Wesley United Methodist Church 2200 Phoenix, Fort Smith, AR 72901 www.Wesleyumcfs.org June 2020 Newsletter
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zeke “New Normal” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” 2 Corinthians 5:17 I used to have a buddy who would say something like- “I am normal and everyone else is weird”. So what really is “normal”? In this midst of a crazy pandemic we have found our freedom and our fears come to the forefront. I would imagine you, like myself, have had a myriad of emotional responses. These might include frustration, anger, fear, anxiety, depression, and apprehension for the future. I would advocate that all of these things are “normal”. I have come to believe that God is okay with our normal. Our deepest frustrations and most paralyzing fears do not threaten God, in my opinion. I believe God meets us where we are and just as we are. However, God loves us enough to not leave us where we are. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, God continues to reshape those “in Christ” into new creations. We have learned over the past two months that there are a lot of things that are out of our control. What, I believe, we must begin to learn from are those things that are in our control and focus on them. These might include things like your reaction to things, the condition of your spiritual heart and your orientation and relationship with God. I believe that if we focused on even these three things our perspective on life would be altered and bettered. Whatever our new “normal” is in this pandemic, my hope for us all is that we might claim the “new life” afforded us through Jesus Christ. My all of feet be firmly planted on the rock foundation of Jesus who is our Christ. -Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter June 2020
Shoal Creek, Missions Page 2 Summer 2020 Camp Opportunities: • The Great Adventure Camp - July 19-21 • Exploring God’s Creations Day Camp - July 23 Backpack program - School is officially over until August. With that, the backpack program is on hiatus. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone who helped bag the bags each week and/or delivered to the schools. Without your willingness to volunteer and your support our mission to make sure hungry children have food each weekend would have been much harder. Campers can download forms on the Shoal C r e e k C a m p w e b s i t e www.shoalcreekcamp.com and send them to the director for that camp. Camp size may be limited do to Corona Virus so be sure to get your forms in as soon as possible. Farmers Market - We have been in contact with the Farmers Market concerning our start date to begin produce pickup. The Market is still down several vegetable vendors from normal so we are waiting to find out if what is there will be enough to gather donations. We are hoping to hear something within the next week concerning that. Stay tuned for updates! Wesley UMC Newsletter June 2020
Music Ministry Page 3 Greetings!!! Dear Wesley Church Family, Greetings!! I want to begin by saying a special Thank YOU!!!! to those of you who sent me cards and Happy Birthday messages last week! I truly had a special birthday this year--the best one I have had in a long time--and you were part of it!! We are now entering what seems like our fifth year of quarantine, and I know that many of us are longing to be back together each week to fellowship and worship together! I want to keep emphasizing how much I miss my bell and Chancel choir. I hope that each of you is safe, healthy, and well! I know that one of the fruits of the spirit is patience, and God is definitely growing this in us all right now!! I, like you, am looking forward to the day when I can be back with you all, especially my singers and ringers!! Yours in Christ, Shane Sanderson Wesley UMC Newsletter June 2020
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