LEARNING ABOUT WORSHIP
As we continue to learn about the elements and fixtures of our worship area, today’s subject is the Gloria Patri.
Sometimes, we can sing the words to a song for so long, we take it for granted. Like many parts of our liturgy, their roots extend to the deepest levels of our praise and prayer.
The Gloria Patri (also called the Minor Doxology or Lesser Doxology) falls into the broader category of doxology, which comes from the Greek: logia meaning “words” and doxo meaning “glory.” Like Hebrew liturgy and the psalms known as the kaddish, doxologies typically utilize the trinitarian formula of the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
For example, the words of the “doxology” we sing after the offering are:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
The Gloria Patri—Glory (to the) Father found its beginning as early as 380 AD. Slight modifications to second half occurred over the centuries. For example, the Greek version reads, “Both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.” From about the 7th century, the present Roman version became almost universal throughout the West.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
We use the tune written by Charles Meineke (1782–1850), a German-born organist who moved to England around 1810 and then to Baltimore in 1820. He served as organist of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for several decades. Another tune that can be used is by English-born church musician Henry W. Greatorex (1813–1858), who moved to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1839 where he served as the organist at Center Congregational Church and then St. John’s Church (Episcopal). Around 1846, he moved to New York City where he served as organist-choirmaster of Calvary Church and then to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1853. Ask Wilda to play it for you; see if you know the tune.
If you have a question or want something explained, let the church office know, and we will get to it
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Scholarship Available: The “Levi Allen Roberts Memorial Scholarship” was established in April 2025 to honor and remember Levi Allen Roberts, grandson of Carl and Beverly Roberts. A high school graduate or current college student who is an active member of Germantown Methodist Church or the church’s youth group may apply. Information and forms are available in the rack outside the church office. The deadline to apply is May 20th.
CPR Classes: The Methodist Women’s group is working with the Farmersville Fire Department to teach CPR & AED training. Dates will be scheduled when we know interest in these classes. Classes are held at the Farmersville Fire Dept. One 4-hour long class (6-10 p.m. weeknights or 8:00 a.m. to Noon Saturdays). $20 to receive a card/certification; no charge if not required. Sign-up sheet is on the Welcome Center.
Just A Pair Of Shoes: The nonprofit “Just a Pair of Shoes”, spearheaded by Matt Cline, came to Valley View Intermediate School and gave 33 kids in need brand new Nike shoes, along with 3 to 6 pairs of Bombas socks for each child!! Our Church Women’s group contacted Matt last year to set up this visit to our school, and Robin Alsip coordinated the giveaway. The Women’s group provided the funding for the shoes and socks!
Before the kids received their shoes, Matt Cline talked to them about being good students and good people. The kids repeated the promises that Matt has printed on banners: “I promise- 1. to be a good student 2. to be a good kid at home 3. to be a good friend. When I put my shoes on I can do anything!”
The kids were then treated to “walking down the red carpet” as their names were called out, and each was handed a shoebox with new shoes and some socks. Volunteers from our church, Ashley Noble, Alexis Bolton, Theresa Fiessinger, and Robin Alsip, along with some high schoolers, helped the kids try on their new socks and shoes! The kids then got to “shoot hoops” with the teens, some of whom are on the Valley View boys’ and girls’ basketball teams! What a wonderful experience for both the kids and the volunteers!!!
Mother/Child Banquet: Save the date! The Germantown Methodist Women’s Annual Mother/Child Banquet will be TODAY, Sunday May 4th, at 5:00 pm! There is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center. Please invite your family & friends.
Garage Sale: We will be having our garage sale again this year! It will be Thursday, 15th, Friday, May 16th, and Saturday, May 17th from 9am to 3pm. We need volunteers to work 2-hour shifts. There is a sign-up sheet on the Welcome Desk. If you have any questions, please speak with Janet Withrow.
Hospitality Committee Meeting Today: There will be a very brief Hospitality Committee meeting right after the worship service by the Welcome Center! We have 2 events coming up-June 1st & the 15th! Please stay for about 10 minutes if you signed up to be on this committee! Thanks!
Upcoming Blood Drive: The next blood drive at GMC will be held on Wednesday, May 7th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Please visit www.donortime.com and enter code 1643 to register.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Donations For St. Paul UMC: We continue to accept household items (no furniture) and clothing in good, usable condition. Items may be placed in the coat closet near the media booth. Please have items labeled “mission”. Our faithful volunteers, Dale White & Don Berger, deliver these items to St. Paul UMC where they are made available to those in need.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD COLLECTION: In April and May we need: kids’ socks of all sizes (including adult sizes); small stuffed animals, kids’ plain t-shirts of all sizes and colors, Kids’ puzzles & games (small enough for the shoe boxes), yo-yos, bouncy balls, paddle balls, small rubber baseballs, footballs, basketballs; small coloring books, colored pencils, small craft kits, packs of stickers–such as Disney Princesses & cartoon characters, car stickers, animal stickers, etc.; balloons, small memo pads, and fun pens.
Our goal is to fill 125 boxes this year!!! WE CAN DO IT!!!
*(Please place items in the tub near the office!)
Since 1993, more than 232 million children in more than 170 countries & territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. “Every shoe box is an excellent resource for evangelism and discipleship, which leads to the multiplication of new believers and churches around the world.” “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16
Thank you so much for supporting this mission to children each year!!! –Go Team
C.A.M.P. March/April Wish List: Canned Fruit, Rice/Noodle Sides, & Toothpaste. Personal Care & Cleaning Products are always needed & welcome. If you are able, grab one or two extra items when you go to the store.
Garage Sale Items: We will start accepting items for the garage sale 4/21. Place any items in the barn. Please no adult clothing or large furniture. Hard/paper back books are fine, but please no magazines. The garage sale will be May 15, 16, & 17 from 9am-3pm.
Fill a Birthday Bag (or two) for C.A.M.P: Our local food pantry, C.A.M.P., is in need of birthday bags to give to clients. Please pick up a bag (or two) and a list of items to fill it with from the table in the Narthex. Fill your bag with the necessary items and return it to the church by Sunday, May 25th. (Since aluminum pans damage so easily, please do not include a pan in your bag. We will provide a stack of pans for the pantry to hand out as needed.) Your donation will help a client to celebrate a very special occasion without worrying about the expense. Thank you for assisting with this project!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Still Looking For VBS Volunteers!!
VBS is scheduled for Sunday, June 22nd-Tuesday, June 24th,
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. for ages 4 to 11 (or just finished 5th grade).
The theme is “Magnified”, which includes Bible lessons about Jesus, and teaches children about the beauty of God’s creations in the world around us!
Please consider helping in some area in order to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
*See Theresa Fiessinger if you need more info! The sign up sheet is on the Welcome Center!