Bourne United Methodist Church

09/08/2026

08/29/2026

John Wesley

08/25/2026

Sunday, 13.—At seven I preached at Haxey on “What must I do to be saved?” Thence I went to Wroote, of which (as well as Epworth) my father was rector for several years. Mr. Whitelamb offering me the church, I preached in the morning on “Ask, and it shall be given you”; in the afternoon, on the difference between the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith. But the church could not contain the people, many of whom came from far and, I trust, not in vain.
At six I preached for the last time in Epworth churchyard (planning to leave the town the next morning) to a vast multitude gathered together from all parts, on the beginning of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. I continued among them for nearly three hours, and yet we scarcely knew how to part. Oh, let none think his labor of love is lost because the fruit does not immediately appear! Nearly forty years did my father labor here, but he saw little fruit of all his labor. I took some pains among this people too, and my strength also seemed spent in vain; but now the fruit appeared. There were scarcely any in the town on whom either my father or I had taken any pains formerly but the seed, sown so long since, now sprang up, bringing forth repentance and remission of sins. ~ John Wesley (journal, June 13, 1742)

08/21/2026

At the Humanitas retirement home in Deventer, the Netherlands, an unusual housing idea brought two very different generations under one roof. University students were offered rooms rent-free in exchange for spending at least 30 hours each month with the elderly residents. Rather than working as professional caregivers, their role was simply to be good neighbors.

The students helped with everyday activities, taught residents how to use computers, watched sports with them, shared meals, celebrated birthdays, and simply spent time talking. Some would return from classes, concerts, or nights out and tell their older neighbors about what they had been doing. At one point, six students were living alongside roughly 160 elderly residents, some many decades older than them.

The arrangement gave students a place to live without paying rent while bringing younger faces and companionship into the care home. Humanitas director Gea Sijpkes said the goal was to make it the warmest and nicest care home in Deventer. The idea became an internationally recognized example of intergenerational living and inspired interest in similar programs elsewhere.

08/18/2026

“My Utmost for His Highest” is a daily Christian devotional by Oswald Chambers (1874–1917) that compiles his preaching to students and soldiers. Chambers’ widow self-published the book in Oxford circa 1924. The title is taken from one of Chambers’s sermons, where he says -

“Shut out every consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only - My Utmost for His Highest”.

08/14/2026

Join us in prayer for those impacted by historic levels of flash flooding and severe storms across multiple states in the Midwest United States this week, including Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, and Ohio. Widespread evacuations, damage to homes and businesses, and multiple deaths have been reported, with several areas still under flood watch today.

UMCOR is in close communication with the affected annual conferences, and we stand ready to support their response efforts as they care for their communities in need.

Looking for a way to help?
🛐 Pray for those who lost their homes and livelihoods.
🤲 Give to support our U.S. relief and recovery efforts: https://bit.ly/umcorusdr
🦺 Explore ERT volunteer opportunities through your local annual conference.
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