursion for the Hebrew people. But the story of their pilgrimage in the desert in the Book of Exodus reminds us that traveling, moving, leaving home, is part of our Judeo-Christian tradition. Each of us finds ourselves sometime in life needing to leave the familiar in order to grow and to thrive. Beginning a journey involves leaving “home”–whether that is a physical place in order to explore another part of the world, or changing a mindset that keeps us from expanding our spiritual capacity. What must we do to embark into the unknown?
Psalm 121; Exodus 13: 17-21
Music reproduced by permission: Streaming licenses added. OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House;The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version); Series: Quest by Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/.Quest; Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, July 18
"Creating a New World" (8th Sunday of Pentecost)
Our final service of this series offers the vision of the New Creation–a world where we are no longer strangers or aliens because of our differences. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been a Christian all your life or if you are unsure about your path, we are all part of the house that God is building and the reconciling love of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the one that anchors and structures the whole thing. Let us tend "to building" this house, this new creation, together!
Psalm 23; Mark 6: 30-35, 53-56; Ephesians 2: 17-22
Music reproduced by permission: Streaming licenses added. OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version). Liturgy adapted from Seasons of the Spirit © 2018 & 2021 Woodlake Publishing, Inc.: RCL B. Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/; Used and adapted by permission. Communion- Words of Institution by Phillip Jones & Taize Community.
Sunday, July 4
"Sharing the New Creation" Sunday (6th Sunday of Pentecost)
Thank you to Pastor Patricia Allen-Stewart for filling in for Pastor Catiana, who is out-of-town visiting her family.
Synopsis: As disciples of Jesus, we are called to believe that living a new way is possible, and also to share that good news with others. Not all of us are called or equipped to preach, heal or cast out demons in the biblical sense! But by our very attempts to live in peace and wholeness, we can live a life of example and witness to others.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 5: 1-5 and 9-10; Mark 6: 1-13
Music reproduced by permission: Streaming licenses added. OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)Liturgy adapted from Seasons of the Spirit © 2018 &2021 Woodlake Publishing, Inc.: RCL B
Sunday, July 11
"God’s Economy" Sunday (7th Sunday of Pentecost)
Living in a time of economic insecurity can contribute to our yearning for a different way of doing things. Dishonesty breeds mistrust in a world where debts are rarely forgiven. But if we tend God’s economy, grace overflows. As the Common English Bible translation says, we have a “down payment on our inheritance” through the Holy Spirit, applied toward our transformation. What would it mean to really live in the trust that we are forgiven, that even now God is transforming us through love... and there is plenty to go around!
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Ephesians 1:3-14
Music reproduced by permission: Streaming licenses added. OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version). Liturgy adapted from Seasons of the Spirit © 2018 & 2021 Woodlake Publishing, Inc.: RCL B. Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/; Used and adapted by permission. Communion- Words of Institution by Phillip Jones & Taize Community.
Sunday, June 27
"Healing Old Wounds" Sunday (5th Sunday of Pentecost)
Synopsis: When we tend to our relationship with God, we connect with the power of new life and healing. Sometimes there are wounds that have remained with us over the years and we continue to “bleed” even though we think ignoring them will make them go away. Jesus says to the woman in our scripture story for this week that her faith has healed her. Are willing to move confidently toward Jesus, knowing his very presence in our lives can end the pain that we’ve carried around for a long time?
Scripture: Mark 5: 21-43
Music reproduced by permission: Streaming licenses added. OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969;; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)Liturgy adapted from Seasons of the Spirit © 2018 &2021 Woodlake Publishing, Inc.: RCL B
Sunday, June 20
"Living Out Loud" Sunday (4th Sunday of Pentecost)
Synopsis: The poet Mary Oliver asks in one of her works, “What are you going to do with your one wild, precious life?” The Apostle Paul is trying to spread the Gospel news of new life in Christ, but new Christian communities, like the one at Corinth, frustrate him with their petty feuds and small thinking. “Open yourselves!” is the message here. What do you tend and nurture? Fear or hope? One leaves us small, the other offers us expansive possibilities!
