Wesley United Methodist Church 2200 Phoenix, Fort Smith, AR 72901 www.Wesleyumcfs.org October 2019 Newsletter
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zek “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 Our blessing box in the church parking lot is often a source of rich conversation. Some people love the fact that you place food in there and then whoever comes along can get however much they need. Others truly struggle with the blessing box because they cannot control who gets the food and the fact that some people take more than they need and abuse it. I imagine there are many more thoughts about it but these two seem to be the most common. Admittingly, I struggle with giving up control with most things. I want to be a wise steward with all that I have been given. Sometimes I do good and other times fail miserably. I have come to view the blessing box as a faith exercise for myself. It is a no-strings-attached venue for the grace of God to flow through us. It is what a gift is supposed to look like. When you put food in there, it is a gift made in faith. Then you drive away and have to let go. This is easier said than done for many of us. I am amazed at the random people who show up and put food in the box- this happens a lot. Who are these random saints and what makes them do this? Amazing. These things make me think of Ephesians 2:8-9. Salvation is a gift. I have come to believe that the Methodist understanding of salvation as a means of grace is right on. Salvation come as grace through faith- all of which is a true gift of God. You will never do enough to earn it and never be good enough to deserve it but still it is given. We are the hungry ones that find ourselves at God’s blessing box. No matter what others say or think, we need God and God is offering Godself to us as a true gift. We don’t control how much grace God gives nor do we control who receives this grace. We only testify to that which we have received and invite others to feast on God’s grace. So when you drive by the blessing box, may you remember that you were once the hungry one in need of God’s nourishment and that God is faithful to feed us. - Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2019
UMW News, Wesley in Worship Page 2 United Methodist Women FAITH · HOPE · LOVE IN ACTION NEWS & ACTIVITIES Northwest District UMW Annual Meeting: “Celebrating 150 Years in Mission”. Date: October 12, 2019 Place: Goddard UMC Time: Registration - 9:30am Meeting - 10:00am-2:00pm Registration ($15) Deadline, Sat., October 5 Late Registration ($20) Any questions or registration information contact Patrice Hulsey. The Morning Glories will meet on Tuesday, October 15 in the Rock House at 10:00 a.m. Rosie Turnquist will give the Devotional, Ellen Brown will present the Pledge Service for 2020, and Wanda Clark and Betty Reather are the Hostesses for the Salad PotLuck Lunch that follows the Program and Business Meeting. You are welcome to join us as we learn about the missions all over the world. May God continue to bless you and guide you. Evening Stars will meet Monday, October 14 in the Rock House at 6:30. Any and all ladies are welcome to attend. We are still collecting Best Choice labels and give thanks to the person who has already placed some in the envelope. Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2019 Wesley in Worship We had some awesome music in September. Thank you to Shane and the choir, Kathy Plant, Deborah, Rev. Zeke and Carrie Miller for sharing your amazing gifts and talents to make our worship services so wonderful and memorable. During worship service on 9/22, Ron Fulbright, Justin Cates, and Carrie Miller were presented with plaques of appreciation to say ‘Thank You’ for their service and dedication to Wesley.
Music Ministry, Trustees Note Page 3 Greetings!!! Dear Wesley Church Family, Our cantata has been ordered, and the choir is beginning the task of preparing for a great evening of music to celebrate Advent and Christmas. This year's cantata is titled Love Made a Way. It is a nice mix of traditional and contemporary styles that contain some very beautiful music. There is a really nice solo part and a really nice duet that you all will love! I hope that you will all be able to come to this year's cantata service and bring friends. More on the date and time in next month's newsletter. I am looking for a seamstress (or a seamster!) who could make some covers for our foam bell pads in the Choir Room. The pads we have work well, but they remind me of old seventies hospital tile. You know, the color of tile that you saw in Quincy, M.D.? It used to be one of my favorite shows, but the color has worn on me. If you know of anyone who would be able to make some simple covers, please let me know. I will buy the materials needed. I just want to cover up that awful color!!! If you like southern gospel, be on the lookout for a couple of gospel hits from the choir coming soon! Only 13 weeks until Christmas!!!!! Yours in Christ, Shane Cool Change - Help up keep cool in 2020!! Donate your change or anything larger if you choose to help us purchase a new AC unit for the education building. We hope to be able to replace it by the time warmer weather returns next spring. Our estimate for a new unit is $5,800.00 so every little bit you give will make a huge difference for the future. There is a jug located in the narthex for your donations. Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2019
