“Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 Wesley United Methodist Church February 2022 Newsletter What’s inside: From the Desk of Pastor Zeke Baby Gio’s Baptism Gospel Discipleship
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zeke Uncertain times necessitate faith. Faith grows feet in the midst of strife and struggle. If we are honest, during the easiest times of life, faith can seem like a mere accessory. However, when everything falls apart, faith becomes our life-blood hope. It becomes that which carries us through, enabling us to endure, persevere, and even grow. I believe that when we dare to clasp onto our faith, a faith which tells us that “God is God and that we are not”, we begin a journey into the Divine Imagination. Our imagination is one of our most unique attributes. Unfortunately, we often are taught that imagination is a useful attribute of childhood and must be subjugated as we age. I disagree. Our imagination is priceless and necessary to a full and wonderful life. When you add faith to the attribute of imagination, you get the most powerful image that we will ever have or know. We see that image most concretely in the image of God Jesus bore to the world. I believe the Divine Imagination may look different to each person but bears the following characteristics in common: God loves all of us- simple statement on the surface but if we are to begin to fully “realize” this statement we must believe that all people (like yourself or different) bear the image of God. God never gives up on us and desires to dwell in relationship with all of humanity. Jesus ushered in a clearer understanding of what it means to be a child of God- born in God’s image, grew up, struggled, experienced God’s presence through angels, was baptized, lived and led as a humble, loving, wise, and persistent resistance to the powers of the day, lived faithfully even to the bitter end of his life, found and displayed for the world that death is not the end of the story. If you bear the name of Christ as a Christian, you are in covenant with God. This covenant holds that you will strive to love God with heart, soul mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. So who is our neighbor? Everyone. You carry the hope and belief that today’s reality is not the last chapter of history. It is our collective belief that God wins in the end so today’s reality is not the end of the chapters of humanity. This gift of faith and imagination afford us a tenacious hope that transcends the despair of the day. Welcome the gift of Divine Imagination into your life. In doing so, we will all be better. -Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter February 2022
UMW, UMM, Facility Info Page 2 Facility Information UMW invite all the ladies to their monthly meeting on Monday, February 21, at Bob & Wanda’s Wagon Wheel in Barling at 6:30pm. Rev. Dee Dee Autry will be the featured speaker. Evening Stars collected 20 pairs of socks, 33 hats, and 48 pairs of gloves for kids in need at Carnall Elementary. Thank you to everyone for your donations. In December the custodians found the double glass doors to the Fellowship Hall not properly locked. I think that was just before the vandals got in the Fellowship Hall and classrooms and trashed every classroom. Found water running in a lavatory in the men’s bathroom by the kitchen. Found several paper towels and a large amount of glitter in a commode in the ladies bathroom by the kitchen. The custodians also found a key left in a lock of one of the exterior doors. Please, let's be better stewards of our property. Thank you, Harley Making Change in Our Community The Wesley men will be having a men’s breakfast on Saturday, February 12th at 8:00am. All men are encouraged to attend and enjoy a time of fellowship and good food. If you have any questions or would like further information, you may contact Joe Collinson—479-420-3909 or Steve Christian—479-420-4836 Wesley UMC Newsletter We are collecting Change Jar donations for the month on Sunday, February 6th. All donations collected will go to the purchase of food for the Blessing Box. February 2022
Baby Giovanni, Volunteer Opportunities Page 3 On January 16, Wesley celebrated the Baptism of baby Giovanni Jesus Figueroa. It was a beautiful and joyous occasion. Volunteer Opportunities The church is more than just the facilities. It’s the worship service, Sunday School classes, and all the programs that serve our members as well as the community we live in. In order to keep all parts of the church thriving we need each member to share their gifts and talents. We have volunteer opportunities in worship, missions, and music. If you feel called to help in any of those areas please contact Joanne Peterson or Carrie Miller. Wesley UMC Newsletter February 2022
NEW Book Study Group Page 4 Each participant should have a Study Guide: “He Chose the Nails Study Guide” @ $8.00 Max Lucado’s book “He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart” @ $12.00 Place Study Guide & Book Orders with Suzanne Gibson Wesley UMC Newsletter February 2022
One Council Page 5 One Council NEWS 2022 is a Year for You!! You Were Made for this Moment—Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow, a book based on Queen Esther’s story, written by Max Lucado, inspired and encouraged me as I completed the first month of a new year. 2022 holds some great challenges for us all, including church life as we live together in Christian Fellowship within Wesley UMC. While supporting our Wesley family, we are also to reach into our neighborhood, city, state, and beyond with the Good News of the Gospel. Your One Council is striving to do just that as we balance and weave together the work of The Church with the work of Like in the World. We need and want you to work with us by sharing your talents and finances in order to keep life balanced and fruitful, so I encourage you to seriously consider saying “yes” to opportunities for service as they come along throughout this year. Reading the story of Queen Esther from the Bible in the book bearing her name will refresh her fascinating story for you. Even though her book never mentions God’s name, his presence is strongly felt throughout its pages. *A sincere “thank you” is extended to both Donna Moreton and Rick Schmitz for their service on the One Council as their time was completed at the close of 2021. Donna has agreed to continue sending out prayer concerns through email this year. *”Thank you” is also extended to Lois Wade and Debbie Green for their work in assembling Communion packets this past year. “Thank you” to Peggy Higgins, who has said “yes” to serving in that capacity this year. *We look forward to Scouting Sunday on February 13, when our Scouts will be present to assist with the Worship Service. Wesley UMC Newsletter Continued on page 6 February 2022
One Council Cont. Page 6 *Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris conducted leadership training for One Council members of both Wesley and Cavanaugh on January 22 in the Wesley Fellowship Hall. She identified 4 styles of leadership based on her book, Gospel Discipleship, and helped the group see how knowing these characteristics can help our churches work together harmoniously. You can check out a copy of Dr. Morris’ Gospel Discipleship book from the church office during office hours— Monday-Thursday, 9-11. Thank you, Michelle, for coming and leading that for us. In His Service, Blanche Wesley UMC Newsletter February 2022
Iceagedon Page 7 Iceagedon 2022 Iceagedon 2022, a winter storm that rolled through Arkansas yesterday, has iced/sleeted us in so that we literally can’t go anywhere. If it warms up enough, we may be able to get out later today; but odds are it will be sometime tomorrow. For someone like me, losing this much control could be anxiety producing. However, the disruption imposed by Iceagedon 2022 has actually been a blessing because it has helped me see things in new ways. Like how often I take for granted having a warm home and plenty of food. How Covid has allowed me to perfect the art of Zooming so I can continue to get done what I need to get done. And how cold weather plays a necessary role in the Arkansas’ ecosystem for the health and well-being of trees and plants, as well as controlling insects this coming summer. Iceagedon 2022 also has helped me see my relationship with God in new ways. Like how easily I can fall into the trap of asking God to keep my life ordered in ways that make me comfortable, when what I really need to do is ask God to disrupt my life so that I can see things in new ways that will help me grow in my faith and my faithfulness. And that’s why I’m going to try a new prayer over the next several days: Lord, disrupt my life in just the ways You know I need. - Bishop Gary Mueller 1 Council has a meeting, February 17 6:30pm, Win One Classroom Anyone is welcome to attend Wesley UMC Newsletter February 2022
1 Publizr