8-13-2026: Praying the Movies: The Color Purple | Music on the Lawn

WEEKLY NEWS & UPDATES FROM WBLUMC | Thursday, August 13, 2026

Sunday Worship | August 16, 2026

One in-person summer service at 10am

Praying the Movies: "The Color Purple"

Psalm 34:1-10 | Pastor Christine Ford

In our sermon series, “Praying the Movies,” we’ll explore faith-filled insights through the stories, themes, and characters of some of our beloved films. Series runs July 19 — August 13.

We invite you to watch each movie prior to worship to

enrich your experience:

8/23: “The Great Santini”

8/30: “Schindler’s List”

9/6: “The Shawshank Redemption”

9/13: “Entertaining Angels”

Church Online continues weekly at 10am.

10:00am bulletin

Coming Up in Worship

Rally Day is Sun., Sept. 20!!

Stay tuned for more information.

Church Online

• Weekly online worship is available early Sunday mornings on YouTube.

• You can also watch via the church website by using the Church Online button.

• Our Facebook premiere with live chat is every Sunday at 10am. Please share the service so more people can join us!

• You may view all Ministry Minute videos on this YouTube playlist.

Sunday School

Sunday school will resume in the fall. See more details below!

Nursery is open for infants to 3-year-olds during the 10am worship service.

Volunteers Needed for Worship Technology

We are looking for volunteers to help run the PowerPoint presentations and sound system during our worship services. No prior experience is necessary; training will be provided. For more information about what is involved or to volunteer, please email Steven C Anderson. Your assistance helps make our worship services run smoothly and is greatly appreciated!

Music on the Lawn

Join us this Sunday for Music on the Lawn! Our very own Lucy Hoadley will kick things off with a few songs, joined by New Crossings Music Director Steven C. Anderson on piano!

Then get ready for “2 Girls and a Boyd,” a crowd favorite that frequently sells out at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Featuring Aimée Lee and Mary Jane Alm on vocals, along with Boyd Lee, Richard Kriehn, and Noah Hoehn, this talented group brings stunning vocal harmonies, world-class mandolin, and an unforgettable mix of music.

Bring a lawn chair and join us for an afternoon of great music, good company, and plenty of fun! And to make the afternoon even sweeter, Keo’s Shaved Ice will be provided by the Church Council!

Children & Youth

August Sundays

Kids stay with their family in worship. Nursery available for ages 0-3 years of age.

Bruce the Bug Guy is back Sunday, September 13

Get ready for a bug-tastic morning! Bruce the Bug Guy returns to WBLUMC with coolers full of live insects. You'll see amazing bugs up close, learn incredible facts, and maybe even have the chance to hold one! Children will be dismissed at 10am worship after the Children's Sermon. This WBLUMC favorite is fun for kids and anyone curious about God's amazing creation. Don't miss it!

Connections

Women’s Golf Group

On Wed. Aug. 19, we will play at Oak Glen Golf Course in Stillwater. If you are interested in playing or would like more information, please email Marcia Lantto, alternate contact is Carol Effertz 651-429-6023. To view the 2026 Golf Schedule, please click here or on the photo. We hope to see you!!

Volunteers Needed for the Native Garden

Our native garden is off to a wonderful start! The native flowers are growing and blooming beautifully. Unfortunately, so are the weeds.

We're looking for volunteers to help keep the garden healthy by removing unwanted plants. Not sure what to pull? Don't worry—we'll provide guidance and information so you know exactly what to remove. No green thumb is required!

If you're interested in helping, please contact:

Curt Merkle – 651-334-1280 or Amy Pfankuch – 651- 402-8791. Thank you for helping care for this beautiful space!

In Memoriam

Cleone Hagmann, wife of retired elder, Rev. Harlyn Hagmann, who died in 2024, passed away July 26, 2026, at age 92.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, at 11 a.m. at Minnetonka UMC (17611 Lake Street Extension, Minnetonka, MN 55345). A visitation will take place at the church an hour prior to the service. For more information, click here.

Hearts & Hands

We are a small group for those interested in knitting, crocheting, and other hand crafts. Due to vacation plans, we decided not to meet in July. Join us again on Mon., Aug. 17 at 7pm in the church library.

Coffee for Widow/ers

Attention widows and widowers: we invite you to join us for a warm and friendly coffee gathering on Thurs., Aug. 20 at 9:30am in the library. All are welcome, regardless of how long you have been widowed. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out to Karen Fairchild at 651-426-4725. We look forward to connecting with you!

Handbells and Choir are back this fall:

Do you like making a joyful noise? Can you do it in tune? Then join Chancel Choir. Rehearsals start on Wed., Sept. 9 from 7-8:30pm, and run through May. We meet in the music room. The Chancel Choir sings at most Sunday morning services at 9am throughout the academic year. Additionally, the choir will engage in one to two special choral services each year. For more information, email Dr. Gerald Gurss.

Alleluia Ringers is an advanced Handbell Choir of dedicated musicians striving to play well. Rehearsals will also start on Wed., Sept. 9 from 5:30pm - 6:45pm in the Sanctuary and will then run weekly on Wednesday nights. Alleluia Ringers play for Traditions, the traditional style worship service October through May. Our currently scheduled performance dates are Oct. 4th and Nov. 22. Any questions or interested in joining the Handbell Choir, email Amy McNabb.

Green Team Tip of the Month - August

Green Team Composting Event—August 23

Good news: Curbside pick-up of food scraps and compostables is now available in most of our area communities! You simply place your green food scrap bags in your regular garbage bin. Let us help you get going on this important and easy task. For such little effort you can feel good about the positive impact you're making on our city, state, and world!

After church on August 23, stop by Fellowship Hall to pick up everything you need to get started with food scrap recycling, including a food scrap container, compostable bags, and helpful information.

In Washington County, these containers normally must be picked up at an Environmental Center on designated dates after pre-registering. This special distribution at church makes it easy to get started without that extra step.

Green Team members will be available to answer your questions. We hope to see you there!

Learn more about the Green Team by attending a meeting!

We are off for August and meet on Tues., Sept. 1 at 7pm in room 200. In October, we will then move back to the first Monday of each month at 7pm in room 200. See the church calendar for updates.

Calendar & Meeting Minutes

Church Calendar

Below are the August meeting dates with elected members, in addition to the volunteer worship committee.

Aug. 18: Staff-Parish Relations Committee, 2:30pm, rm. 200; Trustees Committee, 6:30pm, rm. 200

Stay up to date on volunteer committee meetings, events, classes and more by clicking into the church calendar link below.

Church calendar

Meeting Minutes

All committees are being asked to provide minutes, and we now have a Realm link for the congregation to access this information. Click the video below to learn how to view all minutes that are available!

WHITE BEAR LAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | 651-429-9026 | wblumc.org

General email: office@wblumc.org | OFFICE HOURS: 9am-1pm M,T,W, Th

Pastor Chris Kneen email: christopher.kneen@wblumc.org