A.R.K. News Page 4 A.R.K. News We are going strong with the backpack program. So strong, that the Clearinghouse has asked us to bag all of the bags they provide to Cavanaugh Elementary as well as the bags they provide to Beard Elementary. They supply the food each month and we will bag each week. We are still providing the backpack food for the kids at Carnall and Cavanaugh that the Clearinghouse does not cover. Great things are at work!! Date: Wednesday, October 30 Time: 5:00-7:00 Place: Wesley Parking Lot Decorate your vehicle and bring some candy! We would like to have at least 10 vehicles decorated. There is a sign-up sheet in narthex or you can let Rev. Zeke or Amy Cates know. If you need some help with decorations please see Rev. Zeke. We also need candy. There is a donation box in the narthex for any donations. Cavanaugh is holding a Fall Festival for the kids and families at Cavanaugh Elementary. They will have games, bounce around, food, and even a dunk booth for “Dunk the Pastor”. If you would like to help in any capacity or just want to come out and see Pastor Zeke get soaked it will be Sunday, October 27 from 5:00-6:30pm in Cavanaugh UMC’s parking lot. Wesley UMC Newsletter This will be such a fun time with our neighbors. October 2019
Happenings Page 5 Lay Servant Academy will be at Central UMC Rogers November 15-16. Friday will offer the Intro class and a never before offered Missions class to help equip congregations for more effective missional engagement in their communities. Saturday will include a Preaching class, the Polity class and Transforming Evangelism. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A CERTIFIED LAY SERVANT TO TAKE THESE CLASSES!! These classes would be great for anyone active in their congregation. Deadline to register is November 1st. Visit https://www.cumcrogers.com/ layservantministry for more information or to register. United Methodist Men had a great time at the 1st Annual Men’s Night. Gentlemen from Wesley and Cavanaugh shared in great food, great fellowship, and a great guest speaker, Principal Hank Needham from Cavanaugh Elementary. One Council meets Thursday, October 3rd at 6:30 in the Gleaners Room. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings. They are a great way to find out what’s going on in the church and gives the Council other opinions on matters going on within the church. Bible Study will be held at Cavanaugh UMC for the month of October. It meets weekly from 6:00-6:45pm. It’s a wonderful addition to that week’s sermon. Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2019
Cub Scouts Page 6 Greetings from Pack 19. We have opened our new year with many new faces due to in school recruiting. September kicked off with our annual campout at Wells Lake and the Janet Huckabee Nature Center. This close to town campout gives new scout families the chance to experience camping while still having access to conveniences. The highlight of this trip is the Coke bottle fishing derby. Scouts use a bottle and fishing line as their tackle instead of a pole. Sept 17 was the kickoff date for annual popcorn sales. Scouts sell Trails End popcorn to help support the Scouting program. 73% of the proceeds goes back into Scouting. Sept 21 was our first ever "Show and Sell" at Quick Discounts on Jenny Lind. Scouts had popcorn products on hand for customers to purchase or make donations to send popcorn to American service people overseas. The month wrapped up with the "Webelos Woods" campout. This campout is for Webelos and Arrow of Light ranked scouts. Scouts camp away from parents (but with lots of supervision) to give them an idea of what it will be like when they move to a Scouts BSA troop. If you know an interested child please invite them to come visit Pack 19. Yours in Scouting’s Best, Justin Cates Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2019
UPCOMING EVENTS WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU! Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Wed. Bible Study, 6:00pm, Cavanaugh Hand Bells, 6:15, Chancel Choir, 7:00 **No BS Oct 30th** Oct 3 Thurs. One Council, 6:30pm, Gleaners Room Oct 14 Mon. Evening Stars, 6:30pm, Rock House Oct 15 Tues. Morning Glories, 10:00am, Rock House Oct 17 Thurs. Young @ Heart, 6:00pm, Fellowship Hall Oct 27 Sun. Fall Festival for Cavanaugh Elementary, 5:00-6:30pm, Cavanaugh UMC Oct 30 Wed. Trunk or Treat, 5:00-7:00pm, Wesley October Birthdays 1 - Jamison Hayes 2 - Etta Walker 10 - Billy Higgins 13 - Linda Wright 16 - Rosalie Allen 17 - Madison Hill 20 - Linda Barton 21 - George Jensen 24 - Devin Pulse 24 - Nathan Smith Anniversaries 17 - Don & Gloria Groves 19 - Zeke & Andrea Allen 28 - Justin & Amy Cates Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2019
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