Scripture: Samuel 17; Mark 4:35-41; 23-32; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 107:1-3
Music reproduced by permission: Streaming licenses added. OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969;; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)Liturgy adapted from Seasons of the Spirit © 2018 &2021 Woodlake Publishing, Inc.: RCL B
Sunday, June 13
"Planted with Care" Sunday (3rd Sunday after Pentecost)
Synopsis: Every little thing we do with compassion is a small seed that can sprout into good things beyond our imagining. Like "paying it forward" or "random acts of kindness," we can tend a new creation with a small droplet that ripples out in ever-larger circles of caring relationships.
Can you think of small acts of compassion that changed your life? God is working through others and through you!
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; and Mark 4: 26-34
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, June 6
Expanding Family Sunday (2nd Sunday After Pentecost)
Synopsis: Tending the New Creation summer series invites us to see our own personal spiritual renewal connected to the renewal of community, creation & the world.
This Sunday, we expand our concepts of family. In the scripture Jesus confirms that kinship in God's Realm can go beyond bloodlines. We can re-create family in so many ways, whether we grew up with a family of origin that offered us support or did not. Who is our kin? All those who seek to live together in love!
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 8: 4-11, 16-20; and Mark 3: 20-35
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, May 30
Peace with Justice Sunday (5th Sunday Ecumenical Worship)
Synopsis: Tending the New Creation summer series invites us to see our own personal spiritual renewal connected to the renewal of community, creation & the world. Peace With Justice Sunday is also Trinity Sunday. We are invited to see the God of Creation, where the Body of Christ is at work, and where the Spirit is living and moving. Peace with Justice Sunday falls on our "5th Sunday" Ecumenical Worship. In place of a normal sermon, we have a play written by Pastor Jim McCrea of First Presbyterian. The play, "On the Trail of the Trinity," stars members from each congregation.
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1-8 and Romans 8:12-17
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, May 23
Pentecost Sunday
Synopsis: Ezekiel has a vision of a valley full of bones receiving life, breath, sinew and flesh after encountering the word of God. When they arise, they receive Spirit and they dance! As Easter people, we celebrate the Spirit that continues to give life and breath to our dry bones. We dare to dance in the face of fear, in the face of cynicism, in the face of despair. We dare to dance “as long as we live” for we, like the early Christians, are the recipients of the Spirit of God which intercedes even when we think we can’t make it to the dance floor. In hope we are saved!
Scriptures: Ezekiel 37:1-14 and Acts 2:1-21
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, May 16
“Gone Up with a Shout: Clap Your Hands!”
Ascension Sunday - (7th Sunday of Easter)
Synopsis: As Jesus prepares to leave the disciples, he opens their minds and blesses them. After he ascends, they return to Jerusalem with great joy and a desire for continually worshiping and blessing God in the temple. What happens when the eyes of our hearts are enlightened? We know the hope to which we have been called. As we wait for the Spirit with hope, we celebrate with abandon because we have no other ruler than the One who reigns with love and justice.
Scriptures: Psalm 47: 1-6 and Luke 24: 44-53
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, May 9
“Who Can Withhold: Break Forth!”
(6th Sunday of Easter)
Synopsis: The Psalm for this Sunday describes everything in creation offering joyful noises to God. Our joy is complete because the joy of Christ resides within us. We cannot help but break forth. This joy is available to all, realizes the community in the Acts scripture. The Holy Spirit finds its way even and especially in what feels like unlikely people and places. Where do we see the Spirit at work? And who can withhold the living water and our living praise? No one!
Scriptures: Psalm 98 and Acts 10:44-48
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series. www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, May 2
“From You Comes My Praise: Guide My Steps” (5th Sunday of Easter)
The Ethiopian says, “How can I understand, unless someone guides me?” So Philip begins to proclaim the good news of Jesus and the eunuch commands his chariot to stop so that he can go down to the water and be baptized. How has the testimony of the people in our lives and through the generations guided our steps into dances of praise at the good news that we are loved and blessed? What transformation is possible as we abide with God, the vine from which we find our sustenance?
