Front Royal United Methodist Church

10/25/2026

Go to frumc.org for bulletin, scripture and additional information.

10/19/2026

“One generation shall extol your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.”

Psalm 145:4, NRSV

We're joining in prayer for our church and our communities. This week we reflect on those who have come before us, utilizing the words of Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr.

Each week leading up to the 2026 Leadership Gathering, the bishops are offering a devotional. Whether your are participating in the leadership gathering or not, you are still welcomed to join in the devotionals and process of preparation.

"God of every generation,
You have been faithful to those who came before us, and you will be faithful to those who come after. We thank you for the ones who told us your story, the ones who sang, who prayed, who stood, who stayed.

Now make us good ancestors. Give us courage to tell the truth about ourselves. Loosen our grip on what was never ours to keep. Teach us to plant what we will not live to harvest."

Find the devotionals here:
https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/on-the-way-to-calgary

Council of Bishops - The United Methodist Church

10/19/2026

🎶 It’s always interesting to hear the story behind the songs! Music 🎶

🎶 Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.🎹

Frances Havergal composed the words for this hymn in 1874. She offered her account of how the hymn came to her:
"I went for a little visit of five days [to Areley House]. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, "Lord, give me all in this house!" And He just did. Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, etc.; then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with 'Ever, Only, ALL for Thee!'"

What's something that's inspired your praise or commitment to God recently? 🤔

10/18/2026

GARRISON KEILLOR ON "METHODISTS"
We make fun of Methodists for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed, and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese.

But nobody sings like them. If you were to ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Methodist-less place, to sing along on the chorus of "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Methodists, they'd smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road!

Many Methodists are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's rib cage.

It's natural for Methodists to sing in harmony. They are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment. By joining in harmony, they somehow promise that they will not forsake each other.

I do believe this: People, these Methodists, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you can call up when you're in deep distress.

*If you're dying, they will comfort you.

*If you are lonely, they'll talk to you.

*And if you are hungry, they'll give you tuna salad.

*Methodists believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.

*Methodists like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.

*Methodists believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there.

*Methodists usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.

*Methodists believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.

Methodists think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.

*Methodists drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.

*Methodists feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.

*Methodists are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at the church.

*Methodists still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and think that peas in a tuna casserole adds too much color.

*Methodists believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.

And finally, You know you are a Methodist when:
It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service.

You hear something funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can.

Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.

When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, "May the Force be with you," you respond, "and also with you."

And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye!

10/18/2026

Sunday service stream.

10/05/2026

🎶 We can hear the organ playing it now … 🎶

"How Great Thou Art" began as a Swedish poem, "O Store Gud," written by Carl Boberg in 1885 after he witnessed a sudden thunderstorm clear into calm countryside, accompanied by distant church bells. He published the poem, and years later heard congregants singing his words to a popular Swedish tune.

Today's well-known English words were written by Stuart Hine, who heard the Russian version of the song while serving as a missionary. He later added a fourth verse after hearing the testimony of a Russian refugee following World War II.

🎶 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim: my God, how great Thou art! 🙌

💭 This hymn moves from awe at creation to the wonder of redemption to the hope of Christ's return. Which of these — creation, redemption, or hope — speaks most to you right now?

08/27/2026

07/22/2026

🔥 Wesley Wednesday 🔥 This past Sunday in Dr. Dee’s Adult Bible Study Class, we watched Dr. Ashley Boggan’s session “The Heart of Our Mission” during June’s VAUMC conference. It’s a great reminder of how we got started as Methodists! Start at minute 40:30 of the recording.

The 244nd Session of the Virginia Annual Conference takes place in ...

07/13/2026

🇺🇸 Join in the 250th fun! 🇺🇸

Travel back in time and join us for a one-of-a-kind celebration of America’s 250th birthday! 🦅✨ Kids and teens ages 8-14 are invited to create their own feather quill and ink pot, then experience the thrill of writing just like the pioneers did. Discover history through hands-on fun and creativity! Spots are limited—register now to secure your child or teen’s place: https://samuelslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/pioneer-pens-workshop-40046

This special event is proudly sponsored by Front Royal United Methodist Church. Don’t miss out!

07/06/2026

United Methodists are grounded in Scripture as we nourish our relationshp with God.