Wesley United Methodist Church 2200 Phoenix, Fort Smith, AR 72901 www.Wesleyumcfs.org January 2019 Newsletter
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zeke Happy New Year. I want to thank you all for being a part of a wonderful Advent season. Our worship services were excellent and the love shared among each other and with our community this Advent was exceptional. We collected over 650 cans of food to help prevent childhood hunger in Arkansas as part of the UMC mission 200,000 Reasons. Blanche West and my kids delivered the food to the Community Clearing House for them to distribute. Our Christmas Cantata, which featured the combined choirs of Wesley and Cavanaugh, was outstanding. Shane Sanderson’s leadership in this endeavor was excellent and Mary Beth Oliver’s accompanying skills were excellent. I am honored to serve alongside a church staff that is capable, talented, and passionate about the mission and ministry of our church. The staff greatly appreciated the generous gifts presented to us during Advent. Thank you to everyone who worked and served sacrificially to make this Advent such an incredible success. As I reflect on my first 6 months at Wesley, I am keenly aware of the spiritual depth and potential for our church. This gives me hope and encouragement for the future. As I look to 2019, I invite each of you into a time of prayerful discernment for Wesley. This Spring we will begin a monthly service of prayer and healing at our church. We will gather on the second Sunday of every month in the Spring to pray for our church, its members, and God’s direction for us as we engage in mission and ministry this year. I believe that as we gather together and pray for our church as we seek God’s direction for Wesley, we will become aware of the direction God would have us go. I ask each of you to pray for our church and its leaders daily. I am convinced that as we bathe our church in prayer God will clarify our direction and empower us to engage in vibrant mission and ministry. Please pray for our church. Seek faithful discernment for how God is wanting to use you to engage in ministry in 2019. In addition, I ask each of you to pray for God to use you in 2019. I can’t wait to see how God will use each of us to actively engage in the mission and ministry of Wesley as we seek discernment and direction. Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2019
2018 Reflections Page 2 2018 REFLECTIONS By Blanche West With the close of year 2018, it is good to recall some highlights from the past twelve months. One Council members began the year in January with a day apart at the Fort Smith Public Library for training and planning with Cavanaugh UMC under the leadership of Pastor Michelle Morris. The theme for the year was set: “Love Like This…in Remembrance of Jesus.” For each Communion service throughout the year, the choir sang “In Remembrance,” keeping to the theme. Other highlights throughout the year include: Participation in Cavanaugh UMC’s Valentine Banquet Andrea Stark was awarded Special Mission Recognition by Wesley’s United Methodist Women Sent a Destination Imagination team of 5 youth to National Competition Donna Moreton and Blanche West attended Congregational Care Ministry Seminar @ Church of the Resurrection UMC in Kansas City Wesley & Cavanaugh partnered to collect excess Farmers Market fresh produce each week during the growing season to supply 13 Blessing Boxes throughout the city On-line giving was initiated to receive pledges and tithes The former library was remodeled into a nursery area Wesley & Cavanaugh partnered to sponsor a free back-toschool community-wide party at Parrot Island, hosting 900+ guests of all ages Wesley & Cavanaugh partnered to present an original Michelle Morris play, “The Trial,” for the Easter season The roof leak between Wesley’s two buildings was successfully repaired (Continued on page 3) Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2019
2018 Reflections Continued Page 3 (Continued from page 2) 16 backpack bags containing food items to supplement the weekend Clearinghouse Backpack program for both Carnall and Cavanaugh Elementary Schools each week Wesley signed on as an agency with the River Valley Regional Food Bank United Methodist Women sponsored a mittens, gloves, & hats drive Christmas canned food drive benefiting the Clearinghouse exceeded the 550 goal by 100 items Scout Sunday was celebrated in February Shane Sanderson began duties as music director, and Mary Beth Oliver became accompanist for the choir and worship services Wesley & Cavanaugh choirs partnered to present a Christmas musical, “Shout for Joy” for both congregations With Pastor Michelle’s appointment to the AR Conference, Pastor Zeke Allen was assigned to Wesley & Cavanaugh, preaching his first service July 1 Pastor Zeke initiated a Wed. night Bible study to enhance the following Sunday’s sermon More events and activities were carried out to fulfill the theme of loving like Jesus. Thinking about the possibilities the new year of 2019 holds for us to be in mission for Jesus is exciting. The One Council will be meeting at the church on Jan. 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for a planning retreat. Please be in prayer for the group as they gather. I want to express my gratitude and thanks to the choir and congregation for your generous Christmas gifts! I have enjoyed being a part of the music ministry at Wesley and have been blessed to get to know you and share in the worship experience. I look forward to the new year with you and wish you all a blessed new year! With warmest wishes, Mary Beth Oliver Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2019
UMW News, Commitment Card Page 4 United Methodist Women NEWS & ACTIVITIES Northwest District UMW Local Officer Training & Updates will be held Saturday, January 5 at First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. Please contact Patrice Hulsey at 650-0303 if you plan to attend. Registration will begin at 9:30 am with training starting at 10:00 am. No registration fee. The Morning Glories group of Wesley United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in the Rock House. JoAn McMullin will give the Devotional, Wanda Clark will present the Program and Ellen Brown and Iris Hightower will be the hostesses for the Salad Pot-Luck which will follow the Program and Business Meeting. Anyone is invited to visit with us and if you desire to attend, you do not need to bring a dish because you will be our guest. We hope everyone has a Happy Year and pray that God will continue to bless each of you in the new year. Thank you to everyone who has already turned in your 2019 commitment card, however, we still have many that have not turned one in. The importance of those cards is significant as they help us plan and set a budget for the year. If you have not already turned yours in, please pray and consider what you might be able to contribute to Wesley financially. Your contributions are what help us pay staff, utilities, maintain the building & grounds, and fund programs and missions. Without your help, we cannot do those things. If you need a commitment card you can get one from the church office or print and cut the below card out. Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2019