Scriptures: Acts 8:26-40 & John 15: 1-8
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Adapted by permission.
Sunday, April 25
“By This We Will Know: The Dance of Love”
(Fourth Sunday of Easter/Earth Day)
Easter is the unstoppable, unpredictable expression of God’s love for humankind! The call of Jesus is to live fully in the power of that love – alive in each of us. We learn about that divine love as it is embodied in the person and ministry of Jesus, the one who is compared to a good shepherd. As we look to him to learn how to love, may our hearts praise the One who raised Jesus and raises us to abundant life and love!
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
GUMC Third Sunday of Easter!
Jesus comes to us in our abundance as well as in our brokenness. Jesus goes ahead of us and we find him in our blessings. Eastertide is the season of the church that begins with Easter Sunday and ends with the Feast of Pentecost. Northern Illinois Conference, United Methodist Church Cabinet celebrates the Risen Lord, a "gift" to you.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, April 18
Sunday, April 11
GUMC Second Sunday of Easter!
Dancing requires that we pay attention to our dance partners. It requires finding a rhythm together. The Sunday after Easter brings the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples and breathing the Holy Spirit on them. Other scriptures this week point to the power of being together, of finding fellowship in the presence of Jesus and the presence of the community. What does it take to dance together? Scriptures: John 20:19-22 and 1 John 1:1-4
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, April 4
GUMC Easter Sunday Celebration!
As Easter people, we are called to dance our dances of freedom for all the world to see–even and perhaps especially in times of great difficulty. Dances of hope. Dances of justice. Dances of love. During this season, post-resurrection stories point to the joy of living in the beloved community and extending that fellowship through our witness as we dare to dance again! Scripture: John 20:1-18
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Used with permission. Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com. Special Easter Message from interim, Bishop John L. Hopkins, retired Bishop of The United Methodist Church.
Friday, April 2
GUMC Holy Week: Good Friday
This Good Friday is the culminating moment of our worship series which invites us to consider a commission from Christ to his disciples: to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. These are the very things his disciples have seen him do and that we have sought to witness for our own lives in this Lenten season of recovery.
What will we do with this commission? How will we address ongoing pain with hope and conviction even though we, ourselves, are “healed and yet still healing?”
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely; www.chuckbellmusic.com; Used with permission. Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com.
Thursday, April 1
GUMC Holy Week: Good Friday Worship Service
This culminating moment of our worship series invites us to consider a commission from Christ to his disciples: to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. These are the very things his disciples have seen him do and that we have sought to witness for our own lives in this Lenten season of recovery.
What will we do with this commission? How will we address ongoing pain with hope and conviction even though we, ourselves, are “healed and yet still healing?”
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely; www.chuckbellmusic.com; Used with permission. "We Lay Our Broken World" used with permission by Tony Payne and Anna Briggs. Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com.
GUMC Dare to Dance
Worship Design
Series Trailer
Dare to Dance in hope, love, and justice this Easter Season. Glimpse into the next 8 weeks at Galena United Methodist Church with our Easter Season Worship Series trailer.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely; www.chuckbellmusic.com; Used with permission. Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com.
Sunday, March 28
Palm Sunday
We have seen that the stories of Jesus’ healing ministry are filled with words and deeds. Our ability to forgive ourselves and others is the foundation that can transform infirmities and allow us to move on. We integrate our beliefs and actions for the health of the whole. The parade of compassionate power we celebrate today is underscored by a story of transformation, symbolizing our ability to fuel our movement of recovery. We glorify God for beautiful words and works of wholeness and share that treasured beauty with others. We know there will still be pain, but we also know love will win.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely; www.chuckbellmusic.com; Used with permission. Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com.
