Wesley United Methodist Church December 2022 Newsletter What’s Inside: Note from Pastor UMM UWF Trustee Advent, Calendar & More
Note from Pastor Jana We continue remembering our vows and what they mean. This is the last article on our vows because service and witness go together! Here are the vows we take when we join the church: We vow to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Now this is really about putting those gifts in action! You want to serve in a way that fills your soul. You want to joyfully serve or at the very least enjoy it to some extent. Otherwise, it’s not being authentic to who you are. It’s allowing all of the pieces of our vows to come together. Pray for how God is calling you to serve. By sharing your gifts and service, you are going to be present and others are able to witness your faith in action. Our vows really intertwine together. What God desires is a faithful response, a joining in mission and ministry that responds to God's love and grace. In the General Rules of the church, John Wesley called the early Methodists to live out their faith by "doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all [people]." What good can you offer in the world? We know there are all types of way to serve. Good at writing cards? Send a card or note to someone letting them know they are loved or invite them to church. Good at singing - Join the choir! Good at cooking - join Let’s do lunch crew. You can find something that can be done at church and is needed. You can find ways of serving the community around us too! Identifying the needs in a community and taking action is what witness is all about. When we live out these vows, we can do it privately, but we are called to witness. So, every once in a while be sure to live them out loudly. You can do that by sharing with neighbors or strangers. As Saint Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the gospel at all times and use words when necessary.” Leading a Christian life by example is a form of witness. In Christ, Pastor Jana
Golf Outing On November 5th, we had the golf outing and it was a great time. $159 was raised that was added to the purchasing of Thanksgiving hams for the elementary schools. It was a great Fall Classic and we look forward to the next one. Thank you to everyone who participated in the golf outing and at the hot dog roast after.
UWIF Please continue to bring items for the fence. Save the date: January 22nd at 4:30, we will have a trivia night! Chase and I thought it would be fun to get our churches together. There will be information to come. Save that spot on your calendar. Dear Church, Music Update As you may know, our music director, Deborah Ellis is leaving at the end of the month. Deborah’s husband has a new job in Talequah, OK. As much as we would love for her to commute, that would be a really big commute! Deborah has added so much to our worship experience. We have been very blessed by her talents. We will recognize her at our worship service on Dec. 18th. We wish Deborah and her family many blessings. Thank you, Deborah, for leading us in music. We truly appreciate you. This means that we have started a search and if you know of anyone looking, please send them our way. Pastor Jana
Missions FOR CARNELL ELEMENTARY Thank you to everyone who donated to the Thanksgiving Baskets. We were able to provide a full Thanksgiving meal to 11 families at Carnall Elementary and 4 at Ballman Elementary. It is such a joy being able to provide those and I am thankful and grateful for everyone making that possible. ↑ Boxes and extra snack bags being delivered at Ballman elementary. ↑ Snack Bags being loaded with extra goods for the longer school break. Bring Your Change Jars on Sunday - Dec. 4th We will collect change jar change December 4th. The money collected will go to help provide lunch for the teachers and staff at Carnall Elementary as an appreciation and thank you to them.
Advent Advent began on Nov. 27th. We are doing the series “What Can’t Wait.” Reminder of Combined Service Dec. 11th - Christmas Cantata at Cavanaugh UMC at 10:45 with a combined choir. Sund Sml Groups The Sunday morning adult small groups invite you to join them for an advent study “Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist.” Written by Adam Hamilton, this is a 4-week study that explores the Advent themes of John’s life and ministry and includes DVD/video sessions featuring Adam Hamilton. The sessions will be held in the Fellowship Hall following worship services. The first session will be Nov. 27. Contact Clyde or Blanche for more information and to register. Sund Wip
Bible Study, One Council, Worship, & More One Council Dec. 15th 6:30 PM Wednesdays We are taking a winter break. Resumes Jan. 18th worship Scriptures 12.4.22. Matthew 3:1-12 12.11.22 Cantata 12.18.22 Matthew 1:18-25 12.24.22 Luke 2:1-20 Trustee Reminder A friendly reminder that the person or persons in charge of a meeting or event are responsible for checking to see that the thermostat is set, water in lavatory's and sinks turned off, lights tuned off and all doors locked. Two times in the last 30-45 days hot water has been running on Saturday in the sink in the mens bathroom by the kitchen. That would indicate that it has been running for several days and nights. Let's be good stewards of our property. Be Sure the doors are locked. We have had a visitor at night trying to come in the buildings.
Calendar, Membership Vows Lived Out December Calendar December 3rd United Methodist Men’s Breakfast December 4th Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 December 6th Boy Scouts - Eagle Scout Ceremony 7:00 December 7th Bells Practice 5:30 Choir 6:30 December 11th Worship 10:45 at Cavanaugh UMC December 13th Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 December 15th Let’s Do Lunch (Cavanaugh UMC) 10:30-1:00 December 24th Christmas Eve at Cavanaugh 5:00 Christmas Eve at Wesley 6:30 December 25th Worship at 9:00 am 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 Oct. 30 25 33 Nov. 6 Nov. 13. Nov. 20 Gifts: Date Nov. 20th Nov. 27th. 32 30 27 58 27 59 19 49 25 52 General Missions Nov. 6th 5,655.00 $236.51 Nov. 13th. 550.00 1,875.00 7,875.00 Service: Worship: 9:30 Sunday school 10:30 Mission: Food Collection, Winter Gear Collection, Backpack Ministry 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. 100.00 25.00
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