Wesley United Methodist Church August 2023 Newsletter What’s Inside: 60TH ANNIVERSARY Missions Calendar & More
Recap of Anniversary Celebration CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF MINISTRY @ SO 22 & PHOENIX AVE. As the song says, "It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it; you spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on." Last November/December, 2022, Suzanne Harmon Gibson remembered that Wesley's 60th anniversary of moving into their new facility would be rolling around in 2023, and a celebration was in order, causing a spark of excitement to ignite into a full flame within the congregation. The current church actually was formed in 1960 with the merger of two small southside churches, Glover and St. Luke's; however it took three years under the guidance of architect Jack Ledbetter and a building committee formed of a balanced group from Glover and St. Luke's to acquire land and complete erection of a facility on the corner of So. 22nd and Phoenix, where the first worship service was held on Easter Sunday, 1963. Under Gibson's able guidance and organization, the current membership of Wesley UMC hosted a homecoming/reunion celebration on Sunday, July 30, with 135 people in attendance for a rousing worship service led by Rev. Dennis Spence, who had his first pastoral appointment at Wesley. Based on Romans 8:1-4, Spence challenged the congregation to be three dimensional in living their Christian lives: be faithful (past), be relevant (present), and be hopeful (look/move to the future). Several current and former musicians were present to share their talents: Jo Maxwell, Justin Cates, Carrie Miller, Mary Beth Oliver,Shane Sanderson, Randy Alexander, Debbie Reather Travis, Kathy Sharp Plant, and Blanche (Hill) West. Two Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to two brothers in Christ from the original churches of Glover and St. Luke's who have faithfully served Jesus Christ with dedication: George Jensen and Harley Strang. Blanche West, Chair of the current One Council Board, presented the awards, focusing on the two men's loyal and never-faltering service in several different capacities such as finance and stewardship, trustees, and children's ministries, as well as Young at Heart activities through-out the years. Since 1960, Jensen and Strang have been "walking the talk." Scripture says: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9. "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus." Colossians 3:17 The audience erupted in a standing ovation of love and appreciation for the two.
60TH ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS From the Sanctuary, the crowd moved to the Fellowship Hall to enjoy a wonderful catered meal, a time to see archives, renew friendships, hear a short review of Wesley's history presented by Gibson, and sing out old-time favorite hymns led by the Garners, as well as much picture-taking, forming new memories, moving Wesley's legacy forward. There is room for YOU to join this amazing circle of brothers and sisters in Christ. Worship in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., join a small group for study and fellowship and prayer at 10:30 a.m. Serve on one of the mission efforts. Contact Pastor Jana Green jana.green@arumc.org The church office may be contacted by calling 479-646-9702 and leave a message. There is room for YOU! -Blanche West, One Council Chair
60TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrating Music Rev. Dennis Spence Fellowship and Lunch
Missions Cooking Matters Cooking Matters has kicked off. We have 12 people registered and attending the class. Each week focuses on a nutrition lesson and they get the hands on experience of cooking. Huge thanks to 200K More Reasons for providing a grant to help get this class started at Wesley. Thank you to all of the volunteers who make this class happen each week. Collected $142 in July for Hope Campus! Good job, Church! In August, we will collect for Next Step Remember to bring your change August 6th
Missions Farmer’s Market Ministry Thank you to all who have pitched in so gallantly for the repacking and delivery of fresh produce to the ten blessing boxes we cover. They are all open to the public and the produce is typically picked up entirely within two hours of our placing it in the box. Most blessing boxes are on church grounds and they include Catholic, Episcopalian, Baptist, Presbyterian, and four Methodist Churches. And then one park, Creekmore, one school, Carnell. Wesley alternates with Cavanaugh and Wesley has two more Saturday dates, August 13 and August 27. The vendors are most generous, and while most are Asian growers, there are Anglo and Hispanic growers as well that contribute their surplus veggies to our mission. -Billy Join on August 13th and 27th
Finding and Celebrating God’s Joy August 23rd Worship Scriptures 8.6.23 Genesis 32:22-31 8.13.23 Gen 37:1-4, 12-28 8.20.23 Genesis 45:1-15 8.27.23 Exodus 1:8-2:10 The ice machine is now repaired and can provide ice for for future needs. Trustees Update
August 1st August 5th August 8th August 12th August Calendar Handbell 5:30 Boy Scouts 6:00-8:00 Cooking Matters 10:00 - 12:00 August 6th Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Handbell 5:30 Choir 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:00-8:00 Cooking Matters 10:00 - 12:00 Farmer’s Market August 13th Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 August 15th August 17th August 19th Handbell 5:30 Choir 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:00-8:00 Let’s Do Lunch 10:30 - 1:00 @Cavanaugh One Council 6:30 Cooking Matters 10:00 - 12:00 Farmer’s Market Small Groups 10:30 August 20th Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 August 22nd Handbell 5:30 Choir 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:00-8:00 August 23rd Bible Study 12:00 - Cavanaugh UMC Zoom - 6:30 August 26th Cooking Matters Starts 10:00 - 12:00 August 27th Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Spring Street 4:00 August 29th Handbell 5:30 Choir 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:00-8:00 August 30th Bible Study 12:00 - Cavanaugh UMC Zoom - 6:30 Choir 6:30 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 July 2 25 July 9 32 24 49 25 57 July 16 31 — 31 July 23 24 July 30 139 Gifts: Date July 16 21 45 57 196 General Missions July 2 $3,365 $142 July 9 $2,208 $1,413 July 23 $4,495 July 30 $7500 Service: Worship: 9:30 Sunday school 10:30 Mission: Farmer’s Market Ministry, Cooking Matters, 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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