Sunday, March 14
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Prolonged times of difficulty can impede our ability to stay creative. The picture of our lives is dulled and hope for a brighter future can fade. We need a touch of inspiration to awaken us from our sleep, as we hear in one of this week’s healing stories. We also awaken to our agency to seek out the Divine Healer, reaching out to touch the power we know can restore our intellect and imagination. We emerge ready to re-engage with the world, seeking solutions, creating different pictures of life renewed just as a mosaic artist creates beauty from broken pieces of glass.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, March 21
Fifth Sunday of Lent
The demands of following Jesus are great. He shows us that sometimes we must make extraordinary efforts to move in a new direction. As we consider the health of humanity, we cannot ignore the need to heal the very planet that sustains us. We live in the increasing chaos of a beleaguered environment and the hoarding of resources. We want to be “saved” by something or someone else, but we discover this week that we are in the boat with the One who shows us our power to turn it around, to calm the storm.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely; www.chuckbellmusic.com; Used with permission. Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com.
Sunday, March 7
Third Sunday of Lent
Those who collect shoreline or beach glass often become “archeologists,”seeking out any clues about its story. It often takes much time to bring out the truth behind it. This week we acknowledge the power of truth-telling as a healing property. Certain stories that have shaped our lives, leaving us without the ability to see who we truly are in the eyes of God and leaving us without the ability to speak the depth of our stories of struggle. We focus on the importance of recovery of mental health, reclaiming our sense of who we are and proclaiming new redemptive stories of divine worth. God gathers us as a scavenger gathers every precious surviving piece of glass along the water's edge.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, February 28
Second Sunday of Lent
God, who seeks humanity’s wholeness, gathers us as a scavenger gathers every precious surviving piece of glass along the water's edge. For we are precious! We affirm our commitment to be the Body of Christ knowing we cannot be personally healed until we see the interconnected community as part of the process of healing. Jesus has the power to re-vision the family of God in which false boundaries are overcome. In a year of the devastating loss of livelihood, we consider the economic health that reimagines the status quo.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, February 21
First Sunday in Lent: Each of us is created a precious and holy vessel of embodied love. We have been through a harrowing time since last Lent that has shattered our sense of wholeness–body, mind, and spirit–like a glass vessel fractured into pieces. Let us enter a Lenten “season of recovery” as we focus on Jesus, the Healer of our every ill.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
This Ash Wednesday is part of a worship series in which the main metaphor is shards of broken beach glass. In preparation for this service, please gather a candle, a bowl with some sand or dirt in it, and a bit of water. "Ash Wednesday is a time of naming brokenness. As we enter Lent, we commit to enter also into a season of healing and recovery that requires the naming of what has been shattered as a first step. We take “the yoke” of responsibility as disciples of Jesus to be the Body of Christ–a body of those who need healing and offer healing in the world. The promise of Jesus is that he is with us in our weariness and burdens." Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Wednesday, February 17
Sunday, February 14
Transfiguration Sunday ends our Epiphany Worship Series, "God is Holding Your Life." Psalm 50 comes at the end of our series, speaking of an active God whose light shines for all time and in all places. God is not silent but calls for all to remember that they can act on God's behalf, holding all suffering peoples in the hands of prayer and care and transforming the world.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Lenten Worship
Season Series Trailer
Join us on Ash Wednesday as we begin our Lenten series, "A Lenten Season of Recovery," created by Dr. Marcia McFee, visionary and creator of Worship Design Studio.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, February 7
Psalm 147: "God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Beautiful scriptures of healing and God's love. We wait, we hope, we stay firm in our faith, knowing as our ancient ancestors did, that God is indeed holding our lives.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, January 31
This week is our 5th Sunday Worship Service we share with three other Galena churches: First Presbyterian, Lord of Love Lutheran, and Westminster Presbyterian.
The message is focused on the following words by Moira B. Laidlaw: “The word of the Lord came to Jonah saying, ‘Go. Now. At once.’ Jonah fled in the opposite direction. The word of the Lord came to Simon and Andrew, James and John and immediately they responded by following Jesus. Who are we? Reluctant Jonah's or eager disciples?"
