Wesley United Methodist Church October 2020 Newsletter What’s inside: A note from Pastor Zeke Community Garden Update Cub Scouts Pack 19 Update
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zeke Chillax Chillax (verb)- to calm down Sometimes… well, if I am truly honest, most of the time the news raises my blood pressure. So many stories of suffering, loss, violence, hopelessness, grief, people arguing, and, as if that were not enough, sensationalism at its finest. We have a 24-7 news cycle- it never stops and it never sleeps. So how do we, as people of faith, respond in this reality? Not just the news cycle, our own lives are so incredibly full. Time is a rare and precious commodity. It seems like for me, as a parent of two teenagers, there is always a place to be and things to do. Many of you have encouraged me as a parent and reminded me to enjoy this season of my life- thank you. Still yet, a full life is demanding and challenging. I would bet that most of you are facing some type of significant challenge in your life right now. Maybe a significant health crisis, a looming decision, or maybe relational strains- the list of possibilities are endless. If so, how is your faith helping you? Authentic faith is wrought in struggle. In the crucible of life’s messiness is where faith grows legs. I have the great privilege to witness people living out their faith through their struggles almost daily. Each of you have inspired me by the way your own faith carries you through. Our faith is not a fickle thing, when and where God is involved we have power far beyond our own capacities. It would do us all well to remember that daily. In 1 Peter 5:7 it says: “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” In a world that is loud and full and broken, this verse reminds me to “chillax”. Let us have enough faith and wisdom to do so daily. -Keep the Faith Strong, Zeke Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2020
Community Garden, Cub Scouts Page 2 Thank you to everyone who came out and helped pick sweet potatoes over the last couple of weeks. It is not how we wanted or planned to harvest but as usual God provided and it worked out. Several hundred pounds of potatoes have been distributed to the kids at Carnall and our neighbors in the community. We are small but we are mighty! Greetings from Pack 19! Pack 19 has relaunched our program and are glad to be back together. Scouters are eager to have adventures as a group but have all been busy working on advancements and being in the outdoors with their families. We are using our masks and distancing ourselves while meeting. October 17-18 we are heading to Rogers Scout Reservation for our first campout together in many months. We invite every elementary aged child to come check us out and join the adventure. Yours in Scouting’s Best, Justin Cates “That Will Never Change” Backpack Program - We are finally getting numbers in on the amount of backpack bags we will be bagging each week. Just like last year, we will bag 2 or 3 weeks in advance on a Wednesday evening. More information about when that will begin, to come very soon. Wesley UMC Newsletter On both your best and worst days, God still reminds you that you are created in God’s image. On both your best and worst days, Jesus still died on your behalf, and longs to be your Lord and Savior. On both your best and worst days, the Holy Spirit still prompts, prods and leads you into the fullness of the Jesus’ life for which you are created. And this is true today regardless of whether it turns out to be your best day or your worst day - or somewhere in between. Here’s why. God loves you passionately and that will never change. - Bishop Gary Mueller October 2020
Music Ministry Page 3 Greetings!!! Greetings Wesley UMC Family!!!! I want to begin by saying a huge "Thank you!!!" for your prayers for my mother and me during our recent bout with COVID. It will not lie: it was pretty rough, and my mother is still dealing with some pretty bad symptoms. However, there is power in prayer, and I am confident that she will make a full recovery soon! I am feeling much better now and looking forward to being back in church in a couple of weeks! Unfortunately, my turn with the crud interrupted the revival of bell choir. We met one time and had such a great time together. Always full of lots of fun and laughter. My plan is for us to begin bells once more on Wednesday, October 7th from 6:00 - 6:30. We have some good music picked out that will also feature our pianist, Deborah Ellis. By the way, I think we are so blessed as a church to have Deborah with us. Each week, I find so much joy listening to her play and accompany our singing. As a fellow musician, I often hear and recognize the unique musical choices and style that Deborah brings to her playing, and it is always creative and very stylistic. Thank you Deborah for all you add to our church!!! I am looking at a way to possibly keep some semblance of a Christmas Cantata without actually having a choir. More information to come!!! Yours in Christ, Shane Sanderson 2200 Phoenix Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-646-9702 | wesleyumcfs@yahoo.com Wesley UMC Newsletter October 2020
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