Wesley United Methodist Church April 2023 Newsletter What’s Inside: Note from Pastor UMM Events UWIF Calendar & More
Note from Pastor Jana If I were to mention Frozen the movie, everyone thinks about the song Let it Go. Then Frozen 2 came out. I am probably controversial in saying I think the second is better. It's really a good storyline and the songs can be catchy. However, there's one song in particular that stands out. Anna has hit rock bottom. She is struggling. She is losing hope. So, in those moments as a Disney Princess, you sing, right? Part of the lyrics are: This grief has a gravity, it pulls me down But a tiny voice whispers in my mind You are lost, hope is gone But you must go on And do the next right thing The song starts off in the darkness and moves to talking about light and hope. She recognizes her grief, but then knows she must keep going. We must keep going. We don't always know what the next right thing is, however, we can trust God to lead us. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Holy Week has come and gone. During Holy Week, we begin with Palm Sunday and then move through the week. By the end of the week, we can feel like we are losing hope. Good Friday is a solemn day then we move into the hope and joy of Easter Sunday. Then what? How do we keep living out the resurrection in our daily normal lives? God is with us wherever we go. God will lead us to the next right thing. So, be strong and courageous in taking those next steps. Pastor Jana
March Highlights Game Night March 17th, we had a game night with a baked potato bar. Amy led a game. Everyone wrote down different facts about themselves and we had to guess who it was. There was plenty of laughter and we learned a lot about one another. Pastor Jana preaching at First UMC March 19th Lenten Community Services We wrapped up the last community Lenten service. It was a great time. We took offering at each service. We collected $3129 total. Here is the breakdown: Shoal Creek - $2372 Mission Feeding Ministry - $284.50 Camp Tanako - $234.50 Picture of St. Paul UMC closing worship Holy Communion
UWIF, UMM, & Potluck Info Church Potluck April 30th After Small Groups Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for a potluck. Theme is Spring Chicken. Bring your best chicken dishes. We will also need sides and desserts. (Those don’t have to be chicken based.) Great time of fellowship.
Bible Study and Mission Opportunity Wednesdays In-Person Noon Zoom 6:30 Often we make a mess of our lives and wonder if there is any redemption. This study helps us to see our mess through the eyes of Christ to find redemption and restoration. Using Scripture, devotional tools, and the writings of Ignatius of Loyola, John of the Cross, St. Augustine, John Wesley, Evelyn Underhill, and others, Berlin encourages reflection and meditation through our own brokenness. Only then can we focus on the cross as the place where we truly surrender control, leave our mess, and find redemption. Contact Jana if you are interested We have received a grant from 200K More Reasons to begin a Cooking Matters class. This is a 6 week class. Participants learn about cooking, meal prep, grocery shopping, food budgeting, and nutrition. We will need volunteers for several components. We will work with getting training and there is lesson plans to follow. Prayerfully consider if you would like to help. Ways to Volunteer: Lead Coordinator Teach the Nutrition Lessons Lead the Cooking part Shop for groceries Sort the groceries Assist during the class
Easter
Finding and Celebrating God’s Joy Collected $127.59 in March. Good job, Church! In May, we will collect for Children's Emergency Shelter. Remember to bring your change May 7th. Farmer’s Market Ministry Summer will be here before you know it. Pray for our farmers and their crops will be fruitful this summer. It was a hard season last year with the extreme heat. Pray for our volunteers and those who pick up fresh produce from the blessing boxes around town. Pray about if you are able to help. Worship Scriptures 4.2.23 Matthew 21:1-11 4.9.23 4.16.23 4.23.23 John 20:1-18 John 20:19-31 1 Peter 1:17-23
April Calendar April 1st April 2nd April 4th April 5th April 6th April 7th April 9th United Methodist Men Breakfast at 8:00 at Goddard UMC Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 Bible Study In Person 12:00 (Cavanaugh UMC) Zoom at 6:30 Maundy Thursday 6:30 at Wesley Good Friday 6:30 at Cavanaugh Sunrise Service and Breakfast Potluck 7:00 at Cavanaugh Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 April 10th April 11th April 12th April 16th April 18th April 19th April 23rd April 25th April 26th April 30th Evening Stars at Western Sizzling 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 Bible Study In Person 12:00 (Cavanaugh UMC) Zoom at 6:30 Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 Bible Study In Person 12:00 (Cavanaugh UMC) Zoom at 6:30 Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 Bible Study In Person 12:00 (Cavanaugh UMC) Zoom at 6:30 Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Church wide Potluck Prayers: Let us know how we can be praying for you. We have a prayer list that is sent out and on the bulletin. Presence: Worship Date Sanctuary Online Total Mar. 5 27 Mar. 12 25 Mar. 19 30 Mar. 26 27 Gifts: Date Mar. 5 Mar. 12 17 44 30 55 17 47 General Missions $4,558 $127.59 $1345 Mar. 19 $980 Mar. 26. $1,762 Service: Worship: 9:30 Sunday school 10:30 Mission: Backpack Ministry, blessing box and more. Witness: We all have gifts to share and we are all ministers. May we go out into the world to share our love of Christ. Go forth as a witness serving Jesus and Loving Neighbors.
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