Wesley United Methodist Church May 2023 Newsletter What’s Inside: Note from Pastor UMM Events UWIF Calendar & More
Note from Pastor Jana Soon, many of us will be embarking on our summer vacations. It's an exciting time, but it can also be a time of stress as we prepare for our trips. There's always a never-ending list of things to do before we leave, from packing to securing our homes. While we are busy getting ready for our trips, it's easy to lose focus on the present moment. We can get so caught up in the anticipation of our upcoming vacations that we forget to enjoy the present. But May is a month that reminds us to stay present and enjoy the blessings of each day. For some of us, the summer months are filled with activities and fun events that we look forward to all year. However, not everyone has something to look forward to. If you find yourself feeling discouraged or wondering if things will ever get better, remember to be encouraged and hold onto hope. Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that we shouldn’t worry about the future. We need to be present right now. We need to be turning our concerns over to God and find the peace of God. May we all take time to appreciate the blessings of each day, whether we are looking forward to a vacation or simply enjoying the present moment. Let us lift each other up in prayer and support as we journey through this season of life together. Pastor Jana
April Highlights & Farmer’s Market Backpack Ministry We had several volunteers help the snack packs for the month of April. We packed 305 bags to go to Carnall, Ballman, Beard, and Cavanaugh. Thank you to all who helped. We will have one last packing for the school year on May 10th at 5:30 at Cavanaugh UMC. The event is being planned, but save the date. Get ready for some yard games, fellowship, and a celebration of the church’s birthday. Farmer’s Market Ministry Pray for our farmers and their crops will be fruitful this summer. It was a hard season last year with the extreme heat. Pray for our volunteers and those who pick up fresh produce from the blessing boxes around town. Pray about if you are able to help. A sign-in sheet will be placed on the table in the sanctuary foyer for volunteers for Saturdays during the growing season. We will need volunteers to pick up the food donations, label sacks, separate and sack the food, and deliver to area Blessing Boxes. Volunteers from last summer working on sorting. Picture of St. Paul UMC closing worship Holy Communion
UWIF, UMM, & Picnic Info Pentecost Picnic May 28th After Small Groups Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for a pentecost picnic. The event is being planned, but save the date. Get ready for some yard games, fellowship, and a celebration of the church’s birthday.
Mission Opportunity Contact Jana if you are interested We have received a grant from 200K More Reasons to begin a Cooking Matters class. Wednesdays This is a 6 week class. Participants learn about cooking, meal prep, grocery shopping, food budgeting, and nutrition. We will need volunteers for several components. We will work with getting training and there is lesson plans to follow. Prayerfully consider if you would like to help. In-Person Noon Zoom 6:30 Ways to Volunteer: Lead Coordinator Teach the Nutrition Lessons Lead the Cooking part Shop for groceries Sort the groceries Assist during the class Collected $176.31 in April for ARUMC Disaster Relief Good job, Church! In June, we will collect for Community Rescue Mission Remember to bring your change May 7th. Worship Scriptures 5.7.23 1 Peter 2:2-10 5.14.23 5.21.23 5.28.23 OZARK MISSION PROJECT 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 Acts 2:1-21
Ozark mission project Karen Anderson is the Community Development Coordinator and will be here to speak about OMP and its mission on May 14th. There will be an opportunity for a special offering. They appreciate us partnering with them. Come learn more about their mission and how they have been serving the community for 36 years.
Finding and Celebrating God’s Joy Trustee Report - From Harley Since we sold the parsonage in January we have some funds to do some improvements at the church that we weren't able to do before due to the lack of fund. As mentioned in last months newsletter the big improvement was installing new vinyl plank in the Fellowship Hall. It looks fantastic. Also, the Trustees, Finance Committee and the One Council has approved 2 new trees to replace the ones that partially died and was removed on the South end of the sanctuary. A Japanese Maple was planted to replace a dead dogwood and a new small dogwood planted on the lawn South of the sanctuary. Our beautiful azaleas on the East side of the sanctuary are victims of our dry winter and will be replaced with new bright red ones. We have a contract to replace 13 of the insulated windows with the seals broken. They should be replaced in the next week or two. We have also done some long overdue maintenance: Had all the windows professionally cleaned inside and out, had the carpet professionally cleaned. The vinyl tile in the kitchen and 2 classrooms will be cleaned and waxed hopefully in the next week or two. The Martinez Lawn and Landscape Company that maintains our lawn and landscaping has brightened the place with new spring flowers. We believe that the first impression of our church is form the lawn, landscaping and building. So, we strive to keep it looking good.
May Calendar May 3rd May 6th May 7th May 8th May 9th May 13th May 14th May 16th May 18th May 20th May 21st May 23rd May 25th May 28th Bible Study In Person 12:00 (Cavanaugh UMC) Zoom at 6:30 United Methodist Men Breakfast at 8:00 at Cavanaugh UMC Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Evening Stars 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 Special Called Session of the Conference Hot Springs 10:00-6:00 Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 Let’s Do Lunch 10:30 -1:00 at Cavanaugh UMC One Council 6:30 Golf Classic Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 Worship Meeting 6:00 Worship 9:30 Small Groups 10:30 Pentecost Picnic May 30th Boy Scouts 6:00 - 8:00 Handbells 5:30 Choir 6:30 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 April 9 44 April 16 24 April 23 28 April 30 26 26 70 29 53 12 40 28 54 Gifts: Date April 16 General Missions April 2 $2,473 $176.31 April 9 $3,070 $1,545 April 23 $1,672 April 30 $1,592 Service: Worship: 9:30 Sunday school 10:30 Mission: Backpack Ministry, blessing box 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. $1,000
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