Sunday, January 24
"Turn now your gaze upon the earth. Where is the One who never sleeps? We call the One who guards you now, your spirit safe in holy keep. God is holding your life we believe." This week, we focus on wonderful scriptures of God's call from Psalm 62: "In God alone, my soul finds rest." This continues our worship series adapted from Dr. Marcia McFee and series guest composer, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, January 17
Psalm 139 brings home this message: we are in an intimate relationship with God. There is nowhere we go that God is not present–no state of our being that results in our being abandoned. God has knit us together, has woven us, knowing us from before our beginning. God, indeed, is holding our lives. Another focus in the first service is remembering The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr and our commitment to Human Relations Day."
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, January 10
Strength and peace is the prayer of the Psalm this week. The Psalmist says "let me count the ways" that we can know the strength of the Holy One. With awe and wonder we behold the presence of God in all elements of creation-water, fire, air, earth. And it is this glory that assures us that God, indeed is holding our lives.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, January 3
"God Is Holding Your Life" is a journey of assurance for the new year. We don't live in a land ruled by Kings, as the hearers of the first Psalm of this series, Psalm 72, did. Nevertheless, the petitions of the psalmist for justice, deliverance, defense of the poor and oppressed, and peace for all peoples is an undergirding theme of our faith. We are reminded that a just society is one that proclaims “these lives are precious” and worthy of protection.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, December 27
The Good News that we have proclaimed for this Advent season ends with the second chapter of Luke that starts, “When the time came…” Indeed, the time has come for us to move from the narrative of birthing to the narrative of redemption. The story of Jesus’ ritual cleansing as a child contains stories of people who had been waiting for this moment. But the time of waiting is over–for us too. Like Isaiah who says, “for Zion’s sake I won’t stay silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I won’t sit still,” we will not stop our songs of resistance until justice shines out like a light for all.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Christmas Eve!
We return to the story of Jesus' birth as it was told in the Gospel of Luke. This is the account we read again and again on this holy night, for the author gives us the most beloved detail. We so desire to believe the Good News of the messengers that is the cumulative of humanity's pain of birth: "don't be afraid" for unto us a sign has come that will be to all people...on earth, come that there will be to all people..."on earth, peace." Have a candle handy and lift it high as you sing "Silent Night" with our UM brothers & sisters around the world.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, December 13
Today's message, "I Believe in God: Ode to Joy", turns to the message in both Luke and Isaiah. We long to hear the promise that a reason for joyful praise is the good news on the way! "He managed to create an anthem of joy that embraces the transcendence of beauty over suffering. Isaiah 57:14-19 and Luke 1:1-4; 26-56.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, December 20
The "great light" prophesied by Isaiah in today's text is echoed in the first strains of John's Gospel good news: the light that brings peace, that saves the people from all that would extinguish it, has been there from the beginning. The Word is made flesh and dwells among us. Will we believe it? Will we embody the peace meant for all humanity? Service inspired by Worship Design Studio.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, December 6
Even in the midst of fear, of challenge, of struggle, God can ignite the flame of love within us helping us face the fear of difference and opening our hearts to see what love can do.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.
Sunday, November 22
Thanksgiving memories and stories shaped from the Good News that God is with us not only in times of abundance but also in times of adversity. We are to reflect the generosity of God in such a way that God's realm of peace and justice is continually established and future blessings are thus ensured.
Music reproduced by permission: OneLicense.net #A7029009; CCLI License A #11409969 & CCLI Streaming; United Methodist Hymnal Copyright: © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; The Faith We Sing © 2000 by Abingdon Press; Worship & Song © 2011 by Abingdon Press; and Common English Bible (CEB); Music as indicated arranged or composed by Chuck Bell (all instruments & vocals, daughters, Lucy & Blakely); www.chuckbellmusic.com; Series resources from Dr. Marcia McFee's Worship Design Series: www.worshipdesignstudio.com/easterdance. Used and adapted by permission.