Wesley United Methodist Church January 2021 Newsletter What’s inside: A note from Pastor Zeke Music News One Council Info
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zeke New Beginnings “I hereby command you: be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go” - Joshua 1:9 Is it true? Can it be? Did we survive 2020? This past year has been a very difficult year for everyone. However, as I reflect on this past year, I am aware of the many blessings I have witnessed. I have seen the resilience of our church and its people. In March when we postponed all in-person services and meetings, the resilience of the church shone bright. We all figured out together how to have virtual church. It was way different for us all but we made the best of it. I saw church members call one another, check in, write cards, make calls, and send texts. Even though we couldn’t physically be together we found a way to be together. Each of you have embodied Jesus by the way you have loved and cared for one another. Even though we couldn’t worship in person on Easter, we still find ways to celebrate the gift of Jesus all year. When we returned to in-person worship, we found a way to continue streaming our worship services for online viewing. While things are far from normal now, I believe we have all made the best of 2020 and some real blessings and hope have come our way. I have come to believe faith grows legs in the midst of struggle and strife. We have had plenty of both of these and thank God we are all people of faith. Faith has carried us and faith will continue to carry us. In the scripture above, the Lord is speaking to Joshua and the people as they prepare to finally enter the Promised Land. These words to “Be strong and courageous” are perfect words for us in our context right now as we stand on the precipice of a new year. I am so hopeful for 2021. I can be hopeful because I know God is with us and I know the faith of the people in our church. Please pray for our church and for our world. Please continue to support our church and its mission and ministries. Most of all, continue to love each other and care for one another. Do not neglect one another and love courageously. - Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2021
Music Ministry Page 2 Greetings!!! Greetings Wesley UMC Family!!! I hope each of you enjoyed our music for Advent and Christmas. I want to say a special "Thank You" to Carrie, Justin, and Kathy for singing and playing throughout the season and for our Christmas Eve service. We made a real attempt to have our Christmas Eve service be a mix between a traditional lessons and carols and a Cantata Service. I feel that it went very well!! I would also like to give a shout-out to my bell players, who worked really hard on the music for Christmas. I picked music that looked fairly easy, but it only appeared that way. So, thank you to Justin, Amy, Suzanne, Twana and Deborah for stepping in and letting us have bells for Christmas! I would also like to thank Deborah for her fine playing and musicianship. We are truly blessed to have her here in our church!!! Deborah was willing to step into an absence in our bell choir, and she did a great job!! Finally, I would like to thank the church for their gracious gift. I am always blown away by the blessing we receive each year, and you all are such a wonderful group of people. I love our congregation here, because I feel that we are a loving church that works hard to help bless and provide for others. This is what church should be about, in my opinion. Yours in Christ, Shane Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2021
Thank you to everyone who participated in the reading and lighting of the Advent Wreath. It was a wonderful Advent Season even with all the constraints placed on us. One Council meets Thursday, January 7 at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. This will be our first meeting with the new incoming Council members. Wesley’s One Council Members Lay Leader/Lay Delegate: Carrie Miller Clyde Bates Amy Cates Gloria Cates Steve Christian Twana Collinson Suzanne Gibson Billy Higgins Patrice Hulsey George Jensen Donna Moreton Jackie Nichols Joanne Peterson Rick Schmitz Harley Strang Blanche West 2200 Phoenix Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-646-9702 Wesley UMC Newsletter January 2021
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