Wesley United Methodist Church 2200 Phoenix, Fort Smith, AR 72901 www.Wesleyumcfs.org January 2020 Newsletter
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zek I can’t believe it is 2020! Happy New Year to you all. By the way, you all have an 8% chance of keeping your New Year’s resolutions so good luck. At the beginning of the new year, we have a unique opportunity to be reflective on the past year and visionary as we look ahead at the year to come. I am so incredibly proud of our church because of all the vibrant mission and ministry that has been accomplished in 2019. We may be small but that doesn’t stop us from accomplishing amazing things. Your faithfulness and tenacious service make it a joy to serve alongside each of you. Thank you. As we look forward to 2020, I ask that each of you dream for and pray for our church. I don’t know what God has in store for us but I am excited to be on this ride together. My prayer for each of you is that you will consider this scripture from Hebrews: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” - Hebrews 4:16 I have come to realize we all have a guilt complex when it comes to our spiritual lives. Maybe you have said or thought something like: I don’t deserve God’s love, I keep making the same mistake, how can you continue to forgive me, and on and on. When guilt is mixed with shame you have a volatile mix. Even though we might know that God loves us no matter what, making this a reality in our lives is another thing altogether. This verse confronts our guilt and shame head on. It is one of my memory verses that I quote when I am having a particularly bad day. My hope is that each of you can find the boldness this talks about. I know I need more mercy and grace in my life and I’m convinced you do as well. As we enter 2020, I pray that each of us realize a boldness to approach God and our lives. - Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2020
UMW News, COOL Sunday Lunch Page 2 United Methodist Women FAITH · HOPE · LOVE IN ACTION NEWS & ACTIVITIES The Morning Glories group of Wesley UMC have a "Bear" money holder and at each meeting the members put their "loose" change in it and this year we gave money to Hannah House from "the Bear". The Morning Glories will meet on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, in the Rock House at 10:00 a.m. JoAnn McMullin will give the Devotional, Wanda Clark will present the program, and Etta Jensen and Doris Cruce are Hostesses for the Salad Pot-Luck lunch that will follow the Program and Business meeting. We invite anyone to join us for the Mission Program and the fun, food, and fellowship - you will be our guest and do not need to provide a "dish". God bless you. Due to conflicts, the Unit meeting scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 is rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. Sunday * Lunch Do you usually go out to lunch after church and Sunday School? Join us for a soup/be.an lunch January 12 beginning at 11:45 am to 12:00 noon, and contribute to our AC fund what you usually spend for lunch and tip. This could greatly benefit the Wesley AC replacement fund and in addition you can have a great lunch & fellowship time! What else can you do to help with this Cool Sunday Lunch? We will need contributions of crackpots of soup/beans and desserts. We will also need help setting up the dining room, making coffee and tea, and clean-up after the meal. Mexican Cornbread, crackers, and beverages will be provided by One Council members. We will have a sign-up sheet this Sunday, January 5. Please sign up to provide soup/beans or dessert and a job duty to help with this great event. Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2020
Music Ministry Page 3 Greetings!!! Dear Wesley UMC Family, I want to say a huge thanks to everyone who came to our cantata and Christmas Eve services this year! I feel that we had two very special times of music and worship, and I truly hope that each of you was blessed. I have been hearing many wonderful comments from you and the community about our cantata service. I want to say publicly how blessed I am to work with these fine people and to be part of such a wonderful church body. I always love to tell people that we are SMALL BUT MIGHTY!!!! I would also like to thank both the congregation and choir for their generous gift for Christmas. You all bless me in so many ways, and I thank God for each of you!!!! I would like to finish my thoughts this year by honoring someone who was very special to me and who has now left us. Dr. Sharon Kenney was formerly the Director of Worship for Greenwood UMC. I had the joy and blessing of being able to sing in her choir and work alongside her for several years. She was not only a good friend, but also a magnificent teacher and mentor to me, as well. Sharon had immense musical talent; however, even greater still was her intense passion for worship. She worked seemingly tirelessly to do all she could to help create meaningful and moving worship experiences for her congregation. All she did was for the glory of the Lord. In many ways, Sharon is part of our music here and that of many other churches, as well. I have told the choir that much of what I am able to teach our choir is due to her teaching and mentoring me. I also try in many ways demonstrate the same passion for meaningful music that I saw in her. Sharon, I know that you are singing now for joy in the presence of our Lord. Thank you for teaching me, mentoring me, and for being my friend. I will miss your laughter and passion for music! Yours in Christ, Shane Sanderson Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2020
Wesley in Worship Page 4 Wesley in Worship We had a beautiful and wonderful Advent Season at Wesley. We are blessed beyond measure with so much musical talent and those willing to give their time to make worship at Wesley a holy and spiritual experience. Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2020
Missions Page 5 Backpack Program - Thank you to everyone who has diligently shown up to help fill backpack bags each week. They are such a needed blessing for each child that receives one. Also, a thank you to everyone who donated candy and helped put together the goody bags for all the staff at Carnall, Cavanaugh, and Beard Elementary schools. Hannah House - Thank you to each person that purchased a gift from the Hannah House board or donated financially. We were able to provide approximately 24 Christmas presents (12 each) for 2 young ladies that currently reside at Hannah House. Your generous hearts are beyond appreciated. Carnall Community Garden - Pastor Zeke, Carrie and Blanche had the pleasure of helping harvest turnips in December. With help from some of the students we were able to pick approximately 350lbs of turnips. COMMUNITY HARVEST JANUARY 11TH CARNALL ELEMENTARY Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2020
Cub Scouts Page 6 Happy New Year from Pack 19. December saw our scouts getting into the Christmas spirit. December 7 was the annual Christmas Honors Wreath Laying at the Fort Smith National Cemetery. Several Scout families participated in this great event. On December 10 we had a huge group of scouts visit Gorman Towers for our annual caroling. The scouts and residents both receive a lot of joy from this experience. A big thank you to Blanche West for playing piano and Shirley Rowe for leading the songs. On December 14 Scouts from around the community marched in the Fort Smith Christmas Parade. We wrapped up our year with a Pack Christmas party at the Creekmore Park Rose room. Santa Claus made a special appearance to visit with all the children and make sure his list was accurate. 2020 will be another adventure filled year and we invite all interested elementary age children to come check out the great things happening with Pack 19 and Cub Scouts. Yours in Scouting Best, Justin Cates Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2020
UPCOMING EVENTS January Jan 5 Sun. Removal of the Greens, 4:00pm Jan 8 Wed. Bible Study Resumes, 6:00pm, Wesley Hand Bells, 6:15, Chancel Choir, 7:00 Jan 11 Sat. Community Harvest, Carnall Elementary Jan 12 Sun. COOL Sunday Lunch, 11:30 after Sunday School, Fellowship Hall Jan 15 Wed. Bible Study, 6:00pm, Wesley Hand Bells, 6:15, Chancel Choir, 7:00 Jan 18 Sat. One Council Retreat, 9:00am, Win One Classroom Jan 21 Tues. Morning Glories, 10:00am, Rock House Jan 22 Wed. Bible Study, 6:00pm, Wesley Hand Bells, 6:15, Chancel Choir, 7:00 Jan 25 Sat. UMW Unit Meeting Jan 29 Wed. Bible Study, 6:00pm, Wesley Birthdays 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 24 - Twana Collinson 29 - Carrie Miller 31 - Lisa Moen Anniversaries 30 - Terry & Patsy Hendrickson Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2020
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