Music Ministry Page 5 Greetings!!! Dear Wesley Family, I want to say a huge thank you for the wonderful gifts I received from the congregation and my wonderful Chancel and Bell Choirs! I am always amazed at our church's generosity and am blessed each week to be part of such a wonderful group of people!!! I also want to thank each of you who attended our Cantata and Christmas Eve services. We have gotten a good deal of positive feedback, and it is my sincere hope that the music we presented added to your worshipful holiday season. I am already looking towards and planning for Lent, Palm Sunday, and Easter. (Can you believe I already have an anthem for Palm Sunday???). I look forward to seeing as many of your share your talent in this coming year as we can have do so. I don't really like making resolutions, but I do believe in making plans. So, my plan for this year is to keep finding ways to include and use the talent that we have in our church in special ways to enhance worship here. Again, thank you all for helping me have a truly blessed and non-stressful Christmas Season! Wesley United Methodist is truly small but mighty!!! Yours in Christ, Shane Sanderson Wesley UMC Newsletter Lenten Service on March 25 @ Vietnamese UMC January 2019
The Experience Page 6 the Experience The Experience finished up a sermon series on rebuilding by experiencing rebuilding through making gingerbread houses. It was a tasty and fun time and everyone enjoyed it. The Experience meets every Sunday evening at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall and everyone is welcome to come. Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2019
A.R.K., Wesley at Work, Zeke’s Hours Page 7 A.R.K. (Act of Real Kindness) News The backpack program received some amazing news. The River Valley Regional Foodbank will be supplying 2 pallets of food to the program each month from now and until May. This is a HUGE blessing as we are currently providing weekend food bags to 16 kids (8 at Carnall Elementary, 8 at Cavanaugh Elementary) each week. We also placed and picked up our first order from the foodbank which will go to help fill our blessing boxes. We might be small but we are mighty! We also want to thank Pic-NTote for donating shelves to our food room and Justin Cates for installing those. That is a giant step forward in our mission to alleviate food insecurity in our community. Wesley UMC Newsletter Wesley at Work During the months of November & December Wesley collected food items to donate to the Community Services Clearinghouse as part of the UMC mission 200,000 Reasons. Our goal was 550 food items and we collected over 650 food items. Thank you to everyone who donated to this much needed mission. Your generosity made the lives of people in our community a little happier this Zeb & Rosalee Allen dropping off food items to the Community Services Clearinghouse. Aubrey, a worker from the Clearhinghouse and Zeb, Rosalee and Pastor Zeke Allen, a long with Blanche West (not pictured) unloading the food items. Security Update Thanks to an anonymous donor, Wesley has purchased and installed “door bells” to the east & west entrances of the sanctuary. When pushed, a light will light up at the sound board to alert that someone is at the door. January 2019
Christmas Joys, Lay Servant Ministries Page 8 The Choir presented Pastor Zeke with his very own leather bound hymnal. Amy, Gloria, Justin and Will Cates lighting the Advent Wreath during worship service. The Northwest District of the Lay Servant Ministries will be holding an Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries (basic, beginning class) on Saturday, January 26, 9:00am-5:00pm at Dover United Methodist Church. Deadline to register is January 23. You will need to send $20 fee and registration form (can be found on the district website) to 325 Buck Point Trail, Dover, AR 72837. For more information contact Patrick Brown at 479-264-4351 or psbllb@suddenlink.net or Heather Sprinkle at 479-280-8206 or Heather.Sprinkle@arumc.org. A Lay Servant is: Ready and desirous to serve the church An active member of the UMC Eager to serve through the church Well-informed and committed to scripture, doctrine, heritage, organization and life of the UMC. Inspires others to a deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship. Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2019
January Birthdays January 2019 Jan. 5 Sat. Jan 9 Wed. Jan 13 Sun. Jan 15 Tues. Jan 19 Sat. Jan 26 Sat. UMW Local Officer Training, 9:30am, First UMC Bella Vista Bible Study begins, 6:00pm, Cavanaugh January Prayer Service, 6:00pm, Sanctuary Morning Glories, 10:00am, Rock House One Council Retreat, 10:00am-3:00pm, Wesley Intro to Lay Servant Ministries, 9:00am-5:00pm, Dover UMC Love like this….in remembrance of Jesus January Liturgist Schedule 6 - Chris Bates 13 - Suzanne Gibson 20 - Carol Tuck 27 - Bruce Spencer Know Jesus, Grow Faith, Go Serve! Wesley UMC Newsletter Zeke’s Office Hours Mon - Community Hours 8:309:30 at Miss Anna’s, 9:30- 12:00 at Wesley Tues - 9:00-12:00 at Wesley Wed - Community Hours 8:309:30 at Bob and Ellie’s, 9:3012:00 at Cavanaugh Thurs - 9:00-12:00 at Wesley The Wesley UMC Newsletter goes out at the first of each month. If there is anything you would like submitted in the newsletter, please send the information to Carrie Miller or the church office at Wesleyumcfs@yahoo.com January 2019 2 - Keagon Cox 5 - Rosie Turnquist 6 - Debbie Green 9 - Mike Gibson 11 - Jackie Nichols 11 - Mary Ross 17 - Leo Patterson 21 - Norma Strang 22 - Jerry West 23 - Carol Tuck 29 - Carrie Miller 30 - Kylie Pendergrass 31 - Nelson Payne 31 - Lisa Moen Anniversaries 30 - Terry & Patsy Hendrickson
1 Publizr