This Week at Glade

This Week at Glade Church

(June 23 – June 29, 2025)

     Glade Church, a United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation, is a progressive Christian community—welcoming, compassionate, and joyful—seeking to embrace all people wherever they find themselves in life.  We strive to discern God’s still-speaking voice through worship, study, fellowship, and service. We work for God’s peace and social, economic, and ecological justice. We seek a greater understanding of ourselves and others, recognizing that all persons are members of our one human family, God’s family.

Lectionary Readings for the Week

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14— Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 — Galatians 5:1, 13-25 — Luke 9:51-62

WORD FOR THE WEEK: Leadership

A Message from Pastor Kelly

According to the Associated Press, the recent fighting in current news began when “Israel launched a surprise barrage of attacks on sites in Iran on June 13, which Israeli officials said was necessary to head off what they claimed was an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs. Iran has retaliated with a series of missile and drone strikes in Israel, while Israel has continued to strike sites in Iran.” https://apnews.com/live/iran-israel-war-updates-6-23-2025. Just a few days ago, the US joined in attacking Iran, and now world leaders are watching to see what happens next.

This is, of course, an oversimplified description of current national events. I don’t know all the details, mainly because updates of recent developments seem to be coming in at an alarming pace – it is difficult to keep up. What I do know is this; there are human lives that are being changed forever because of the decisions that their leaders are making.

In Israel, in Iran, in the US, in Palestine – in countries all around the globe, there are people who are simply trying to go about their daily lives. They are trying to raise their children and take care of their loved ones. These people have nothing to do with the decisions that have led to such destruction. Only a few select people that lead the nations have been making grave decisions for the vast majority of the population of the world.

In the 17^th chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, there is something known as the Law of the King. In short, it states that the king must recognize his limited authority, recognize that he is not above the law, and lead in righteousness. He must remember that he is there for the people – to take care of his people. The leaders of today don’t appear to keep the welfare of their people in mind. We will do what we can on the ground to care for the people affected by the decisions their leaders have made for them. And we will pray for God to do Their work through the world’s leadership.

Let us pray:

God of our understanding, the leaders of the nations seem to have forgotten that they are there to care for the people under them. They are there to lead in righteousness, not to fight one another at the expense of the people. And so we pray for the people, loving God. We pray for our neighbors both locally and globally that have been affected by the fighting that their leaders have started. And we pray for the leaders of the nations of the world. We pray that they remember their purpose. We pray that they remember that they are to care for the people that they lead, and that the Holy Spirit will guide their hearts into a clearer, more righteous way of thinking and action. Amen.

Pastor Kelly Bryant

 Office Day Next Week: Monday June 30^th. Kelly isn’t listing hours to not place limits on their availability to you. Please contact them for a meeting at a time that fits your schedule on office days. Should you need Pastor Kelly outside of these days, please don’t hesitate to contact them.

540-521-9993, [email protected].

Spiritual Formation Class on Hiatus

Spiritual Formation for adults is on hiatus for the summer and will resume in the Fall.

Baptism Service – Sunday June 29^th

On Sunday June 29^th at 11:30 AM we will have a special Baptism Service at New River Junction Campground. The campground is located at 2591 Big Falls Road, Blacksburg. Please note that the service will begin later than usual as the campground doesn’t open until 11 AM. We will need a few volunteers to bring water and snacks for after the service. Contact Pastor Kelly if you would like to be baptized (or re-baptized) or to volunteer to bring snacks or water.

Volunteer to Water Trees

If you are local to Blacksburg and are willing to stop by the church occasionally to water trees, we need your help! Talk to David Taylor on Sunday or email him at [email protected] for more info.

Volunteers are needed for the Nursery

Youth Group and Kids Church are on hiatus over the summer; however, volunteers are needed to help in the Nursery during Sunday service. Here is the link to sign up to serve our children:
Nursery Volunteer Signup

Thursday June 26 from 6-8 PM and Sunday July 6 from 2-4 PM at North Main Laundromat.

Laundry Love has opportunities to volunteer.  This is a great way to put “Words” into “Actions” of faith and love. We do this at the laundromat on North Main across from the Y-Thrift Shop. Click below to volunteer!

VOLUNTEER FOR LAUNDRY LOVE

Laundry Love is Always Looking for Volunteers on 1^st & 3^rd Sunday & 2^nd & 4^th Thursday

Coffee & Devotion on Zoom — Wednesdays @ 10am

This virtual get-together meets at 10 a.m. on Zoom and lasts for about an hour for a time to meet people, share thoughts, hear a brief devotion, and join in prayer. This time of fellowship is open to everyone, it’s a time to gather for conversation, devotion and prayer. Come meet some people you may not know.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89240288592?pwd=KzhRWlJiQTkzWWRlYTNuRkdPaUNqUT09 Meeting ID: 892 4028 8592 Passcode: 290014

Radical Conversations [RadCon] Meets Saturdays at 11:00 AM

Radical Conversations meets from 11:00-12:15 each Saturday morning at the church. This is a time for open discussion of a wide range of topics. RadCon is open to any and every interested individual.

Women’s Book Group Meets Third Mondays at 7 PM on Zoom

The Women’s Book Group meets on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM in person and on Zoom for a discussion of the current book. The book for July is The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnson. Contact Rebecca Herman at [email protected] for more information.

2025 Summer Solstice Fest – Saturday June 21

Glade Church will have a booth at the 2025 Summer Solstice Fest this year. The event will be on Saturday June 21 starting at 11 AM in Downtown Blacksburg. Contact Pastor Kelly if you are interested in volunteering to take a shift in the booth at any time during the day.

 UCC Purpose, Vision, and Mission Statements

 Purpose: To love God with all our heart, mind soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. (From the Gospel of Matthew)

 Vision: United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.

Mission: United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.